May 2024 Newsletter
Prayer Request for May 2024
We ask for your prayers for divine wisdom as we navigate changes at the Thrift Store, aiming for outcomes that will positively impact both the store and our Mission.
Please call us if you have any questions about the Mission or how you can help. 432-337-8294
A Word From Our Director ~ Pastor Andrew Pistone
The Fisherman and the Businessman
Once, there was a businessman sitting on a beach in a small Italian village. It had been a busy morning for him, but he was having lunch and taking a short break before tackling his afternoon projects. During his break, he saw a fisherman bringing a small boat into the harbor, and he saw that the fisherman had caught quite a few large fish. The businessman was impressed with the fish in the boat – and after the boat was docked, the businessman asked, “How long did it take you to catch so many fish?”
The fisherman answered and said, “Oh, not very long - just a few hours this morning…and now, my work is finished for the day.”
The businessman was a little confused, and asked, “Instead of stopping now - at lunchtime - why don't you stay out longer so you can catch even more?”
“Well, I do enjoy fishing, but this is enough to feed my family, sell a little in the village, and even offer some to my neighbors,” the fisherman replied.
“Since you're finished with your work so early…what do you do for the rest of your day?” asked the businessman.
The fisherman said, “Well, I do have some physical problems that limit my work day, but I've usually caught all the fish I need by late morning - so I go home, kiss my wife, eat lunch, and play with my kids. During the afternoon, I sometimes take a short nap and do some reading. In the evening, my family and I spend time together – talking and playing games; and, we often get together with friends. I play the guitar and we talk and sing into the night. Then, I make sure to get a full night of sleep, so that I'm ready for work the next day. I have a peaceful and fulfilling life.”
The businessman was an entrepreneur and - after hearing about the fisherman's daily schedule - he offered a suggestion. He said, “I have a PhD in business, and I have ideas to help you become much more successful. You should set up an official fishing company, line up lots of new buyers all around the village, and then – hire some men to help you catch as many fish as possible. When you've saved enough money, you should buy a bigger boat and hire some more men to help you catch even more fish. After a lot of hard work, you'll be able to buy more boats, hire more people, and build a production plant that will package the fish and control the distribution. At that point, you can expand your business to include several branches, and move inland to a bigger city to be centrally located - for better control of the branches.”
The fisherman listened carefully, and asked, “And after that?”
The businessman smiled and said, “After that, you can take your company public and you'll be able to live like a king. You'll be rich!”
“And after that?” asked the fisherman again. The businessman said, “After you have all those riches - you'll be able to retire, move back to a house by the ocean, and wake up early to do something you like to do – go fishing. After that, you can return home early - to kiss your wife, eat lunch, play with your kids, take a short nap, and then spend the evening talking and playing games with your family…and you'll also have time to get together with your friends to talk, play guitar, and sing into the night.”
And now - the fisherman was genuinely puzzled…and he said, “Aren't those the things I'm doing already?”
Both Men Can Have Contentment
Even though the businessman had big ideas for expanding the fishing business, the fisherman was content with his life of simplicity. There's not a “one size fits all” when it comes to our work. The businessman was an entrepreneur and enjoyed the fast pace of his own work schedule – but the fisherman had some physical limitations, and preferred his slower pace of life. I know this is a simple, fictional story, and there are other things to consider in the real world, but the goal is to have true contentment – no matter what path our life has taken. This doesn't mean that we should be lazy and unproductive. It means that we are content with our abilities.
There's nothing wrong with ambition and making money - if that's in line with the talents that God has given us - but we all need biblical wisdom - so that we focus on the things that have eternal value.
Our culture encourages us to want MORE! We are assaulted every day by advertisements that remind us of all the material things we don't have. If we aren't careful, we can give all our attention to gaining MORE money and MORE possessions – and forget that we can be satisfied with what God has given us. We don't want the accumulation of money and the love of money to be the driving factor in our lives – and the reason we never feel contentment. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' ” (Hebrews 13:5)
If we are followers of Christ - God is our Father, and He will take care of us. “God causes all things to work together to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
God's Plan Isn't the Same for Everybody
Dr. John MacArthur said, “We will not be completely content until we see that God's plan is not the same for all His children. What the Father lovingly gives to one believer, He just as lovingly withholds from another. (1 Cor. 12:4-11) We might not be comfortable with that, but God knows that being rich is not necessarily the best plan for all of us. It could even be harmful for us - as it was for the rich man in Luke 12.”
Some people have the ability and the gift of gaining wealth, and others have the gift of enjoying a simpler life. One way of life is not more valuable or noble than the other. If God blesses us with lots of money, we can definitely enjoy it, and use it for His glory. If we live a modest life – that doesn't make us more holy than someone who is wealthy. In either case, we have to keep reminding ourselves that our true wealth and contentment are in the spiritual riches we have in God. In comparison to that, the money and status we have – or don't have - becomes unimportant. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
The British preacher, Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) said, “If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
It doesn't matter whether we are rich or poor, or somewhere in-between. The most important thing is our relationship to our Creator. Because of that – we can have a life of contentment and true joy. I hope you are content – no matter what!
Pastor Andrew
Thrift Store
If you haven't had a chance to shop at our Thrift Store, we hope you will do that very soon. The proceeds from the store are a major source of our support. You will find thousands of quality items at incredible prices, and you can shop with confidence that your dollars are helping to change lives.
We are located at 1515 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX Our hours for shopping are: Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
We continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We will come to PICK UP any and all donations – just give us a call at 432-337-8294 to schedule a pickup. You can also drop off your donation at the Thrift Store,
Funds / Donations Needed
Your financial support will help us provide hot meals, a safe place to sleep and shower, and exposure to the truth of God's Word through Bible study and counseling to those who struggle with addictions. Many come to know Jesus as Savior because of the work God is doing here at the Mission.
There are a few ways you can give:
#1: PayPal Giving Fund:100% of what you give goes to the Mission. Paypal does not keep a processing fee when you use this service. If you would like to make a direct financial donation you can go to PayPal at the link below.
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2432315
#2: Use our Website http://www.doorofhopemission.com/donate.html
#3: Mail a Check to Door of Hope Mission PO Box 1789, Odessa, TX 79760
#4: When you Shop at Amazon or Ebay, just add us as your preferred charity, and a portion of your purchase will go to the Door Of Hope Mission.
With Amazon: Visit Amazon Smile www.smile.amazon.com, then login to your account then you need to select Door Of Hope Mission Odessa TX so we will receive donations from eligible purchases when you shop.
With Ebay: You just need to add the Door Of Hope Mission to your favorites. Click the link this link to add us.
https://charity.ebay.com/charity/charity-name/2432315
If you have any questions please call us 432-337-8294.
The Door of Hope Mission is supported 100% by DONATIONS and our thrift store. We do not take money from the government because they would restrict us from preaching about the freeing power of Jesus to those we help.
All donations are tax-deductible.
DOOR OF HOPE THRIFT STORE UPDATE
We are in need of good furniture and antiques that you might want to donate to our ministry, and of course - we continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We can also accept cars, trucks, RVs and boats.
If you have items you wish to donate, please drop them off at the store. If you need us to pick them up, please call the Mission at 432-337-8294.
We invite you to come and visit the Door of Hope Thrift Store. We are located at 1611 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761.
Our hours for shopping are Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Please visit us on Facebook : www.Facebook.com/DoorOfHopeThriftStore
All donations are tax deductible.
Please check out our latest post and like our page at https://www.facebook.com/DoorOfHopeMissionTX
A CHRISTIAN MISSION