CCM December 2023 Perspective Newsletter

DECEMBER 2023
PERSPECTIVE
FROM THE FRONTLINES
CELEBRATING 42 YEARS OF RESTORING HOPE
From Our Chief Executive Officer, Ed Hosack
FINDING JOY!
In the midst of every
challenge, there is joy to be
found.
There will be difficult days
and there may be nights
when you cry yourself to
sleep, but joy comes in the
morning. (Psalms 30:5) The
psalmist also wrote; "it is like the watchman waiting
for the morning." The enduring principle is - you
cannot rush it, but it always comes.
By definition, we find joy in something or someone
greatly valued or appreciated. Simply put, Joy grows
out of “thankfulness”. Whether it is someone close by
or far away, someone in your life today or someone
who enriched your life in the past. Perhaps they were
an influence in your life and now you are a reflection
of their life today?
"May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him..."
ROMANS 15:13A
We can celebrate the times when...
The heart of a ruler was changed to
provide relief
The poor were fed in the midst of chaos
Gifts were given in days of fear and hardship
People persevered through pain as help
came to deliver strength and confidence
We can be thankful for the One who changes hearts,
cares for the poor, draws near when we struggle
and provides strength when we are in pain. Here's
a trustworthy saying; “Whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admiral, if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy, think about such things.” (Phil.4:8)
How do you find JOY in the moment / in the midst
of chaos / in the struggle? I asked our CCM staff this
question. Please give yourself time to enjoy their
responses (on the next page) and then, as a favor to
me, please pray for each one of them. Thank You!
My Pastor said recently; “Often, those who celebrate
the most are the most thankful.” Rediscover what you
are thankful for this holiday season and He will turn
your crying into dancing; and replace your sadness
with joy. (Psalms 30:11) I hope you have a Merry
Christmas!
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year

FINDING JOY...
from the CCM Staff
“I find JOY
in the effort
when I focus
on the purpose
of effecting
change in
the lives
of others.”
- Natalie
“I have found JOY in
the moment when I see
our community come
together to help those
in need. “ - Roxanna
“How I find my JOY...I
practice mindful
gratitude everyday,
as soon as I open my
eyes in the morning! I
look for things to be
grateful for all day.
Then, I thank God
again at the end of the
day for granting me
my request!” - Pam
“I find JOY in tough
seasons through laughter,
worship, and reflecting of
the Lord’s goodness in my
life.” - Debbie
“I find JOY
in watching
a beautiful
sunset.” - Sam
“I find JOY in
my path when
I contemplate
the goodness
of God over the
course of my
life.” - Bianca
“Just last week
I remembered a
Traditional Hymn:
Count Your Blessing
Name Them One
by One. I applied it
to my life….I have
started to literally
count my blessings
one by one.”
- Pennyeda
“I find JOY when a kind
stranger pays for a full cart
of groceries of the person
checking out in front of me.“
- Kelli
“My JOY comes from knowing that I am
loved by God unconditionally. I have JOY
from my daughter who is growing into a
healthy smart young girl. I also have JOY
with being able to be a part of CCM’s
vision for our community!” - Tyanna
“In the midst of
hardship, I find
JOY when I focus
on the goodness
of God and get
outside of myself,
and focus on the
needs of others.”
- Lorie
“I find JOY in the
opportunities I have
every day to show
people how Christ
“I find JOY in
loves.” - Kyra
my journey when I
experience God’s
blessings through
intentional actions of
giving more than what’s
been given to me!”
- Jeremy
“In my journey
through life, it
brings me great
JOY when I am
walking in God’s
way and will,
and especially
when he calls
me to serve in a
way that makes
a positive
difference in the
lives others.”
- Kris

FINDING JOY...
from the CCM Staff
“I find JOY in
my struggles
when I take
the time to
go hiking in
God’s beautiful
creation.”
- Linda
“I find JOY in my struggles
when I finally hand things
over to God and remind
myself that He will see me
through.” - Leanne
“I find JOY through my
struggles when I remember
to relax and just trust God,
because then, I know that
once I get through this, I am
going to BE a better version
of myself. Watch out!”
- Zenobia
“JOY is my spirit filled
with peace despite the
wickedness of this world.
JOY is not allowing others
to steal my serenity or take
me outside of my inner
happy.” - Selena
“I find JOY in times
of stress when I stop
to admire the beauty
of God’s creation.
Whether it’s a hike
through the mountains
or a bonfire in my
backyard, it never fails
to bring me comfort.”
- Teara
“JESUS-OTHERS-YOU. That
is what really brings me JOY.
Jesus is the Reason for the
Season. He comes first and
it’s His Birthday we celebrate
at Christmas.” - Katie
“I find the JOY of the
Lord to be my strength
in times of weakness
and trials.“ - Amaha
“I find JOY in my struggles by
trusting that the end results
will be worth my diligent
effort, and that those results
will not be meaningless if God
is directing me!” - Kevin
“I find JOY
in the in the
spontaneous
laugher of my
children as they
share an ‘inside’
joke between
only them.”
- Phil
“I find JOY
in quality time
spent with
family and
close friends.”
- Cheryl
“I found JOY in my
journey when I looked
back and saw how far I
had come.” ~ Jamie

HELPFUL RESOURCES
SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE
LEARN MORE
FOOD
RESOURCES
The NEW ‘Cabarrus County
Food Resource Map’, which
was recently created by the
Hunger Task Force, is available
on our website. Please share
this valuable resource with the
community.
VIEW MAP
HELP with
HOUSING
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