Shepherd's Cross Christian Helps Ministry
(1 Corinthians 12:28)

Following in the footsteps of the Acts of the Apostles, written by St. Luke, Shepherd's Cross Christian Helps Ministry exists by the grace of God to further the first century Apostolic tradition serving in the Great Commission.

Having kissed his live-in lover goodbye, Jerry was off to work. Transcending sovereign borders around the world, like Jerry, members of the global working class endure this all too familiar ritual, daily. Legendary writing duo, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, growing up in Liverpool, England, summarized accurately within the lyrics of the Beatle’s pop song, A Hard Day’s Night, the relationship Jerry viewed he and Sondra had …

“You know I work all day
to get you money to buy you things
And it’s worth it just to hear you say
you're going to give me everything
So why on earth should I moan,
'cause when I get you alone
you know I feel ok.”

...Lennon and McCartney

In order to provide for the material possessions that couples, in his income bracket were expected to afford, Jerry understood he had to work hard. Developing a work ethic starting as a small boy, when he first began to bus tables at his family’s owned and operated deli; Jerry learned not to be afraid of hard work. After college, Jerry was recruited to begin working for an independent American military combat support agency within the Department of Defense. It was his company’s responsibility for ensuring Federal acquisition programs (systems, supplies, and services) were delivered on time, within projected cost or price, and met performance requirements. After a few years getting his bearings with the company, Jerry was promoted within his department becoming section head. This was great news both for him and Sondra, his soon to be bride. Jerry had come a long way in his life. His family was especially proud.

Having just finished a major project on time and within budget, Jerry was about to leave work feeling excitedly overtaxed whereupon his colleague stopped by his office in order to invite him to an evening Bible study.

Shrugging off with outward polite tolerance, Jerry animated a gesture, “Thanks, next time.”

“You always say that, next time. Okay, Jerry. Don’t forget you’re always welcome and if you change your mind tonight, here is my phone number and the Bible study location information.”

Jerry’s coworker offered him the hand written paper and went about his business walking down the hall.

Driving home, he acknowledged to himself that he had been recently spending an inordinate amount of time alone at work and away from Sondra. Earlier that afternoon, Jerry purchased tickets for him and Sondra to enjoy a surprise romantic getaway vacation. He was eagerly looking forward to getting home to share what he imagined to be, an intimate, quiet dinner with the love of his life.

Having arrived in his cul-de-sac, Jerry was thinking of the surprise on Sondra’s face would radiate when he showed her what he had purchased with all the overtime he had been working. Standing at the front door of his newly renovated condominium, the portal that sequestered Jerry from the hustle and bustle of the world outside, Jerry retrieved his keys from his front pocket. Opening up his rustic mahogany door, tears began to well up in his eyes. Lying on the carpet piled before him, were some of his personal miscellaneous effects and his clothes. They were all that Sondra had left inside this man’s castle before leaving. Jerry’s personal computer that linked him with his company’s office was gone and even his European tapestry, which he purchased on his last years business trip was missing. Sondra had cleaned him out. The paramour of his dreams had turned surprisingly into his worst nightmare. Feeling numb through out his body, Jerry’s autonomic central nervous system went into autopilot. Looking over the pile of stuff left on the floor, Jerry could only scream inside. Unable to speak, Jerry picked up a leather belt from off the floor. Finding his way to the entrance of his bedroom where he and Sondra, like two dancers performing the classical ballet, Gisele, with passionate energy and exuberance, made love so tenderly, so gracefully the night before, began to reminisce, thinking of a time less painful. … Located in Orca City’s fishing district, just a half block west of the Sakura Island Ferry is found Poetry ETC; a hole-in- the-wall used bookstore favoring first editions, rare, and antiquarian books.

Emigrating from Scotland, the Macrory family founded Poetry ETC, back in the early 1980s; originally, with the hope they would be able to make a just, down-to-earth fair market profit to feed the family. Within a short time though, through popularity among the locals, word of mouth propelled Poetry ETC to take off like a skyrocket.

Soon the bookstore was connecting buyers and sellers alike to inventory on hand. While most, just went to see what all the hoopla over the bookstore’s reputation was all about, only the true coinsurer of fine books was able to appreciate what a literary source for wit and wisdom Poetry ETC. may bequeath on those who ventured through the candle lit gated entrance way.

Having passed over the threshold of Poetry ETC, entering this treasure chest of scholarship, two ill-fated lovers were about to have their paths cross. Reaching for the same book, at the same time, the natural fiery colored redhead began to lose balance, falling just slightly enough to cause the second patron to lose his sense of balance. Recovering from the fall, to the ground, the man, offering his hand, identified himself as Jerry. Accepting, the woman introduced herself as Sondra. Locking eyes, the two were straight away, enmeshed emotionally.

Following the example of the newly renovated The Willow Tea Room, in Sauchiehall Street in downtown Glasgow, the Macrory family continued the tradition having a Scottish Tea Room designed within Poetry ETC in Orca City, Maine.

Turning into the New Willow Tea Room, the two began sharing cups of hot tea. Experiencing mutual attraction, the two word warriors commenced upon becoming acquainted. Jerry, seizing the moment, began speaking first, “If I made love to you as gently and tenderly the way I am imagining it would be right now, you would first fall in love with me and second, you would never be satisfied with another lover.”

Sondra responded teasingly, “I’m game. Prove it.”

Leaving together, within the week the two were live-in lovers.

Moving to the spacious closet found within his bedroom, Jerry slipped his belt over the closet rod making a noose. Jerry’s secret keeper was on foot in the other room. Before she was able to catch up with him, Jerry, slipping the noose around his neck fell forward hanging himself. Jerry was dead – the only witness, to the sound of his necking cracking, his black cat, Swartz, his secret keeper, left behind by Sondra.

Jerry killed himself. Jerry was murdered. Rumors of Jerry’s death began circulating among the neighbors. After an investigation, it was determined that Jerry motivated by a spontaneous sorrowful grief, killed himself by hanging. Listed on the death certificate as the cause of death, “Suicide,” thus, rumors regarding Jerry passing away were laid to rest.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”Matthew 11:28-29 (EVS)

This is not a request it is a demand.

And a Ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'"

And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth."

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Luke 18:18-30 (ESV)

Traveling Upon A Path With Whom Now Do You Identify?

Traveling upon a path with whom now do you identify? Would you identify more with an average person, a member of the global working class in pursuit of providing for his nuclear family’s basic primary needs, career security and so forth who is coming from an attitude of an intellectual ideal base toward religious tolerance still not having the heart converted away from sin and towards the living Savior, Christ Jesus the Lord or would you identify more with an average person, a member of the global religious class in pursuit of providing for his religious tranquility, approval, security and so forth coming from an intellectual ideal of a God concept, still not having the heart converted away from sin and towards the living Savior Christ Jesus the Lord.

Continue to Part 3

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