It is still winter outside but here at The Jeremiah Tree the men are basking in the warmth of our Savior. Read on and What’s Up in the Tree ”I’m grateful I get the privilege of being part of The Jeremiah Tree for a sober 365 days, where God is reminding me every day to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” —a resident February 2021 In this issue: Seek Ye First, Growing Pains Dramatic Fundraiser, Community Service, Porch Update SEEK FIRST! Our residents were recently asked to write about a verse that meant a lot to them. Here is what one resident wrote. Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. This verse is important to me for several reasons. Before I was adopted, I came from a broken home of severe poverty. My biological father passed away years ago due to living a godless life, and constant drug and alcohol use. Those I gladly call Mom and Dad instilled in me a godly lifestyle alongside [a] great work ethic. At the age of 18 I chose to move out. I kept the hard work ethic and neglected the godly lifestyle. From the age of 17 years old until the age of 28 I maintained a lifestyle of working and constant alcohol use, which later incorporated drug use as well. About 5 years ago I decided to go to a trade school for HVAC. I finished the schooling while working full time. Upon completion of school, I was employed in the HVAC field immediately. Alcoholism continued until I was 28 and this last OVI I got on July 3. God finally brought me to my knees. I lost my job. I lost my housing. And my license suspension was prolonged yet another year. I sit here at the Jeremiah Tree today and wonder how does someone work 12 years and absolutely have nothing to show for it. The answer is clear. The only thing required is neglect of Matthew 6:33. I’m grateful I get the privilege of being part of The Jeremiah Tree for a sober 365 days, where God is reminding me every day to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness... I am grateful to God and this program. I’m sure many of my loved ones are, too. This life altering program surely beats waking up in prison someday and having to ask myself how I got here. Thank God for a godly lifestyle and sobriety.
Congrats, Jesse, on being here and working hard for 5 months already!
GROWING PAINS: An Evening of Music, Comedy, and Drama Missing those days of going to concerts and shows? For about the cost of streaming one new release movie you can watch GROWING PAINS and benefit The Jeremiah Tree. It is a VIRTUAL event with coffee shop vibes. February 25, 7 pm $25 per household Brew a cup of coffee and join us for comedy, drama, music, & Jesus!
COMMUNITY SERVICE Giving back to the community is an important part of our program. This takes many shapes over time. The men have helped others move, spread mulch, paint, remove large trees, mow, to name a few things. Lately they have been helping someone do some demolition and clean-up work. Helping others is a win-win situation!
PORCH UPDATE Last month we shared that work had begun on a new front porch for our smaller house. The porch was in terrible shape and rotting. The porch is now complete! We thank Greene Development for a significant grant and HB Electric & Construction which both did great work and gave us a significant donation of labor.
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