Dewey's Daily Cup

Serving For God's Glory

Miracle From God Inspires Me to Preach!

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I write this as I weep, Last night (Monday)
Before the game my teammates on Amistad Christian sang me Happy Birthday and after the doubleheader victory we all prayed and they prayed over my life. I receive so much love by so many people! I love to play ball at 61 because at 4 years old my Mom and Dad and me were told I may never walk and run like the other kids, I had a rare hip disease, wore a full leg brace for 1 1/2 years, God had other plans. Do not tell me that God can’t do this or that. God will Awe you! He continues to Awe me as I get to play ball thanks to all of my Amistad Christian teammates. Also thank you all for your birthday love!
Better health at 61 than at 31! PTL! So very much of my passion to preach Jesus comes from the healing He has done for me in my life! I want others to know HIM! AMEN!

A Cup With Melvin Will Change Your Life!

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This story was submitted by our Dear Friend Darlene Quiring of Mt. Lake, Minn.
Finally, Carolyn and I were seated by a large window. Colorful ads spilled from the newspaper someone had left on our table. As I folded the newspaper, I noticed that it had begun to drizzle outside. “Oh, no,” I groaned. “We’re going to be dashing around in the rain. Shopping will be messy today!” I sighed and picked up a menu.
“Every year,” responded Carolyn, “I promise myself that I won’t get into a frenzy the next year, but I always find myself stressed to the hilt all over again. It’s crazy!”
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an elderly man on the other side of the window, making his way carefully down the sidewalk. He was carrying a black umbrella in his left hand, sheltering himself from the rain, and balancing several brooms on his right shoulder. Beneath a thin gray coat, he was dressed in a plaid flannel shirt and brown pants. A striped ski cap protected his head and thick glasses covered his eyes like a shield. As I watched, he smiled and stepped politely aside to allow a couple to rush by.
“Who’s that?” I asked Carolyn.
“That’s Melvin. He’s been walking these streets for years and years. I’ve heard he put several of his children through college selling those brooms. He’s almost blind and in his seventies, but he keeps on keeping on. I don’t know how he does it. Everybody buys brooms from him.”
Just then Melvin ducked through the doorway into the restaurant. Waiting customers smiled and cleared the way for him. A few shook his hand. Others patted his shoulder as he moved quietly from table to table, smiling and asking, “Do you need a broom today?” Several patrons bought from him and rose to stack their new brooms near the doorway. Suddenly the Holy Spirit spoke to me: Interview him.
Instantly I was energized. When the elderly gentleman approached our table, I made a purchase, then said, “Melvin, I’m a writer, and I wonder if you might let me interview you. I have a hunch that your life is very special.”
Melvin paused and thought for a moment. Then he smiled. “I’ve been asked to do a lot of interviews and I’ve always said no. But this time I’m going to say yes.”
We set a time to meet at the café the very next Friday morning for breakfast. I felt unexpected anticipation, almost as if Melvin might be bringing me good tidings of great joy. After all, it was the season for it!
Exactly a week later, when Melvin and I met, it wasn’t raining as before, but it was windy and cold. Melvin shook my hand at the front door. “It’s a blessing to get a good, hot breakfast on a cold morning, isn’t it?”
We both ordered the Satellite special — fried eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, biscuits, and jelly. Somehow it seemed like a morning for extravagant eating and celebration!
Melvin took a sip of hot coffee, then sat straight and tall in his chair. “There’s one thing I need to make very clear about this interview,” he announced. “I’m a Christian and I love Jesus. That is the most important thing. My mother died when I was born. I never knew my daddy. My grandmother raised me and she was a wonderful person. I’ve been married to one lady for 45 years. Jesus has always been good to me. I owe everything I am and have to Him. I’m a thankful man.”
This is a man with a message, I thought, grabbing my pen and notebook from my purse.
When the waitress brought our overloaded plates, I asked Melvin about his eyesight. “I was born this way,” he replied. “I can see a little bit, but my wife, Dorothy, was born totally blind. People didn’t think we could make it, but we’ve raised five children. She was even the first black woman to get a music degree from the university. The Lord has always given us work. Before she retired, she taught music to handicapped children. Me, I’m 72 and still working. I can’t see much, but I don’t feel handicapped because God helps me do whatever I need to do.”
The words of Paul echoed in my mind: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). With his poor eyesight, his love for Jesus, and his determined spirit, Melvin was living proof of that verse.
Enthusiastic and eager to talk, he wrapped his hands around his cup of coffee. “I’ve been happy in life because I made up my mind when I was a very young man that I wanted to help people. Life’s not about what somebody will do for you. It’s all about what you can do for somebody else. I love God and I love people.”
Suddenly I was curious. This dear man could hardly see. Selling brooms on the streets of Little Rock could not be financially lucrative. Melvin was the one who needed help! “So how do you help people?” I asked frankly.
He sat up proudly. “Every morning, unless it’s under 30 degrees or snowing, I wait on the corner for my bus and pray that God will send somebody that day who needs my help. Then I watch to see whom He sends across my path. Even a smile or a kind word helps people in this rough old world. I feel like I’m successful in life because God always sends people I can help.”
As he buttered a biscuit and covered it with jelly, I began to feel as if the coffee shop was holy ground. This man had it all figured out. He was calm and secure. I could feel the peace of the Holy Spirit coming from within him, even in the midst of a busy coffee shop. He wasn’t fretful or anxious like the rest of us…well, like me! Had I actually complained about the opportunity to go Christmas shopping? He navigated the crowds and the weather every day without complaint.
“Has anybody ever helped you along your way?” I asked.
Melvin paused and smiled. “Yes, once somebody gave me a new pair of shoes. But that’s not the important thing. What’s most important is, ‘Whom have I helped?’ People keep saying, ‘Melvin, you’re an old man. Why do you keep selling those brooms?’ I tell them these brooms are my lifeline to people, and I’ll keep carrying and selling them as long as I can.”
“Tell me about your children.”
“Dorothy and I put two of them through college. Two died and one is not as close to the Lord as he should be. But prayer — that will make the difference. Jesus suffered for us, so why shouldn’t I suffer over my child?” Then he added confidently, “I believe my child will return to the Lord.”
“How would you like your children to remember you?” I asked after my new friend took one last bite of fried eggs. A tear slid down from behind his thick glasses. “I want my children to remember that I was always there when they needed me, that I was a family man. I want them to remember that I loved Jesus, and that I never let them go hungry. I want them to believe that I was a good man.”
I reached across the table to touch his hand. “I know they’ll always remember you exactly like that.”
He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. Then he looked straight at me. “You know, you should never expect somebody else to do more for your children than you do. I’ve been there every time my children needed me, just like Jesus has always been there when I needed Him.”
“Melvin,” I said as the waitress appeared with our check, “the world would be filled with happy children if they all had fathers like you.”
He gestured toward his brooms propped by the door. “I don’t worry and I’m not afraid of anything. I have peace of mind. I’m grateful for whatever God does. If I sell one broom, I’m thankful. If I sell ten brooms, I’m thankful. God has shown me that my family will always have everything we need. It’s not about money. It’s about God providing. I always tell Him, ‘Whatever You want is what I want.’”
The strong impact of gratitude on Melvin’s life, and on those around him, was impossible to miss. There was much he could have complained about. Instead, he chose the path of gratitude and service. As Melvin and I hugged and parted ways that December morning, I knew my holiday would be more focused — and more filled with gratitude — because of him. Once again, God had sent Melvin somebody to help!
And as I pulled out of the restaurant parking lot onto the holiday busy street, I remembered my conversation with Carolyn the week before, complaining because it was raining and we had to go shopping. I had been so ungrateful. No more! By God’s grace, I was going to be intentionally grateful – like Melvin.

Pray With Us, Please…

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Dear Family of The Daily CUP!!

Please pray for me I injured my knee yesterday working outside and I could not get up! Much pain! I made it back to the house and I am better this morning! PTL! But will you pray for me so I can do the work that has been assigned me by our Lord Jesus Christ?
I had to get Daisy from the Vet yesterday after hurting my knee, I made it!!! LOL!

I am driving to Reserve to preach on Sunday, please keep me in your prayers! I am still having problems walking.
Please pray for Joan McCargish of Reserve. I met Joan and her hubby Charles almost 5 years ago. Joan and Charles are leaders in the First Baptist Church in Reserve, NM. Charles is the head Deacon. Joan serves in many ways. Joan was a teacher in the public school system and on the school board! They both are servants of our Lord Jesus Christ and we love them so much.

Joan is suffering from much pain from sciatica. I will be preaching at FBC in Reserve on Sunday and we will be praying for Joan, will you please?

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
This is from Frank and Alice Haley’s daughter, Lydia Haley Crandall……

On June 7, 2017 my sister, Amanda, unexpectedly passed away. She leaves behind two sons, 23 & 9 years old. Just prior to her untimely death, she had lost her job of more than a decade. She also struggled with bi-polar disorder & had recently undergone surgery to repair an injury on her foot. In addition, her car was recently repossessed, as she could not pay the note due to her layoff. We are hoping to raise enough money for her burial expenses, medical expenses & to pay off her outstanding debt, so my nephews & their loving father are not left carrying this burden alone. We are a hard working family, but the added expenses incurred due to her untimely passing has placed a huge burden on our family. Please consider helping us out during this difficult time. We thank you for your prayers!   Donate Here

This is from Pastor Steve Stucker:

I’m asking for love and prayer directed to my friend & dear brother Frank Haley. He & his wife Alice just found out their 45 yr old daughter Amanda died, from unknown causes. This is the second child of the Haley’s to pass away from this world, & my heart grieves for them. They are faithful, hard working, outspoken believers…& great examples to many of us. Frank, after ‘retiring’ from decades as a radio newsman, came back to spread the Good News on AM 730 every morning. Feel free to post your loving support for the Haley’s here, & if you know them, reach out in love & kindness, as they do their best to soldier on for Jesus.