I instruct a community service helper to brew a pot of Dunkin' Donuts House Blend donated to the cafe. (They say: America runs on Dunkin'. I don't. I think it's kinda' hard to run on a cup of coffee. A person could roll their ankle attempting that. It's dangerous. I run on a track or away from an attacker. But I drink a cup of coffee.)

I sit anxiously waiting for the coffee to ripen and then pour myself a cup. Steam from the coffee tickles my nose as I take the first sip. Its aroma inviting. Its flavor invigorating. Kids pile in the cafe and plop down in our comfy chairs.

"This air-conditioning feels so good," says one teen wiping sweat from his forehead. "It's hot out there."

"I'm glad you like it," I reply. "Would you like something to drink?"

"A kool-aid," he answers.

A few adults pile in the cafe too. I open the Word and share words of encouragement with a dear friend. After that, a man asks me for food from our pantry. We walk downstairs, and he gathers cans of soup, peanut butter, and a can of beef stew. The beef stew was the only one we had. Not a big deal. I'm glad to give it away. It's better than watching it collect dust sitting on a shelf.

About fifteen minutes later, a women walks in with a box of canned goods for the cafe. Her present contains (get this): cans of soup, peanut butter, and four cans of the exact brand of beef stew I just gave away. No joke. I give away one can of beef stew and immediately receive four!

There is an interesting occurrence in Scripture. Paul shares something Jesus said that is not recorded in the Gospels. (All you bible scholars can correct me if I am wrong.) But Paul writes, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (NIV, Acts 20:35). It truly is more blessed to give than to receive. This truth applies to many aspects of our lives.

It is more blessed to:

• give love than receive love.
• give money than receive money.
• serve than be served.
• give hope than receive hope.
• give mercy than receive mercy.
• give faith than receive faith.
• feed the hungry than receive food.
• shelter the homeless than receive shelter.
• clothe the naked than receive clothes.
• restore sight to the blind than receive sight.
• restore hearing to the deaf hear than receive hearing.
• heal the sick than receive healing.
• give freedom to captives than receive freedom.
• give life than receive life.
• give a job to the jobless than receive a job.
• give a car ride than receive a car ride.
• give fair fries to a missionary who shall remain nameless than receive fair fries (I had to throw that one in there).
• be a friend than receive a friend.
• be a listening ear than receive a listening ear.
• forgive someone of an offense than receive forgiveness.

Being a child of God is more than simply knowing and believing. He desires that we live what we know; that we act on our belief (1 John 3:18; James 1:22-25, 2:14-26). Dearest friend, step out in faith! Live what you know and what you believe and trust Him for the results.

The cafe rent is due tomorrow and we could use some beef stew. Our "beef stew" is the roughly $80 the cafe needs to pay the bills and stay open. The cafe will be open tonight from 6-9pm. I'll be there, and I'm dropping one can of beef stew ($8) in the donation box trusting my heavenly Father to provide a bunch more "beef stew." It is one way I can put my faith in action. And I believe He'll provide.

Riddle me this Batman:

1. Do you own a piece of clothing with a logo of your favorite sports team?

2. Do you secretly bounce your knee, stare at your watch, and fly the family home after church on Sunday?

3. Do you know what a 2 point conversion is?

4. Do things in your home get thrown or broken on Sunday?

5. Do you like motorcycles, cars, or have a hairy chest, arms, or back?

6. Do you know what Tailgate means?

7. Do you nonchalantly throw around words at the water cooler like: Ligament, Rotator Cuff, Tommy John, or Arthroscopic?

8. Has your personality on Monday been adversely affected from Sunday afternoon television?

9. Do you receive sporting texts, stats, highlights, or news on your cell phone?

10. Does your Sunday lunch consist of deep fried, non-organic, hydrogenated, high-fructose snacks?

11. Are you guilty of ever screaming, “OH, Did you see that hit?”

If you answered yes to all or any of these questions, then Café 41:11 needs you! You have gifts and talents that can be used to further the kingdom of God.

Café 41:11 wants to host a Fantasy Football fundraiser. It’s not like those other Fantasy leagues you may be used to. This is for a good cause. I want to put together a massive Fantasy league to raise money for the café.

We’ll use ESPN’s free online Fantasy Football to host this fundraiser. It is a pay to play, but with a catch. All the proceeds go to Café 41:11. Not me, not you. It will go to the café to help keep the doors open.

Look…you know you’re already going to play Fantasy Football. (Maybe you’ve even already signed up to play with some friends.) This will be for a good cause and you get to have fun at the same time.

Still not sure? Tell your wife that you’re doing this for the Lord. Tell her, "Honey, it's 4 Jesus and Da Kids."

She’ll support you.

It’s time the men step up to show the women what service and giving really looks like!

I’m not looking for 8 or 10 guys here. I’m looking to put together a league with lots of divisions made up of lots of guys (say 32 guys) from lots of churches. We could even maybe have church divisions. So that chuches go against other churches like in a church softball league.

Some basics: Live fun Auction draft at a TBA location in Medina, keeper league, $20 to play (32 guys at $20 raises $640 for the cafe), more details to come if we get a positive response.

Call me 330.304.5449 or email me vanarsdale@zoominternet.net with your name and phone number and simply reply, "I'm in!"

Please pass this along to those guys you know can answer "yes" to the questions above. Let me say...I am hip to today's culture. I know there are some killer fantasy football lady players out there. If you can run with the big dogs, you're invited too. But...only serious women need apply. You can answer "no" to question #5.

You in?

WE NEED YOU!!

Help raise $1075 for Cafe 41:11 by volunteering a few hours at the Medina County Fair Monday August 3 thru Sunday August 9. The cafe is being paid to get contestants and spectators to sign a waiver as they enter the grandstand for Moto-cross, Demo-Derby, and the Tractor Pull events. This is the third year we've been blessed with this summer fundraiser.

It's not that hard and after you're done you get in the fair for free. You can go over and buy me fair fries.

WHAT YOU DO:  Pick a three hour shift(s) to volunteer your time.

WHAT THE FAIR DOES:  Sets up a couple nice canopy tents for shade.

WHAT YOU DO:  Show up with a lawn chair, cooler, book or magazine to read (if it's slow).

WHAT THE FAIR DOES:  Provides clip boards, pens, and the waivers.

WHAT YOU DO:  Walk up to cars and get signatures. Sit back down (or go buy Tim fair fries).

WHAT THE FAIR DOES:  Gives the cafe $1075.

WHAT YOU DO:  Walk over and get in the fair for free.

Double click here to view/print the schedule we need to fill.

Some slots are already filled, so give me a call 330.304.5449 for the most recent available shifts. First come, first served. Please pass this along to friends, family, your church. We need a lot of help that week.

No children please.

Hard-working, reliable, competent teens over 16 allowed to help.

Great high school youth group ministry opportunity, small group activity, or husband and wife date night: serve together, then walk over and ride the ponies. (Then buy Tim fair fries).

The cafe will be closed that week simply because most of the volunteers will be helping at the fair. I'll call you with details on where to go etc. after you've signed up.

Please consider signing up. It's for a great cause...it's 4 da kids.

They are not seeking recognition. But I thought you should know about their great energy and sacrifice and love. Shepherds Grace Church does something different with their Vacation Bible School program. They go out and serve. They take it to the streets. They don't host it at their church.

This week (minus one day for threat of rain) they've organized a Vacation Bible School program at Cafe 41:11 for kids in the Medina community. Tonight is their last night. They're planning a carnival of activities for kids 5 - 12 years old from 6:30 to 8:30pm tonight.

If you've got nothing to do, bring your child to join in the fun. Check out these awesome pictures of this week's fun activities combined with the sharing of God's love found by faith in Jesus. Awesome...just awesome!

Your financial support to keep the cafe doors open is making a difference.

Click to View Pictures>>

The child holds me with her tiny hands. One hand grasping my arm. The other gripping my back hair. (Yeah...I have back hair). Her razor sharp, newly formed fingernails scratch my sun beaten skin. I step carefully into the cool water reassuring her along the way.

"I've got you," I lovingly whisper.

My daughter is not convinced. She is only a few years old. The pool is a new experience. The clear water is rugged and wild. Things look strange under water. It is unexplored territory filled with fear, anxiety, worry...the unknown. Mollie is uncertain of what will happen by going in the water.

The water rises and wraps around us as I step further out and away from the pool deck, away from what is known, what is safe, what is comfortable. It is deep enough to tickle her toes. Her grip tightens, but I hold her. I embrace her securely as she hums and moans looking back to dry land and reaching for mommy.

I recently had a vision from the Lord. It was similar to this. In the twitter list e-mail update, I mentioned that I heard Him say, " I love you." And, "Live life."

In this vision, I am the baby and God the Father holds me securely in His mighty arms. He does this for His children. He carries us into unknown waters, into new territory, new experiences. We hold on with desperation not wanting to go, because it is terrifying and filled with anxiety and fear and uncertainty. Maybe your unknown water is the death of a parent or a child. Maybe it's the loss of a job. Or any uncertainty you may be facing. You feel like you'll surely stop breathing. You worry and wonder if you'll even survive. But you will. You'll survive.

Please know that He is holding you saying, "I've got you, and I love you."

Dad's got you. He is walking you into unknown waters filled with strange and wonderful things all while reassuring you along the way. We're reminded by the Psalmist, "...with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever" (NIV, Psalm 136:12).

This isn't just poetic encouragement. It is real. Unknown waters are rising around you. But He's got you in His arms, and He loves you.

Are you holding on?

Do you trust Him?

Or are you looking back at the pool deck?

Live life my friend and explore. And don't look back.

I painted my toe nails once. Did I just admit to that? (I told you before that I was little odd.) But sometimes, you have to go to extremes to connect with people for an opportunity to share the truth about the love and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. And painted toe nails on a man opens up some hilarious conversations. I won't go into the details.

I will say that this: Monday, July 20 from 6-8pm a group of ladies are hosting a FREE spa night at Cafe 41:11. Teenage girls and adult women are welcome to come. There is a sign up sheet at the cafe. Please call me 330.304.5449 if you would like to attend or if you know of a young person who could use some one-on-one TLC.

These ladies are offering FREE pedicures, manicures, haircuts, and relaxation massages.

I'll be at the cafe today from 3-6pm and tomorrow. We already have some sign-ups. Please pray for the ladies hosting this event and for the teens and women attending. It's a wonderful opportunity to serve the needs of young women in Medina.

I may have them paint my toe nails too...just for fun .

Conan O'Brien, host of the Tonight Show, says, "Twitter is all the rage." This e-news update is a twitter update on some of the past "goings-on" at the cafe. Thank you for your support and prayers. Keep more of both coming our way. Enjoy!

1. Gave a new Bible away to a guest last week.

2. One type A organizer helped one non-type A person (me) organize and clean our pantry.

3. More people helped organize our pantry.

4. Prayed for a freezer and fridge for the cafe. Received two freezers and a fridge in less than 48 hours.

5. Medina city historical board voted unanimously to approve our new CUPS CAFE outdoor sign.

6. New CUPS CAFE business cards printed and donated to the cafe.

7. Shepherds Grace Church hosting a community VBS program at the cafe this week for young people in Medina.

8. Beat my wife in a quick game of corn hole.

9. Medina Presbyterian Church VBS collecting and donating canned goods and supplies for the cafe this week. I'm speaking there Sunday and they're coming to the cafe to refurbish our outdoor tables...YEAH!

10. Training two new volunteers. One next week. The other in a couple weeks.

11. Cafe blessed again this year with a contract from the fair to raise money for the cafe. Will need workers. More to come on that.

12. Ran out of paper towels. My wife donated some today.

13. Mollie spending a few days this week with grandparents in Pennsylvania.

14. A community service person asked me to help keep them accountable with an addiction.

15. A woman will donate cans of whipped cream on a weekly basis through the rest of the summer.

16. A volunteer asked if it was okay to continue playing a game with a teen. OF COURSE!! I reply.

17. Two volunteers helped out a guest. Took this person to a church outing.

18. Free spa night Monday July 20 for young teens and women. Already have some sign-ups!!!

19. Donuts run plentiful at the cafe.

20. My wife got a raise. She made more than me last quarter.

21. Met new cafe neighbors renting the location next to us. Cool.

22. Umbrellas look sweet outside in the nice weather.

23. A man just released from jail stopped in asking for a cup of cold water. Our new vision statement at work. I think we touched his heart.

24. A special donation of $500 made to the cafe last week will help us pay the rent for August. Any matchers for September?

25. Stopped everything, all the noise, for a moment late one night when I couldn't sleep to listen for God's voice. Found it to be a good exercise (u should try it). Heard Him say, "I love you." And, "Live Life." Yeah...um...still processing that last one.

26. A friend came over and got on my roof to help me work through a roof problem.

27. A friend bought me a brand new hammer drill. Undeserved...but thankful.

28. Cafe hosted a live teen band last Friday night. 70 guests came through the doors.

29. Gave canned goods from our pantry to a woman and her shut-in grandmother. Told her it was from God and that God is real and He loves her. She wept.