Cups Cafe

UPDATE

Tim Van Arsdale — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:04:00 GMT

Dear Friend

Cups Café is a very special place where teenagers can experience the warmth and comfort of mom’s kitchen and the fun atmosphere of a downtown coffee shop. They love to pop in, flick their book bags and coats to the floor, and jump on a bar stool for an after school snack with friends. The teens visiting Cups Cafe are searching for...

TRUTH...Spirituality...love...fOOd...fun...someone to text ;-)...mystery...new facebook friends...

someone to listen to them

Thankfully there is a place in Medina Ohio like Cups Café where teenagers can go to find all of these things...especially someone willing to listen to them.

One thing that is cool about Cups Café is the fact that you don’t need a cell phone or computer or access to the Internet to experience it. A person can just walk through the front doors (at 126 North Court St. Medina Ohio)to catch the scent of fresh popcorn, sit down in an overstuffed chair with a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and syrup, and poke the person next to them or simply have a conversation.

Everything at Cups Café is free. That’s right! The cafe does not charge for its products or services. If you’re hungry, stop in for a free cup of soup. If you’re thirsty, drop by for a cup of coffee on the house. If you just need to talk, someone is available to listen.

Cups Café (formerly the Medina Café 41:11) is a connecting place where guests can expect to find: Coffee, Comfort, Conversation...and so much more.

The vision statement of Cups Café is: Serving Hope - one cup at a time. The Hope we serve is Jesus the Christ and we serve Him through our work and to our guests.

The purpose (or mission) of Cups is: to be a community café existing to connect the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of young people (ages 12-25) and families with free resources and to connect them to Jesus Christ and His Church. Cups Café is doing a tremendous job of connecting needs with local resources ever since it opened for business in 2007.

“People here have helped me out a lot. It’s the caring and loving that they show, everybody shows, especially you. I was going to be homeless and had help from you and Jeff. It’s a good environment and a positive place to be. The free food is my favorite. It’s a place to get away from trouble. I can come here and calm down and listen to the conversations and feel the positive energy.”

-19 yr old Guest

The café relies on volunteers to run shifts. They work to serve and care for one guest (one cup) at a time. This is not always possible simply because we serve an average of 32 guests during a three hour shift. Volunteers exhaust themselves and sacrifice a lot to serve each guest:

free cups of coffee, specialty coffee drinks, tea, & hot chocolate
free cups of water, juice, kool-aid, iced tea, & milk
free cups of soup
free sandwiches, popcorn, breads, bagels, cereal, donuts & desserts
free bibles, prayer, other literature
Hope - one cup at a time

Cups Café is able to operate in this way because it is a non-profit organization registered with the State of Ohio and a 501 (c)3 organization under the IRS regulation. Support for Cups Café comes from local businesses, civic organizations, supporting churches, and individuals.

Cups Cafe is a Christian organization but it is NOT a Church. Cups Café is THE Church in action. The Apostle John wrote, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but in action and in truth” (NIV, 1 John 3:18). Many people will never step one foot inside a church but they will walk into a coffee shop or cafe. And so Cups Cafe is a great vehicle for the Church (God’s People) to have a more visible presence and greater impact in serving the community and reaching those in need of Hope.

One very special part of Cups Café is its Community Service program. People on probation through the court system can fulfill their hours at the café.

“All the volunteers I worked with did a really good job of not forcing people to talk about Christ but bringing it up in a way that gives them a chance to share their knowledge. I have a church, but I don’t always go.”

-Community Service Worker

Cups Café is unlike...any...other non-profit organization in Medina Ohio. This is because the café is living out all of the actions mentioned by Jesus in the twenty fifth chapter of Matthew’s gospel.

The volunteers literally give food and drink and welcome strangers in off the street (vs35). They give clothes to those in need and visit the sick in the hospital and juveniles in the detention center and work nearly every day with individuals on probation and assigned to community service through the local courts (vs36). They labor and endeavor to serve each guest as if it were Jesus Himself.

Cups Café needs your financial support.

Will you give $10 $20 $30 a month or more (click here to download pledge card form)?

If even 100 people committed to giving only $10 a month to Cups Café, that would generate $1,000 in new monthly support.

JUST $10 A MONTH!

The cafe needs monthly contributions of food, time, supplies, and money. So if you can’t give $10 a month maybe you can...

pass this letter on to 10 friends so they know about the café

or buy 10 supplies for Cups the next time you’re at the grocery store (contact us for a detailed list of needs as it changes often)

or volunteer 10 hours a month.

If you already give in any of these areas, thank you!!! Please pray about increasing your area of support in some small way.

Cups Café wishes they could offer you a guarantee or a return on your investment but any type of growth or return is up to God, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building” (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

The ministry can GUARANTEE:

you a tax-deduction (via a statement at the end of the year)
to labor where God has placed us
to include YOU in the ministry with stories of cafe life via email newsletters, facebook, twitter, mailings, videos, etc.
to be honest, forthright, and good stewards of your donations
your donations will stay in Medina

Think back to when you were a teenager with nothing to do and nowhere to go in your home town.

How cool would it have been to have a place like Cups Café to hang out at during the summer and after school?

Please click here to download our pledge card, print it, fill it out and mail it in.

Your monthly support can make a huge difference in one young person’s life and help to establish this ministry for years to come for teenagers growing up in Medina.

Will you support Cups Café with a monthly gift of $10 or more?

Check out this link!!

Tim Van Arsdale — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:21:00 GMT

Click the read more link below...

Cups Cafe Medina Ohio Fair Signups

Tim Van Arsdale — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:30:00 GMT

OPEN SPOTS:

Mon. Aug 2: (1 volunteers 6-9pm)

Thurs. Aug 5: (1 volunteer 6-9pm)

Fri. Aug 6: (1 volunteer 3-6pm) & (2 volunteers 6-9pm)

Sat. Aug 7: (1 volunteer 9am-12) & (2 volunteers 3-6pm) & (2 volunteers 6-9pm)

Sun. Aug 8: (2 volunteers 12-3pm) & (3 volunteers 6-9pm)

Click here to view schedule

DETAILS:

1. Pick a 3 hour shift (or more).

2. Help the cafe raise one month's rent ($1500).

3. You get into the fair for FREE after shift.

4. Pull your car into Gate #1 on E. Smith Rd. (near track and horse barns).

5. Tell gate attendant that you’re with Cups Café to get waivers signed.

6. Our task is to get waiver forms signed by ALL contestants & spectators entering Gate #1 for the motocross/demo derby/tractor pull events (etc).

7. Bring a lawn chair, bottle(s) of water or something to drink, food if needed, reading material, sunglasses, comfy cool clothes and footwear, suntan lotion.

8. Call Tim 330-304-5449 with the day and shift(s) you want & to see what spots are currently still open.

9. Tim will give you a reminder call the day or two before your shift so you know where to go and what to do.

godfish

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:41:00 GMT

A scrawny, shirtless boy stops in with a cool looking wooden fish. It was hand painted and etched on it was the word “God.”

So I ask him, “Where did you get your Godfish?” (I call it a Godfish because that’s what it looks like.)

“I made it at Let’s Make a Difference.”

“Cool, what does it stand for?” I ask.

“I don’t remember,” the boy says.

Moments after growing an orange Kool-aid mustache, he looks up at me and asks, “Who is the Dad?”

“I’m sorry, what?” I reply.

“Who is the Dad?”

I repeat his question just to make sure I’m hearing him correctly plus it was really loud at the cafe, “Did you ask: Who is the Dad?"

“Yeah, Who is the Dad? Jesus or God?”

This little boy truly wanted to know the answer to that simple question. There was a humility and sincerity and inquisitiveness in his voice. It touched me.

I quickly thanked God (in my mind) for this boy and the opportunity to answer him and said, “God. God is the Father and Jesus is His Son.”

What an awesome opportunity yesterday and what a question: Who is the Dad? (I love it!)

I wish all of you could’ve been there to witness the swarming crowd of kids and hear the conversations that took place. I got a chance to teach this boy the simple truth that JESUS is the son of God.

It was a seed…a small seed…but a seed nonetheless. And I was able to be there to plant it because of your faithful financial support and prayers. Your generosity is making “Godfish” conversations happen; one cup of Kool-aid at a time.

Who is YOUR Dad?

pickaxe

Tim Van Arsdale — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:37:00 GMT

Has God ever given you a totally free gift?

I’m not talking about your job, spouse, car or kids. Certainly, He blesses us with special relationships and those things. I’m talking about a 100% bona fide, free gift; one you didn’t earn, seek out, or trade for.

For example: you’re walking on the sidewalk and you stumble upon a 20 dollar bill and there’s no one around to claim it. Or, you’re driving your car and notice on the side of the road a pair of blue jeans that just happen to fit you perfectly.

That’s what I mean by a free gift. Has that happened to you?

Well…it happened to me last week. God gave me a pickaxe.

See how. Watch this video.

So…since no one claimed this pickaxe, I guess it was meant for me. Don’t be upset if you can’t think of a time when you received a free gift from God. After all, He did send His son Jesus.

We did nothing to earn, seek out, or trade for the free gift of God’s son. He gave us Jesus simply because He loves mankind so much and He wants a relationship with us (John 3:16).

There’s something interesting about free gifts. They have to be received.

God sends Jesus, but man puts Him out to the side of the road with yesterday’s trash (i.e. crucifies Him). We didn’t really want Him. But God is more persistent than man. He resurrects Jesus and puts Him right back on our doorstep. God relentlessly pursues you and me.

So what’s your decision?

Are you gonna’ keep kicking Jesus out to the curb every time He shows up on your doorstep?

-OR-

Are you going to receive Him as a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4; Romans 5:15-17)?

Choose this day whom you will serve (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15).

Cups Cafe Medina Ohio Fair Contract

Tim Van Arsdale — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Click to view >> Medina Fair Schedule

To pick a time call Tim 330-304-5449

Jesus at Work

Tim Van Arsdale — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:10:00 GMT

I perform an exit interview when individuals on probation through the court system complete their Community Service hours at Cups Cafe. The answers I hear are so encouraging that I wish all of could be present at each interview. So, this time, I decided to include you in an exit interview to give you a glimpse into what I see and here on a regular basis.

Your faithfulness to God, in support of His work at Cups, make these real life conversations possible. God is so good. His Spirit is working at Cups…in real ways…in and through real conversations…real faces…real lives.

I did not ask this man all the questions in the interview for the sake of time. I didn’t want you to have to make popcorn just to watch a normal interview.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

this video could save the cafe

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:03:00 GMT

I only have 15 shirts to give away in 48 hours (before the volunteers snatch them up). So be fast. When you submit your comment, I’ll be notified via email so you don’t have to send me an email!

Just enter below:

1. Count me in for $100.

2. First & Last name.

3. What size t-shirt you wear.

First come…first served. And don’t forget. Make checks payable: Cups Cafe Mail to: Cups Cafe P.O. Box 83 Medina, Ohio 44258

P.S. You will get a tax deduction at the end of the year for your donation of $100.

Becoming a Man

Lynn Winchip — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:56:00 GMT

It's Hot!!!! Not many come to the cafe today. For many of our "regulars" it is too hot to be walking around town.

A young man walks in. He is hot, thirsty, tired and I give him some sweet tea to drink. He walked to Medina from Seville filling out work applications.

He is 19 and no longer lives at home.

He needs to talk and share his frustration. I can sense fear of what is going to happen as he is now on his own. After a sandwich and more ice tea, he looks refreshed and he leaves to resume his hunt for work.

Within the three hours I volunteered at the Cafe, four more young men came in who had been filling out applications in and around town. As each one leaves, I pray that God will help them and supply their needs. I wish I could do something to help them
but all I can do is listen, pour ice tea and pray for them.

What can you do?

still serving

Tim Van Arsdale — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:07:00 GMT

The building’s for sale but Cups Cafe is still serving. We’re open for business. We’re not closing the cafe.

The only way we’ll close is if we can’t pay the rent (which could happen if we don’t raise enough money). So become a $50 month donor of the cafe! See our Donate button above for details.

The Landlord is selling the building for $399,000 dollars. Any takers? Whoever buys it will become our new Landlord.

Enough on that topic.

Something cool happened at the cafe. I twittered from my cell phone that we ran out of Kool-aid. My twitter feed is synced to Facebook and LinkedIn. I got 4 comments about Kool-aid in mere seconds and someone delivered Kool-aid to the cafe like 45 minutes later. I think someone else is stopping by today with more.

God met our needs through social-networking! You can use these forms of media to communicate your needs or the needs of your Church or group or organization.

If you want the latest real time updates, then follow the Cups Cafe twitter feed or become a fan of Cups Cafe and a friend of Tim Van Arsdale on Facebook.

Still Serving & Depending on Jesus,

Tim Van Arsdale

Is the cafe closing its doors for good?

Tim Van Arsdale — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:11:00 GMT

Is it true?

It can’t be...can it?

We need your help and prayers. Some exciting things are happening with Cups Cafe in Medina (formerly Cafe 41:11). Stay tuned for more details to come…we promise.

Until then, keep sending in your support!

service project

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:07:00 GMT

5/31/2010

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:06:00 GMT

Memorial Day 2010

Tim Van Arsdale — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:57:00 GMT

The cafe has a grill!

This year’s event was not well attended but it was still good for the cafe to be open. We met new people and raised a bit of money and got to break in our new grill.

Many people helped this year and so we wish to thank:

Ron & his wife
Ed for donating a grill and cookin’ the dogs!
John Goulandris of Joey’s Southside Burgers for donating buns. (Joey’s makes a delicious Gyro. You should try it.)
Shelly Hinkle, Brenda Damon, & Mark Loomis for donating supplies.
The Clarke’s & MacPherson’s for bringing desserts.
David DeFelice, Ed & Mary Smeltz, & My family for helping out.

cool happenings

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:07:00 GMT

Glowing Nose, LLC did something special for Cups Cafe that we’re grateful for. They stopped by to record a podcast. You can listen to the interview through iTunes or by visiting their website. Click this link >> Cups Cafe Podcast.

The cafe will open Memorial Day for its Annual Hot Dog fundraiser.

Cups Cafe Hot Dog fundraiser

Date: Monday May 31, 2010

Time: 9:00am to 12:00pm

Place: Cups Cafe 126 N. Court St. Medina, Ohio 44256

Donations: Hot Dog, Bag of Chips & Can of Pop (suggested donation of $2.00). Other cafe products offered freely (donations welcome). Stop in before the parade for a FREE coffee to go! (Would you like to help? The cafe needs 200 hot dogs, 200 buns, 200 cans of pop, 200 bags of chips.)

Do you know how many guests came through the doors in the month of March 2010? Check out our Statistics page listed under the Categories to your right or click HERE!

Don’t forget to follow the Cups on Twitter and/or Facebook!

seed

Tim Van Arsdale — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:00:00 GMT

I sit down over a cup of coffee with each Community Service helper after they finish their hours and ask them questions about their cafe experience. It’s basically an exit interview. I wish you could be a fly on the wall so you can hear some of their answers.

I met with a guy who finished his hours last week and asked, “Did a particular volunteer have a significant impact on you during your service with Cups Cafe?”

He answered, “Yes.”

“What happened?” I asked.

“He was always telling me about Jesus. I didn’t really know about Jesus before.”

This Community Service person wasn’t lying. He really didn’t know about Jesus before. He has NEVER walked through the doors of a church. This young man has NEVER researched who Jesus is or what He has done. (This should encourage you cause it means a free community cafe model works. Un-churched people are walking through the doors of Cups Cafe).

Your financial support keeps the cafe open which allows the Cups Cafe Team to daily love and serve and teach others about Jesus. This includes our Community Service helpers! Your support may not produce “converts” but that’s okay. It’s not up to us to convert. We’re asked to be faithful and trust God for the results.

The Apostle Paul knew this. He said that he wasn’t anything. Paul understood that his work was only one portion of a larger picture. Paul wrote, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:5-8).

Paul said he wasn’t anything. This is Paul we’re talking about. The same guy who did amazing miracles. PAUL! I wonder: Do you think the same of your activities and interests? Or are you swimming in a pool of pride? Is it all about you?

I believe someone else will come along later in that young man’s life and water the seed that has been planted in his heart.

So ask yourself this: HOW MUCH MONEY WAS THAT PLANTED SEED WORTH?

$5 a month? $200 a month?

You know that you can’t take your money with you to the grave – right? Oh sure, you can bequeath it to your children, but they can’t take it with them to the grave either. And neither can their grandchildren.

But you know what you CAN take with you to the other side?

A human life. A soul.

Your monthly contributions to Cups Cafe can be an eternal investment. It can be a huge part of bringing people into an eternal relationship with God. Please give to the cafe? We all have one purpose under Heaven of which we will be rewarded according to what we do (1 Cor. 3:8).

Give monthly. We need monthly support. Pray daily. We need daily prayer. Volunteer weekly. We need weekly volunteers.

We need seed planters. So I hope you’ll join the Cups team. Be a seed planter. Give, pray, and volunteer.

Make checks payable: CUPS CAFE

MAIL TO: CUPS CAFE P.O. Box 83 Medina, Ohio 44258

DESIGNATE: For CUPS CAFE, or Missionary Family

Click our DONATE link above for more information on how you can be a seed planter or forward this blog to someone you know who can help the cafe stay open.

delivery

Tim Van Arsdale — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:04:00 GMT

Nothing could stop this delivery. Not yesterday. Not even the throaty rumble and rhythmic vibrations of the Honda motorcycle cruising down Court Street could shake this precious cargo from reaching its destination. The owner of the Goldwing is a cafe volunteer and yesterday was his shift.

So get this…

Ron pulls out an orange bungee cord, firmly straps 8 boxes of the Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtle’s favorite food onto the passenger seat behind him, and tours through downtown on his way to Cups. Ron’s on a mission.

He’s delivering PIZZA’S to Cups Cafe!

This Italian delight arrived safely and on time so they were still hot-n-ready to eat. The pie’s were a big hit, and we served upwards of 60 guests yesterday. It was a busy shift.

Mark Williams, from Williams On The Lake, delivered a huge cake to the cafe too. It was leftover from the Johnson/Wilson wedding. The families wanted it to go to a good home. Well, it did (thank you!). So we had pizza and cake. (Yeah…of course pizza and wedding cake compliment each other…culinarily speaking. Whatr’ you thinkin’? This is teenagers we’re talkin’ ‘bout.)

I have to say…

I’ve personally never seen teenagers wolfin’ down pizza and cake before yesterday. It was an interesting experience. On top of half eaten pizza crusts in the trash and icing covered dishes piling up, Ron asks every guest,

Do you believe there is a Heaven and Hell?

If so, where do you want to go? (and if they answered Heaven)

How do you get to Heaven?

One girl answered, “By grace through faith in Christ!”

Needless to say…yesterday at the cafe was a little slice of heaven delivered to earth. Thank you for your support!

The cafe needs: cream cheese, kool-aid, tea, bread, hamburger meat, $25, $50, $100/month donors, and so much more!

I know many of you do not own a motorcycle. But maybe you could deliver some of the things the cafe needs using your car or van? Please call me at 330-304-5449 or shoot me an email tim@cupscafe.org with how you wish to give.

For more info on how you can deliver the goods, click the Donate link above.

What do you have to lose? A few bucks a month that you won’t be able to take with you to the grave anyway? You’ve been a witness to God at work through the volunteers and this ministry for awhile now.

Please consider giving?

Your tax-deductible contributions will do more than aid in feeding the hungry. You’ll be part of delivering the good news that Jesus saves sinners just like you and me.

Check out our Donate page by clicking the link above and may God richly bless you as you step out in faith to join Him in His work.

fans

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:45:00 GMT

A friend treated me to my first Cleveland Cavalier’s playoff game last night. It was blastastic! The Q was filled with 20,562 screaming fans illuminating the darkened seats by whipping white towels. At one point, the fans (including me) were on their feet in anticipation of the next play. Lebron James motioned to the crowd by waving his arms up and down inviting everyone to get louder; to bring it. Then Lebron slam dunked the ball. The Q instantly became electric with positive energy. The euphoria gave me goose bumps and…it made me think.

What if each of us had twenty thousand screaming fans wildly waving towels to positively cheer us on in the game of life? Oh man, how I could use 20,000 crazy, half-drunk fans believing in me, screaming my name, and encouraging me not to quit. I imagined my life and my work.

I thought of those days when I’m hot and out of breath from competing. I pictured myself standing on the court, bent over with sweaty palms resting on my knees, looking up with raised eyebrows at the scoreboard thinking: I’m too far behind to win and I can’t do this. I need a substitute. Coach, please take me outta’ the game.

Here’s how the game of life works:

Jesus is our substitute. He’s on the court fighting a vicious rival sporting a scary logo, and we’re simply spectators cheering Him on. He conquers sin and death, wins the Championship Trophy, and those believing in His perseverance, sweet athleticism, and accomplishments become witnesses and share in the victory.

Now that He is the victor, Jesus became the owner/operator of this amazing organization that, year after year, drafts and recruits:

some to be in the starting line up.
some to sit on the bench.
some to substitute in place of the starters especially during injuries.
some to wipe the sweat from the court with those broom thingy’s.
some to run the camera equipment and give play-by-play.
some to be cheerleaders or on the dance team to inspire and encourage.
some to walk the isles selling peanuts and cold drinks.
and some to sit in the seats waving white towels, drunk in the Spirit, with great excitement and anticipation of the match-up.

No one individual is better or more important than another. Not at all. Get that thinking out of your mind. We’re all in it together. We need each other, you need me and I need you, all together, all for one and one for all.

Do you believe Him? Have you been recruited into His organization? Do you want to be? Then please contact me so we can talk about hiring you and using your gifts and talents for His glory.

The cafe needs some dedicated fans! Our game is being played right now and it’s vicious. The cafe needs cheerleaders (prayer warriors), spectators (donors), starters (volunteers).

Wanna’ buy some season tickets?

Taxes & Work

Tim Van Arsdale — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:53:00 GMT

My Google calendar reminds me that tomorrow is Tax Day. It’s a preset reminder just like Memorial Day or Mother’s Day. Since when did April 15 get promoted to the level of a National Holiday on the Gregorian Calendar? (Thanks a lot Google.)

If you need last minute help or maybe want to try a new tax service next year after a bad experience this year, then please check out the cafe’s tax accountant. His name is Joseph and his company is Available Tax Services located right here in Medina. He does a good job for the cafe, and we recommend him.

Here a link to his website: http://www.availabletaxservices.com

And here is Joseph’s contact info:

116 West Washington Street
Medina, OH 44256
ph: (330) 241-5191
fax: (330) 241-5180
info@availabletaxservices.com

As many of you know, I’ve been looking for a part time job to supplement my income because my college loan payments have started. This does NOT mean I’m leaving the cafe. It just means I’ll have two jobs until I can raise more personal support.

God was kind enough to lead me to a part time job working at Jimmy John’s in Medina. I’ll be delivering subs (a.k.a. Tentmaking). The hours are pretty flexible and will allow me to continue with my cafe duties although you may have to be patient with me if I’m not as readily available as before. The delivery job begins April 27. So order a sub when I’m delivering and give me a big tip :)

Thank you for praying for me and my family! God always provides! He’s so good. Please pray for the Volunteers at Cups. Some of them are out of work and facing financial and family health difficulties. And they face these struggles while continuing to serve the needs of others putting them first. Serving others when you need to be served can be burdensome. But Peter reminds us to, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Ask God to remove their anxiety. Ask God to care for them. Ask God to provide. And thank you…so much…for asking.

Depending on Jesus,

Tim

Sundae Tuesday

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:51:00 GMT

Jeff “The Ice Cream Man” Brianis creates a Sundae for a teen at the cafe. As you watch, please consider donating to the cafe so volunteers like Jeff can continue Serving Hope one sundae at a time to Medina’s young people. And remember, this is all offered freely to our guests!

3/16/2010

Tim Van Arsdale — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:03:00 GMT

down on their luck

Bill Marras — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:46:00 GMT

Bobby and Suzie came into the cafe looking worn. They said they needed something warm to eat & I set them up with a couple of my Sloppy Joes. You could sense that as I talked to them and fed them they came a bit out of their shells. They talked about being "down on their luck" with very little income.

This week the gas was shut off at their place because they couldn't pay on time. They ached as they told me about their children needing to be with their grandparents so that they could be warm. The only thing heating their apartment right now is the electric stove, which they figure will cost quite a bit.

I shared with them that we all are undergoing challenges, but that God is in control even in the midst of what seems chaos and that God loves them. They talked about not having enough money to buy food. Tim suggested we get them something from our storage area, and I was able to put together a bag of food that should last them awhile.

When I got home last night after my shift, my wife asked me what I did today. I told her the story of Bobby & Suzie. Serving them and being there to encourage them was the best thing I did all day. I now pray that they will come back to the cafe so that we can minister to them again with food and with God's word. Please pray for them that they would see God's grace intervene in their lives.

Bill

orders

Tim Van Arsdale — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:28:00 GMT

The red glowing digits of my alarm clock read 2:00 am. I awaken, again, in the middle of the night. I say a prayer, still can’t sleep, and flip on the History Channel. They’re airing WWII in HD. If you haven’t watched any of this documentary, than you’ve missed out on some incredible television. Get it. Watch it.

Moments into the show, they play General Dwight Eisenhower’s radio Orders of the Day for D-Day. Listening to his orders (pictured here-click on it for a larger view) stirs my heart and moves me to tears and an idea comes to my mind. Rewrite his orders.

The thought was to keep the majority of it intact but simply exchange a few words and add a sentence. These orders are for those hopeless, battle worn, Children of the Living God. (In other words…me.) But I also write it for you or someone you may know who needs it.

Please forward General Timothy Van Arsdale’s Orders of The Day to the appropriate command posts.

SUPREME HEADQUARTERS

HEAVEN'S EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Heavenly Host and Men of Faith in Heaven’s Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven by faith these many months. The eyes of the Spirit of the Living God are upon you. The hopes and prayers of God-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of Lucifer’s war machine, the elimination of Satan’s tyranny over the oppressed peoples of this world, and security for ourselves in a New Heaven and New Earth.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 2010! Much has happened since that Great Deceiver’s triumphs of the past. Jesus the Christ has inflicted upon the Devil and His Angels great defeats, in open battle. He disarmed the powers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Our Angelic air offensive also seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. The Word of God given to us provides an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men of faith. The tide has turned! The free men not-of-this-world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Timothy Van Arsdale

cafe update

Tim Van Arsdale — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:12:00 GMT

I’m thankful to God and very excited about some developments with the cafe.

1. The cafe has an active Board of Directors! They’ll meet quarterly to discuss business and approve the plan of spending. Please pray for those serving on this team. The most important part of their role will be to pray and make sure we stay focused on the vision of Cups Cafe. Please pray for: Renae Armstrong, Roger Biada, Doug Davidson, Mark Loomis (Treasurer), Bill Marras, Tim Van Arsdale, Mindee Van Arsdale (Secretary), Chad Voller.

2. On Friday February 19, Cups Cafe received its official letter from the IRS designating Cups Cafe as a 501 c3 organization! Thank you for praying for us during this process. It has been a long road. We started the process in the fall of 2008 when we filed our Articles of Incorporation with the State of Ohio. They approved us an a non-profit organization and then we filed with the IRS in July of 2009. It’s AWESOME to be able to say: Cups Cafe is a 501 c3 organization. All gifts are tax-deductible under section 170 of the Code. All gifts given to Cups Cafe before February 19 and dating back to September 17, 2008 are deductible.

sculpture

Tim Van Arsdale — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:46:00 GMT

The Ice festival on the square this past weekend was a hoot.

Guests old and new hopped in and out of the cafe throughout the weekend. When the dust settled, the floors, counters, machinery, and our shirts and shoes were covered in cocoa powder. And we met a lot of new people who thought the cafe is an awesome ministry. We served nearly 100 guests from 3-6pm on Saturday and close to 80 guests on Sunday from 4-7pm.

I wish to thank those who volunteered their time and those who baked brownies and rice crispy treats for us to serve guests needing a warm up this weekend.

The Ice Cream Man (A.K.A. Jeff Brianis) spared no expense to provide the cafe with an ice sculpture for us to proudly display outside our building. He froze a coffee cup inside a block of ice. It was a hit.

Thanks Jeff!