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| Got Guts |
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We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Sponsor a Child?
Ask anyone compelled by the love of Christ to serve in ministry and I am convinced they will tell you what a blessing it is. Somehow, when Christians set out to bless others, in His name, He blesses them as well. That is certainly my testimony.
I say that because ’occasionally’ things occur that try the patience of the servant. For me it is when I hear the ’The List” -- that is to say the ‘list’ of reasons some people give for the inability to sponsor a child specifically, or to serve the Lord generally. Before I go any further, I know some reasons are valid and if you are one who has provided ones, then this post is not for you.
”Dave, are you judging me?”
Maybe. Essentially the Bible outlines three (3) areas whereby people are judged; one of which only God is allowed to do: judging to damnation. Let it be known I am not damning anyone. The two areas where man is allowed to judge are:
a) Judging for the purposes of identification (as in, “That guy is drunk and has a knife, I should stay away from him), and …
b) Judging for the purposes of restoration (as in, “That guy is a drunk and I should do whatever I can to get him some help).
This post (i.e., judgment) is for the purpose of restoration. If you are guilty* of providing lame excuses for your failure to submit to God’s will in any area—stop it. Why? Because you probably do not know just how blessed you are. (*Again, if you are not guilty, you need not respond).
Who is my neighbor?
I found this interesting article written yesterday by Paddy Kearney (I have no idea who he is), in a Cape Town, South Africa newspaper called, “The Mercury.” Mr. Kearney writes:
This is a challenging example for us to follow, as we think about our own answer to the question "who is my neighbour?" Perhaps our neighbour is the desperately poor teenager who suddenly finds herself the head of a household of children - because both her parents have died of HIV/Aids.
Or the unemployed young men we meet outside our homes, who eke out an existence by searching through the rubbish we throw away to see whether there are some scraps that can be sold or eaten. Or the woman who lives a life of fear and misery because of a violent or abusive spouse.
Perhaps we will also spare a thought for our northern neighbours, the people of Zimbabwe, who have for many years lived under a tyrannical regime, hungry for food and hungry for justice. Just a week after Good Friday, they face an election which, it is widely expected, will be anything but free and fair.
They are indeed one of the "crucified peoples", like the people of the Middle East, or of Iraq, Darfur, Somalia, Chad, Burma, Tibet - the list is long.
What’s my point?
American Christians (for the most part) have it well. If you are sitting at your computer screen at this moment reading this, there is likely a roof overhead, clothes on your back, and food in the fridge. There is also a good chance that what you spend on coffee, soda, and take-out food in one week could pay for the sponsorship of a child for a month.
Harsh? Tone is difficult to perceive in the written word. My purpose is not to criticize, but correct—and it is shared in love. Take pause and examine your response to God when He asks you to get involved. Better yet, ask the Lord to examine your reasoning. It takes guts—fortunately God is a great source of guts.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group (*where sponsors hang out) |
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Awesome POST!
I got guts...to tell of all my shame and how JESUS restored me... My goal is to mission in Kenya for a week while my daughter plans to stay there the entire summer....
Bless you |
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Dave, great post! We have sponsored 1 child for 3 yrs now - it's very cool! It is the least we can do!
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Cheryl |
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March 22, 2008 at 10:06am |
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| Dave~you have a heart of gold! It must be the Police Officer in ya...and Jesus! Love ya brother~ |
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| I agree with the commenters before me. This is an awesome post. No harsh tone detected. All i heard is the truth written in love. |
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