Tuesday, May 31, 2005

ABUNDANT THINKING

The following is a really great (and short) story I picked up from Tim Sanders, author of one of my favorite books - Love is the Killer App.

A STORY ABOUT ABUNDANCE THINKING

After giving a talk to CUNA Mutual Group in Orlando this year, I received the following story from Leanna Glenna. It supports the idea that our attitude can determine our altitude when it comes to serving and giving as away of life.

While working from a home office, I frequently use Kinkos and The UPS Storeto print and mail training materials, presentations, proposals, etc. On a rushed Saturday recently, I had some materials for a client that had tobe there by Tuesday AM. I was leaving on a business trip on Sunday, so Saturday was the day for printing and mailing. Kinkos told me that 5 PM wasthe absolute earliest they could complete my order. Ouch! The UPS Store closes at 5 PM. I drove to the UPS Store and asked how late the sole worker would be there.With a smile she asked, "how late do you need me to be here?" I meeklyresponded, " 5:15 or so?" She explained that she had her sister’s car andcould stay as late as needed. "Just bring me the materials when you getthem. I will be here."

At 5:20, I rushed through the door feeling very stressed. Belinda (we are now on first name basis) smiled a gap-toothed David Letterman smile and asked me not to worry. She chatted about her husband and 2 children while she packed, weighed and priced my very important client materials. When she was done, I expressed my sincere thanks and explained how grateful I was for the service she was giving me. She beamed and explained, "This morning, I asked the Lord to give me someone to bless. He gave me you."Belinda understands abundance thinking. I am humbled by her attitude.

Forward this note to a friend and have them visit www.timsanders.com<http://www.timsanders.com/> to sign up for this newsletter!

good stuff Tim - something to think about.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Picking Up Sticks & Other Major Offenses

Numbers 15:32-36 (from the NCT), 32When the Israelites were still in the desert, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and all the people. 32They held the man under guard, because they did not know what do to with him. 33Then the Lord said to Moses “The man must surely die. All the people must kill him by throwing stones at him outside the camp.” 33So all the people took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses.

I met this obscure man last week. His name? I don't have a clue, but he leapt out at me as I was plodding through (sorry, just an honest reaction) the book of Numbers in the Old Testament in my Two Year Bible. I've been reading a One or Two Year Bible for over 15 years, and, I'll be brutally honest. Long about Leviticus I've been known to skim here or there -- and I was definitely in skim mode when this guy jumped out and way-laid me. My initial reaction was - wow - that was brutal. Did God really do that?

Thank God for the grace of the Cross. I've done far worse than pick up sticks for hot tea on the Sabbath.

This contrasts so strongly with the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8). The Jewish leaders had Jesus dead to rights on this one - slam dunk - he's toast. How can He not condemn this woman? Both - committing adultery and working on the Sabbath - were punishable by death. But - how fair were the two laws? The man was picking up wood for a meal for his family - a ticky-tack foul at best. She was picking up a married man.

No real answers here - only questions and awe - the shock and awe of an undeserved grace.

Heaven came down and the grace of God loves me the sinner despite my ongoing sin. His grace is shown to me even though justice would surely say otherwise. Jesus’ love for this woman moves beyond justice. Will we allow ourselves to understand this level of grace, or can we understand it?

Sure took me out of skimming mode. Wonder what else I missed last week.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

The heart of the matter

The more I read the story of Jesus the more I realize he had absolutely no interest in any issue outside the heart, and the religious people around him had no interest in any issue or thought inside the heart.

Last night at my local health club I over-heard a young lady state to her friend "I'm getting married on the beach, as far away from a church as possible. We'll stick a cross in the ground so we can say God is there."

I think most folks are generally turned off by religion, or certainly by over-bearing religion. I don't think people are turned off by God or Jesus, it's the promoters of God that get in the way.

Jesus went to the core or heart of the matter in his dealings with people. Yet the burning questions posed by the religious of his day were concerned about keeping a day holy or what happens when a brother's wife dies, or how much one should be taxed by the government. Details were the rule of the day.

As minister and fellow blogger Joe Cook asked today - why do we get so wrapped up what happens in a building 4 hours out of the week when it's the other 164 hours we need so much help with?

In my heart I know Jesus is minimally concerned with how church is done if it all, and is very concerned with the condition of our heart.

Monday, May 09, 2005

Trial Run

Procrastinators unite - I'm finally writing in my blog. No pics up yet, always have been slow with this computer thing, but we'll get one up soon, hopefully before the '06 Summer Olympics.

I guess life really is a trial run. We learn as we go, repeating the same mistakes over and over again - and either admit them, or not, get prideful or don't.

In my occupation I regularly talk to folks that have built several houses. They tell me you "start" to get the construction process down, get the mistakes worked out, about house Number 3 or 4. I've built one and it's filled with mistakes, but it's also filled with a ton of love.

It is amazing how a book, any book but particularly the Good Book, can speak so differently to you through life, depending on the stuff happening to you at that given moment. Brennan Manning's The Ragamuffin Gospel is speaking powerfully to me right now, and it is probably as much a reason for this blog's title and theme as anything. I purchased this book years ago because I was really digging Rich Mullin's music, flipped through it once, and let it start to gather dust about 10 minutes thereafter. Go figure - I can't put it down right now. Max Lucado is also speaking powerfully to me. I love what Max does, but I've never hung on his every word as I seem to be right now.

If you've found this blog my only question would be why and how.

Haven't found spellcheck yet - I will need to find that soon. Peace and warmth.