“I can’t do it,” Steven said. This was his abrupt ending. He claimed he lacked the ability to lead our group of seven in prayer. He only managed five words: “God, come be with us.”
This was Steven’s second time at the Free Church. His looks fully met the God-looks-on-the-inside criteria. His moppy hair covered a good portion of his facial features. Yet it didn’t cover his black AC/DC t-shirt or the jewelry-metal stabbed through his lip.
At the first meeting, he was listening intently. And as we drove to church for his second visit, he said: “Dude, I’ve been praying every night; things have been happening.” He linked his prayers to fewer skate boarding accidents. Plus another benefit: “My family’s getting some food tomorrow.”
It seemed right to ask Steven to initiate our discussion group with prayer. He agreed, but bailed out in a few seconds. No, “Amen.” No, “In the name of Jesus.” Merely, “God, come be with us.”
The Bible tells of an angel appearing to Joseph, the husband of Mary. This is the main thrust of the angel’s pronouncement: “Behold, the virgin (Mary) will be with child and will give birth to a Son and they will call Him Emmanuel—which means God with us.”
This Son was named Jesus. And Steven had unknowingly wrapped into his prayer the essence of who Jesus was on Earth. His prayer also pinpoints a desire of humans over the span of history—the vital longing to connect with God.
The Bible says: “Pray without ceasing.” Sure, Steven didn’t do that. Yet his simple words verbalized exactly what we all increasingly need in our lives. “God, come be with us.” I said to Steven, “That’s an excellent prayer; God will answer it.”
6/17/07
6/12/07
HOW TO GET TEN DOLLARS
“Rick can you give me ten dollars?” Daniel blurted out while I was driving some teenagers to church. I responded, “Daniel if I give you ten dollars, everyone in the car will want money.” I added: “If you need money, ask me privately.”
A week later while visiting Daniel’s family, he said, “I need to talk to you in private.” I instantly thought-- “What teenager-problem does he need to discuss?” He said, “Can I have twenty-dollars.” I laughed. Our previous conversation came back to mind. “You told me to ask you in private.”
I didn’t give Daniel twenty dollars to add minutes to his cell phone. Even his plea, “I’ll call you; we can talk about God,” failed.
Thumbs-up to Daniel for listening and creative soliciting. But he needs to know God’s plan on how to get ten dollars. And more.
This verse could sum up a lesson Daniel must absorb. “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich.” One of the broadest principles of the Bible—“You will reap what you sow.” Give to get.
So Daniel wants money. What can he give? He can serve at church. He can give kind words, his attention to developing Godly character, his best effort in school, and love towards his family. And give money to the church offering.
When these actions are “sown,” his desires will change. His requests will be more God-centered. And God will open up opportunities for money to come into his possession for reasonable appeals.
Bottom line—Biblical principles of giving to get have proven successful for generations: “The generous soul will be made rich.” Need something? Shift your focus from getting to giving.
A week later while visiting Daniel’s family, he said, “I need to talk to you in private.” I instantly thought-- “What teenager-problem does he need to discuss?” He said, “Can I have twenty-dollars.” I laughed. Our previous conversation came back to mind. “You told me to ask you in private.”
I didn’t give Daniel twenty dollars to add minutes to his cell phone. Even his plea, “I’ll call you; we can talk about God,” failed.
Thumbs-up to Daniel for listening and creative soliciting. But he needs to know God’s plan on how to get ten dollars. And more.
This verse could sum up a lesson Daniel must absorb. “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich.” One of the broadest principles of the Bible—“You will reap what you sow.” Give to get.
So Daniel wants money. What can he give? He can serve at church. He can give kind words, his attention to developing Godly character, his best effort in school, and love towards his family. And give money to the church offering.
When these actions are “sown,” his desires will change. His requests will be more God-centered. And God will open up opportunities for money to come into his possession for reasonable appeals.
Bottom line—Biblical principles of giving to get have proven successful for generations: “The generous soul will be made rich.” Need something? Shift your focus from getting to giving.
6/3/07
TOO FAR TO DRIVE FOR GOD
“Mom said you wouldn’t come pick us up,” Sarena said. “It would be too far to drive.”
For nearly a year, I had been driving eight-year old Sarena and her younger sisters Madison and Arryanna to church. They had moved unexpectedly; this was our first contact in weeks.
Pulling into the trailer park, I drove slowly reading the numbers trying to locate trailer 54. Beforehand I had weighed my decision. Was a ninety-mile roundtrip too far to drive? Two considerations were plugged into the equation-- my time and the gas money.
I turned the second corner, hesitatingly moving along the narrow road. Suddenly, half a block ahead Sarena came speeding towards me as fast as she could pedal her bike. Her huge smile and waving hand brought an even a bigger smile to my face.
Two friends were riding with her, “This is Casey and Alexis,” Sarena said. “They want to go to church.” We discussed details. Then she added, “Alexis has never been to church.”
My length-I-would-drive criteria melted when shy, apprehensive Alexis glanced at me.
The Bible says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything may have an abundance for every good work.” I experienced an instant awe-of-God grace moment when my emotions grasped the gravity of God allowing me to be the first person to take ten-year old Alexis to church.
Sure it would be easy to merely think a child was being transported to church. But wouldn’t it be far superior to envision, in faith, for this to be a major turning point in Alexis’ life?
That’s what I believe. So it’s definitely a “good work.” Praise God; we can trust Him to provide whatever is needed for doing His good works.
For nearly a year, I had been driving eight-year old Sarena and her younger sisters Madison and Arryanna to church. They had moved unexpectedly; this was our first contact in weeks.
Pulling into the trailer park, I drove slowly reading the numbers trying to locate trailer 54. Beforehand I had weighed my decision. Was a ninety-mile roundtrip too far to drive? Two considerations were plugged into the equation-- my time and the gas money.
I turned the second corner, hesitatingly moving along the narrow road. Suddenly, half a block ahead Sarena came speeding towards me as fast as she could pedal her bike. Her huge smile and waving hand brought an even a bigger smile to my face.
Two friends were riding with her, “This is Casey and Alexis,” Sarena said. “They want to go to church.” We discussed details. Then she added, “Alexis has never been to church.”
My length-I-would-drive criteria melted when shy, apprehensive Alexis glanced at me.
The Bible says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything may have an abundance for every good work.” I experienced an instant awe-of-God grace moment when my emotions grasped the gravity of God allowing me to be the first person to take ten-year old Alexis to church.
Sure it would be easy to merely think a child was being transported to church. But wouldn’t it be far superior to envision, in faith, for this to be a major turning point in Alexis’ life?
That’s what I believe. So it’s definitely a “good work.” Praise God; we can trust Him to provide whatever is needed for doing His good works.
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