Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Giving from our abundance!
This morning I ran into a friend who started talking with me. One topic led to another as we talked. He looked straight into my eyes and said, "Not very many people know this, but I cashed in my retirement account." "Oh?" I said (not knowing where this was going. . .)
"Yeah." He said, "I saw something that I felt I really needed to give to, and I felt called to give. So I just cashed it in and gave some money to these families from Burma. When I dropped my son off at school, I saw them eating out of dumpsters. Actually eating right from the dumpster. Then I found out the kids didn't have any money for school lunches. I just had to do it. We have so much, more than enough, really way more than we need. They don't have anything. These little kids are trying to learn to read and their parents can't even help them, because they don't read English. I am headed over there right now to do some tutoring. I don't know who gets more out of it, me or the kids."
I asked him if I could share this story, and he said, "Yes!"
Giving from his abundance, he feels even more blessed. He figures he will just have to start saving again, but no problem.
Earning the right to be heard
From Steve Sjogren's blog:
A few years ago in Conspiracy of Kindness, I made the statement, “We must earn the right to be heard.” I’ve heard that line a few times since then but I wonder if people understand what I meant.
Here’s my take: We serve those around us diligently, persistently over the long haul with no expectation of a return on our efforts. We let go of a mentality that says, “I give so you’d better sit down, listen up and listen good, buddy.”
Instead of depending on our ability to pull off verbal gymnastics, we relax, we serve and we unleash the Holy Spirit upon them to do what only the “Hound of Heaven” can do – to draw them to himself. As we continue to serve in diligence and in the kind of love only God can provide, it’s just a matter of time until there will be plenty of conversing – plenty of opportunity to talk. But then that conversing will come in response to the work of the Spirit.
What he does will last.
What he does will bear fruit.
What he does will open doors!
Monday, April 23, 2012
100 Words
Can you share your faith in 100 words or less?
Here is my 100 words. . .
God is real to me. I met God as a youngster and have come to know Him through scripture, the guidance of my parents and the church, and most vividly through my myriad blessings and personal challenges. I believe Christ lived and died for us. There is nothing more important than seeking to be more like Jesus. His radical love and inclusion gives me energy to be a better person. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeking God’s purpose for my life and living it out to the best of my ability. I wish this for you, too.
Here is my 100 words. . .
God is real to me. I met God as a youngster and have come to know Him through scripture, the guidance of my parents and the church, and most vividly through my myriad blessings and personal challenges. I believe Christ lived and died for us. There is nothing more important than seeking to be more like Jesus. His radical love and inclusion gives me energy to be a better person. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeking God’s purpose for my life and living it out to the best of my ability. I wish this for you, too.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Hunger Games
I saw the movie first, then I read the book. While the movie is good, the book is better. This is not my usual fare, but when I read the reviews and all the hype, especially with young people, I thought I should see it. And I am glad I did.
This is a very sad movie, well acted and well done. There is so much packed into this story, so much that is chillingly close to our present reality. The story is set some time in the future, but when you are watching the film, you get the sense that the future is now. There are a number of important themes woven into this story. I wonder if the millions of youth who see the film will have any awareness of even one?
There is courage and self-sacrifice.
There is class warfare.
There is the incredible injustice of the "haves" vs. "have nots."
There is the abuse of young people in order to gain control.
There is the question of free will and self-determination.
There is the manipulation of the masses by the government and the media.
Who knew a blockbuster novel and film would be this provocative?
This is a very sad movie, well acted and well done. There is so much packed into this story, so much that is chillingly close to our present reality. The story is set some time in the future, but when you are watching the film, you get the sense that the future is now. There are a number of important themes woven into this story. I wonder if the millions of youth who see the film will have any awareness of even one?
There is courage and self-sacrifice.
There is class warfare.
There is the incredible injustice of the "haves" vs. "have nots."
There is the abuse of young people in order to gain control.
There is the question of free will and self-determination.
There is the manipulation of the masses by the government and the media.
Who knew a blockbuster novel and film would be this provocative?
More Books
Fiction
The Great Gatsby (I had forgotten how sad this was!)
The Chosen (Chaim Potok) I just forgot this book entirely!
The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford)
NonFiction
Travelers' Tales in Thailand (O'Reilly and Habegger)
A History of Thailand (Baker & Phongpaichit)
Biblical/Theology
The Son Rises: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus
(William Lane Craig)
Loaves, Fishes, and Leftovers: Sharing Faith's Deep Questions (Ted Loder)
Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church
(Kenda Creasy Dean:
Into the Far Country: A Theology of Mission for an Age of Violence (Tom Stuckey)
Captive to the Word of God: Engaging the Scriptures for
Contemporary Theological Reflection (Miroslav Volf)
Leadership
Gilbert Rendle: Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences
Seth Godin, Poke the Box
Ron Heifitz, Mark Linsky & Alexander Grashow The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World
The Great Gatsby (I had forgotten how sad this was!)
The Chosen (Chaim Potok) I just forgot this book entirely!
The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford)
NonFiction
Travelers' Tales in Thailand (O'Reilly and Habegger)
A History of Thailand (Baker & Phongpaichit)
Biblical/Theology
The Son Rises: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus
(William Lane Craig)
Loaves, Fishes, and Leftovers: Sharing Faith's Deep Questions (Ted Loder)
Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church
(Kenda Creasy Dean:
Into the Far Country: A Theology of Mission for an Age of Violence (Tom Stuckey)
Captive to the Word of God: Engaging the Scriptures for
Contemporary Theological Reflection (Miroslav Volf)
Leadership
Gilbert Rendle: Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences
Seth Godin, Poke the Box
Ron Heifitz, Mark Linsky & Alexander Grashow The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Is this possible?
"Is this possible?" This is the question which many of our Nigerian guests asked of their Nigerian friend, who is a church member at our middle class, predominantly Anglo church, Lake Highlands Presbyterian.
You see, there was a baptism. And the family whose baby was baptized wanted all of their friends present in worship and later, at lunch. Some of their friends were skeptical that they could indeed be welcomed here, that their presence would be a happy note on an even happier day.
And yes, it was possible. It was not only possible, it was glorious! People of all colors and shades singing together, worshipping, dancing, swaying to the music. Friends and guests sharing a meal together, meeting one another for the first time, openly and warmly.
That afternoon I went home and finished reading "To Kill a Mockingbird." How fitting. The racial issues which divided people in 1935 are still alive, though often in masked form.
My experience in the morning at LHPC, though, was an incredible counter to the usual skepticism and cynicism, as together we worshipped God, shared table, and greeted new friends from all the ends of God's earth!
You see, there was a baptism. And the family whose baby was baptized wanted all of their friends present in worship and later, at lunch. Some of their friends were skeptical that they could indeed be welcomed here, that their presence would be a happy note on an even happier day.
And yes, it was possible. It was not only possible, it was glorious! People of all colors and shades singing together, worshipping, dancing, swaying to the music. Friends and guests sharing a meal together, meeting one another for the first time, openly and warmly.
That afternoon I went home and finished reading "To Kill a Mockingbird." How fitting. The racial issues which divided people in 1935 are still alive, though often in masked form.
My experience in the morning at LHPC, though, was an incredible counter to the usual skepticism and cynicism, as together we worshipped God, shared table, and greeted new friends from all the ends of God's earth!
Hidden Resources
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night. (Psalm 92:1-2)
Last week I had a vivid dream. So vivid I still remember it! I have had this dream before, but this time I think I understood it. In the dream I was in a previous home we had owned. It was a very large and spacious home, with far more room than we needed. I found myself surveying the home, wandering about. In my wanderings, I discovered a hidden basement! (Now the actual home did not have a basement!) I found myself exploring this basement, and in it I discovered many rooms, each room packed with belongings, collections, furnishings, accessories. All organized attractively.
All of these things had been left by the previous owner, unknown to me, but given to me for my use. As I dreamed I thought, "We could sell all of this wonderful stuff and give the money to the church! We could use these rooms for more guests!"
When I awoke the dream washed over me and a clear sense of God's providence enveloped me. We have such abundance at our fingertips. Such resources among us. Sometimes we fail to see what is right there in front of us, but it is there, waiting for us to employ it to the glory of God! All we have to do is open our minds and our hearts to the great possibilities of God's hidden resources!
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night. (Psalm 92:1-2)
Last week I had a vivid dream. So vivid I still remember it! I have had this dream before, but this time I think I understood it. In the dream I was in a previous home we had owned. It was a very large and spacious home, with far more room than we needed. I found myself surveying the home, wandering about. In my wanderings, I discovered a hidden basement! (Now the actual home did not have a basement!) I found myself exploring this basement, and in it I discovered many rooms, each room packed with belongings, collections, furnishings, accessories. All organized attractively.
All of these things had been left by the previous owner, unknown to me, but given to me for my use. As I dreamed I thought, "We could sell all of this wonderful stuff and give the money to the church! We could use these rooms for more guests!"
When I awoke the dream washed over me and a clear sense of God's providence enveloped me. We have such abundance at our fingertips. Such resources among us. Sometimes we fail to see what is right there in front of us, but it is there, waiting for us to employ it to the glory of God! All we have to do is open our minds and our hearts to the great possibilities of God's hidden resources!
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