“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.’” – Revelation 21:3

This verse contains some of the most profound words in all of Holy Scripture: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.” Most of us, I believe, would see things the other way around. We see it as our obligation, our duty, to be in pursuit of God; we need to be where He is. King David said in Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord; that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” David saw it as his duty to dwell with God, but God says, “I will make My dwelling with man”, and a serious study of the Bible reveals that what He says in the Book of the Revelation is exactly that which was His intention in the Book of Genesis.

On the sixth day of His creative genius, it is as though God looked at His creation and said, “As good as all of this is, I don’t see anything that looks like Me. I don’t see anything with which I can share My heart and My mind. I don’t see anything with whom I can have a relationship.” So, He created Adam and Eve, and in them a means by which He could relate to His creation, even referring to this portion of His creative work as “very good.” It was a short-lived perfection that was marred by their disobedience and rebellion against God’s command, but so great is His desire for relationship with us that He sent His Son to restore it.

Jesus, who the angel told Mary would be called “Emmanuel”, literally became “God with us.” And everyone who yields to the claims of the Gospel can know the joy of sins forgiven and the reality of a restored relationship with a God who does not think it beneath Himself to “dwell” with us.

Christian brother or sister, it is not merely a pleasant thought; it is an absolute certainty: You are not alone! Whatever situation you may be facing, whatever need in your life that requires address beyond your own capabilities, you are most certainly not alone! In your need, reach out to the God who created you for the specific purpose of relationship with Him, and He will come to your aid. He will dwell with you. And remember: He said so in His own words.

Eddie Benton

Chairman of the Board

DAYBREAK DEVOTIONALS: Tuesdays, September 3 and 10, from 12:30pm-1:30pm. Join us for a time of fellowship, Bible study, and prayer at Daybreak LifeCare Center. September's theme is "Living in the House". Each person who attends the Tuesday Daybreak Devotionals afternoon meetings in September will receive TWO packs of diapers for their 0-24 month-old child or grandchild. DOUBLE DIAPER DAY!

ABORTION RECOVERY BIBLE STUDY & SUPPORT GROUP: Monday evenings, 6:30-8:00 pm, beginning September 9. Contact Lori at lori@daybreakcola.org or 803-771-6634 ext 404 to register. Space is limited. All inquiries are confidential.

DAYBREAK 8TH ANNUAL 5K RUN/WALK: Saturday October 12 at Saluda Shoals Park. 8am Registration and 9am Run/Walk. There are six ways to participate and support the 5K.

1. $40 Individual Runner/Walker
2. $250 Family Sponsorship
3. $500 Bronze Sponsorship
4. $1,000 Silver Sponsorship
5. $2,500 Gold Sponsorship
6. $5000 Platinum Sponsorship

All participants will receive a free t-shirt. For more information and to pre-register, please visit www.daybreakcola.org/get-involved/.

DAYBREAK'S 2ND ANNUAL DIAPER BOWL - USC VS CLEMSON: Help us “re-stock” our diaper closet by way of a friendly competition between the Gamecock and Tiger factions of our donor base. It's called “Daybreak’s 2nd Annual Diaper Bowl.” If you would like to join in this friendly competition, there are two ways you can do so. Between November 1 and November 30, you can make a donation at www.kindridgiving.com/App/Giving/daybreakministries, choosing either “Gamecock Diapers” or “Tiger Diapers" from the "Fund" dropdown box. Or you can write a check to Daybreak, entering on the “For” line either “Gamecock Diapers” or “Tiger Diapers”. All diapers purchased for our diaper closet will be EveryLife Diapers, EveryLife is an unapologetically Christian company that does not support organizations that destroy innocent life. Diaper Score updates will be posted each week on social media.

"Nobody prepares you for how lonely pregnancy can feel. It feels even more lonely when you don’t have the right support in your life and can be isolating. There are constant thoughts, worries, and back and forth in your mind about what to do. I know that can sound like a lot of pressure, but it’s not a decision you can avoid or back out of at the last minute like changing your mind about going out with friends. Decide for yourself whether you keep your baby, give them away, or even abort your baby, but that decision will stay with you the rest of your life no matter what you decide, but know that you are not alone. Everyone at Daybreak genuinely cares and made not only making my decision easier, but my pregnancy easier.

"Daybreak goes above and beyond for all of their clients. It felt like God knew how difficult my pregnancy would be, so he sent me to Daybreak. He works in mysterious ways, but He never makes mistakes. Daybreak gave me the support I needed, when I needed it. They also gave me great advice. There were times when I felt like I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel during my pregnancy, but thanks to them, I could see that light. They are truly your advocates as well as my own."

"What makes Daybreak even better is the Baby Bucks program they offer. It makes it possible to get a ton of baby stuff if you’re willing to do what it takes. It’s a really simple process and you can even work at your own pace. All you have to do is watch informative videos, answer questions, and then you receive “baby bucks”. After acquiring said baby bucks, you get to shop at Taylor's Boutique to redeem those bucks and get almost anything you could possibly think a baby would need. So, not only do you get to educate yourself about your pregnancy for free, but you basically get a ton of baby stuff you’d spend hundreds of dollars on for free. There are also things in the boutique for new moms like nursing pads and breast pumps.

"Daybreak is sincerely considerate of moms. There aren’t many places like Daybreak or the people inside anymore. They are the kind of people that keep hope alive for humanity. I am more than grateful that I got to be a part of their program. They are a huge part of the reason that I get to wake up next to my beautiful little girl and know that everything is, and will be, okay. They showed me that I, we, were not alone."

Connie & her Baby Girl

Connie, with her collarbone tattoo, "You are not alone," was the inspiration for this newsletter.