A wind driven rain splatters my windshield blurring my vision. The rhythmic squeaking of wiper blades fights the precipitation enough for me to see the dark autumn sky reflect off the blackened wet street. It's East Friendship Street. A street I've driven many times traveling to and from the cafe. Proud historical homes and aging trees enclose its concrete curbs. I enjoy driving down Friendship this time of year. Colorful leaves cover the road like a quilt spread gently across the rocker.

Jeff and I just closed the cafe, and I'm weary from a long day of ministry. I steer my 1979 Grand Prix, jamming to WMJI, when a car rushes up behind me. Its brilliant headlights shine in my rearview mirror forcing me to squint. And then...blue and red flashing lights encircle my car.

It's Medina's finest.

"Great," I say under my breath, pulling the car to the side of the street and shifting into park.

I think: This must be a prank. Am I being punked? Is Ashton Kutcher going to pop out from behind a tree? I wasn't speeding. What's going on?

The officer walks to the drivers side door introducing himself and saying, "The reason I pulled you over is because your license plate isn't illuminated."

"Oh," I reply. "It must be burned out. I'm sorry, Sir."

"And I notice," he continues. "You're not wearing your seat belt. Is there a reason why you're not buckled up?"

"Aghh," I moan in disgust. "I totally forgot. I just left work and I'm tired and I...just forgot."

"Sit tight. I'll be back in a minute." The policeman says.

My first thought? Curse at myself. But that wouldn't do any good. So I prayed. Please, Father in Heaven. Please only give me a warning. I don't have a lot of money right now to pay for a ticket of any kind. In Jesus name, Amen.

The officer returns saying, "I'm only going to give you a warning for the license plate light. Make sure you get a new bulb so it's visible."

"I will, thank you sir."

"But I have to give you a ticket for seat belt violation. It's against the law in Ohio to drive without a seat belt. Actually, it's against the law in almost every state."

He politely hands me the ticket above, informs me of what I need to do, and reminds me to buckle up before pulling away. He was a kind officer but now I have to pay a fine (money I don't have). Oh well, I guess this is just another moment where I need to practice trusting Him to provide.

I had a clean record. I was going on some ten plus years without being pulled over and ticketed (hear me whining and defending myself). That great record now blemished, blotched, marked, scarred, tainted, spotted. This stinks (more whining).

One could insert all those adjectives, and more, when examining the human heart. Our heart is blotched with sin. God tickets us for breaking His law. And the fine for our sin-stained heart is death (Romans 3:23 & 6:23). Thankfully, Jesus accepted the penalty for our ticket and paid the fine in full. The fine we deserve to pay (Romans 5:8). Those who confess this truth and believe in Jesus will be saved from God's ticket (Romans 10:9-10).

Is your ticket paid for?

How do I begin to write about a day that has been greatly blessed by the Lord? I know everyday is a blessing from God but some day's it seems He moves more than others.

Two weeks ago at the cafe things were a little slower than the week before. We got to spend more time with the guests who wandered in. Quite a few of the kids were talking about God, the word saved, baptism, and ways of the world.

A group of young ladies were talking about how they saw no point in getting married. They felt it was O.K. to just live with someone and then leave them whenever you wanted. I couldn't help myself. I had to share what God says about that. In doing so, I found out one of the girls is an agnostic (believes in a higher power) not necessarily "God."

I shared with her about the ways of the devil and how he is a liar and great deceiver. I told her about the hole in her heart that needs to be filled with Jesus Christ. I shared with her how to be saved. She wasn't interested in doing that today but a seed was planted, now we just need to water it and watch it grow, praying it not be snatched away. Mark 4:1-20 (Parable of the Sower) gives a very clear description of this. Thank you Lord.

Other volunteers were busy planting and watering seeds too. One was speaking with a woman about her faith, another was sharing the gospel with a young man who was celebrating his birthday. He was accepting of the gift of God and received Jesus into his heart. Praise the Lord!

Lots of gardening done today at the cafe. Pray with us for the harvest!

I love this place!

See you Tuesdays 3-6,

Paula Browand

Brothers dwelling together in unity is AWESOME!

Our family (brothers and sisters in Christ) have given up money and time and energy, talents and expertise and tools to replace our roof. They're generosity, lack of complaint, and sacrifice is totally pleasant like oil running down Aaron's beard. Time with these brothers this week reminds me of Psalm 133. I quoted a portion of this Psalm with a brother working at my house this week, and he began to cry just thinking of the men who've come to help. Psalm 133 reads,

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head,
       running down on the beard,
       running down on Aaron's beard,
       down upon the collar of his robes.

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
       For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
       even life forevermore."

And a crew of ten more are coming out Saturday with food from a sister!

Mindee, Mollie, and I have a huge family. We have brothers and sisters, dads and moms, and grandmas and grandpas. Our church family, our brothers, are a bestowed blessing from the Living God. And they love us and pray for us and...confront us. They cheer us on and weep with us. They witness our moments of unbelief and inadequacy and the times when we succeed in trusting Jesus. And they still love us. And it's not just our church family at Harvest.

This includes those serving at the cafe. They're also like precious oil. They come from various churches in Medina. And we are one...in Christ...living together by faith. This is our family. Our relationship isn't perfect but it's good. Like any family, we sometimes hurt and offend each other but we also love and forgive. And I wouldn't trade them for all the wealth in this world. I love my brothers and sisters at the cafe. They refresh me.

Thank you family.

Thank you for believing and supporting what God is doing in our lives and the ministry at the cafe. By our love for one another, and the unity of our faith in Jesus Christ, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Even something as crazy as serving Hope one cup at a time through a free cafe ministry. Family, don't you dare stop believing Him! Keep the eyes of your heart fixed on Jesus. I don't care if your roof is crashing down around you. Believe Him.

Like Precious Oil,

Tim

P.S. Hey Dad...they're replacing that crunched garage gutter!

John 4:35 was used by God to teach me something new this week. Our missionaries use this verse in their work and our churches use it to encourage people to bring in the unsaved.

But God used it to encourage me. As I left the Cafe Tuesday, I felt overwhelmed, in over my head, thinking there is nothing I can write about this week that would be encouraging to someone else. I was tired. As the days went by and as I prayed about this, God opened my eyes to the "field" he wants me to see.

Cafe 4111 is the field that is ready for harvest. I am where God has sent me, to do His work. It is not by my strength but by His Spririt and His power that His work will be established. My strength is renewed and my focus is back. See you Tuesday.

"Open your eyes, look at the fields, for they are already ripe for harvest."  John 4:35

Here come the children!   They come alone or in pairs or in groups on their way home from school.

It is a long walk and some stop because they are thirsty or hungry.  Some come in because there is no one at home waiting for them.  They need a smile, a greeting, and someone to talk with.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  Mark 10:14

I have to pour Kool aid now, a bit of heaven just walked through the door.

Lynn

"a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity" (Internet, Merriam Webster, 2009).

Nothing in life is free. A payment must be made.

I learned years ago of a distant relative named Ransom Adams. He was one of those great, greeaaa...(you get the idea). I always liked the name Ransom. I've kept it hidden in my heart with the intent of naming my son after him. (Oh son, are you out there? What must I pay to have you?)

Nothing in life is free. There is a price.

My next door neighbor started a business. The price for starting it? Tens of thousands of dollars in equipment! His entrepreneurial spirit invigorates me. He reminds me of myself in those early years of ministry.

Nothing in life is free. There is a cost.

You know what's really cool? The cost of giving something away. The cost of going without so someone can go with. That's cool. It's hard, not at all easy, but totally wonderful. Isn't that what Jesus did? He gave up His life to give life. "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us..." (NIV, Galatians 1:4).

Jesus was a ransom. He paid a costly price to release people from captivity. Psalm 49:8 reads, "...the ransom for a life is costly, no payment (earthly wealth) is ever enough" (NIV). And 1 Timothy 2:6 instructs us that Jesus, "gave Himself as a ransom for all men" (NIV).

Cash money cannot free you from the heartache and daily regret and pain you live with. Jesus is the currency you need. The payment for sin is death. And He paid that amount through His death on the cross to set people free.

Nothing in life is free. But the cost freedom requires is worth it.

Operating a free cafe has a price. Payments must be made. Are you willing to go without so someone can go with?

UPCOMING EVENTS

• INFO MEETING:  Sunday October 18, 2009 from 2pm-5pm at Harvest Presbyterian Church.
• CAFE FUNDRAISER:  Saturday November 14, 2009 from 6pm-9pm.

Pepsico, the makers of Pepsi Cola and other products, changed its logo this year. The logo and can design changed but the cola remained the same. The Medina Café 41:11 is going through a similar change.

In 2007, the Medina café team signed a two year lease agreement with our current landlord. The lease was formed with the understanding that when the time came to renew it the Medina café would step out in faith to form its own non-profit organization. The Medina Leadership team and Corporate Office in Norton believed this was God’s direction for the Medina café.

In the fall of 2008, and by God’s grace, the Medina café began this process after receiving the blessing to move forward from Café Corporate. Steve Friddle, the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees in Norton, writes, "We celebrate together with all our friends connected with Cafe 41:11 Medina as you take this next step in transferring ownership of the ministry to your community. We have valued and appreciated the ministry partnership we have had over the past 4 years and look forward to many years of mutual support, encouragement and cooperation as we both strive to serve the Lord and minister to people in our respective communities. May God bless you as you follow His leading and reach Medina with the gospel of Christ."

God is greatly blessing the café with new financial support and volunteers and our service to the community is growing. In the coming months (date still to be determined), Café 41:11 in Medina will become CUPS CAFE. The name and logo will change, but the “cola” will remain the same. The things you see and hear God doing today will continue tomorrow and in the future.

The cafe is in an exciting stage of redevelopment and transition. We ask that you pray for us and be patient as we work with you through these changes. A question I'm asked frequently is: Why Cups Cafe? For many reasons. One is because Jesus said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (NIV, Matthew 10:42).

The cafe currently serves cups of soup, cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cups of cold water, kool-aid, iced tea and milk, and small servings (cups) of Hope. Our new vision statement will be: Serving Hope one cup at a time. The Hope we serve is Jesus and we serve this Hope one "cup" (one heart) at a time. The volunteers and team members not only serve Jesus Christ through our work, we serve Jesus Christ to our guests.

We're hosting an informational meeting open to anyone wanting to learn more about the cafe and these changes.

Do you have a lot of questions?

Do you want to know the ins and outs of the ministry?

Have you wondered how the cafe is structured, why the name change, who is involved, and/or where the money goes?

Then we hope you'll attend this meeting and bring your friends and invite your church family to come to this meeting!!

Date: Sunday October 18, 2009

Time: 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Location: Harvest Presbyterian Church 1095 E. Reagan Pkwy. Medina, Ohio 44256 (Google it)

Contact: Tim Van Arsdale 330.304.5449 or tim@cafe4111.org

Details: Free to all, Free Coffee & Tea & Goodies, Come with an open heart and be ready for a packet of info to snack on

1999

2009

"It's my birthday today!"  Happy Birthday was shouted throughout the Cafe.  He is excited and very talkative.

He leaned over to listen to a discussion about God between a worker and a young lady.  He seemed very interested so I began talking with him about God.

"Do you go to church?" I asked.

"No," he replied.  "I haven't been to church in 8 years.  I believe there is a God because someone had to make the first person."

I reached for a Bible and had him read a few verses in Genesis 1.  His heart was so open.  We then turned to John 3:16-18 and he read the verses.  We talked about God's love for him personally.  I explained about sin and that Jesus took his punishment for his sin upon himself so that he could one day live in Heaven with Him.

"Do you want to pray and ask Jesus to be your Savior?" I asked.

"Now?" he asked.

I said, "Only if you want to."

He immediately clasped his hands and bowed his head and prayed that Jesus would forgive his sin.  Such joy filled his eyes that I knew he was sincere and God had done a work in his life.   

When I asked him to tell Paula what he just did, he said, "Hey Paula, I belong to Jesus now!"

We got him a new Bible and dated it.  I told him that he is now born into God's family and God is his Heavenly Father who will always be with him.  He is now born again on his birthday.  I showed him where the Book of John is so that he can read it and learn more about God's love for him.  

What a joy to have been an instrument, in a moment of time, that God could use to bring this young man to salvation.  He will be back with questions and I look forward to them.  I now understand completely the vision and ministry of the Cafe to feed hungry souls.

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY WORKS!

Lynn

A - acceptance

B - boys and girls

C - coffee

D - drinks

E - excitement

F - free food

G - games

H - help when needed

I - ice cream

J - Jesus known

K - kick back and relax

L - love given

M - many people

N - no one turned away

O - openness

P - pizza

Q - quiet it is not

R - ramen noodles (kids favorite)

S - soup

T -  time to talk

U - understanding

V - volunteers

W - water of life

X - xtra helpings

Y - you are important

Z - zany, fun people

I love being part of Cafe 41:11,

Lynn

Another busy week...another experience...another memory...another lesson learned.

When I arrived at the cafe this week, we had people waiting to come in, waiting for a refreshing drink, waiting for a meal, waiting to talk. It amazes me the regulars that come in counting on us to provide and to be there for them. I feel the Lord has us all there at the right place and the right time.

After half an hour of hustle and bustle, I got to spend some time with a young man who just came off a great experience of coaching a boys basketball tournament. Hearing how he related to the kids, and how well they did in taking second place, touched my heart. I listened as he shared things about the game and his life. I got to congratulate and encourage him. I let him know that when he comes into a room it just lights up with his joy and shining eyes as he talks. Yes, he has had some hard times but he continues to shine.

I am reminded that we all are to let our light shine. Matthew 5:16 tells us, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" (NIV).

I hope we that volunteer here at the cafe are a light; a beacon to all who come in. I hope the people who come in see the Lord's light in us as we try and meet their needs both physically and spiritually. I pray that light leads them to the truth.

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

I love this place!!

See you Tuesdays 3-6,

Paula Browand