In the Christmas story, I like how Luke used the phrase, "All who heard the shepherd's story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured those things in heart and thought about them often." (Luke 2:19)
The King James says, "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."
It means that year after year she thought about the events leading to the first Christmas -- how she was chosen to participate in God's story of salvation, how God brought everything together, how she witnessed firsthand that, like the angel had said to her many months before, "Nothing is impossible for God." (Luke 1:37)
Mary's example is good one to follow. We should remember to treasure these things and think about them often. There are so many lessons to be learned the nativity story.
● From the wisemen we learn that God speaks to anyone who will listen, and he leads anyone who is willing to follow.
● From Mary and Joseph we learn what it means to fully submit to the will of God. We learn that obedience takes courage, and that it's better to obey God than worry about what others think or say.
● From the shepherds -- those minimum wage workers who were watching sheep late in the night -- we learn that no one is too poor or too insignificant to have a personal experience with God.
● Even from cruel Herod, we are reminded of how foolish it is to try to hinder the purpose of God.
Most of all, from Jesus, we learn that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
We're beginning a busy season of the year -- stressful sometimes, hectic, and financially challenging. Follow Mary's example: Remember to remember the first Christmas. Treasuring the story, think about it often, ponder its meaning in your heart.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Nothing is Insignificant with God!
At the beginning of the Christmas story, Mary was just a teenage girl living with her family in Nazareth preparing to marry a man named Joseph. She probably had no ambitions for her life beyond caring for her home, her future husband and children. She was a poor, simple woman. By worldly standards, she was quite insignificant.
But then an angel showed up! And what he said rocked her world: "Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30).
With those few words the angel announced to her that with God there is no such thing as an insignificant person. There is no person on this planet whom he doesn't see, whom he doesn't know, whom he doesn't love.
You may be poor. You may be desperate. You may lack education and resources. You may be tucked away in an obscure, out of the way place -- feeling like a nowhere man living in a nowhere land. But with God, you're not hidden, you're not obscure, you're not insignificant.
He has a place for you. He has a plan for you. And he is willing to bestow his favor upon you. If you will put yourself in his care, through trust and obedience and submission to him, he will put you in your place, so to speak. He will pour out his favor in your life.
What does his favor mean? It means blessings. The blessings of a happy home, the blessings of joy and peace and abundance. The blessing of knowing him personally.
God's favor also means that he will use your life to do great things. In Mary's case, she did the greatest thing of all -- she gave birth to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
In your case, it means that God will use to touch the lives of people around you. That you will be a blessing to others, and an inspiration to others. He will put you in situations in which you will care for others, and teach others, and influence others in a way that empowers them to fulfill God's calling on their lives.
The favor of God means that he will bless you and he will use you.
But then an angel showed up! And what he said rocked her world: "Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30).
With those few words the angel announced to her that with God there is no such thing as an insignificant person. There is no person on this planet whom he doesn't see, whom he doesn't know, whom he doesn't love.
You may be poor. You may be desperate. You may lack education and resources. You may be tucked away in an obscure, out of the way place -- feeling like a nowhere man living in a nowhere land. But with God, you're not hidden, you're not obscure, you're not insignificant.
He has a place for you. He has a plan for you. And he is willing to bestow his favor upon you. If you will put yourself in his care, through trust and obedience and submission to him, he will put you in your place, so to speak. He will pour out his favor in your life.
What does his favor mean? It means blessings. The blessings of a happy home, the blessings of joy and peace and abundance. The blessing of knowing him personally.
God's favor also means that he will use your life to do great things. In Mary's case, she did the greatest thing of all -- she gave birth to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
In your case, it means that God will use to touch the lives of people around you. That you will be a blessing to others, and an inspiration to others. He will put you in situations in which you will care for others, and teach others, and influence others in a way that empowers them to fulfill God's calling on their lives.
The favor of God means that he will bless you and he will use you.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Models
I read an interesting article about the church recently that mentioned there are three kinds of churches: the Hotel, the Asylum, and the Hospital. It's an fascinating analogy! Is Christian Life Center one of these?
The Hotel model is the kind of church where people come in and don't lift a finger: all the work is done by someone else. Their stay is temporary, it does not become their home, and it usually isn't long before they check out -- leaving nothing of themselves behind, taking with them all they brought in.
The Asylum model is the kind of church where people arrive with problems and leave with their problems multiplied. It's a place where people go but never get better, and sometimes they get worse.
The Hospital model is the kind of church where hurting people can find healing. There are sick people in the hospital-church, but they're not judged for being sick -- they're just made whole again.
I hope we're more like the hospital model than the others! Our purpose, clearly, is to be a hospital the sin-sick soul. Our goal is to help people discover God and experience His power in life-changing ways; to find healing for their broken lives through the healing power of Jesus Christ!
The Hotel model is the kind of church where people come in and don't lift a finger: all the work is done by someone else. Their stay is temporary, it does not become their home, and it usually isn't long before they check out -- leaving nothing of themselves behind, taking with them all they brought in.
The Asylum model is the kind of church where people arrive with problems and leave with their problems multiplied. It's a place where people go but never get better, and sometimes they get worse.
The Hospital model is the kind of church where hurting people can find healing. There are sick people in the hospital-church, but they're not judged for being sick -- they're just made whole again.
I hope we're more like the hospital model than the others! Our purpose, clearly, is to be a hospital the sin-sick soul. Our goal is to help people discover God and experience His power in life-changing ways; to find healing for their broken lives through the healing power of Jesus Christ!
Monday, December 1, 2008
No More Masks
Our heroes usually wear masks, so we don't know who they really are. Like Spiderman and Batman and the Green Lantern and Zorro... and, of course, the original masked man: the Lone Ranger.
We benefit from their kindness -- they frequently save the world from bad guys like the Penguin and the Joker -- but we don't know who they really are. They may be our heroes, but our knowledge of them is limited; they can't be known personally!
There's a sense in which the same could have been said about God. In the Old Testament we learned about him, we saw how his people benefitted from his kindness, but we couldn't really know him personally, intimately. It was like he was behind a mask.
On Christmas Day, the mask was removed. He revealed himself to us fully and completely, so that we may known him as he really is. This is why, when Philip asked Jesus to reveal the Father, Jesus said, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)
God's plan is not to be our hero. He wants to be more than the one we call on in times of trouble.
He wants to be our constant companion, our Father, our friend. He wants us to know him personally. This is made possible through his Son, Jesus Christ, who was sent to us two thousand years ago. This is why we celebrate his birth.
During the month of December at Christian Life Center our focus will be on Jesus! What significance does this first-century Jewish rabbi named Jesus have in our lives today? He claimed to be the Messiah; how does it affect our lives? Join us this Sunday as we begin exploring the real reason for the season!
We benefit from their kindness -- they frequently save the world from bad guys like the Penguin and the Joker -- but we don't know who they really are. They may be our heroes, but our knowledge of them is limited; they can't be known personally!
There's a sense in which the same could have been said about God. In the Old Testament we learned about him, we saw how his people benefitted from his kindness, but we couldn't really know him personally, intimately. It was like he was behind a mask.
On Christmas Day, the mask was removed. He revealed himself to us fully and completely, so that we may known him as he really is. This is why, when Philip asked Jesus to reveal the Father, Jesus said, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)
God's plan is not to be our hero. He wants to be more than the one we call on in times of trouble.
He wants to be our constant companion, our Father, our friend. He wants us to know him personally. This is made possible through his Son, Jesus Christ, who was sent to us two thousand years ago. This is why we celebrate his birth.
During the month of December at Christian Life Center our focus will be on Jesus! What significance does this first-century Jewish rabbi named Jesus have in our lives today? He claimed to be the Messiah; how does it affect our lives? Join us this Sunday as we begin exploring the real reason for the season!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Hope Inspires Endurance!
Do you know who my biggest hero is? Joe Paterno. He's the head football coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions. I'm not a huge Penn State fan, but this guy is amazing. He's been on the coaching staff at Penn State for 59 years -- 16 years as an assistant and 43 years as the head coach. He's won more football games than any other coach in history. He's now 81 years old.
One of things I like about Paterno is that he cares deeply about his players, not just how they perform on the field, but how they perform in life. One player who was recruited by a number of colleges said that all the other coaches promised him a position on the team. Paterno said, "If you play for Penn State, you'll leave a better person."
Several years ago, when Paterno was still in his early seventies, he went through a storm. Over a period of five years, Penn State had four losing seasons. Penn State alumni were calling for his resignation, if not his head on a platter. A website even sprung up called firejoepaterno.com!
If he had stepped down at that time, no one would have blamed him. He could have said, "I've had a good run, but the time has come for me to call it a day," and he would have gone out a hero.
But after those four losing seasons, Paterno didn't step down. He decided to stick around a few more years. Why? He believed he could still do what he was hired to do all those years ago: consistently produce winning teams for the Penn State program. He had hope -- not wishful thinking, but a solid sense of optimism -- that there were still some good years to come.
What eventually happened? He turned things around. In the three seasons before this one, Penn State lost only a total of 9 games, and they went to a bowl game each year. This year Penn State is 11-1 and they're going to the Rose Bowl. The firejoepaterno.com website is still up, and if you go there you'll see that they're trying desperately to justify their existence.
Even during those days that must have been the most difficult of his career, Joe refused to quit. When people said, "Your time is up, Paterno. You're old. You're finished. You should quit while you're ahead," he just kept going. It is his hope -- his optimism -- that fuels his endurance.
Paul said, "...your endurance inspired by hope" (1 Thess. 1:13). If you want to develop endurance, develop hope. Develop an attitude of optimism. This idea -- that God is in control and that he is working all things together for good -- needs to be foundational in your attitude at work.
This idea -- that the best is yet to come -- will carry you through those difficult days that come with any and every job. That's because hope inspires endurance!
One of things I like about Paterno is that he cares deeply about his players, not just how they perform on the field, but how they perform in life. One player who was recruited by a number of colleges said that all the other coaches promised him a position on the team. Paterno said, "If you play for Penn State, you'll leave a better person."
Several years ago, when Paterno was still in his early seventies, he went through a storm. Over a period of five years, Penn State had four losing seasons. Penn State alumni were calling for his resignation, if not his head on a platter. A website even sprung up called firejoepaterno.com!
If he had stepped down at that time, no one would have blamed him. He could have said, "I've had a good run, but the time has come for me to call it a day," and he would have gone out a hero.
But after those four losing seasons, Paterno didn't step down. He decided to stick around a few more years. Why? He believed he could still do what he was hired to do all those years ago: consistently produce winning teams for the Penn State program. He had hope -- not wishful thinking, but a solid sense of optimism -- that there were still some good years to come.
What eventually happened? He turned things around. In the three seasons before this one, Penn State lost only a total of 9 games, and they went to a bowl game each year. This year Penn State is 11-1 and they're going to the Rose Bowl. The firejoepaterno.com website is still up, and if you go there you'll see that they're trying desperately to justify their existence.
Even during those days that must have been the most difficult of his career, Joe refused to quit. When people said, "Your time is up, Paterno. You're old. You're finished. You should quit while you're ahead," he just kept going. It is his hope -- his optimism -- that fuels his endurance.
Paul said, "...your endurance inspired by hope" (1 Thess. 1:13). If you want to develop endurance, develop hope. Develop an attitude of optimism. This idea -- that God is in control and that he is working all things together for good -- needs to be foundational in your attitude at work.
This idea -- that the best is yet to come -- will carry you through those difficult days that come with any and every job. That's because hope inspires endurance!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Crazy Dreams!
Recently, I came aross the story of Ronald Mallet, a man who lost his father to a smoking related illness 53 years ago. When his father died, his lifelong quest began: to build a time machine that would enable him to travel into the past, see his father again, and warn him to change his lifestyle.
It sounds crazy, I know. If Ronald Mallet was a wild-eyed Emmet Brown type (that was Christopher Lloyd in the Back to the Future trilogy), it would be easy to laugh him off as a nutcase.
But he's nothing like Emmet Brown. He is a tenured theoretical physicist at the University of Connecticut, only the 79th African American to earn a doctorate in physics. Why did he choose physics? Because of his crazy dream: he wanted to find a way to travel through time, because he desperately wanted to see his father once again.
He hid his obsession hidden for decades, knowing that if the secret got out, he would become a laughingstock. So he worked at home each night in solitude, and along the way made some amazing discoveries -- discoveries that the academic community is beginning to pay attention to.
It also illustrates how there are many things that drive us to choose the career we choose -- and if the motive is strong enough, it can drive us to do the seemingly impossible.
I can't imagine devoting my life to something as crazy as time travel. Instead, I've devoted my life (we've devoted our lives) to something that many find crazier -- the foolishness of preaching.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
It sounds crazy, I know. If Ronald Mallet was a wild-eyed Emmet Brown type (that was Christopher Lloyd in the Back to the Future trilogy), it would be easy to laugh him off as a nutcase.
But he's nothing like Emmet Brown. He is a tenured theoretical physicist at the University of Connecticut, only the 79th African American to earn a doctorate in physics. Why did he choose physics? Because of his crazy dream: he wanted to find a way to travel through time, because he desperately wanted to see his father once again.
He hid his obsession hidden for decades, knowing that if the secret got out, he would become a laughingstock. So he worked at home each night in solitude, and along the way made some amazing discoveries -- discoveries that the academic community is beginning to pay attention to.
It also illustrates how there are many things that drive us to choose the career we choose -- and if the motive is strong enough, it can drive us to do the seemingly impossible.
I can't imagine devoting my life to something as crazy as time travel. Instead, I've devoted my life (we've devoted our lives) to something that many find crazier -- the foolishness of preaching.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Today at CLC I'm going to be talking about the connection between graditude and generosity. The focus will be on the apostle Paul's words of instruction to the church at Corinth. However, you can go back years earlier and discover the principles being established with the children of Israel.
For example, in the book of Deuteronomy is a lesson to be learned about giving. Verses 1-11 describes the Liturgy of the First Fruits, which was associated with each of the Pilgrim festivals. Even though we don't celebrate the same feasts and festivals that they did, we can follow a similar liturgy today when we give. Here are three reminders about how to give:
1. Make giving a priority. (v. 2)...take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. (v. 10) "...and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O Lord, have given me."
2. Make giving an act of worship.(v. 10) Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him.
3. Make giving a celebration of thanksgiving.(v. 11) And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.
We express gratitude by recognizing our debt to God (v. 2); by remembering his faithfulness (v.5-9) and by reaching out to to others (v. 11 — "Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among in the celebreation." NLT).
For example, in the book of Deuteronomy is a lesson to be learned about giving. Verses 1-11 describes the Liturgy of the First Fruits, which was associated with each of the Pilgrim festivals. Even though we don't celebrate the same feasts and festivals that they did, we can follow a similar liturgy today when we give. Here are three reminders about how to give:
1. Make giving a priority. (v. 2)...take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. (v. 10) "...and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O Lord, have given me."
2. Make giving an act of worship.(v. 10) Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him.
3. Make giving a celebration of thanksgiving.(v. 11) And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.
We express gratitude by recognizing our debt to God (v. 2); by remembering his faithfulness (v.5-9) and by reaching out to to others (v. 11 — "Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among in the celebreation." NLT).
Friday, November 21, 2008
What God Sees
God sees us according to our potential, not our limitations. Jesus called Peter "a rock" long before Peter did anything to deserve the name. God's objective in our life is that we might be conformed to the image of his Son...to become the righteousness of God in Christ. (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
This puts us on a never-ending quest for self-improvement...a never-ending quest for holiness. Our purpose each day is to make an effort toward spiritual growth, to become more like him. That's why at Christian Life Center we've made spiritual formation one of our core values.
Let's keep in mind that God already sees in us the potential to become what he wants us to be. It is we who have a hard time believing in ourselves, and believing in his ability to bring it to pass.
This anonymous Mexican prayer expresses both humility and faith in God's ability to work in our lives. Let's make it our prayer, too.
I am only a spark, Make me a fire.
I am only a string,Make me a lyre.
I am only a drop,Make me a fountain.
I am only an anthill,Make me a mountain.
I am only a feather,Make me a wing.
I am only a rag,Make me a king.
This puts us on a never-ending quest for self-improvement...a never-ending quest for holiness. Our purpose each day is to make an effort toward spiritual growth, to become more like him. That's why at Christian Life Center we've made spiritual formation one of our core values.
Let's keep in mind that God already sees in us the potential to become what he wants us to be. It is we who have a hard time believing in ourselves, and believing in his ability to bring it to pass.
This anonymous Mexican prayer expresses both humility and faith in God's ability to work in our lives. Let's make it our prayer, too.
I am only a spark, Make me a fire.
I am only a string,Make me a lyre.
I am only a drop,Make me a fountain.
I am only an anthill,Make me a mountain.
I am only a feather,Make me a wing.
I am only a rag,Make me a king.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Week To Live
What would you do if you knew you had only week to live? Would you go away? Would you go home? Would you do some last minute sinning, or some last minute repenting? Would you be sad? Angry? Hopeful? Afraid? How would you spend those final hours?
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)
When Jesus had one week to live, he chose to wash his disciples' feet. He did the work of a common slave, ministering to those who were closest to him. He washed their feet (John 13), he comforted them (John 14), he encouraged them (John 15-16), prayed for them (John 17), and then he died for them. He spent the last week of his life fulfilling his purpose; he spent the last week of his life being a servant.
...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
You and me, we have a week to live: this week — and most probably hundreds more. I want to spend this week fulfilling my purpose, doing that which is most important in terms of eternity: serving Christ by serving others.
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)
When Jesus had one week to live, he chose to wash his disciples' feet. He did the work of a common slave, ministering to those who were closest to him. He washed their feet (John 13), he comforted them (John 14), he encouraged them (John 15-16), prayed for them (John 17), and then he died for them. He spent the last week of his life fulfilling his purpose; he spent the last week of his life being a servant.
...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
You and me, we have a week to live: this week — and most probably hundreds more. I want to spend this week fulfilling my purpose, doing that which is most important in terms of eternity: serving Christ by serving others.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Control
Life isn't easy. We all know that. We all face challenges big and small, and sometimes things seem to spin out of control. The key word is seem.
No matter how things look for you today, you can find a place of peace in the presence of God.
You can get centered in him, because he is for you, and because he is in control of every situation -- including this situation, today. It's a choice you make. A choice to be honest with your situation, and a choice to trust that God will deliver on his promises.
You can celebrate this day, because this is the day that God has designed to change you, to teach you, to help you.
You can ask for more than enough, because God has the ability to help you thrive. And you can look to the light, because in his word and in his presence, you will find all the help you need!
No matter how things look for you today, you can find a place of peace in the presence of God.
You can get centered in him, because he is for you, and because he is in control of every situation -- including this situation, today. It's a choice you make. A choice to be honest with your situation, and a choice to trust that God will deliver on his promises.
You can celebrate this day, because this is the day that God has designed to change you, to teach you, to help you.
You can ask for more than enough, because God has the ability to help you thrive. And you can look to the light, because in his word and in his presence, you will find all the help you need!
Friday, November 14, 2008
All Because of Grace
The movie "Saving Private Ryan" ends with Captain Miller(Tom Hanks’ character)sitting near a bridge after an attack by German forces. His life is ebbing away as he pulls Ryan (Matt Damon)down toward him.
Struggling for breath he whispers, "Earn this, earn this."
As Ryan stands his face morphs back into the present as a senior adult searching for Miller’s cross in the cemetery. Crying he turns to his wife and says, "Tell me I’m a good man."
Many people may believe that Christ died for them, but they have an attitude that Christ told them, "Earn this." They spend their lives through religion trying to receive validation so that people will tell them, "You are a good man or a good woman."
Grace is realizing that we can never earn Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. Our lives should reflect thanksgiving for what he has done instead of validation for being a good person. We can never earn salvation. We can only receive it.
Struggling for breath he whispers, "Earn this, earn this."
As Ryan stands his face morphs back into the present as a senior adult searching for Miller’s cross in the cemetery. Crying he turns to his wife and says, "Tell me I’m a good man."
Many people may believe that Christ died for them, but they have an attitude that Christ told them, "Earn this." They spend their lives through religion trying to receive validation so that people will tell them, "You are a good man or a good woman."
Grace is realizing that we can never earn Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. Our lives should reflect thanksgiving for what he has done instead of validation for being a good person. We can never earn salvation. We can only receive it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Ho, Ho, Ho...
Let the record reflect the following action. November 12, 2008 Pastor Del posted his first Christmas blog! Ok, so I'm a bit early perhaps but I'm already hearing Christmas music on the radio!! Geez...at least let me get the turkey digested first! At any rate, my mind is already beginning to fill with thoughts about the holidays ahead.
How do you gauge a good Christmas? Most of us, I would guess, have some type of scale that determines whether or not this Christmas, or any Christmas, goes down as one of the better ones. And, I would imagine, most of us probably already have a pretty good idea of where this Christmas will fit on the spectrum.
We have a bad habit of making Christmas all about “me” -- my expectations, my wants, my needs, my preferences. The result is, often, that Christmas disappoints us or frustrates us in one way or another, year in and year out.
The paradox is that Christmas really is about you -- you are the reason that God sent his Son into the world. It was the only way you could be saved. He sent Jesus to be born in a manger and to die on the cross for your sins so that you could turn back to him, so that you could experience the forgiveness of sin, so that God’s face could shine upon you. Only then can you be saved.
Before you think about what you can give, be willing to receive God’s gift to you. His gift of love. His gift of acceptance. His gift of new life. When you receive God’s gift to you, you are able to give back to him, and give to those around you.
How do you gauge a good Christmas? Most of us, I would guess, have some type of scale that determines whether or not this Christmas, or any Christmas, goes down as one of the better ones. And, I would imagine, most of us probably already have a pretty good idea of where this Christmas will fit on the spectrum.
We have a bad habit of making Christmas all about “me” -- my expectations, my wants, my needs, my preferences. The result is, often, that Christmas disappoints us or frustrates us in one way or another, year in and year out.
The paradox is that Christmas really is about you -- you are the reason that God sent his Son into the world. It was the only way you could be saved. He sent Jesus to be born in a manger and to die on the cross for your sins so that you could turn back to him, so that you could experience the forgiveness of sin, so that God’s face could shine upon you. Only then can you be saved.
Before you think about what you can give, be willing to receive God’s gift to you. His gift of love. His gift of acceptance. His gift of new life. When you receive God’s gift to you, you are able to give back to him, and give to those around you.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Grass is Always Greener...
I read an interesting story in the Tampa Bay paper recently. It's about a man who lives Hudson, Florida; his name is Andy Law.
One morning, as Andy was reading the daily news, he came across a story that shocked him. Joseph Prudente, a sixty-six year old man in nearby Beacon Woods had gone to jail for the crime of having a brown lawn. He had received notices from the local homeowners association that his grass wasn't green enough for community standards, but he overlooked them. Prudente has some health problems right now and is struggling financially. He can barely make his mortgage payment; he doesn't have the resources to take care of his lawn.
So the homeowner's association did what was in their power: they filed a court order against him and had him arrested, without the option of posting bail.
Here's where Andy comes in. He has troubles of his own. His business is failing, he is on the verge of losing his own house, and he is considering bankruptcy. But as he read Joseph Prudente's story, Andy decided that something must be done. "This," he thought, "is a problem that can be solved."
He began calling everyone he knew to help. Soon the yard was full of people working. Others dropped off gifts. Another man came to repair the sprinkler. Andy borrowed some lawn equipment and convinced a nursery to donate sod. By the end of the day, the yard was done: covered with new green grass, red mulch, flowers, and a working sprinkler.
At this time, the Tampa Bay paper reports, there was a sudden, thick downpour. Jennifer Prudente, Joseph's wife, stood in the rain with her arms open wide. "Our luck is changing," she said.
The next day Joseph was released from jail. Though he still faces fines and court costs, he is a free man today ... as long his grass stays the right shade of green. (And you thought your neighbors were picky.)
As far as I'm concerned, this story is more about Andy than it is about Joseph. Yes, it's outrageous that you can go to jail in America for having brown grass; I realize that some will see only this aspect of the story.
More impressive is the fact that one young man, also down on his luck, put his own problems on the back burner long enough to make a difference in someone else's life. This is an example of Paul's words in Philippians being put into practice: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
One morning, as Andy was reading the daily news, he came across a story that shocked him. Joseph Prudente, a sixty-six year old man in nearby Beacon Woods had gone to jail for the crime of having a brown lawn. He had received notices from the local homeowners association that his grass wasn't green enough for community standards, but he overlooked them. Prudente has some health problems right now and is struggling financially. He can barely make his mortgage payment; he doesn't have the resources to take care of his lawn.
So the homeowner's association did what was in their power: they filed a court order against him and had him arrested, without the option of posting bail.
Here's where Andy comes in. He has troubles of his own. His business is failing, he is on the verge of losing his own house, and he is considering bankruptcy. But as he read Joseph Prudente's story, Andy decided that something must be done. "This," he thought, "is a problem that can be solved."
He began calling everyone he knew to help. Soon the yard was full of people working. Others dropped off gifts. Another man came to repair the sprinkler. Andy borrowed some lawn equipment and convinced a nursery to donate sod. By the end of the day, the yard was done: covered with new green grass, red mulch, flowers, and a working sprinkler.
At this time, the Tampa Bay paper reports, there was a sudden, thick downpour. Jennifer Prudente, Joseph's wife, stood in the rain with her arms open wide. "Our luck is changing," she said.
The next day Joseph was released from jail. Though he still faces fines and court costs, he is a free man today ... as long his grass stays the right shade of green. (And you thought your neighbors were picky.)
As far as I'm concerned, this story is more about Andy than it is about Joseph. Yes, it's outrageous that you can go to jail in America for having brown grass; I realize that some will see only this aspect of the story.
More impressive is the fact that one young man, also down on his luck, put his own problems on the back burner long enough to make a difference in someone else's life. This is an example of Paul's words in Philippians being put into practice: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
100th Posting
Someone once said that wisdom is to live your one and only life in such a way that when it comes to an end, and it will, God looks at it and says, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done."
This is wisdom. From the moment you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at night, you love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, and then you walk through the day and love the people that you see. Love them like you love yourself. Then become a servant of the world.
Not a bad way to live!
This is wisdom. From the moment you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at night, you love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, and then you walk through the day and love the people that you see. Love them like you love yourself. Then become a servant of the world.
Not a bad way to live!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
MISSIONAL LIVING AT IT'S BEST!
It's hard to believe but the holidays are upon us...again! I've already heard Christmas music on the radio...unbelieveable!
One of the great outreach ministries at CLC this time of the year are the boxes of love. I hope you have picked one up. It's a simple yet effective way of showing compassion to a less fortunate family.
Former Ambassador for Humanitarian issues, Tony Hall reminds us: "There's over 2500 verses in the Bible that deal with the issue of helping the poor, the sick, the hungry. God set it up that we are to address this issue and that he works through us. His Plan B? Well, I don't know what Plan B is. Plan A is the way he set it up."
God's plan goes back to the first books of the Bible. Deuteronomy 15:4 sets the standard: There should be no poor among you. A few verses later the acknowledgement is made: There will always be poor people in the land. [v.11]
What then is our response? Our responsibility?
Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:11)
Pastor John Ratz commented recently on the CLC Group Life Blog that "Living an others-centered life is truly the mark of a Christ-follower. Sharing the message of God’s love to a lost and dying world is of prime importance. Serving those very people, rather than judging and condemning them, is a bridge that earns us the credibility in their eyes."
Missional living at it’s best is being God's hand reaching out to others.
One of the great outreach ministries at CLC this time of the year are the boxes of love. I hope you have picked one up. It's a simple yet effective way of showing compassion to a less fortunate family.
Former Ambassador for Humanitarian issues, Tony Hall reminds us: "There's over 2500 verses in the Bible that deal with the issue of helping the poor, the sick, the hungry. God set it up that we are to address this issue and that he works through us. His Plan B? Well, I don't know what Plan B is. Plan A is the way he set it up."
God's plan goes back to the first books of the Bible. Deuteronomy 15:4 sets the standard: There should be no poor among you. A few verses later the acknowledgement is made: There will always be poor people in the land. [v.11]
What then is our response? Our responsibility?
Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:11)
Pastor John Ratz commented recently on the CLC Group Life Blog that "Living an others-centered life is truly the mark of a Christ-follower. Sharing the message of God’s love to a lost and dying world is of prime importance. Serving those very people, rather than judging and condemning them, is a bridge that earns us the credibility in their eyes."
Missional living at it’s best is being God's hand reaching out to others.
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