What absolute JOY flooded over us as we drove toward our beloved home last week after being in a “city” for two days. How wonderful to live in the country. Well, that’s what Antioch Ranch gives you! We are here to serve your get-away needs. That’s our ministry! Actually we have been in some form of ministry since 1969! It recently hit me head-on as I read over some of the guest books that in spite of providing no “programs,” ministry happens here at Antioch Ranch, God touches people! That was His purpose when He laid this ministry on our hearts back in the early ‘60’s. And, it has been an ongoing adventure for us ever since we launched out.
I truly loved teaching school here in Mendocino from 1964-1970. I think it was the best job I ever had. But God had other things in mind for us; to press on to the original vision He gave us, a retreat ministry in the country “somewhere.” So here we are, watching God be the ultimate minister. It’s an exciting, humbling stretch!
New Website
It may not be up and running by the time you read this, but keep your eyes peeled for a new model of our previous site. There will be up-to-date pictures, ease of navigation, and a much more inviting site than the older one yours truly started years ago. It remains to be seen whether or not we will continue to promote our fantastic phone service on it ... soooooooo … I’m going to do it here, now.
First of all, allow me to gently remind all of us who follow Jesus that we are told to do good to everyone, especially those who are fellow members of the body of Christ. You can look up the exact wording at Galatians 6:10. For the past 7 years we at Antioch Ranch have been tied into a great Christian long distance marketing firm called Blessed Hope. I have close to 200 customers I care for and this brings Antioch Ranch some extra needed monthly income. Our long distance rates are very low. State-to-state: 3.5 cents/min. Within California: 3.9 cents/min. Great international rates! (We call Lori in Germany for 5 cents/min!) We have lost some customers to the cell phone boom, but most of us still have an old-fashioned phone. A very hearty thanks to those of you who have been with us for these years, and for the new ones I just signed up this week! There is more information on our website. Or, call me if I have piqued your interest.
Jerry’s Emmaus Journey
REFRESH!
Many of us have become familiar with the term, “refresh,” as it is used in the computer world. Here is my layman’s understanding of that term: In maintaining our web site, I am able to access its foundations, the codes, the basic ingredients by way of a special program I have on my computer. If I wish to add something to our website, get rid of something, or make some changes, I do this by accessing that special program and make my changes there. However, these changes do not shift over to our site until I “commit” to that change by hitting a certain “decision” button that goes directly to “control center.” Then I have one more thing to do. I must go to the old site and hit the REFRESH button. Presto, the changes are now there for the world to see.
Well now, let me see … how is this like the Christian life I am seeking to walk out? Hmmm … aren’t there certain additions, subtractions, changes that continually need to be made to enhance my life? (Yes, continually!) You bet! But why do I resist changes? Too much work? Too complex? Isn’t everything okay the way it is? Why not simply go on the way things have been? That’s a lot easier!
Then along comes one of God’s “messengers” to point out a better way. What do I do? Take the easy way and leave things the way they are? That’s often the reaction I have.
My first task should be to define the changes that need to be made. Do I need more discipline? More courage to speak of Jesus with my friends who need Him? More honor toward my friends (spouse)? More openness to speak helpful things into the lives of others? Be more affirming with others? Or do I need less of something? Or to change something? I need to apply the changes. I must REFRESH!
Thinking a little further … I have a strong suspicion churches need to REFRESH quite often. Change our image? Get rid of thus & thus program/committee? Add a new emphasis? Rethink our mission? Define THE CAUSE for which we exist? Oh my, how many of us resist those important changes because we “like it the old way?”
Provantage Travel
We are thrilled that many of you are beginning to use Pat’s online travel site rather than those companies that are heavily advertised. Her site is every bit as thorough, easy to use, and cost effective (often less) than those big name agencies.
I am impressed with the loving way Pat helps those folks who have little or no experience with those amazing travel booking engines. (85% of the population uses the Internet to book their travel.) Remember Gal. 6:10 and please join those using her site: www.ytbtravel.com/provantagetravel
Are you looking for a home-based business for yourself? Call Pat.
Pat’s Pondering
(Tee-up from Jerry) Pat has taken on writing a weekly column in our local newspaper that highlights news about our church. Here is a modified version of one of her latest.
“The Moon Has No Light of its Own”
The moon is brilliant in the night sky these days: a
guide and comfort when we are out in the dark. Yet it has no source of light
from within itself. The moon reflects sunlight as it forever faces the earth. It
takes something it has been given and in a sense gives back.
A group of eighteen people from four local churches recently gave
back a portion of what they believe they have been given. Two Presbyterian
and two Baptist churches gave generously to help send this group to Waveland,
Mississippi this month.
These hard working carpenters, electricians, painters and cooks had
to endure heat, humidity, daily thunderstorms, mosquitoes and a makeshift camp
to help rebuild some of the houses destroyed by hurricane Katrina. Many
people there still do not have proper housing, and the media has moved on to
bigger stories elsewhere. Funded by non-government sources, the work is steadily
moving forward toward its ten-year goal of completion.
Many who were unable to make the trip contributed to enable others
to go. A scholarship fund was set up to handle these donations.
The Pathfinder Mission that sponsors this work has a theme
from Isaiah 58:12. “If you do away with the yoke and control of oppression and
if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of those
under pressure, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will
become like the noonday. You will be called Repairers of Broken Walls, Restorer
of Streets with Dwellings.”
This team was like the moon, reflecting the Light of God’s love
in the lingering darkness of hopelessness.
Pathfinder Mission is there for the duration of the need. If you have an interest in helping out these Katrina victims, check out this web site www.pathfindermission.org
Speaking of folks serving other’s needs, Bill & Welda were with us for a week to help with sewing (Welda has one of those computerized sewing machines!), painting, limb cleanup from the huge storm we had last month, and whatever else we were able to enroll them into. There is no way to adequately thank folks for this kind of love.
I tend to look at these examples and wonder how willing I am to extend myself to serve others when it is not convenient. I tend to say, “Been there, done that.” I am convicted every time I look closely at Jesus’ words, and acts of serving.
From Our Guest Book:
Here is some cute feedback from kids:
“Nice play area past the orchard in the trees.”
“Watch out for bigfoot!”
“I love the view and would love to stay here
again.”
“Happy Easter. I hope you can spend Easter here.
It’s fun.”
“Hello. I loved the cabin and all its little qwirks.
Great time.”
“I would like to tell you there is no bigfoot so
don’t scare.”
“I was here for four days … I went to the beach
and collected shells.”
“Thank you for the card trick.”
“Oh, thanks for showing us the card trick.”
“PS. Thanks for showing us the card trick.”
“I love this house.”
“I am 10. I have a donkey, I love my donkey very
much.”
Local Events … you can always check:
www.mendocinocoast.com or www.gomendo.com
Remember, ‘til Memorial Day weekend, as a gift, you are invited to stay one non-holiday weeknight free, if you book 2 nights or more.
AND … we are willing to cut our usual weekly rate in half through May 22, before Memorial Day weekend. Our high-season weekly 7-night (already low) rate of $700/cottage would be yours for $350!!!
As Always … We wish for you all, God’s gracious blessings!
Jerry & Pat