Remember the Poor…

            I somehow grew up with the idea that it was the church’s (or the government’s) responsibility to help those less fortunate than myself. This was especially true when it came to the homeless or the roadside beggar. It was beyond me – a decision for others wiser than myself. How could I judge whether they were really poor and needy or just lazy? What if I gave them money and they bought liquor or drugs with it? I did not want to be a part of that.

Still, this thinking did not come from my parents. I can recall my dad helping out others he noticed were in need. I am not sure where the ideas came from. I just do not think I paid much attention.

I remember being a newly appointed deacon in the church we were attending in California. One job we had was to decide whether or not to help those that came to the church seeking aid. As I recall, I think we were rather stingy.

(Photo from Microsoft Clip Art)

 I still can recall a conversation where the pastor* and I were discussing the church policy about the homeless. It bothered him. “No matter how I look at it” he said, “I still hear the Apostle Paul saying, ‘Remember the poor’.” I could never get that thought out of my mind. In the following years that I was with him, I witnessed a man who was always ready and willing to help others.

I have finally decided that I cannot judge others motives. To be truthful, I am not always sure why I do what I do. Here in Phoenix, I often see people with signs asking for food or “any help you can give”. So I help. Not because I trust them to use it wisely, but because Jesus would have helped. I have also found some fun ways to do it. 

<edit> We now help in a ministry in Modesto, CA. We help serve meals and pray with people. My wife speaks regularly. I take care of maintenance and run the video and sound for worship. And it never gets old. It is summed up in the words of one of our regulars. He was sitting across from my wife during Wednesday Groceries/Prayer time. "Who would have thought that a guy like me, would be praying with a lady like you?" I wish it happened more often.

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. Gal. 2:10 (NIV)

*Smiling as I remember you, Pastor Dean A. Goddard. You are greatly missed.

Shortcuts or Cutting Corners?

With experience comes wisdom. With wisdom comes the inevitable shortcut. It is how the “older folks” get so much done. It is seen almost everywhere, especially in the trades. A shortcut can save both time and money. It could take the form of a template, a jig, or just the way you hold a tool. It is a way of increasing production, without sacrificing quality.

Then there is cutting corners. It can be much like a shortcut, but usually leaves something out that is perceived as “not necessary”. It is where the old adage “close enough for government work” comes from. Most of the time things work out OK. Yet sometimes, it can be disastrous.

I recently set up a 5 gallon freshwater tank to house a kind of colorful, red shrimp.  My son and I were out yesterday window shopping at a local aquarium store. There they were – pretty, lemon yellow shrimp. He asked if I wanted to get some for the tank. Yes! I wanted some, but I knew I should not get them right now.

Anyone who has set up freshwater tanks knows (or should know) that the tank needs to cycle before It can be stocked with all its different inhabitants. My tank was still cycling and the few shrimp I had in it were at the safe limit. I might have gotten away with it. Yet I have seen my share of tank disasters, some at the hands of others - some at my own hands. I decided not to chance it. Even though these shrimp are not the more expensive, deep red kind I will eventually get, I like the little guys too much. It is not worth the risk.

            How often do we cut corners in our daily lives? Do we take our relationships for granted and spend important time on our own selfish desires? Do we neglect our children’s emotional needs because we figure they will turn out all right anyway? Are we cutting corners when it comes to our physical or spiritual health? Each person needs to decide for themselves. Shortcuts or cutting corners. Which is it for you? 

Hope

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see… (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

            Hope is an amazing thing. It can be the difference between success and failure. It’s the little engine that keeps us from giving up. In the end, it’s what keeps us going.

I have many hopes for this upcoming year. One is that I will actually be able to add to this blog on a weekly basis. I hope that anyone who reads this will be encouraged and drawn closer to God. I hope that you and your family prosper. I hope that this year, good gains a little ground over the evil in this world. Most of all, I hope you never give up hope.

A little more than two years ago, the Holy Spirit impressed on my wife and I that we were to take a message of hope to those in need. It was at the birth of my second grandson. You may remember that he was an emergency delivery, born not breathing, and had gone without oxygen for approximately 15 minutes. There was little for those involved to hope for. In fact, many came close to accusing us of creating a false hope. The doctors were very emphatic. The mass of data, collected over a ten year period, showed that Caleb would never recover. If he lived, which was doubtful, he would spend his life in a vegetative state. “There is no hope for recovery”, one doctor said. I guess for most, that was all there was to it. He was at the top of his field. He was good at what he did. In, fact, he saw 200-300 cases like Caleb’s every month. Caleb was category 3 – the worse condition. I remember his words, “They do not recover from this.” Yet God had very clearly impressed upon us, “You are to taking a message of hope”.

            Now if you follow my blog at all, (see The-god-of-impossible) you know that he not only lived, but has been pronounced “normal” in all developmental areas - a miracle, an anomaly. At a recent visit, my daughter was told that in over 70,000 cases as bad as Caleb’s, only 5 children had lived. Only one had fully recovered.

            An amazing thing happened at their last visit with the head neurologist. He told them that Caleb’s case is always in the back of his mind. It had given him the possibility of hope. He now at least has a glimmer of hope to give to distraught and anguished parents. He asked to see Caleb once a year, just to see how he is doing as a reminder. He is still amazed, and curious about the whole thing. Hey, in fairness, my wife warned him. The first day we had arrived he had condescendingly told her, “I don’t think you understand how serious Caleb’s condition is”. I remember her gently wagging a finger in front of his face and saying, “And you have no idea what our GOD can do”. I think he understands a little better now. God can do what man thinks is impossible. As for me, I hope this is only the beginning…