i am protestant. i gave my money to a catholic. it makes me wonder if i should ask about one's beliefs prior to feeding?~sarcasm
Sunday, October 16, 2011
"Hungry homeless people should disclose their religious affiliation."~huh?!
Friday, October 14, 2011
It seems most of the time, God reveals and provides opportunity without warning...
I was in Starbucks minding my own business, when a lady shows up with a couple large empty covered plastic containers. A Starbucks employee proceeds to give her all the dated pastries for her containers and she hangs around at a table in front me sorting things out.
After a while, i get up to leave and go to work. I stop in front of her and make comment that i bet she is going to make some people happy. She explains she is from the Saint Assisi or something catholic church and these pastries will go to feed the homeless. As we are chatting about the local homeless shelter, i am doing a heart check and i think God is saying give her money. You have to understand there was a time when giving from my excess was not challenging at all. Today, i give from what i don't have and i am very aware to give without God's direction is stupid.
So as she is talking, i am thinking, "God. Do you want me to give? i am not sure and i want to be responsible with the little i have." i am confident this thought was from God. "Whether you give or not, you will know my will when you walk out the door." It reminded me of the times, i heard God and chose to ignore the opportunity to be used by Him. I get that really sick feeling in my stomach that i just blew it.
Today, i was not going to blow it. i reached in my pocket and pulled out the exact amount God had impressed on me (without counting). I handed it to the lady and without a word, began walking out. She yelled, "What's your name?" I wish i had said, "Jesus."
I have a confession and hope the "Big Gulp" will suffice at communion.
Some weeks go better than others in my estimation of walking daily with Christ. I've noticed it is mostly is the other guy that is sinning and the little juice cup and cracker is sufficient at communion. Sometimes, it seems i recognize my own sin and realize i could really use a "Big Gulp" portion of grape juice to cover it all. i am grateful Jesus covered it all on the cross and i can leave the "Big Gulp" for those that think they need it.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
I stopped and chatted with the bearded lady...
How far out of the way will you walk to avoid the person that obviously does not fit in?
There is a bearded lady that frequents the coffee shop that i hang out at. She doesn't seem particularly lonely as she is always talking to imaginary people as she smokes a tiparillo. Nobody talks to her or him (i am unsure which she may be), but i stopped and asked how she was doing. I didn't know if she would answer as i was obviously interrupting her conversation, but she found time.
The bearded lady, said she was doing fine but was a little strapped for cash. She opened her purse and pulled out her coin purse to show me. It had a dollar and a few coins. I didn't have any money, so i apologized and said i'd have some money for her the next time. She was ok with that and continued her conversation.
I have frequently avoided this lady as she is dirty, smells bad and is different. It occurs to me, possibly the ones needing the most help are those we try to avoid the most.
Daily i am reminded Jesus abides in me. i wonder if Jesus is pleased to avoid the dirty, the smelly and the different?
I was blind from birth. Jesus made note. Now i see.
As the story goes...
"Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth." This man could have just as easily been you or i. We are all born blind. We have eyes yet we do not see.
"His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here." How quickly we are able to pick the defects out of other people, judge them for their failures, sadly shake our heads and move on. We certainly don't want any of their dirt to rub off on us.
"Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light.” As a believer, Jesus abides in you and i. We are to see people through Jesus eyes. It is through Jesus we have sight and see others illuminated by His light. It is in His light we are to work energetically.
"He said this and then spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes, and said, “Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “Sent”). It is Jesus desire that we see. If it is your desire, He will open your eyes and give sight. He will give sight according you His terms, not yours. If He choses mud in your eye, to create sight. Be blessed. Get muddy!
"The man went and washed—and saw." If is in obedience and humility that we go where Jesus sends us. With belief, we are cleansed and sight restored.
Soon the town was buzzing. His relatives and those who year after year had seen him as a blind man begging were saying, “Why, isn’t this the man we knew, who sat here and begged?” Others said, “It’s him all right!” But others objected, “It’s not the same man at all. It just looks like him.” He said, “It’s me, the very one.” Miracles happen. People are drawn to them. As one who has miraculously received sight, i am blessed. In the presence of Jesus, i am to testify to the miracle in my life. i was blind, now i see.
They said, “How did your eyes get opened?” “A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ I did what he said. When I washed, I saw.” Sharing the results of Jesus love in your life, does not require a theology degree. Your story is simple and sweet. You listened. You obeyed. You were healed. Now tell.
“So where is he?” A very simple question sums up the story.... so where is He? Where is this man called Jesus?
Quotes by Peterson, Eugene H. (2006). The Message Remix 2.0: The Bible In contemporary Language (p. 1910). NAVP9. Kindle Edition.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
At the call center: "mumble... mumble.... mumble..."~caller
I've taken a job at a call center. I have opportunity to communicate with hundreds of people weekly. Most of my experiences are good ones. We share life in a few minutes and mostly we both enjoy the experience. They have needs and i do the very best i can to find a solution for their need. But sometimes... the caller is a challenge and i let my warp humor get the best of me.
"mumble... mumble.... mumble..."~caller
"Thank you for calling, Mrs. Smith"~me
"My name is not Smith and I am a man!"~caller
"Snicker.... "~me
Of course this does nothing for my performance review... chuckling.
Low expectations, produce low achievers...
I am convinced the quality of success is predetermined by expectations established early on. Seldom will one with low expectations ever achieve stellar success. Those individuals who achieve much ... started with high expectations. ~archie
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