Jason's Blog

How well do you give gifts? Are you radically generous? Do you give to others only for their benefit, only out of love, without a sense of how they can repay you? Or are your eyes always fixed on how people can help you get ahead?

Ordinarily, people can tell when you care and when you have their interests at heart. You might pull the wool over their eyes for a while. However if they truly see that your generosity is forced, they will recoil as we all do. We expect people to have their strings attached. Open generosity is so rare.

And yet, Jesus has no strings. He loves you today, and he will love you tomorrow- no strings attached. It is his desire that you live more like Him, and beyond that he longs to be with you.

I think Thomas Merton puts it well when he writes that Jesus “finds so few hearts in which He can enjoy a little silence. Those who say they love Him are always pushing and nagging, with their complaints, demanding His attention like spoiled children. How He desires to find a soul that has grown up enough to just be with Him.” However, Jesus will be generous with you even at your worst. If you need to be demanding with Jesus, he will listen. And if you need Him to be present, recognize the Truth that He’s already with you.

This weekend be generous to someone—be it a family member, a stranger . . .

No strings attached please.

Last week I showed this video that I found over on You Tube that retells the story You Are Special (1997).  Traditionally, I read this in connection with new year devotionals that I lead for our Christian School—Cornerstone Christian Academy.

I’ve learned that there are tales from Wemicksville–  You are Mine (2001), If I Only Had a Green Nose (2002), and Best of All (2003).

I also ran across e-mail thread (with the Christian Educators Association) of good books for young girls.

As a dad, I’m always in this market. Below is my working list so far.  Anyone have anything to suggest? – jf

• The Lily Fiction Series by Nancy Rue

            Targeted at girls 8-12 years of age.  Fiction that introduces Lily and embodies inner beauty more than outer beauty.

• The Beauty Book: Its a God thing! by Nancy Rue.

            This book talks about hair, skin, clothes, “don’t
            trash your temple”, and many other subjects, all within the framework of
            godly perspective.

• Secret Keeper Girl: 8 Great Dates for You and Your Daughter by Dannah Gresh.

            It focuses on Godly beauty with activities for mothers and daughters.

• The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop

            This is a story of God’s gift of purity written in a fairy tale format.

• Gigi: God’s Little Princess (for younger girls).

            The focus of this series is the fact that little girls are in fact God’s little princesses.

• A Parable About the King by Beth Moore (2003).

           This is a 30 page beautifully illustrated “once upon a time” princess story.

I ran across this piece on helping the homeless in the Twin City Mission Newsletter (Winter 2008).  I thought it was helpful.  I would love to hear what others think.  How do you help those who are without a home?

- jf

You might also check out Twin City’s website where they announce a “save the date” of March 9th.   They will be hosting a couple of great speakers as part of a capital campaign who will be sharing about their book Same Kind of Different as Me.  Has anyone read this?  What can you tell us about it?

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What do you do when you see someone holding up a sign, “Will Work for Food”? Do you roll down your window and give them money? Do you pretend you didn’t see them? Nobody likes to be confronted by the homeless – their needs often seem too overwhelming – but we all want to treat them fairly and justly. )

Here are some simple guidelines to equip you to truly help the homeless people you meet:

1. Never give cash to a homeless person.

Too often, the homeless convert well-intended gifts into drugs or alcohol – even when the “hard luck” stories they tell are true. If the person is hungry, buy them a sandwich and a beverage.

2. Talk to the person with respect.

Taking time to talk to a homeless person in a friendly, respectful manner can give them a wonderful sense of civility and dignity. And besides being just neighborly, it gives the person a weapon to fight the isolation, depression and paranoia that many homeless people face.

3. Recognize that homeless people (and their problems) are not all the same.

The homeless are as diverse as the colors of a rainbow. The person you meet may be a battered woman, an addicted veteran; someone who is lacking job skills . . . the list goes on.

4. Share God’s love whenever you can.

If Jesus were walking the earth today, He would certainly spend time with the homeless. He would speak with them, heal them, and help them. Today, Jesus chooses to work through those who believe and follow Him.

5. Pray for the homeless. -

Exposure to the elements, dirt, occasional violence, and lack of purpose all drain years from a person’s life. God can use your prayers, the brutality, and the futility of life of the street to bring many of the broken to Himself.

6. Take precautions for your own safety.

Some who live on the streets are criminals and fugitives running from the law. Always be prudent while talking with street people. Stay in areas where other people can see you. Don’t take unnecessary chances.

7. Encourage the homeless to get help through your local Mission.

Rescue missions that are members of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions offer immediate food and shelter to the homelessness through their emergency shelters. Many offer long-term rehabilitation programs that deal with the root causes of homeless. Many also offer a nutrious meal and safe overnight lodging.

8. Support your local Mission.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Donate food to a local agency. Food is usually in short supply, especially items like Juices, meats, & stews.

Donate clothes such as jackets, sweatshirts, new underwear, socks, shoes, knit hats and gloves (for both men and women).

Because the fastest growing groups of homeless people is children and women with children, there is a need for disposable diapers, baby food and formula, clothing, and blankets

Homeless children dream of new toys such as dolls, trucks, and games. These donations may be the only gifts they receive for a birthday or Christmas.

Here are two scriptures that have been on my mind lately:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2).

For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory (2 Corinthians 3:10).

 It is easy to see how the darkness covers the earth.  Glory takes a more discerning eye.  I think that everyone can appreciate that God uses dark times to bring things into focus and that his glory shines brightest when all other lights have gone out. . .  The other day I asked a bible class about whether they had seen the darkness in year 2008.  Obviously, they had.  Many found it easier to see the negative rather than the light.  It’s certainly true for me.

Some of you have heard me talk about 2008 as the year of death.  It felt like that to me in many ways.  Our congregation has faced quite a bit of heartache as we have come face to face with death during the last year.  And yet, glory shines out.  In fact, glory reveals itself most clearly when it kisses the face of death.  God’s glory has nothing to fear when it runs into the worst that this life can dish out.  It is not anxious or troubled.

Glory that is found in Jesus alone remains constant—that is the glory that I hope for and long for.  I want the eyes of Isaiah that see glory when thick darkness covers the earth.

And I long for the surpassing glory that Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians.  The Israelities knew about God and through tabernacle and temple experiences; they had the chance to see with their own eyes the glory of God.  But Paul says that Jesus’ glory is greater.  The cross is greater, the resurrection is greater, the ministry of God’s Spirit is greater and it lasts.

I want the year 2009 to be a time where I rest in the greater glory. My prayer for you is that the year 2009 be a year in which you can see the glory of the Lord more fully as well.