Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia: 2017 Promotional Video featuring James W. Cushing, Esquire!

Hello folks.  As many of you know, I am a volunteer for the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia; you can learn more about us here.  We help literally hundreds of people every year try and secure justice in the legal system through pro bono or low fee legal services.  We are always trying to improve our services, help more people, and be able to do more for the people we are already helping.

The Clinic’s annual promotional video for 2017 is now out and I am featured in it!  Although I do not really view what I do as particularly noteworthy, I am thankful, humbled, and honored by the recognition.  I hope that as the weeks and months progress, the Clinic can continue to grow and flourish in its service to those in need in the Philadelphia area.  Please continue to pray for us and donate to us your time, talents, and treasure as you feel led (if you want to give to our ministry, please see here).  Thanks to everyone who makes this vital ministry possible and thanks, above all, to God from whom all blessings flow.

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia: Help for the Helpless (featuring James W. Cushing!)

Hello folks.  As many of you know, I am a volunteer for the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia; you can learn more about us here.  We help literally hundreds of people every year try and secure justice in the legal system through pro bono or low fee legal services.  We are always trying to improve our services, help more people, and be able to do more for the people we are already helping.

The Clinic’s monthly newsletter for June 2017 is out and, much to my surprise, I am featured in the lead article!  Although I do not really view what I do as particularly noteworthy, I am thankful, humbled, and honored by the recognition.  I hope that as the weeks and months progress, the Clinic can continue to grow and flourish in its service to those in need in the Philadelphia area.  Please continue to pray for us and donate to us your time, talents, and treasure as you feel led (if you want to give to our ministry, please see here).  Thanks to everyone who makes this vital ministry possible and thanks, above all, to God from whom all blessings flow.

 

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia Autumn 2016 Banquet!

Hello folks.  As many of you know, I am a volunteer for the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia; you can learn more about us here.  We help literally hundreds of people every year try and secure justice in the legal system through pro bono or low fee legal services.  We are always trying to improve our services, help more people, and be able to do more for the people we are already helping.

We just celebrated our fourth annual autumn Philadelphia banquet and our third annual Bucks County banquet!  At the banquets we had opportunity to hear clients’ stories told by them personally, stories of attorneys who served our clients, and how God has blessed the clients, attorneys, and the Clinic.

Last year at this time the Clinic established a daring budget and goals for 2016.  We opened more clinics; we recruited more attorneys; and, despite taking a risk on our budgeted expenditures, we will meet our expenses through the gracious gifts our donors and, more importantly, God.

It is amazing just how much God has blessed the Clinic, and our clients through the Clinic.  For a glimpse into our work, please check out the videos below, especially the 2016 video which is brand new!

2017 looks to be another great year!  We may be expanding into other locations in and around Philadelphia.  We serve hundreds of people each year, and there are many more we can reach through our services and, more importantly, many more we can reach with the Gospel of Christ.

Of course, like any charity organization, in order to help others we need your help to do it.  Please come out to one of our Clinic locations to see what we are doing first hand; our Clinic locations are described here.   If you can, help out by volunteering; also, we are always in need of money to fund our ministry.  If you feel led to donate, you can do so here.  If you cannot do these things, please pray for us and our ministry.

Finally, the Clinic exists to help people secure justice in the American legal system here in the Philadelphia area.  More importantly, however, the Clinic exists for people to be the face of Jesus to those who need it and to help people, not just through their legal issues, but through their spiritual ones as well, which so often are closely related to their legal issues.  Help us heed Christ’s call to help “the least of these” and pursue religion “that is pure and undefiled” by giving to our efforts.  Always remember that Jesus identified himself as among those called “least” as they, in the end, will be great.

Please be sure to watch these great videos as they show a few of the personal stories of the people the Clinic has helped.  Thanks and God bless.

2016 Video:

2015 Video:

2014 Video:

2013 Video:

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia – Please Remember Us in Your Charitable Giving for 2015

Hello folks and Merry Christmas!  As many of you know, I am a volunteer for the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia; you can learn more about us here.  We help literally hundreds of people every year try and secure justice in the legal system through pro bono or low fee legal services.  We are always trying to improve our services, help more people, and be able to do more for the people we are already helping.

Of course, like any charity organization, in order to help others we need your help to do it.  Please come out to one of our Clinic locations to see what we are doing first hand; our Clinic locations are described here.   If you can, help out by volunteering; also, we are always in need of money to fund our ministry.  If you feel led to donate, you can do so here.  If you cannot do these things, please pray for us and our ministry.

Finally, the Clinic exists to help people secure justice in the American legal system here in the Philadelphia area.  More importantly, however, the Clinic exists for people to be the face of Jesus to those who need it and to help people, not just through their legal issues, but through their spiritual ones as well, which so often are closely related to their legal issues.  Help us heed Christ’s call to help “the least of these” and pursue religion “that is pure and undefiled” by giving to our efforts.  Always remember that Jesus identified himself as among those called “least” as they, in the end, will be great.

Please be sure to watch these great videos as they show a few of the personal stories of the people the Clinic has helped.  Thanks and God bless.

2015 video:

2014 video:

2013 video:

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia Autumn 2015 Banquet!

Hello folks.  As many of you know, I am a volunteer for the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia; you can learn more about us here.  We help literally hundreds of people every year try and secure justice in the legal system through pro bono or low fee legal services.  We are always trying to improve our services, help more people, and be able to do more for the people we are already helping.

We just celebrated our third annual autumn Philadelphia banquet and out second annual Bucks County banquet!  At the banquets we had opportunity to hear clients’ stories told by them personally, stories of attorneys who served our clients, and how God has blessed the clients, attorneys, and the Clinic.

Last year at this time the Clinic established a daring budget and goals for 2015.  We opened more clinics; we recruited more attorneys; and, despite taking a risk on our budgeted expenditures, we will meet our expenses through the gracious gifts our donors and, more importantly, God.

It is amazing just how much God has blessed the Clinic, and our clients through the Clinic.  For a glimpse into our work, please check out the videos below, especially the 2015 video which is brand new!

2016 looks to be another great year!  We hope to expand into Camden and another two locations in Philadelphia.  We serve hundreds of people each year, and there are many more we can reach through our services and, more importantly, many more we can reach with the Gospel of Christ.

Of course, like any charity organization, in order to help others we need your help to do it.  Please come out to one of our Clinic locations to see what we are doing first hand; our Clinic locations are described here.   If you can, help out by volunteering; also, we are always in need of money to fund our ministry.  If you feel led to donate, you can do so here.  If you cannot do these things, please pray for us and our ministry.

Finally, the Clinic exists to help people secure justice in the American legal system here in the Philadelphia area.  More importantly, however, the Clinic exists for people to be the face of Jesus to those who need it and to help people, not just through their legal issues, but through their spiritual ones as well, which so often are closely related to their legal issues.  Help us heed Christ’s call to help “the least of these” and pursue religion “that is pure and undefiled” by giving to our efforts.  Always remember that Jesus identified himself as among those called “least” as they, in the end, will be great.

Please be sure to watch these great videos as they show a few of the personal stories of the people the Clinic has helped.  Thanks and God bless.

2015 video:

2014 video:

2013 video:

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia – Please Remember Us in Your Charitable Giving

Hello folks.  As many of you know, I am a volunteer for the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia; you can learn more about us here.  We help literally hundreds of people every year try and secure justice in the legal system through pro bono or low fee legal services.  We are always trying to improve our services, help more people, and be able to do more for the people we are already helping.

Of course, like any charity organization, in order to help others we need your help to do it.  Please come out to one of our Clinic locations to see what we are doing first hand; our Clinic locations are described here.   If you can, help out by volunteering; also, we are always in need of money to fund our ministry.  If you feel led to donate, you can do so here.  If you cannot do these things, please pray for us and our ministry.

Finally, the Clinic exists to help people secure justice in the American legal system here in the Philadelphia area.  More importantly, however, the Clinic exists for people to be the face of Jesus to those who need it and to help people, not just through their legal issues, but through their spiritual ones as well, which so often are closely related to their legal issues.  Help us heed Christ’s call to help “the least of these” and pursue religion “that is pure and undefiled” by giving to our efforts.  Always remember that Jesus identified himself as among those called “least” as they, in the end, will be great.

Please be sure to watch these great videos as they show a few of the personal stories of the people the Clinic has helped.  Thanks and God bless.

“Like Streams of Water”

and

“A Community of Grace”

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia – June 2015 Update

The Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia’s monthly newsletter is out and can be seen below.  I hope that as the weeks and months progress, the Clinic can continue to grow and flourish in its service to those in need in the Philadelphia area.  Please continue to pray for us and donate to us your time, talents, and treasure as you feel led (if you want to give to our ministry, please see here).  Thanks to everyone who makes this vital ministry possible and thanks, above all, to God from whom all blessings flow.

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia – April 2015 Update

The Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia’s monthly newsletter is out and can be seen below.  I hope that as the weeks and months progress, the Clinic can continue to grow and flourish in its service to those in need in the Philadelphia area.  Please continue to pray for us and donate to us your time, talents, and treasure as you feel led (if you want to give to our ministry, please see here).  Thanks to everyone who makes this vital ministry possible and thanks, above all, to God from whom all blessings flow.

 

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia: I Am Volunteer of the Month!

The Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia‘s monthly newsletter is out and, much to my surprise, I have been named Volunteer of the Month!  Although I do not really view what I do as particularly noteworthy, I am thankful, humbled, and honored by the recognition.  I hope that as the weeks and months progress, the Clinic can continue to grow and flourish in its service to those in need in the Philadelphia area.  Please continue to pray for us and donate to us your time, talents, and treasure as you feel led (if you want to give to our ministry, please see here).  Thanks to everyone who makes this vital ministry possible and thanks, above all, to God from whom all blessings flow.

 

Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia: Banquet Bounty

God blesses those who follow his will; of this I do not and indeed cannot doubt.  The older I get the more I realize and learn that God also constantly works on his people by paring away more and more layers of one’s reliance on oneself so that ultimately one is completely reliant upon God and God alone.  I believe my experience with the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia has revealed this truth to me more than ever.

I am on the Board of Directors for the Clinic and when we met in the summer 2014 we were facing very serious challenges.  First, our primary benefactor, who has enabled us to become more than just a loose collection of volunteers and turned us into what we are today, not to mention provided us with the necessary financial stability, may soon have to cut back on his support.  Second, our money reserves were running dry.  We were in danger of not making basic payroll.  We literally may not have had the money to – as the saying goes -“keep the lights on.”

We were concerned.  We were worried.  What would become of this ministry?  What was God doing?  The Clinic serves hundreds of people per year.  We are sharing the Gospel.  We are helping the poor.  We are bringing justice to those who would otherwise have to suffer injustice.  Aren’t these things God’s will?  Aren’t these things what God wants us to do?

Look again at the paragraph above.  Look at how much the word “we” is used.  Look at what “we” were doing.  Apparently, as I mentioned in the introduction above, more than anything else the Clinic needed, God needed to pare away some of our layers of self-reliance.  If you look to God’s Word, what does St. Paul have to say about this?  St. Paul says “[s]o neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.  (see I Corinthians 3:7).  The Clinic is planting.  The Clinic is watering.  The Clinic is not giving the growth.  God showed us that starkly as we approached the exhaustion of our resources.  We were on the doorstep of not being able to plant or water.  Our own efforts and resources and strengths could not provide sufficient, indeed any, growth.  What were we to do?

The answer was deceptively simple: pray and rely on God, and not on ourselves, to do what he promised to do: give growth.

Over the last couple of months the Clinic held two banquets, one in Doylestown and one in Philadelphia; I wrote about the Philadelphia Banquet here.  What did God do for us?  The Doylestown banquet precisely closed our budget gap and ensured our solvency through the end of the year.  The Philadelphia banquet allowed us to meet our budget requirements two months early.  Both Banquets introduced us to many new people who just learned about the Clinic and secured more annual and periodic donors to keep a steady stream of support going for us into the future.  We made relationships that may last into the future to assist this ministry.  What else?  We may have finally made inroads to the “big firms” of Philadelphia which have been, thus far, a near impossible nut to crack for support and assistance.

God did not just met our needs; God gave growth.  God showed us that self-reliance is not what he wants.  He wants reliance on him and him alone regardless of our efforts in doing the ministry; indeed, his ministry.  We had to learn that our ministry thrives not because of what we do but because of what he does.  We received unexpected blessings that, as the Psalmist says, did not just fill our cup, but made our cup run over in ways that only God could do.

Below is the latest video presentation of our ministry.  It is an amazing piece of work given to us by the talented filmmaker Timothy Fryett.  Please check it out; you will be inspired!

If, after reading and seeing the above, you feel called to give to our ministry, please look here.  Otherwise, please pray for us and help us in any way you can so that we can continue this ministry, serve God, and bring justice and mercy to those who cannot get it through the legal system.

Thanks and God bless.