Why make it hard?

"True religion and undefiled is to care for the widows and orphans and to keep yourself undefiled." These words are found in the number one sold book of "All time", the Bible. Why do such simple words become so hard to live by? Jesus even said, "when did you feed me, clothe me or visit me? If you did it to one of these little ones, you've given it unto me." In the past 40 years of church life the poverty mentality has thankfully been removed from our way of thinking. We have learned how to prosper and we found out that God does want to bless us. He does so, so that we can be a channel for his blessings. A funnel through witch his blessing can flow. Are you that funnel? Are you sowing into those who are less fortunate than yourself? I've been amazed at the attitude of some of my companions at work that are sowing into the childrens home and project. They are for the most part "unchurched" but feel compassion for these orpah kids in South India. Lets not make it so hard. Lets find the joy of serving others!

Thank you!

A big thank you to everyone that is giving towards the constuction as well and the Christmas project for the Childrens Home. If you would like to contribute towards these projects see in the lower entries the information you need. It is a joy to serve others!

Progress!

As you can see in this picture the construction is going forward in the Children's home. The columns are being filled and some walls are going up. We are so thankful for the love and support that our friends are giving. We need your help! Please pray and ask the Lord what part you can play in this project. At this time we can only help twelve children. There are so many more on the streets barely surviving without any hope for the future. This home will give us the ability to rescue many more children and raise them in the love of God. Any gift that you can send is appreciated, it will go entirely to build this childrens home. Jesus said in Luke 12:33, "Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven." I personally have been challenged to cut back in many areas to have funds available to send for this project. You can send your gift to TrueVine Ministries P.O. Box 890 Harlingen, TX 78551. Join us to serve others!

Christmas for India Orphans

Christmas is just around the corner. The Indian tradition for Christmas is to give new clothes to the kids for both Christmas and New years. We are talking about shirt and pants for the boys and a dress for the girls and a new pair of shoes for each. This is a big difference from the X-boxes and other big tag items that children in America ask for. I want to raise One Thousand US dollars for the Children at the Home in South India this Christmas. The staff there also never ask or require anything for themselves and serve the kids year round. I would like to bless them too with a special Christmas gift. Its best if we send money there rather than the clothes, the staff will know what sizes to get each child. If you need a tax receipt send your offering to TrueVine Ministry P.O Box 890 Harlingen, TX 78551 or if you want to send it direct to me, 1400 Island View #215 Canyon Lake, TX 78133. Mark on your check Christmas in India and 100% will be used for that purpose. If there is more than needed the balance will be used on the Contruction Program. Put a smile on a child face this year, be a part of those who live to serve others!

A knock on the Door!

I live in the small town of Canyon Lake. Most people like to be left alone and enjoy their privacy. As I was uploading the previous blog I heard a knock on the door. First time any one knocked the two months I lived here. I opened the door to find a new neighbor lady standing there. She asked if I was a missionary. I thought she was looking for the Mormon missionaries that live on the next floor but as I looked at her I saw that she needed more than what they could offer. I told her that I could help her as she began to cry. "I have committed the unforgiveable sin" she said. We sat down on the stairs and talked as she bore her soul. As I encouraged her and counseled the presence of God began to touch her and she was set free from guilt and condemnation. It just takes a knock on the door. Jesus said, "knock and it shall be opened, seek and you will find." Being available to serve is AWESOME!

Anybody out there?

I need some feedback, suggestions, ideas. Solomon said that "two are better than one and a three fold cord is not easily broken." As you can tell from this blog, I am working on a project along with some other concerned people. Please, give me some creative ideas to help get this project up and running and along with the ideas give me some effort to bring them to pass. Why do all this? Once you look into the eyes of a child that are empty and hopeless you will understand. I see the faces at night when I go to bed and in my prayers every morning. Homeless kids in India grow up into homeless adults later like this lady. She has a baby in her lap sitting on the street. Come on somebody, join with me to serve others!

IT WORKS, give it a try!

I met a friend at work who was raised Baptist and I have been sharing with him and we have been getting together for some fellowship. He had gone through a long dry spell without selling and was getting desperate. One day I shared with him about the Childrens home and the needs that it has and so later he comes and gives me 40 dollars to use for the home. He said that he wanted to sow some seed into the project. The very next week he made two small sales. Later when we were talking he said. "Pat. I now know why I only made two small sales, the Lord told me to give you 100 dollars for the project and I only gave 40." He gave me the rest and the next week he sold more than any one else. He has been sowing seed into the project ever since and God has been blessing him greatly. How about you, do you need a financial miracle? Ask the Lord about sowing some seed into the Childrens home and see how much God can begin to Bless you. Join me is serving Others!

This is Beyond Words!

This is Usha, she is one of the girls that lives in the Children's home. This is why this home is so wonderful, it is making disciples of Jesus Christ. She was taken off the streets, came to the home with TB, was healed, saved, filled with the Spirit and is serving God. Look at that face! This is what makes it all worth the sacrifice and giving to see God do so many miracles like this in childrens lives. Please pray about sowing into this construction project, lets work together to see lives changed. Join with me to serve others.

Thank You!

Recently I was able to send $3000.00 for the Children's home construction project in South India, thank you to everyone that is sowing seed into this ministry. We still have a ways to go to finish and we are trusting in the Lord to supply this need. For your Tax deductible donation send to: True Vine Ministry P.O. Box 698 Olmito, TX 78575 Thanks again!

A Voice

I've been thinking about the term "A voice", John the Baptist said that he was a "voice crying in the wilderness." He was a voice announcing the coming of the Christ but was a voice disregarded by many people of that day. There are countries that do not allow a "voice" to be heard. In other places where there is freedom to "voice" or sound a opinion, they are discouraged to do so. There are people speaking for the unborn in America. Others speak out for spotted owls and other voiceless species. It is good for voices to be heard for those who are silent, whose circumstances will never allow their voices to be heard. I realize that I AM A VOICE. I speak for many important issues but have realized recently that I am a voice for 12 Orhan children in India. The voices of these kids will never be heard outside of their immediate dwellings. I am a voice not only for these kids but for the countless thousands of children who merely exist on the streets of South India. Who will speak about this issue? There are people very uncomfortable when they hear my voice speaking on the behalf of these kids but if I dont speak, WHO WILL? People don't like to hear that finances are needed to build them a home. BE Quiet, Shut UP is the unspoken response I get. Don't bother me with this, it makes me uncomfortable to know that there are people in need. I admire the voices speaking on behalf of the unborn in america and those who speak out for those whose voices are silent. I can't be quiet, I won't shut up. The need is too great to stay silent. I am a voice crying in the wilderness hoping that someone will hear my heart and help me to reach and build a home for 100 orphans in South India. Join your voice with mine and lets raise the cry together and see miracles in these kids lives. Isn't it a Joy to Serve Others?

Update

It's been a while since my last post. I'm living in Canyon Lake, TX working at the Hill Country Resort. I'm in sales and do about three presentations daily to folks that are interested in owning their vacation. It's an interesting line of work and feel at home here. Since we work on Sundays the boss asked me to do a chapel service before work, so about 12 of us meet for a short meditation. There are many different religions represented that it has been interesting to see how the Lord is touching each heart in a different way. I also get opportunities to minister to the clients that come in, its amazing how the Lord sets up appointments for different people to meet with me. Drop a line to say hello.... Blessings to ya'll

INDIA PROJECT

Recently some people have asked me how they can give to the Childrens Home Construction Project. I have two suggestions: You may send your offering to True Vine Ministry P.O. Box 698 Olmito, Texas and every penny will be used for the project, just put India Project in the memo line or drop a note and say what it is for. If you dont require a Tax receipt for your gift you can send to Patrick Veach P.O. Box 890 Harlingen, TX 78551 and all the gift will be used for the construction project. Soon building will continue as funds are made available. Join the team of serving others!!

Looking for a church

Im in San Antonio looking for a church to attend. What am I looking for? Here in SA there are lots of options to choose from, huge churches, seeker sensitive churches, tv evangelist churches. Last week I was in a church and the service was over in one hour. Convienent but like going through a fast food line at Micky D's. I would like to find a church with cell groups, a church that has a vision to reach souls and that has a heart for missions. Hmmmmm, sounds like the vision I had. Maybe someday I will start a new church....will see. I still have a heart to serve others!

Looking for a JOB!

I've heard that looking for a job could be a full time job, well, I believe that to be true. Since my adventure in Truck driving, I'm looking into some othe options. I've had a few interviews and some more are coming up. I went to a Employment Agency and the lady asked me what kind of job I was looking for? I answered, "The Ceo of a company." After all thats what I'm trained to do. She said that I will be hard to place in a job. So I realize that the CEO is out, but not entirely. Even though I might not be the official CEO, I can act like one in my heart! Its all about ATTITUDE! Isn't it a joy to serve others?

Childrens Home Update

God is so good! He has helped us to buy property, build the security wall and now the foundation to phase one is in! Remember, this home will handle 100 homeless and famliless children and each life will be transformed by Gods love. This is a faith project, please pray with us and give generously as God prospers you.Send your offerings to:Grace Point Fellowship P.O. Box 1790 Harlingen, TX 78551

Fender Bender

Ooooops, as they say, "accidents happen". This one was avoidable, just miscalculated a little of all places in a truck stop parking lot. The verse that comes to mind is, "many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them out of them all."

Breakdown

There's lot to experience out on the road and one thing that no one wants to endure is a "Breakdown," especially at 4am in the middle of a rain storm. Yep, my wind shield wipers stopped working in the middle of the night, in the middle of a storm! I called our breakdown department and was directed to the nearest garage where I had to wait two hours for the mechanic to arrive and then approval from the company to make the repairs. So, I'm learning that breakdowns are an inconvience that one just has to endure.

In life, sometimes there are breakdowns in different areas. Breakdown in health, jobs, marriages, friends and the list goes on. Does life stop during a breakdown? No, life still goes on. No one likes to deal with them but everyone has to from time to time. I've been looking for some good to come out of this, share the Lord with someone, get a little rest, catch up on my blog. There is always something positive that can come out of a breakdown. While life continues to run swiftly, all I can do is make the best out of my situation and be thankful that my breakdown wasn't worse.

Road signs

What a lovely drive today from New York State to Pennslyvania. Got to get off the freeway and drive some back roads in the mountains to see some of the countryside. What a beautiful land we live in! No wonder people from all over the world want to come here to live. I saw some Amish men plowing with horses. Their farms are so beautiful and so clean. Interesting not to see light poles or telephone wires running from house to house. The weather has been gorgeous, blue sky, cool evenings, excellent for cruising the countryside. Would of liked to have stopped to take come pics, but was running late to pick up a load and had to move on. I'm driving nights now, its so much better than fighting with the traffic during the day.

I was thinking about road signs today and the one that caught my attention was "Construction ahead". God is still working on all of us and the same way we have to slow down for the construction workers, lighten up and allow God to do his work in peoples lives. We so often want to "help God" straiten folks out. Just let the construction fulfill its purpose and soon the project will be complete. Some day, Gods work in our lives will be finished. Lets be patient, and enjoy serving others!

God is God!

Authour Unknown:

Life is easy when you are up on that mountain. And you got peace of mind like you've never known. But then things change and you are down in the valley, oh, don't lose faith for you are never alone. For the God of the mountain is still the God of the valley. When things go wrong, He will make them right. And the God of the good times is still the God of the bad times. The God of the day is still the God of the night.

We talk of faith when we are up in the mountain. But the top comes so easy when life is at its best. But its down in the valley of trials and temptations, that is when your faith is really put to the test.

Oh the God of the mountain is still the God in the valley. When things go wrong, He will make them right. And the God of the good times is still the God in the bad times, the God of the mountain is still the God in the night.

On the other side

On saturday evening I called a church I found on the Internet that is just 5 miles from the truck stop I'm in. I called the church again Sunday morning and talked with the pastor to ask for a ride to service. He said if a young man came that he would send him to get me. He didn't show up! I was reflecting over 30 years of ministry if I as a pastor had recieved similar phone messages from people wanting to be picked up for service. I know that I went on many personal pickups to bring different ones to church and I'm sure that there was a time or two that it just didn't work out to pick up a needy soul. Now that I am on the "other side" it is interesting to catch a glimpe of "church life" with a different perspective. If someday I get back into ministry, I will have a more understanding knowledge of what some of peoples needs are and try to do a better job at meeting those needs. So, here I am in my truck having my own worship time, thank God that he promised never to leave us or to forsake us, His presence is here but I miss gathering with Gods people for worship. Last Sunday at home it was so wonderful to be with family worshipping God together. I'm learning to be thankful for the things that I took for granted when my mind and efforts were focused on other matters. I guess that God is still working on all of us! It is a joy to serve others.