This is a unique and hurried post tonight (in case the site maintenance starts sooner or takes longer than planned). It’s a little long, so that I can explain it to you, but please bear with me and let me share my heart about something exciting I learned about tonight and invite you to be a part of in a very simple way. I’m hoping this will be in your Inbox on Sunday so that you’ll have a few minutes to read it all.

While living in Detroit, I was privileged to cross paths with a young couple, Timothy and Rebekah, who probably have no idea how much they have taught me. Their compassion for those in need—physically, socially, and financially—has given them the opportunity to live Christ in the midst of those for whom they have a burden, and He is blessing that! They would not want me to dwell on them, because that is not where their focus is. But I wanted to share with you a thumbnail print of the background for something important I want to share with you.

The “Street Art Detroit” Facebook Page was created yesterday to showcase the art of some amazing Detroit residents. (Even if you don’t have a Facebook account, you should be able to use the link to see the artwork.) Before you head over to the page to see what these kids are doing, let me share Rebekah’s note to me when I asked her about this project:

“We have been meeting a lot of young people in poverty who are trying to get jobs and finish high school, but are not finding any hope. They (their families) have no phone, no car, no computer, no driver’s license, no future, no example. They have been coming to church with us and been very open to beginning a walk with Jesus. This Valentine’s Day project originated because one of the kids has hundreds of dollars of court fees due in a few weeks, and has been actively seeking any work, but no leads. Where they live (in the hood), no one even shovels their sidewalks, so he couldn’t earn money that way.

Anyway, found him and his sweet girlfriend some scraps of wood, spray paint and markers, and this is what they came up with! They want to keep doing this for each holiday. It is so wonderful to see hope and accomplishment in their eyes. Their world is very dark and oppressive, and Jesus knows and sees their pain and reaches out to them shining light into the darkness. It’s beautiful to see Him go after the forgotten!

It is overwhelming when you walk in their shoes, and it gives me SUCH a new appreciation for how Jesus lived His life on earth. With all these people, loving them, taking time with them, lifting them up, encouraging them! He is so glorious, and we just want to be like Him to those we encounter.”

So, we’ve been talking about putting our faith into practice (“using our wet sponges for good!”), and I honestly think this is a very worthwhile way to show support and love to these young artists-in-the-making! The art is created on wood, it’s rough and not perfect, but it’s some of the most beautiful work I’ve seen because of its origins and its purpose.

There is a PayPal account in place to allow you to purchase these items. There are just about 30 items in all, I believe. Simply click here to go “shopping!” What an incredible way to teach others the love of Christ on this important holiday! I’ll close with a picture of this young boyfriend and girlfriend who are learning of God and His people and who are using His gifts to them to diligently earn funds for honest needs. May God be glorified in the compassion we show!