From the Desk of Dan Doty
Dear Friends,
What attribute of God is most personally meaningful to you? His free forgiveness? His amazing grace? His goodness? His omnipotence? Of course, all these characteristics are wonderful and meaningful. Yet, there is one trait that in many ways encapsulates them all: God's unconditional love for His human creation.
There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37,39 (GNT)
How can you love someone who is very unlovely or unlovable? For me, this ability comes by remembering how unlovely I once was (and still am at times); still God loved me — so much so that while I was still a sinner, He demonstrated His love for me through Christ’s death (Romans 5:8).
There are countless opportunities at City Union Mission to practice loving people who on the surface seem unlovable. It is truly God's love working through us that makes it possible for us to love:
- the drug addict and alcoholic who abandoned his or her family in pursuit of happiness.
- the repeat client who has tried multiple times to make right choices only to fail again.
- the mom who lives her life as though her young children were adults able to care for their own needs.
- the homeless man who is repulsive by his actions, his appearance and his attitude.
Personally experiencing God's wonderful love through a relationship with Jesus is the first step in being able to truly and fully love others.
Dan Doty talks with Mission staff and CLP participants
at the site of the future site of men’s recovery program facility.
Thank YOU for having this kind of love for the men, women and young people we serve. Your faithful prayers, your time and your gifts all display your love for those God also loves ... unconditionally.
For His Glory!
Rev. Daniel J. Doty
Executive Director
