Month: August 2011

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Seeking Good

It’s a really popular thing these days to do good.  I think 5 times this week I have been presented with efforts to deliver water to third world countries.  Really, my own post, a email newsletter, a ‘white’ mail newsletter from HHI, a TV advertisement about conferencing software and one other place – probably a web advertisement. ( maybe someone somewhere is telling me something???)

Anyway, it seems like the cool thing is to do good, and to help right social injustice.  I think it’s cool, especially becaue we have the freedom to do whatever in the world we want.

23 “I have the right to do anything,” I Cor 10:23

But, I don’t want to jump on the do good bandwagon only because it’s cool and trendy.  I want to do it because I care about other people. ( but of course, lots of times I don’t!!)  And that’s how Paul finishes up the chapter I mentioned above,

For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

He tells use don’t just do good for ourselves, but that we should use our freedoms to seek good because we care about people, and we are doing good for them!  As a matter of fact he says it twice!

24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Do good for Others today!  I don’t think that it will be a disappointment!

 

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Wind Watching

Lately, I have been thinking a whole lot about taking risks and getting out on my comfort zone and all of that.  One thing that I seem to struggle with around this risk is making it a priority and just doing it.  You see it’s been my observation in life that for the most part you do what you want to do.  Obviously there are times where other events dictate your decisions, but for hte most part, we do the things that we want to do.  You attend the events you want to attend and don’t attend the ones you don’t want to. 

Except when it comes to stepping out and changing.  Then we sit and find excuses as to why we can’t do the thing we want – and we are pretty good at that.  So today, just a little challenge, and encouragement to continue to break down those excuses.  For instance look at this wisdom from Ecclesiates.

 4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
   whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4, New International Version)

Stop watching the wind and the clouds, and break out of your ruts.  Challenge yourself today to make one small change you have been wanting to make.  I’m starting by getting all this junk off my desk at work – one small change.. How about you?

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A Story about Water

This weekend I heard of a remarkable story that I thought I would share with you.   You may have seen this on the news already, but it’s still worth considering, and it quite inspiring.

There was a nine year old girl named Rachel who for her birthday this summer, decided to forgo presents to raise money for clean water projects in developing nations.  She wanted to raise $300 and raised just a little over $200.  That’s pretty cool!

But here is the rest of the story.  A few weeks after her birthday, Rachel was traveling in her family vehicle on the interstate.  Unfortunately, there was a fourteen car pileup that her family vehicle was caught up in and she was killed.  That part really stinks.

Well, here is the real rest of the story.  The word of this little girl’s birthday wish has traveled across the country and this weekend her birthday wish has raised over $1 Million dollars for water projects!  That’s correct $1 Million!

I was watching the counter all weekend and have watched it increase $40K from Saturday morning to Monday.  It’s quite an amazing outreach from people all over the country.  It also teaches us that we don’t always understand the plans that are out there, nor what one little risky thing can do.

There are several lessons from this story I guess, I found this how situation inspiring and motivating on multiple fronts, I hope you do as well.

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8 NIV

 

Oh and be thankful for that running water that you will use today!

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Here’s an Example

My mind is swirling with some many ideas this morning, but my enemy this morning is the ever spinning hands of the clock, so my post will be a little short.  But I have a cool story to share.  As you know, I have been writing a lot of change, transformation and surrender over the last years.  Well, last Sunday I was given a very small window to talk about something that my small group is about to do, something call Sparks – which I will be writing about a lot more in the next few weeks.

Anyway, I was able to talk just a moment about how this group I lead is going to be working on a concentrated effort at taking risks and steps out on faith.  On Tuesday, I received a call from one of the guys who heard my mini-spiel on Sunday.  He said that he had a few coworkers that he was struggling with, but decided that he would take the risk and take them out to breakfast.  That small effort was like “giving them $100”.  Problem solved.  What a great example of taking a step out on faith and impacting others that are around you.

You can do it to, we all can.  How about today.  Take a small look at the forgiveness and blessings you are basting in and reach out to those around you!

 

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.\Romans 12:6-8New International Version (NIV)

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hm.. This is one of those mornings when I wish this were my thought:

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” Psalm 119:14 NIV

Instead, I am not sure that I have even thought about any of those things this morning as the house was busy with preparations for another day.  Interestingly enough rejoicing, great riches nor following his statutes has entered the vast emptiness that sits between my two sound catching devices.

So today here is a simple yet somewhat complex reminder of the pleasure and satisfaction that awaits us when we are joyful because we have surrendered to the teachings of the Christ.  It’s quite a paradox, but one I plan on dwelling on today.  Think about this. Sometimes, when I see the 220 million dollar Power Ball sign I imagine what I could do with that money – and the projected happiness it would bring him.  Well, I know I have never sat and imagined what it would be like if I actually followed the Lord’s statutes and the various rewards that come from that.  Ones that actually have long term value.  Try that little exercise today.