North St?

When I answer the question "where is the Outreach Center?"  I can honestly say that I have seen every reaction from "awe isn't that precious" to "why on earth would you go there" and generally something about "those people", nothing good can come from there.   The latter reaction always causes a small chuckle inside, you know they said that about Jesus too.

In John chapter 1, Philip finds his friend Nathaniel and tells him "We have found the Messiah, His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth" Nathaniel asks "can anything good come from Nazareth?" then Philip simply says "come and see".

There are lots of bad things that happen on North St, but I know that God is able to touch lives and change hearts.  I used to do bad things too but Jesus changed my heart and my life.  I know that He is able to do the same thing for each person that walks by the Outreach Center or the mall or anywhere else.  God's Word says we are all created in His image (Gen 1:27) and that He shows no favoritism  (Rom 2:11, Acts 10).  We all have to be given the knowledge of a better way, God's way and then choose it.

I am thankful for the eyes God has given me. What I see when I look out the window are broken hurting people, some who are handling their hurt in a really bad way.  Isn't that what we all are though, broken hurting people doing our best to handle hurt,  some of us just do it better or differently than others.

I want you to remember...it doesn't matter where you come from or what you've done.  What does matter is Whose you are and where you are going!

Immeasurably more

My husband, Ray and I had been radically saved by the hand of God in 2005.  We had no idea what we were doing when were asked to do a Bible study in the Homeless Assistance Center.   From the first time there we knew we had found our home.  This began a search for our own place.  After several weeks of looking we found out the building on the corner, right near HAC was available for rent.  Long story short and amazing man from our church came along and rented the building for us.

This building was the first big step on a journey that is the reason for the title of this blog.  God started right from the get go showing the He is faithful and His Word is true.  That Bible study has turned into a ministry that is definitely immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) and to Him be the Glory.

I am talking about the Daytona Outreach Center which consists of that first little yellow building but also now includes much more; discipleship homes, worship center, thrift store.  These are just a part of the vision that God has given us.

Now that you know where I am coming from...why the name "life by the window"

The little yellow building is in an area that many call less than desirable.   There are large picture windows on 2 sides of the building and one of them is in my office.  When people come in for the first time they can look out the window, get a very quick education and see the need for the Hope of Jesus to be right there.

As I go forward here, you will get to hear about life (or the lack there of) outside this window.