Letter From My Brother

Renee,

Please do not throw this letter away all I ask is that you read it a couple times and think about what I say. Please keep an open mind and an open heart.

I know you do not think that Cedar Creek Church is ready for you. The real question is are you ready for Cedar Creek Church? There are roughly 18,000 people in the community that attend the Church. Obviously they do not all come every week. But over 5,000 people attend every weekend at the Perrysburg and Toledo campus. A campus is currently under construction in Whitehouse that will hold 500 people per service. There is something dramatic happening here and I really think that you and your family need to be a part of it as we are. (Acts 2:44-47 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.)

If you do not understand this passage, it means you do not have to do it alone. We have a whole community of Christians that are willing to help. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE. I know right now you do not understand where I am coming from, you need to trust me. God can help you, through goodwill of all the people of the church (spiritually, physically, mentally, socially, and financially). Can you understand the possibilities that you can achieve with this many people striving for the same goals? They have programs for single mothers. They have programs for people with special needs of ANY kind. At our church we dont just make a show on Sunday and that is the end. There are things going on everyday of the week depending on your situation. The church is truly there to help the individual. They will offer you EVERYTHING and ask you for NOTHING. So tell me how you can lose?

We attended a class this last Saturday and there was a single mother with 6 kids. She was diagnosed with cancer and she had stated how the church and the members have been helping her. She had lost her vehicle and the single mothers car care ministry gave her a van on top of all the other support she has been given. There are people from ALL walks of life.

You may feel right now that God is punishing you but that is not what he does. Everything he does has a purpose. Now that I look back, I can see how he led me to him. I think right now he is trying to get your attention, I know he has got mine. One day, hopefully soon, I hope that you will understand what I am talking about. By no means am I perfect and I never will be. But I will strive to be as perfect as I humanly can (Jesus being without sin set the bar pretty high). I know I have become a better person for what he has done for me and I am thankful for all he has provided me and my family.

I will probably be at every Easter service this weekend. Either volunteering or just sitting in on a service. There will be 8, yes 8 Easter services this weekend. There is no reason you could not go to at least one of theses services, other than pure laziness (to put it bluntly). Please do not say no to this opportunity. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain from this community of believers once you get plugged in. It would be especially fitting on Easter. Death of the old life and the start of the resurrection of a new life.

You know I love you and I know this would help you, I just know it. So, don't be stubborn, if it is a pride thing then swallow it. All I can do is get you there, what you do with it after that is between you and God. But, I know in my heart that this will work for you. Just think, do you think a year ago I would have wrote a letter like this? Heck, I wouldn't even read this much. God can perform miracles. Let him perform a couple for you. I know somewhere in your heart you know I am right. Please make that first step and we will help you the rest of the way.

I love you, I hope you know that.

P.S. I hope the food was okay. I know you did not ask for it. We thought it might help you out. You have been in my thoughts a lot lately and I have been praying for you and your family.

Again, I Love You