Life’s Reversals

The evening of December 9, 1914, an explosion set fire to a large scientific laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey. At least ten buildings were destroyed, along with years of research and development. Property loss alone was estimated at $7 million ($148 million in today’s dollars). “There go all our mistakes,” the laboratory’s founder and CEO said as he watched the blaze. “Although I am 67 years old,” he told a New York Times reporter who was at the scene, “I’ll start all over again tomorrow.” The next morning’s newspaper included a notice that all 7,000 of the lab’s employees were to report for work immediately, to begin rebuilding. A disaster of lesser proportions would have demoralized just about anyone else, but years of trial and error had conditioned Thomas Edison to see disasters as opportunities.

Most of the reversals you and I face aren’t nearly as catastrophic, but they have two things in common with Edison’s inferno. First, regardless of their nature, they present us with a choice: How will we react to our change of circumstances? Second, depending on how we react, such changes inevitably change us for better or for worse.

On the first score, positive thinking and determination are powerful forces for making the most of difficult circumstances, but when we also enlist the help of all-powerful God, our chances for a positive outcome increase exponentially. “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are [right] toward Him.”

On the second score, if we ask God to use every challenge we face to help make us better people, He will. In fact, “Make me better” is one of His favorite prayers to answer.

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2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV – We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Philippians 4:12-13 ESV – I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Who Needs Prayer?

Who needs your prayers? Lots of people do. Among those closest to you, there are probably at least a few who aren’t in good health, or have suffered some personal loss, or are depressed or stressed. And then there are those you hear about in the news and those you pass on the road of life.

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our own concerns that we neglect to look around at the needs of others. This exercise is a remedy to such self-involvement, but it’s more than that; it’s a vehicle for you to reach out and help others.

It starts with a simple premise: God answers prayers.

There are many accounts in the Bible of prayer bringing outstanding results—when Elisha prayed for a sun-stricken child and the boy revived, for example. And Jesus told us, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” The prophet Samuel recognized that neglecting to pray for others is a sin, and Paul set an example by praying often for his coworkers.

Begin this exercise by picturing yourself in the center of a set of concentric circles. You’re in the center, but the focus isn’t on you. Within the first circle are your family and closest friends. It’s probably easy to identify the needs of at least two or three. Make a note. Now picture the next circle, your colleagues and acquaintances. Make a note of their names and needs. Now picture the widest circle, people whom you don’t know personally, but whose needs you are aware of—the woman in a wheelchair who you passed on the street, the homeless family you read about. Make a note.

At this point you probably have a list of about ten people. Pray for these people throughout the coming week. Keep the list where you will notice it, perhaps next to your bed or over the kitchen sink or on your desk.

Take five or ten minutes every day to pray for them. Even a few moments of meaningful, heartfelt prayer can make a big difference in someone’s life. “When a believing person prays, great things happen.”

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1 Timothy 2:1 ESV – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

Ephesians 6:18 ESV – Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Romans 8:26-27 ESV – Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Working with God

The workplace is becoming an increasingly nasty and competitive arena. Too often, honesty and hard work seem to lose out to the pursuit of a quick buck and me-first politicking. But there is another way. The idea that the Bible contains specific guidance for the modern work life is not as incongruous as it might seem. As Joseph and Daniel proved, integrity and diligence can help us succeed and stand out from the crowd.

Have a strong work ethic. Give it your best shot. Instead of doing the minimum, put your all into your responsibilities. “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” “The soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”

Be a self-starter. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.”

Be honest. Bending the rules doesn’t pay in the long run. “Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.”

Don’t dwell on negatives. No job is perfect. “If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

As for that hard-to-get-along-with coworker, the Bible admonishes, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Contentions? “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.”

Feeling restless and bored? God will refresh your spirit. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

Feeling stressed and spent? “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Be patient. God blesses those who do things His way, but not always immediately and not only in dollars and cents. Bible figures Joseph and Daniel both rose to top positions, but neither was an overnight success. “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich.” “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

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2 Peter 3:18 ESV – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

James 2:14 ESV – What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

Winning friends

Question: I want to get along well with others and be liked, but often I don’t know where to begin. How can I build strong connections with people?

Answer: Here are some tips to get you started. The point is not to pretend to be something you’re not, but to make a conscious effort to cultivate qualities that will make people feel at ease and be happy to be around you.

Be polite and courteous. As St. Basil observed, “He who sows courtesy, reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness, gathers love.”

Smile. A sincere smile disarms the guarded, soothes the argumentative, calms the angry, and encourages the downhearted. It sets a positive tone.

Be optimistic. Everyone has enough problems already. People are drawn to upbeat, solution-oriented people.

Be sociable. If you’re shy or withdrawn, focusing on making the other person feel accepted and at ease will help you be less self-conscious.

Be respectful. It’s easy to respect people who you have a lot in common with, but respecting others’ right to think and be different is even more important, as well as more endearing.

Look for the good in others. Everyone has at least a few admirable qualities. Focus on finding those, not finding fault.

Be vocal about others’ good qualities. Everyone needs to know that his or her good qualities are noticed and appreciated. Be generous, sincere, and specific with your compliments.

Lighten up. A person with a good sense of humor is fun to be around. Just be sure your humor doesn’t come at someone else’s expense.

Keep an open mind. Everyone has a right to an opinion. Few arguments are worth winning at the cost of a friendship.

Be humble. Proud, self-promoting people are a pain to be around. Humility is winsome; pride is woeful.

Be a good listener. One of the best ways to show people you care about them is by taking an interest in what they have to say and making an effort to understand and empathize.

Be gracious when others make mistakes. Everybody messes up sometimes. Remember the Golden Rule. What goes around comes around.

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Proverbs 17:17 ESV – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV – A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV – Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

The Drunk at My Window

It was nearly midnight and I was brushing my teeth, already half asleep, when I heard him. He was shouting and mumbling at the same time. Probably a drunk calling to his drinking buddy, I decided.

Half an hour later, I could still hear the man shouting, though I couldn’t make out anything he was saying. Enough was enough! I decided to call the police.

As I passed a window, I saw that the man was standing under a streetlight. He was older than I had imagined, bare-chested in the cold, and yelling right in my direction.

A young man stopped to talk with him. A moment later he took off his jacket and put it on the old man. I was astonished. The two hugged, and I could tell that the young man was praying for the drunk. A couple passed and did a double take, but the young man didn’t seem to care what they were thinking. Eventually the modern-day Good Samaritan put his arm around the old man, as if to say “I’ll get you home,” and with that the two were gone.

I stood at the window awhile longer, thinking about my own Christianity. I had to admit that my reaction to the annoying drunk had fallen far short of what Jesus’ would have been. Jesus wouldn’t have called the police. He would have stopped. He would have talked with the man. He would have given him His coat. He would have listened to him, comforted him, and prayed for him. And it might have changed the old man’s life.

When I eventually went back to bed, I thanked God for sending that young man to help both the drunk and me. And I prayed to do better next time God sends a needy person my way.

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Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. … Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

— Jesus, Matthew 25:34–36, 40

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Luke 10:30-37 ESV – Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Luke 10:27 ESV – And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

The Christian Profile

The Epistle to Diognetus was written by an unnamed Christian to a high-ranking pagan, probably in the late second century. Perhaps the earliest preserved explanation and defense of the Christian faith to a nonbeliever, it provides insight as to how early Christians viewed the world and their place in it. The attributes the author lists in chapter 5, “The Manners of Christians,” provide food for thought for us today. Excerpts from the J.B. Lightfoot translation:

Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric lifestyle. … While they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one’s lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own spiritual citizenship.

They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. … They are “in the flesh,” but do not live “according to the flesh.” They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws.

They love everyone. … They are put to death, yet they are brought to life. … They are in need of everything, yet they abound in everything. … They are dishonored, yet they are glorified in their dishonor. They are slandered, yet they are vindicated. They are cursed, yet they bless. They are insulted, yet they offer respect. … When they are punished, they rejoice as though brought to life. … Those who hate them are unable to give a reason for their hostility.

In a word, what the soul is to the body, Christians are to the world. The soul is dispersed through all the members of the body, and Christians throughout the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, but is not of the body; likewise Christians dwell in the world, but are not of the world. The soul, which is invisible, is confined in the body, which is visible; in the same way, Christians are recognized as being in the world, and yet their religion remains invisible.

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Acts 22:16 KJV – And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 2:38 KJV – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Ephesians 4:29 KJV – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

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“All Things to All People”

The Bible tells us, “Do not be shaped by this world.” It also tells us to “become all things to all people.” At first glance these instructions may seem contradictory, but they can actually complement each other. God does not want us to conform to ungodly attitudes, no matter how prevalent they may be, but He does want us to be attuned to society in ways that allow us to better show His love to others, that we might bring them closer to Him.

The apostle Paul was a good example of this kind of flexibility as he related to and reached a great variety of people. When addressing a predominantly Jewish audience in Antioch, for example, he reminded them of the history of Israel from the time of Moses to the time of David, and then he showed how Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. But when Paul spoke to the Areopagus council in Athens, sophisticated Greeks who would not have been interested in hearing a history of the Jewish people, he began by referring to an altar he had seen in the city, which bore the inscription “To an Unknown God.” Then he quoted Greek poets to show that the attributes of this god—creation, providence, and judgment—were fulfilled in Jesus.

Francis Xavier (1506–1552) also lived the “all things to all men” principle. In order to relate to the Indian people who considered humility a virtue, he wore shabby attire and traveled on foot. When he later visited Japan, however, he found that humility was not considered a virtue and that poverty was despised. So Xavier dressed in fine clothing, brought expensive gifts to the emperor, and traveled at all times with an impressive entourage. He did whatever it took to present Jesus in the best possible light to the people he wanted to reach.

Jesus Himself “became all things to all people” when He left the grand halls of heaven and the intimate fellowship that He shared with His heavenly Father to come to earth in human form. He did this so that He could better relate to us, better understand our problems and weaknesses, and better intercede for us before the throne of God. Jesus wants us to follow His example. He wants us to manifest our love for others by reaching people on their level.

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Philippians 2:5-7 KJV – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV – To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Hebrews 2:17 NIV – For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

People Are Good

I’ve known Alex for four years. He is 24 years old, has cerebral palsy, and is one of our Women’s Club food delivery recipients. Each time I deliver food, we spend an hour or so talking. “If you could go anywhere in the world,” I asked him several times, “where would you go?” His answer was always the same: St. Petersburg, Russia.

Last year he graduated from university with honors. For his extraordinary achievement he received plane tickets for two to St. Petersburg—a gift from a family that had heard about him through the food delivery program.

Alex was beside himself with happiness—so much so that he couldn’t sleep at night. Neither could his mother, who worried about where the money for all of the other trip expenses would come from. Four days in St. Petersburg could cost as much as several months at home, and she didn’t have that kind of savings.

They were looking into shared-accommodation possibilities when the manager of the St. PetersburgMarriott Hotel heard about Alex and offered them a complimentary room for their entire stay, breakfast included, as well as transfers to and from the airport.

A director at my husband’s company organized and paid for a private tour of the city, as well as visits to the Hermitage Museum, one of the finest art museums in the world, and Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great. Memories for a lifetime!

People are good. People want to do good. If a few individuals who didn’t even know each other could make such a difference to Alex, how much more can we do when we unite with the clear purpose of changing lives for the better?

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A man was walking near a beach when he saw a boy bend over, pick something up, and throw it into the ocean. Over and over the boy did this. The man went to see what was going on, and found that countless starfish had been washed onto the beach by the tide. Struck by the apparent futility of the task the boy had taken on, the man said, “You must be crazy! There are hundreds and hundreds of starfish here. You can’t possibly make a difference.” But the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back in the ocean. “I made a difference to that one,” he replied.

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Colossians 3:17 ESV – And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Galatians 6:9 ESV – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Hebrews 10:24 ESV – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Do Not Be Overcome

It’s interesting that the apostle Paul wrote that to the Christians in Rome, because there are some obvious similarities between the social climate of first-century Rome and that of much of the world of today.

Evil was rampant in Rome, and its pull was strong. The Roman Empire hadn’t become the undisputed ruler of the Western world through compassion, kindness, or humility. Wealth was in the hands of a few, and they used it to control the rest. The rich and powerful lived extravagantly while the masses struggled to survive. Perversions and debauchery were practiced by some and ignored by others.

Christianity was just one religion and Christ just one more deity. Considering the pantheon of gods that the Romans worshipped, it must have been difficult to convince anyone that Jesus was “the way, the truth, and the life.”

Starting to sound familiar?

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the evil in the world. Every day we hear about another horrible crime being committed. Meanwhile, the popular media searches for new and more horrific ways to portray violence, perversion, and all manner of evil. Whether it’s a case of art imitating life or vice versa, life has lost its sanctity in the minds of many.

What can we do about a world so overcome with evil? This was the same dilemma that the Christians in Rome faced, and Paul’s counsel to them rings true today. “Overcome evil with good.”

If a dish is dirty, being angry about the situation does nothing to fix it. Neither does trying to ignore it. The only solution is to expose that dirty dish to the power of a little soap and water.

If a room is dark, you can curse the darkness or whine over how unpleasant it is—or you can flip the light switch or open the curtains and let some light in.

It’s the same with society’s evils. We can get discouraged, angry, or depressed—“overcome by evil”—or we can be a force for good, even if only through personal example. Not every dirty dish will be cleaned, and not every darkened heart will be enlightened, but we can each do our part day by day, person by person, decision by decision.

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Romans 12:17-20 – Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:21 ESV – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Ambassadors of Love

Through His children, God is trying to show the world what He is like. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Jesus came to love the world, and He calls us to do likewise in every facet of life. The only way that others will ever find His joy and peace and love and happiness and heaven is through us.

No matter where we are from, if we have Jesus, we are now His ambassadors and represent the King of kings, the One who runs the universe.

What was Jesus’ last message to His disciples at the Last Supper, just before He was arrested, taken to jail, beaten, and killed? “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” He talked about love, that love was the most important thing.

Those first Christians turned the world upside down with the love of God. The way they lived convinced others that their faith was real. Even their Roman persecutors marveled. “Look at how these Christians love one another!” “Who is this Christ?” they asked the Christians. “And how does He make you so happy? Even though you have nothing, you’ve got everything! How can I find this kind of happiness too?” And within two hundred years, one out of five people in the Western world were professing Christians.

Today, nearly two thousand years later, the heart of man is still the same. So many people are searching for love, but seldom, if ever, finding it. People everywhere are looking around for some little ray of hope, some salvation, some bright spot somewhere, a little love, a little mercy, someplace where they can find some relief. We who have found God and His love have what others have been searching for all their lives and need desperately, and if we can show them that love exists, then they can believe that God exists, because God is love.

Even the little things you do can mean a lot. The light of your smile, the kindness of your face, the influence of your life can shed light on many and have an amazing effect on some of the people you think might be the least likely to be impressed. When they feel your love and you tell them it’s God’s love, they think, Maybe Somebody up there really does love me! It can change their whole outlook on life and give them a new start.

May we always be known by our love.

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John 13:35 KJV – By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Romans 13:10 KJV – Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.

Hebrews 13:1 – Let brotherly love continue.

Because You Can

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

The first time I read these words, I remember thinking they didn’t make sense. That was going to change.

My mom and I had gotten on a bus, and as we walked down the aisle looking for two empty seats together, I noticed a young mother with a toddler and a baby. The toddler was obviously bored, and his mother was struggling to keep him seated while also trying to make her baby more comfortable.

We took seats directly behind them, and I selected a playlist on my MP3 player, hoping to tune out the distraction and enjoy the ride. But soon the baby’s whimpers turned to loud crying. I was getting annoyed.

The young mother looked stressed and embarrassed, but was that any of my business? No one else on the bus seemed to think it was any of theirs—except for my mom, who went and sat next to the struggling mother.

They had been talking for a few minutes when the woman turned in her seat. Tears were streaming down her cheek. I turned off my MP3 player and leaned in closer to hear what she was saying.

She was making the three-hour bus ride with her children in order to visit her husband, who was in jail. She was out of money and hadn’t been able to buy milk for the baby or lunch for herself and her son. I wondered if Mom believed her. Some people will say anything for a handout.

Mom reached into her purse and produced an apple, which she handed to the little boy. Then she pressed some money into the woman’s hand.

“Marianne,” she said, turning to me, “these people are changing buses at the same station as we are. Can you help the little boy?”

I looked at his dirty hair and stained clothes. Couldn’t he just follow on his own?Then another line from that poem came to me.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

The bus stopped, and I bent down and scooped the little boy into my arms. It might not mean anything to him, but I could still choose to do good. I could show love anyway.

“Thanks,” the little fellow said, laying his head on my shoulder. We saw them to their next bus and waved as they pulled out.

Now I understand. Love gives because it can.

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John 13:34 ESV – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Hebrews 13:1-2 ESV – Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Psalm 119:132-136 ESV – Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Being Neighborly

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite [temple assistant], when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan [a member of an ethnic and religious group shunned by Jews of that time], as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.”

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?

—Jesus, The Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30–36.

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With the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help, regardless of race, creed, color, nationality, condition, or location. If we have love, we can’t just pass by someone in need; we’ll take action, like the Samaritan did. That’s the difference between pity and compassion. Pity just feels sorry; compassion does something about it. The compassionate put feet to their prayers and kind deeds to their kind words.

Love is making a connection between God and somebody who needs His love, and we do that by showing others His real love and manifesting it by genuine proving action. “The love of Christ compels us.”

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What does love look like? It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to help the poor and needy. That is what love looks like.
—Saint Augustine

If you’d stop to think about it, you’d probably be surprised at how many thoughtful little things you could find to do for others that would cost almost nothing and take almost no time. Become a master of the five-minute favor.
—Shannon Shayler

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Luke 10:30-36 NIV – In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

Jesus’ Yoke

I had read that passage from the Bible I don’t know how many times. I memorized it years ago, and it has often appeared on these pages. “Come to Me [Jesus], all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Then I read something that helped me see those verses in a new light.

Philip Yancey writes, “I used to believe that Christianity solved problems and made life easier. Increasingly, I believe that my faith complicates life, in ways it should be complicated. As a Christian, I cannot not care about the environment, about homelessness and poverty, about racism and religious persecution, about injustice and violence. God does not give me that option.”

Yancey goes on to quote that old familiar passage, which he explains this way: “Jesus offers comfort, but the comfort consists of taking on a new burden, His own burden. Jesus offers a peace that involves new turmoil, a rest that involves new tasks.”

What new tasks? Jesus summed them up when He summed up the Christian faith: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”—our “neighbor” being anyone we are in a position to help. Loving others as much as we love ourselves doesn’t come naturally and seldom is easy, but it’s one of the keys to happiness, fulfillment, and success in life.

Take Jesus’ yoke. Give Him yours. It’s the best trade you’ll ever make.

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Matthew 11:28-30 ESV – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Psalm 55:22 ESV – Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Galatians 6:2 ESV – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

2018 - Father's Day

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Announcement

Helping Hand Project 
Duration: May - July 2018
Target: RM2500.00
Theme: Extend A Hand of Hope. (Helping the children of Malaysia and Myanmar)
Details: Walkathon card is out. Please see Sis Jasinta fore more information. Thank you.

Malaysia Youth Camp 2018

Date: 20-23 June 2018 (Wed-Sat)

Venue: The Kabin, Jeram, Selangor
Details: Kindly take note that the van will be departing from PCH at 8:00am

Bring Back the Joy

Question: I feel less happy than I did when I was younger. How can I regain some of the joy of life that I’ve lost?

Answer: At some point, most adults have looked at a child playing blissfully and wished they could turn back the clock. Children at play look happy, carefree, and thrilled about life. They laugh a lot, are easily entertained, and get excited about the simplest things. They have their problems and hurts too, of course, but they are resilient. Children live in the moment and generally spend more time being happy than adults. Here are a few ways you can recapture some of that childhood magic.

Rediscover the world around you. Take a closer look at things that form the backdrop of your days—buds on the tree you pass on your way to the car, rays of morning sun through the kitchen window, white clouds against a cerulean sky, the spiderweb on the drain spout.

Savor your food. Don’t just eat and run; slow down long enough to think about and enjoy it. When was the first time you had that dish? What favorites do you have now that you didn’t like as a child?

Learn something. Children don’t have time to get into ruts because they’re too busy discovering new things. Take up a new hobby or activity. Read a new author. Travel, if only vicariously via travelogue.

Reward yourself. Set a goal for the week and pick out a reward for when you reach it. Anticipation is one of the best incentives, and it works at any age.

Talk to a child. If you want a fresh perspective, ask a child about almost anything. Wit, wisdom, imagination, hope, pathos—they’ve got it all. Don’t be surprised if you are revisited by some of your own childhood thoughts.

Take downtime. Your world won’t come crashing down if you stop doing and accomplishing for a few minutes. Relax. Contemplate happy thoughts. Let your imagination run wild.

Be thankful for small things. A child can be delighted by a cheap gift, a chance to go outdoors, a bit of attention, a free swing at the park. Think of the little things you enjoy, and give thanks.

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Romans 15:13 ESV – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

John 16:24 ESV – Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

1 Peter 1:8 ESV – Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.