luke 14:
but, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
it started two years ago with my dear friend caroline's idea to make her birthday an occasion to have a christmas party for the homeless, the lonely. her and another friend, nichole were showered with donations and blessings of over 100 coats, yummy food, decorations etc for us to use there. it was a wonderful experience, opening up a building our church owns to invite in those who had nowhere to go and no one to be with during this time of the year.
the next year, i took the reigns and my "don't take no for an answer" drive, and was blessed by how the surrounding business community agreed to be involved. 60 pizzas, two large honey baked hams, lots and lots of starbucks coffee, and sweet treats from local bakeries were donated. several of us sacrificed or "christmas budget" and instead bought gloves and small books to give as presents.
this year, marks the third year that my friends and i are hosting a christmas party for those who have no where to go and no one to be with, and show them the love of Christ, the value they have.
our church doesn't have a choir, instead we have worship teams that alternate weekends, but, by golly, the unofficial choir is performing, our pastor is speaking, and God is good.
in all of my travels, all the places i have been, and, i'm going to go ahead and speak for caroline too, in all her travels, her time on the mercy ship, one thing remains: full belly, or empty belly, let us also focus on filling the heart. let us also take the hand, hug the shoulder, and pat the back. let us offer a smile, a sincere greeting, wherever we are, not just in this season. many people that come, just want to be listed to, just want eye contact, for someone to devote attention to them when they talk--even if they aren't talking about "anything".
last year, we had approximately 150 men, women, and children show up. we say, bring more! there are more than 150 with no home and no family; God will provide.
i read somewhere that americans will spend about 450 billion---billion...B....this year at christmas. that's a lot of stuff. this sounds terribly cliched, but, let us give this christmas away.
there are many tears, rolling down chapped, cold cheeks, there are many cold hands, many tattered sweaters and falling-apart jackets. there are many tired feet that walk up and down the streets everyday looking for a place of warmth.
i think of Jesus, and i think of His question, "what is easier to say, "get up and walk" or "your sins are forgiven"--He had the power to do both, He did both. He has also equipped us to do blessings in His name, so, i ask, what is easier, to open up a building for a few hours or to open up your heart to these wonderful people in need. they know when someone is paying "lip-service" to them, and they know when someone truly cares. let us care, let us love. let us be His hands and feet.
this past sunday was my first sunday in a church since i have been back. it was difficult. the climate control, the walls, the nice clothing, etc. my heart ached. i left several times, and prayed. prayed. prayed. after the service was over, i was talking to a friend and a small girl came running up to me, cute little puffed hair with little clips in it, clunky boots, big brown eyes, soft brown skin, and she wrapped her arms around me, and buried her head just below my chest, where it reached. and i hugged her back, holding one shoulder and embracing her with my other arm. she looked up, smiled and walked away. and i smiled, and thanked God for that message.
there is always someone in need of a sweet smile, a pat on the back, a listening ear, kind words, a hug....sometimes it's us that needs the hug. and it's always us who are asked to give it, at all times.
if you'd like to help, hands-on, with the Luke 14 christmas party, then, it's saturday december 17th at belmont in the fellowship hall from 1-4. if you'd like to help, and can't be there in person, we are always taking donations, in any form: monetary (in person, or paypal to the right ----->), baked goods, treats, etc.
"safeguarding the rights of others is the most beautiful beginning and end of a human being"--khalil gibran
“to love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. if you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. but in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. it will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. to love is to be vulnerable.” --c.s. lewis
and, to quote the signature of the email of a lovely family i know:
"the will know us by our love"
let's go. be. love. :)
but, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
it started two years ago with my dear friend caroline's idea to make her birthday an occasion to have a christmas party for the homeless, the lonely. her and another friend, nichole were showered with donations and blessings of over 100 coats, yummy food, decorations etc for us to use there. it was a wonderful experience, opening up a building our church owns to invite in those who had nowhere to go and no one to be with during this time of the year.
the next year, i took the reigns and my "don't take no for an answer" drive, and was blessed by how the surrounding business community agreed to be involved. 60 pizzas, two large honey baked hams, lots and lots of starbucks coffee, and sweet treats from local bakeries were donated. several of us sacrificed or "christmas budget" and instead bought gloves and small books to give as presents.
this year, marks the third year that my friends and i are hosting a christmas party for those who have no where to go and no one to be with, and show them the love of Christ, the value they have.
our church doesn't have a choir, instead we have worship teams that alternate weekends, but, by golly, the unofficial choir is performing, our pastor is speaking, and God is good.
in all of my travels, all the places i have been, and, i'm going to go ahead and speak for caroline too, in all her travels, her time on the mercy ship, one thing remains: full belly, or empty belly, let us also focus on filling the heart. let us also take the hand, hug the shoulder, and pat the back. let us offer a smile, a sincere greeting, wherever we are, not just in this season. many people that come, just want to be listed to, just want eye contact, for someone to devote attention to them when they talk--even if they aren't talking about "anything".
last year, we had approximately 150 men, women, and children show up. we say, bring more! there are more than 150 with no home and no family; God will provide.
i read somewhere that americans will spend about 450 billion---billion...B....this year at christmas. that's a lot of stuff. this sounds terribly cliched, but, let us give this christmas away.
there are many tears, rolling down chapped, cold cheeks, there are many cold hands, many tattered sweaters and falling-apart jackets. there are many tired feet that walk up and down the streets everyday looking for a place of warmth.
i think of Jesus, and i think of His question, "what is easier to say, "get up and walk" or "your sins are forgiven"--He had the power to do both, He did both. He has also equipped us to do blessings in His name, so, i ask, what is easier, to open up a building for a few hours or to open up your heart to these wonderful people in need. they know when someone is paying "lip-service" to them, and they know when someone truly cares. let us care, let us love. let us be His hands and feet.
this past sunday was my first sunday in a church since i have been back. it was difficult. the climate control, the walls, the nice clothing, etc. my heart ached. i left several times, and prayed. prayed. prayed. after the service was over, i was talking to a friend and a small girl came running up to me, cute little puffed hair with little clips in it, clunky boots, big brown eyes, soft brown skin, and she wrapped her arms around me, and buried her head just below my chest, where it reached. and i hugged her back, holding one shoulder and embracing her with my other arm. she looked up, smiled and walked away. and i smiled, and thanked God for that message.
there is always someone in need of a sweet smile, a pat on the back, a listening ear, kind words, a hug....sometimes it's us that needs the hug. and it's always us who are asked to give it, at all times.
if you'd like to help, hands-on, with the Luke 14 christmas party, then, it's saturday december 17th at belmont in the fellowship hall from 1-4. if you'd like to help, and can't be there in person, we are always taking donations, in any form: monetary (in person, or paypal to the right ----->), baked goods, treats, etc.
"safeguarding the rights of others is the most beautiful beginning and end of a human being"--khalil gibran
“to love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. if you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. but in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. it will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. to love is to be vulnerable.” --c.s. lewis
and, to quote the signature of the email of a lovely family i know:
"the will know us by our love"
let's go. be. love. :)
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