This summer I will be working with kids. Kids that are much younger than me. I look forward to this brave new world for me. I have worked with kids on occasion, but never on a daily basis. Part of me, sees my patience being tested. But I know that I'm going to learn a lot.
Kids have a way to show adults that life doesn't have to be so difficult. Kids are care free, they smile and love snacks. To be honest, their energy is contagious. I know this summer I will learn a lot from the kids. Sure I will show them a thing or two, but I know I will walk away with more.
Which comes to my point. Often times, we think we learn from complex, sophisticated things. But what about the simple things of life? Simplicity is a great teacher, if anything a reminder. The kids that I will be teaching, think in a simple way. That's not to discount their intelligence, but they see life in a different light. A light that, can be very humbling.
As I begin to pour into these kids. Without them knowing they will be pouring into me. I seen it, many times. Every time that I have worked with kids. I learned a lot. I know this I will learn even more.
The teacher being taught.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
One Door Closes, Another Opens
April 26, 2010 what would seem like a normal Monday. Will be a Monday of reflection, and seeing opportunity on the horizon. A Monday that will challenge people to practice, what they have learned. A Monday to see one door close, while another opens.
For the past 3 years I've gone downtown to feed the homeless. What started as, a simple, heart felt endeavor, became a weekly reminder too many of a huge need. A way to quench their thirst of wanting to serve, to meet the homeless where they call home. A bridge, with trash out numbering the people, the occasional stray dog. The random noises of downtown, the bail bonds that surround the bridge, and the diverse group of people who sleep down there.
That bridge became our mission field. What started out as feeding and encouraging on a weekly basis became, well, more than a weekly basis commitment. Investment was required and for many of us, it was a first.
I'm not mad, or disappointed about the ending of serving the homeless. The need is still there, but what started out as 5 people, is now 30 plus. 30 plus people who love to serve people in dire need. 30 people who now see homeless people as, fellow human beings. All of us, have allowed Jesus to stir something within us. It's different for all of us, but the motivation is what remains the constant.
I'm excited for what is in store for all of us. I know what has been learned, will truly be the blessing of someone else. Personally,I've learned a lot, lessons I will keep forever. The three things, I've learned in my 3 year stint.
1.Passion and obedience are hand in hand.
2.Investing in people, requires humility.
3.Good can come from anybody, even a homeless drunk person.
As I type this, I can't help but smile. I see all that God has done and it was good. But he's not done yet, for the whole group. We will be serving in different ways now, but the fire is there and brighter than ever. We are just changing the venue. We will be reaching more people, with what we have learned. Smile.
One door closes, another opens.
God is good!
For the past 3 years I've gone downtown to feed the homeless. What started as, a simple, heart felt endeavor, became a weekly reminder too many of a huge need. A way to quench their thirst of wanting to serve, to meet the homeless where they call home. A bridge, with trash out numbering the people, the occasional stray dog. The random noises of downtown, the bail bonds that surround the bridge, and the diverse group of people who sleep down there.
That bridge became our mission field. What started out as feeding and encouraging on a weekly basis became, well, more than a weekly basis commitment. Investment was required and for many of us, it was a first.
I'm not mad, or disappointed about the ending of serving the homeless. The need is still there, but what started out as 5 people, is now 30 plus. 30 plus people who love to serve people in dire need. 30 people who now see homeless people as, fellow human beings. All of us, have allowed Jesus to stir something within us. It's different for all of us, but the motivation is what remains the constant.
I'm excited for what is in store for all of us. I know what has been learned, will truly be the blessing of someone else. Personally,I've learned a lot, lessons I will keep forever. The three things, I've learned in my 3 year stint.
1.Passion and obedience are hand in hand.
2.Investing in people, requires humility.
3.Good can come from anybody, even a homeless drunk person.
As I type this, I can't help but smile. I see all that God has done and it was good. But he's not done yet, for the whole group. We will be serving in different ways now, but the fire is there and brighter than ever. We are just changing the venue. We will be reaching more people, with what we have learned. Smile.
One door closes, another opens.
God is good!
Monday, April 12, 2010
One Day At A Time
One day at a time.
I tell myself ....
Worried about yesterday
I can't replace what is ...
I can only take it
One day at a time
I know I've missed a lot
But I know my days
Will reveal much too me.
One day I feel happy and
excited about the future.
Some days mad, angry and
dawn on how bleak I think
things are .....
One day, One day at a time
That's all I can see...
I must embrace today.
For I may not be tomorrow.
So I tell myself one day,
one day, as one ends
another comes ...
One day, One day
at a time ....
I tell myself ....
Worried about yesterday
I can't replace what is ...
I can only take it
One day at a time
I know I've missed a lot
But I know my days
Will reveal much too me.
One day I feel happy and
excited about the future.
Some days mad, angry and
dawn on how bleak I think
things are .....
One day, One day at a time
That's all I can see...
I must embrace today.
For I may not be tomorrow.
So I tell myself one day,
one day, as one ends
another comes ...
One day, One day
at a time ....
Monday, April 5, 2010
Unreal: The Good and Bad
The bad
It's unreal the amount of people who go to sleep on an empty stomach.
Unreal: The suicide bomber who runs into a building and blast himself into oblivion.
Unreal: The single mom fighting to support two kids.
Unreal: All the kids who sleep outside, exposed to violence, death, and drugs things kids should not know about.
Unreal: The disdain people show to each other, because of .......
Unreal: The solider who served in Iraq comes back to his country with only two limbs.
Unreal: Of all the stories we hear of young women being raped.
Unreal Of all the kids who are bullied by others, so much so, they kill themselves.
Unreal: The amount of homeless people we pass up everyday
Unreal: All the kids in Africa that have AIDS.
Unreal: All the kids across the Mexican border who live in poverty are only miles away from the richest nation in the world.
There are a lot of unreal things that are bad, heart wrenching, and simply avoidable. In my life, I have seen unreal things. I have seen people pushed to the limit. I have seen people cry, starve, because no one cared. But for every unreal situation, there is unreal love, compassion, and understanding.
The good
The unreal love displayed on the cross, so that we may live a new life. So that, we may not drown and die in our sin. That our afflictions would not scar us forever. That we would be able to share this same love, compassion, and understanding.
Unreal: The love our parents show us.
Unreal: The thousands of unsung heroes who help those in dire need.
Unreal: The teachers who motivate kids to pass school so, they too can be educated for the future.
Unreal: The amount of people willing to donate clothes, food to the less fortunate.
Unreal: The people week in and week out serve their community in a way that is not headlined to the masses.
Unreal: The love that is shown to complete strangers.
Unreal: The patience and love shown to those who help kids/adults with special needs.
Unreal: All the organizations and ministries that help the poor, disabled, and their communities.
Unreal: The Love of Our Savior
Unreal, unreal ......
Our world is full of unreal acts. We all see the good and the bad. Its our jobs to respond, in a way that benefits both parties. We have the capability to do a lot unreal things that could be earth- shattering. Are you in? Lets be unreal and change the world.
Jesus was unreal, his love, mercy and grace is still unreal.
Let us, follow His example until the very end.
It's unreal the amount of people who go to sleep on an empty stomach.
Unreal: The suicide bomber who runs into a building and blast himself into oblivion.
Unreal: The single mom fighting to support two kids.
Unreal: All the kids who sleep outside, exposed to violence, death, and drugs things kids should not know about.
Unreal: The disdain people show to each other, because of .......
Unreal: The solider who served in Iraq comes back to his country with only two limbs.
Unreal: Of all the stories we hear of young women being raped.
Unreal Of all the kids who are bullied by others, so much so, they kill themselves.
Unreal: The amount of homeless people we pass up everyday
Unreal: All the kids in Africa that have AIDS.
Unreal: All the kids across the Mexican border who live in poverty are only miles away from the richest nation in the world.
There are a lot of unreal things that are bad, heart wrenching, and simply avoidable. In my life, I have seen unreal things. I have seen people pushed to the limit. I have seen people cry, starve, because no one cared. But for every unreal situation, there is unreal love, compassion, and understanding.
The good
The unreal love displayed on the cross, so that we may live a new life. So that, we may not drown and die in our sin. That our afflictions would not scar us forever. That we would be able to share this same love, compassion, and understanding.
Unreal: The love our parents show us.
Unreal: The thousands of unsung heroes who help those in dire need.
Unreal: The teachers who motivate kids to pass school so, they too can be educated for the future.
Unreal: The amount of people willing to donate clothes, food to the less fortunate.
Unreal: The people week in and week out serve their community in a way that is not headlined to the masses.
Unreal: The love that is shown to complete strangers.
Unreal: The patience and love shown to those who help kids/adults with special needs.
Unreal: All the organizations and ministries that help the poor, disabled, and their communities.
Unreal: The Love of Our Savior
Unreal, unreal ......
Our world is full of unreal acts. We all see the good and the bad. Its our jobs to respond, in a way that benefits both parties. We have the capability to do a lot unreal things that could be earth- shattering. Are you in? Lets be unreal and change the world.
Jesus was unreal, his love, mercy and grace is still unreal.
Let us, follow His example until the very end.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
By Faith
By Faith .... think about it..... what can be accomplished by faith.
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. It's hard to display faith on a daily basis, we allow so many different elements waver our faith. What is it, about faith that makes it hard? Faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with Christ. Faith is a prime example of being bold and humbling ourselves to be ok, with not having control or not knowing the outcome. That's faith.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is the definition of faith. Faith is about not seeing, what is coming around the corner. But knowing God will provide, that faith does have a price. Faith is essential to our growth in Christ. It allows us, to learn more about ourselves and what we must work on.
I like to see faith as a meter. It can be low or high. My faith has grown over the last few months. I've allowed God to take control. But I've been stripped of things I love. For the sole purpose of learning to earnestly seek Him always.
My prayer, is that you don't have to be completely stripped of everything to realize your lack of faith. Everyday, we put our faith into our cars, elevators, and other mundane daily things of life. It's funny how I can wake up, still be half asleep and trust my car will get me to point A to B. But I can't allow God to rescue me, from a stronghold in my life. Ironic?
Faith comes at a price, but the rewards of faith outweigh the price. I pray you can meditate on this chapter and see the sheer power of faith. Faith does not go in vain. God has a plan. We may not know it, but we must keep the faith.
By faith ..... what will you do for His kingdom?
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. It's hard to display faith on a daily basis, we allow so many different elements waver our faith. What is it, about faith that makes it hard? Faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with Christ. Faith is a prime example of being bold and humbling ourselves to be ok, with not having control or not knowing the outcome. That's faith.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is the definition of faith. Faith is about not seeing, what is coming around the corner. But knowing God will provide, that faith does have a price. Faith is essential to our growth in Christ. It allows us, to learn more about ourselves and what we must work on.
I like to see faith as a meter. It can be low or high. My faith has grown over the last few months. I've allowed God to take control. But I've been stripped of things I love. For the sole purpose of learning to earnestly seek Him always.
My prayer, is that you don't have to be completely stripped of everything to realize your lack of faith. Everyday, we put our faith into our cars, elevators, and other mundane daily things of life. It's funny how I can wake up, still be half asleep and trust my car will get me to point A to B. But I can't allow God to rescue me, from a stronghold in my life. Ironic?
Faith comes at a price, but the rewards of faith outweigh the price. I pray you can meditate on this chapter and see the sheer power of faith. Faith does not go in vain. God has a plan. We may not know it, but we must keep the faith.
By faith ..... what will you do for His kingdom?
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