Freedom House Update and Continued Prayer: Status hanging in balance- Enter the battle help with prayer and support!

Just received an update from Jim Michaud regarding where things are at related to the final hurdle of licensing. Currently the St. Paul City Attorneys and State of Minnesota officials are discussing working out the final licensing issues.  Please pray for this to be resolved quickly. 

When the licensing question became clear to be a huge final obstacle for moving forward felt God indicate that “there are others in the city” as a reference that He will do the work to get things approved one way or another in His way and in His timing.  This Sunday my mother commented that freedom always comes with cost and battle, so should be no surprise that in things moving forward with Freedom House there would be a battle. Ultimately the facility will serve to help folks battle issues with housing, chemical dependency, and mental illness. Lately, have God direct me to several passages and encouragements that what God initiates He will see it through.  So this will get resolved.

I have been asked a couple times about my involvement with the project. I am a current member of the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization responsible for Freedom House, Kingdom Pathways. The website can be found at www.kingdompathways.org.  I will be responsible for training and educating staff related to mental health screening and skills training. This is something God has put on my heart to help.   

Now outside of the licensing obstacle, a huge major barrier is the finances.  Jim Michaud and his family have given everything. They have not felt freedom given the battle to get things running to do much fundraising.  Yet, support ongoing is needed.  I posted before that there was a need of basically 18,000 dollars worth of costs for the first two months. It has been hard to keep posting about that need because of the ongoing battle to get everything in place to receive state funding and be able to fully move forward.   The need is very real, however and dire.  They need help and if do not get support they can LOSE ALL.  Jim and his family have followed God’s lead at expense to self and with ongoing threats of dire circumstances.  Yet, God carries through. But now is the time to give support. Please give even before word is given on the license situation is complete.  Take a step of faith and trust that God will work it out and give to a ministry that will help those hurting and in bondage.  Help the Battle.  Give and Pray.

Here is the breakdown of needed expenses.

One Time Expenses:

* Board and Lodge license Fees: $1,450
* Commercial Dishwasher Purchase and Install: $4000
* Commercial Sink Purchase and Install: $1000
* General and Professional Liability Insurance Down Payment: $700

Monthly Expenses: (Need Help with January and February)

* 426 Oxford Mortgage: $2,200 

* 1038 Aurora Mortgage: $1,400 

* Debt Payments: $1,100 (Jim and Lori facing Bankruptcy if not paid)
(This is the $ that Jim and Lori put into keeping the houses running and operational covering bare minimum. It is NOT PERSONAL DEBT)

* Household Insurance for both properties: $240
* Gas and Electric for both properties: $925
* Phones and Faxs: $240
* Trash for both properties: $120
* Water for both properties: $260
* Comcast for both properties: $229
* General and Professional Liability Insurance: $150

All payments will be tax deductible, reported to, and reviewed by the Freedom
House managing board shown on the website. Donations can be made on-line at
www.KingdomPathways.org, or sent to Kingdom Pathways, PO Box 4125, St. Paul, MN
55104

 

I look forward and praise God for what He will do.  If you care to give to personal need just designate it. If you have any questions for Jim Michaud feel free to email him at info@kingdompathways.org.

Post-Christmas Musing: Christmas Future- Keeping each day well

The Christmas Holiday has come and gone. Gifts have been given. Traditions have been followed. Interactions with family have occurred. It is the time for taking down the decorations, using or returning gifts, and returning to normal routine. The focus becomes on what is needed from day to day until the Holiday season returns. It is important to recognize that there is far more available than moving from one Holiday to the next. There is far more than “keeping Christmas well.”

The famous character grew to “keep Christmas well” by being exposed to past, present, and future relationships. He turned from being self-focused to “keeping Christmas well” by being concerned with others, being generous and engaging the relational. The turning point came with awareness of own mortality and no impact on others. His looking at Christmas future showed limitations and changed focus.

In thinking about Christmas future it does seem to be all about where is your focus and impact. Are you focused on concerns of self or is there priority to growing in relationship with God and others? Christmas ultimately is about the celebration of God’s gift of a reconciled relationship. It is all about God being accessible. It is about God demonstrating his love and our reflecting it by sharing what we have received with others.

Each day is a day where ones focus is needs to be examined. Are we living in such a way to connect and impact others? Are we growing in relationships? Do we take in consideration all of past, present, and future in our day to day existence? Such examinations and more are worthwhile for the choices we make now impact what is ahead and lead to “keeping each day well.” For each of us need to daily keep the Christmas focus on God with us with the result of engaged loving of God and others. Doing such results in moving beyond “keeping Christmas well” and touches all.

Freedom House Update and Prayer Request: Urgent

Well just got the latest update and still more bureaucratic morass to go through.  St. Paul licensing only will license the property that meets there need for license definition at this point. So the 4 and 4 in the duplex are a problem as DHS has said no funding without board and lodge license.   This seemed a minor issue but now seems a major barrier as no way things can operate without full funding.  God has to work this out.  So please pray for this situation more.  Pray for Jim and Lori Michaud and family as they have to be going through intense emotions related to how much have given for this project and the barriers that keep being presented. God is faithful and His will be done.  He who promised is faithful but things are scary right now.

Christmas Day Musing: Christmas Present- Moments of Reflected Love

Today’s thoughts focus on Christmas in the present; the here and now of the celebration. It is the actively taking time to recognize God’s gift of coming to earth, the “God with us.” So, the day is spent celebrating love. We engage in loving others in varied ways as a reflection of God’s gift of love to us. It demonstrates the “we love because he first loved us.” This celebration of love is highly anticipated. How we demonstrate love towards others goes through moments of preparation, anticipation, and then celebration with fellowship. We identify how we are going to bless others in preparation. We love forward both to giving and receiving. Even children look forward to reactions to simple small gifts and parents and family then show love by showing appreciation for the simply things. We want to see others touched by our gifts of love. Then comes the actual moment of giving which comes with celebration and fellowship. We consider others and look forward to seeing how we touch them. Granted, many times we can swing and miss in the connection. Yet, no matter what there are special times in the present moment of Christmas. These moments can display God’s love, for He thought of each of us and gives a gift beyond measure if it that gift is received. We are able to enter in relationship to God rather than continue in the separation due to our own falters and twisted being apart from God’s ways has been repaired and reconciled if agree to accept the gift and let it change you. If not, then these moments are moments and that either gives you a piece of love or builds you up, or fall short. The moments that do touch and precious and each moment forward it is a part of you as it enters from the present into the past. So, this year, in the hustle, the bustle, and the interaction with loved ones. How were you touched with love? How did you touch others? Where did you get a taste of love? For even in the worst of times, the driest of years, God’s love and reflections of love are around. For always in the Christmas present, and every day, God shows His love. He shows by his own interactions, by the loving acts of others, and your loving actions. God takes whatever is now, uses it to draw you closer to Him. So embrace the moment and accept the love. In whatever the season: be it pleasure or pain, planting or harvest, drought or abundance, storm or calm, joy or sorrow. God will use whatever is, in this moment and His love is there to be found for always in Christmas present and beyond God is with us, there is peace on earth and goodwill to mankind.

Christmas Eve Musing: On Christmas Past- Memories & Honor with Joy & Sorrow

Once upon a time a man wrote a story where a person looked at impact of Christmas past, present, a future to the point it changed his life and led to repentance. It is a story that captured the hearts and minds of many. In praying about what to write this season the focus on Christmas past, present, and future is what developed in my mind. See this Holiday; these days have become a very important day for the Church as a whole. Like a certain character in a book if each of us takes time to reflect on the past, present, and future elements of Christmas there will be impact that can lead to change.

Christmas it is a day that is meant to be a celebration and remembrance. It is a season that reminds us and focuses on what God has done and given in the gift of the Incarnation. A reflecting when God came to earth with a plan to reconcile all willing to receive to him, bringing peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Christmas as we know it today developed over time and a variety of stories and actions that have become part and parcel of the day. Now it is noteworthy, that God did not initiate this holiday itself. This celebration does not actually fall on the exact date of Jesus birth. Rather, it has become simply a day set aside where the focus is on what God has done. It is a day to think, learn, and look back on Jesus being born, coming to earth with His mission. It is a day in which Thanksgiving and Honor is given to God almighty. God’s act of love is remembered and acts of love are demonstrated to others. Those acts then create more memories and traditions that ultimately serve to Honor God.

Each family has traditions. Some remain consistent over time. Some fade as life changes. The traditions develop around memories of the ways love was demonstrated. In general we repeat the things that brought present memories to us, so that those we love can have a similar experience to our own. We care and give because we love. Sure, not all that has occurred on this Holiday is pleasant, pleasurable, or joyful. Sometimes there are hard and difficult times. Traditions end. Times change. Death and suffering take their toll. Yet, there are the memories formed and memories created. Even the hard times have moments of significant meaning for each individual. For God is always at work demonstrating His love, showing that He is now accessible and with us, because of the gift He gave of Himself that this Holiday commemorates and gives honor. And how we have been impacted by God and others has lasting impact. Otherwise none of us would have traditions. What we do we do because of what we have received for we act based on what we have received, hoping others receive similar.

Now while we have these traditions that touch us, ultimately each of us has our own personal memories. For ultimately any looking at the past is very personal. We are able to look at the joys and pains; the elation and grief. For in this world there is always good mixed with bad. Even the celebration of Christmas demonstrates that fact for we live with Christ-center thoughts and traditions and the other stuff. Good and bad. Those we love express the love, but they fall short. They may give what they can with good intention or be focused on self; or more often a combination of both. Now here is something that is special. This Holiday focuses on God loving and giving a gift unlike any other. God gave the only good and perfect gift: a gift of both Joy and Sorrow for God came to be with us, be among us to suffer greatly so that we may be reconciled to Him and enter relationship with our Creator. Now just as God’s perfect gift bring mixed emotions. So do our experiences and memories. We are touched in many ways with good and bad; love and pain. Each of our lives and stories are different. Each person has a unique Christmas past; ways that you have been impacted by others. Ways gifts have built you up. Ways actions have results in fears, defenses, and barriers. We all have them.

Initially when started writing this story the though was to perhaps share a memory of joy, disappointment, and even sorrow. Ask me in person and will gladly share stories. This article though is really to encourage personal reflection. Embrace the pleasant and painful memories. Embrace both the Joy and Sorrow and let each impact how you interact with others in this time and season. Identify, recognize, and remember what has gone on and see where God is working. Then give God glory and honor in your actions. Take time this season to grow in relationship to God and others as you remember your Christmas Past for whatever it is, look and you will find God’s love reflected, in both the best and the worst. And as you enter those memories and your Christmas past let “Hosanna’s” spring forth and the refrain of the Angels take root “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will to men.”

Freedom House UPDATE: Progress and Praise but Urgent Funds Needed

    Well first the good news, the approval has been granted for 14 beds in the two facilities and the proper zoning to get funding. So the green-light has been given to get things off the ground for the Kingdom Pathways facilities known as freedom house; this was aided by a Property and Zoning Lawyer Mark Theiroff who offered assistance pro-bono. This has had a difficult start and long process of getting through approval and red tape. The owner and found Jim Michaud and his family have given everything to keep things going during the past year. They have nothing more to give. Let me highlight the intent of the program and ministry.

The facility are board and lodge residential facility providing Christ-centered treatment to homeless men who have substance abuse issues. Christian principles and building of personal mental health skills are part of the treatment approach. The program seeks to draw from churches in the area to connect with these individuals. It is something I have committed my time and resources to helping once underway and have prayerfully served on the board of directors during the past year. This outreach is long needed and brings together a variety of people. This facility serves the Frogtown area of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Personally, I have known Jim Michaud and his family for many years and there is a reason God put us together for me to have a chance to help these individuals and staff. Jim has taken up and given all they have to the poor. They have no further resources to give of their own. Now they need assistance from others. It was harder to ask for money for them when going through the bureaucratic red tape. So now is a critical and awesome time. The red-tape is finished and now resources are needed. I will share the breakdown of what is needed but the amount of resources needed for January and February is $17,500. Please prayerfully seek God about what you might be able to give to this ministry. Consider even having Jim Michaud come speak to your church in MN about this opportunity. Also please pass this on to other people or print it off and provide it to them.

Here is the breakdown of the $17,500 provided by Executive Director, Jim Michaud:

One Time Expenses:

* Board and Lodge License Fees: $1,450

* Commercial Dishwasher Purchase and Install: $4000

* Commercial Sink Purchase and Install: $1000

* General and Professional Liability Insurance Down Payment: $700

 

Monthly Expenses: (Need Help with January and February)

* 426 Oxford Mortgage: $2,200

* 1038 Aurora Mortgage: $1,400

* Debt Payments: $1,100

* Household Insurance for both properties: $240

* Gas and Electric for both properties: $925

* Phones and Faxs: $240

* Trash for both properties: $120

* Water for both properties: $260

* Comcast for both properties: $229

* General and Professional Liability Insurance: $150

PLEASE, help us with these interim costs. Feel free to send this to any and all you feel led to send this to. We NEED your help. All payments will be tax deductable, reported to, and reviewed by the Freedom

House managing board shown on the website. Donations can be made on-line at www.KingdomPathways.org, or sent to Kingdom Pathways, PO Box 4125, St. Paul, MN 55104.

 

You can contact the ministry owner at:

Rev. Jim Michaud

Exec. Director, Kingdom Pathways, 501(c)(3)

www.KingdomPathways.org

Ph: 651-387-8393

Fax: 763-862-5336

 

Thanks for your consideration. Feel free to contact me if have any questions or as feel led.

 

 

Freedom House Update and Prayer Requests

Well on 11/22/11 the request for zoning change went before St. Paul zoning commission. Things were moved to a meeting on 12/8/11 mainly due to some negotiations with St. Paul Planning committee to reduce the planned number to be served and be more in line with St. Paul zoning.  Things are still a ways off from accomplishing.

In the meantime the homes are providing housing to some folks with limited staff and treatment.  This is without any current funding source.  The owner has given all to this ministry and outreach and is beyond own resources.  Currently there is need for ongoing support as things like mortgages, utilities, and insurance need to be paid.  So please consider donating to the ministry. On-line donations are available at www.kingdompathways.org. There is also an address provided if do not want to use online services.  Please prayerfully consider helping out.

Just a reminder of my involvement. I am on the board for the ministry and will be responsible for developing the mental health components to this Jesus Christ centered outreach. 

The purposes of the outreach is to help homeless males who have substance abuse and mental health issues obtain treatment and freedom.  If everything works out with zoning there are two homes that will be approved for six residents each. In addition there will be outpatient services as well. 

So please keep this ministry in your thoughts and prayers and please prayerfully consider giving financial aid as Jim Michaud has literally given all  of his own resources.

Halloween Musing: Two Fear Categories

Well today was 10/31/11 also known as Halloween 2011. As this is written, the costumes been worn, the candy collected, and folks settled down for the night. My thoughts today have gone toward fears. One of the things that happens during Halloween is that things that are dark and scary are at the forefront. Sure, there are other costumes and focus on things not scary, but fear is part and parcel to Halloween. People got out of there way for opportunities to experience fear and startle. There are Haunted Houses our Hayrides. There are scary movies. Fear is central and even sought after. This is an interesting dynamic, for the variety of fears can result in several types of emotional or mental health issues. The purpose of this article is not to comment or extrapolate on the psychological dynamics of varied fears, rather the thoughts go to contrast two radically different categories of fear which I will label reactionary fear and reverent fear.

First lets understand reactionary fear. This is the fear that we all know and experience. It is what triggers the fight or flight mode of the nervous system. Reactionary fear happens when a real or perceived threat is recognized. Fear becomes triggers. Something happens that is an apparent threat and the emotion of fear occurs to promote action for the protection of self. These fears can be about a potential harm, loss, or blocked desires and lead to action that seems to be about the welfare of self. This type of fear can be result in retreat, avoidance, or aggression. This level of fear is common and pervasive and can be destructive or paralyzing. Reactionary fear by some is referred to as fear of man. Yet, that limits the level of fear. For there are a wide variety of threats to self that are not related to what mankind may do, but simply a function of a broken and twisted world.

The other type of fear is the reverent fear. Now you should be wondering what that means, what on earth is reverent fear. This type of fear is what the Bible refers to as the fear of the Lord. It is a recognition that there is something greater than you and that awareness leads to full sense of wonder at the difference that leads to submission. Currently we do not fully grasp such fear. In days of Kings and Queens the importance of reverent fear was daily, for the Sovereign of a Nation held ones fate, bring about a reverent fear that leads to a choice of submission or rebellion. There is no in-between; you are either for a Sovereign or against. Such fear involves faith, a trusting that the one in position over you that is greater has your best welfare in mind if you submit. A reverent fear involves a giving of self to that which is greater. It is a letting go. A person who experiences this type of fear is aware of prospects of growth when not dependent on self, of putting ones well being into the hands of another. Now, we do see this type of play in the world at large; responses to governments and authority are expected to display some reverence even if not worthy of it. In the Bible this type of fear is referred to as Fear of God or Fear of the Lord. It is a misunderstood concept that seems contradictory to God’s grace, however if you fully grasp what the Fear of God is about, it is what grace calls for, the giving up of self to that which is greater. Our reverent fear sets the direction to that which we trust and serve. Every sets a direction as Bob Dylan penned “You Got to serve somebody.”

There are questions this examination brings forth. What type of fear dominates your life? Who do you serve? Do you trust and surrender to God or something/someone else? What is greater in your life, reactionary fear or reverent fear? What does your awe and respect focus on? Do you avoid even thinking about Fear of God, as it brings the fear of consequences? Do you have a difficult time when under stress facing a variety of risks or suffering grasping that God is still greater? Take some time and ask God to shed light on your fears. Are you living in reaction or reverence? Is anything holding you back? Take time to examine self and see what category of fear dominates and takes steps to grow in reverence.

 

Video selections: Jantezen Franklin- The Quit Option

This is an excellent teaching/sermon on perseverence and endurance of faith. Take time to view and be blessed. For more go to www.jantezenfrankin.org.

Ministry Spotlight and Urgent Request: Kingdompathways.org: Freedom House

I am on the board of a local ministry that is focusing on helping those chemically dependent with housing issues. It is a Christ-centered ministry that is looking to provide a unique Jesus Christ gospel-centered approach to treatment. The owner and his wife have given all they have to give to get things going as awaiting approval for funding from state to provide treatment/services. They achieve this but now have face another barrier of needing to undergo a zoning change by city in order to operate.  The changes will not happen before the end of the month so they ministry needs basic funds in order to operate this month.  Please go to www.kingdompathways.org and check out the ministry. Feel free to ask me any questions. My responsibilities are to oversee the mental health components of the ministry. The current staff are operating on a volunteer basis until state funds come in. Please prayerfully consider giving to this ministry at this time.   Included is the donation letter written by the ministry owner:

To Whom It May Concern,

Kingdom Pathways is a fully published and audited 501(c)(3) and

described in detail at www.KingdomPathways.org.

Kingdom Pathways is a multi-church outreach to the homeless, helping the homeless in practical

ways as described at www.KingdomPathways.org. Kingdom Pathways gathers multiple

mainline Christian churches together to do bind together in spirit of the

prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-23.

Kingdom Pathways is currently approved for funding through the State of MN,

awaiting a zoning change, and is currently experiencing grave financial

difficulty in the waiting. The difficulty is in paying the basic housing bills

in waiting for the new funding.

Electric and Gas, food bills, phone, household insurance, water, trash, van

insurance, and mortgages all need to be paid in the waiting. Please consider

assisting us.

Kingdom Pathways founder Jim and Lori have given ALL their savings, ALL their credit, and ALL

their hearts to see this succeed. The board that meets regularly to support this

ministry is impressive. See the picture and bios of the team on the website homepage at

www.KingdomPathways.org.

Blessed and Grateful,

Rev. Jim Michaud

Exec. Director

Kingdom Pathways, 501(c)(3)

www.KingdomPathways.org

Addendum: Just read rest of board member email and found this piece:

We have a public hearing for the zoning on November 10th, 3:30PM. Please rally
whomever you can to support us on that day in the St. Paul City Council
Chambers on the 3rd floor of the City Hall/Court House Bldg., on the corner of
Wabasha and Kellogg.  (Change of
Non-Conforming Use Sober Housing to Non-Conforming Transitional Housing, which
we have been for 4 years).