Tag: give

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For God So Loved

After a little bit of black out in protest of SOPA yesterday, I am back, and continuing a Tim Tebow sort of week.  I am not sure that you saw this little video during the Pat-Bronco’s game or not.  If you didn’t, take the three minutes to watch it.

Well, that’s a pretty good piece.  But I guess that depends on your viewpoint of the Christ.  As with everything Focus on the Family does, this one is full of arguments and controversy – but look at some of the results of this small campaign.

I hope you are able to find some encouragement from that piece and from these words penned by the author John and paraphrased slightly in the Message:

 

 16-18“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16 The Message (MSG)

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Lifting Up Others

Old Tim Tebow and his Broncos were beat again this weekend, but there are two events from that game that I think about so much more important than the Patriots dismantling of the Broncos.

First, you may or may not have read the ESPN story last week that referenced some of Tebow’s extra curricular activities around the games.  This I think it worth considering.  It’s seems that Tim Tebow will invite one family that has had some issue in their life ( injury, disability, etc) to the Broncos game. He provides travel to and accommodations at the game.  He gets them on to the field before the game, and gives them great low-level tickets.  He also spends time with them before the game and sometimes up to an hour afterward.

And then during his post game presser Sunday he referenced how much spending time with his guest for that week meant to him.

That’s pretty sincere, and a great example.

Your gifts may not be as extravagant as his gifts, but I think you will be able to be just as impactful.  I think it would be interesting to see from the recipient’s perspective which “gift” held the most meaning.  I am going to guess that the time he spends with them, and the genuine concern he shares with them is probably the best.

So today, lets take another lesson from the young man Tim Tebow, as we watch him live his faith.  I am betting that there are people around you today that you can lift up and impact as well.

 

 9-11God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11The Message (MSG)

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Freely Give

This morning I am trying to remove the cold hard depressing realization that the weekend is over and the work week has returned from the front of my mind.  Yes, as depressing as that thought is, I am forcing myself this morning to look for the wonderful things that exist in this curse we call work.  Benefits the extend beyond funding the weekend.

So, as we head off for a week of cubicle warfare, I am cementing the power of the time away from work in my brain, and on of those things in the acknowledgment of the amount of grace and blessings that my life is bathed in.  And so, here is where my mind goes as I head off to the ‘work-a-day’ world.  I look towards the instruction the Christ gave his disciples, as he sent them out on a mission.

 

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

No, I will not be healing the sick, raising the dead or messing with lepers or demons today, but I have received freely, and so, I will attempt to give in that same way.  Well who knows, maybe that will help someone who feels like a leper or is dealing with demons, or feels dead as they live or is broken.

hm.. that’s pretty good motivation for the day.

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Magnetic Inspiration

Last week, I was cleaning up some stuff in my office, and reorganizing my mind at work when I stumble upon some old word magnets I used to use for inspiration.  I had taken them down in frustration a few years ago when I was feeling very selfish and uninspired.  But last week I put them back up and I hope they will spark you either by what they say, or maybe you will find some words that motivate you through out the day.

The words on the magnetic – Today: live, give, reach, do and solve are simple verbs to help remind me of how I should be spending my day , today.

  1. Live the day to the fullest
  2. Give to others
  3. Reach out to others
  4. Do what needs to be done
  5. Solve problems with creativity

That’s a pretty good list.  Those simple verbs are just enough to give me a reminder with each email, instant message and choice throughout the day of my potential impact on others and they help focus me to make sure that I am getting the most out of each day.

Yes, yes, a little cheesy, but whatever it takes to keep the days moving in the right direction!

So with that a few simple short and powerful verses to get your going on Monday!

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.Psalm 90:12

Each man’s life is but a breath.
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth not knowing who will get it. Psalm 39:5-6

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.John 10:10 ESV

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.Ephesians 4:32

Today !  Live, Give, Reach Do and Solve!

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A Good Measure

Last night the local Extreme Makeover aired as the season finale.  It was quite an inspiring show, and I guess even more so since we now can drive by this new house on the way home from soccer practice.  It’s always so good to see how people in the community will come together to help people in need.  So, here are two thoughts from the airing last night.

First, I have to wonder what the world would be like if we didn’t need a TV show or a disaster to help people in dramatic ways. Hmmm.

Second, I was reading this article today from the local television station.  It is absolutely fantastic to see that this family has been giving back in the community during the recent tornadoes in our area.  I think that is doubly inspiring, and something that can spurn us all on to action.  It’s always good to see people recognizing the blessings they have been given and using those to help others.  (It’s seem this chart in this old post describes the power of passing along acts of kindness quite well)

It all sounds sort of biblical, even though this teaching is a little bit opposite, its still a pretty good thought to consider as you go about your day.

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38, New International Version)

Use whatever you have been given and give it to others today.