The Least of These

I saw a show on TV the other day called I Survived. I love this show...it has story after story of people who beat the odds and survive the most dangerous, horrible, unimaginable circumstances.

This particular episode had a story about a missionary in Haiti. He was from California. He lived in Haiti at least 6 months out of the year, running an organization that helped the needy (pretty much 90% of the population in Haiti). He worked with people in the slums, in the ghettos, and in the gangland.

One night he was driving through some gang territories to bring a small child to an airport to get him to the United States for eye surgery that would save his vision, possibly his life. Suddenly gunfire broke out all around him. He himself was shot, although the child was uninjured.

He was being kidnapped for ransom. The gang members asked for $300,000. The missionary had to laugh; he tried explaining he was a missionary, his organization had no money! Eventually he was released for $3000.00, and was able to bring the child to the United States for surgery.

I saw how these people lived. I saw the cardboard shanties and the nasty water. Now these people definitely qualify as "the least of these."

But you don't have to go to Haiti to find people in need. If the Lord calls you there, great!  But the "least of these" are all around you.  You just need to have the eyes to see them:

The woman whose husband just walked out on her and their children, leaving her a single mom working 3 jobs to keep her children fed and clothed.

The soldier's wife, raising a baby alone while her husband is overseas, serving our country.

The homeless man you pass on the street every day on your way to work. Have you ever really seen him?

The elderly man with no family left. No one to visit him. No one to cheer him up in the old folk's home.

The chronically ill. Those who can't leave their homes without help. The shut-in. The sick. The imprisoned.  You may be the only “Jesus” some people ever know. If someone is homebound, or in a nursing home, they can’t get to church.  They don’t hear the Word regularly.  They may be totally alone in this world. YOU could make all the difference.

It’s not always comfortable to do these things.  You may need to go out of your comfort zone a little.  Or a lot.  But if God is calling you to do it (and according to His Word He is), prepare to be uncomfortable.  

How comfortable do you think Jesus was on that cross?

What you do (or don't do) to “the least of these”, you do unto the LORD Himself.

Matthew 25: 40 “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it unto Me.”

Who Can You Help?

There are two things I've never been accused of:  speaking too gently, and not having enough passion. So. Read at your own risk. 

Do you know what the problem with people in this country is?  Lack of commitment.  People will get married because they can always get divorced.  People can sign up for something because they can always quit.  Everything in our society is geared toward immediate gratification from microwave ovens to overnight delivery.

I corrected inmate Bible lessons for almost 15 years.  Now, I write inmates via Christian Pen Pals.  Why?  Because I can, and because as a Christian, it is my DUTY to do what Jesus commands.  A couple of my pen pals are lifers.  So I may be writing them for the rest of my days.  Might I get sick of it?  I might.  Will I quit?  NO.  Why?  Because I made a commitment. And because it's the right thing to do.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. “ Hebrews 13:2-3

There are many people who will sign up to volunteer for these two specific hours once every two months because then they can appease their conscience and check off their "I volunteered" column on their Christian "to-do" duty list.

Hear me clearly:  You don't have to help me.  I am finding my own way with the help of a few friends.  But for the love of GOD, help SOMEONE.  And KEEP helping them.  Someone with chronic illness, barring the direct Hand of God, will not get better overnight (ergo the name "chronic" illness).  EVER.  A person who has a life sentence in prison will never get out. Therefore, the need does not go away. But I can promise you the volunteers do.

Jesus said in Matthew 25:43-45:
 ^"I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
  “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"

Let that really sink in.  Read it again.  Ponder it in your heart.  That voice you’re hearing? It’s the Holy Spirit.  You know what he’s telling you to do.

I realize that some seasons of life are different than others, and you may be able to help one person for a while, and then circumstances change and you can't help that person anymore.  But that doesn't give you the choice to just check out.  Find someone else to help.  Everyone can do something.  You don't have to help everyone.  You don't have to have super powers and you can't save the world.  But YOU, yes, YOU reading this, might be the ONE person who can help to make a life-changing, Christ-like difference in someone's life. 

Please find them. 

They are there.

They are waiting.

They need YOU.

If you are interested, here is the link to Christian PenPals.  http://www.cppministry.com/ Please consider writing to someone who may, as of right now, have absolutely no Hope.

What Will They Say?

I've heard this song before, but I was listening to the radio this morning while I was doing some stuff on the computer, and the lyrics just jumped out at me.  I hope this doesn't sound pious or uppity or whatever, but I truly want to be remembered this way. (Not trying to be morbid or anything...)

I have seen recently some examples of genuine hearts, giving souls, even though these people are suffering as they give...and it's really inspired me to be even more like Christ.  To take care of those in need.  To help the least of these.

Live Like That by Sidewalk Prophets

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I would challenge everyone reading this to really think about this.  I know that not all of my readers are "Christians", but those of you who know me know I am, and that I share my faith on my blog frequently.  It has helped me deal with this illness.  God gives me Hope.  And without that... I wouldn't be here.

I want so much to be physically stronger so I can do more to help "the least of these"....But I will do what I can.  We can all do something. 

 

Meet The Needs

I heard this song on the radio the other day and I about stopped my car. This is my life theme song right here. This is my message. It is ALL about the least of these: the widow, the orphan, the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the sick, the imprisoned... This song is amazing! I put a link to the youtube video so you can hear it, but if you don't get video I wanted to make sure you at least got the lyrics.

I'll be working on a video message this and next week, and figuring out how to get it onto a disc. Then I can send them out to different churches, and hopefully start motivating people to get out and help those less fortunate. Oh, and in the video, these guys go to Cambodia. Some people are called to go to the ends of the earth, others just need to go to the end of their road.

Or their comfort zone.

Follow You by Leeland with Brandon Heath

You live among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

All my needs you have supplied.
When I was dead you gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?

And I`ll.....
Follow you into the homes of the broken.
Follow you into the world.
I'll meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the world.

Use my hands, use my feet
To make your kingdom come.
To the corners of the earth;
Until your work is done.

`Cause faith without works is dead
And on the cross your blood was shed
So how could we not give it away so freely?

And I`ll...
Follow you into the homes of the broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the world.

Follow you into the homes of the broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the world.

I give all myself.
I give all myself
I give all myself...to you.

And I give all myself.
Yes I give all myself.
And I give all myself...to you.

And I`ll.....
Follow you into the homes of the broken
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the world.

Follow you into the homes of the broken
Follow you into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.....

Youtube link

Two Choices

I got this in an e-mail this morning, and it goes perfectly with a short analogy I was going to write. It's a bit long, and you may have read it before, but humor me. And grab a tissue.

Two Choices

What would you do? My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

“When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?”

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. “I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.”

Then he told the following story:

“Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball was the smallest guy on their team, and now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

“That day”, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, “the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world”.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.' So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

What came to mind this morning is an analogy you've probably heard before, but it bears repeating. If I had $20.00 to give you, crisp and clean from the bank, would you take it?

Of course. Now what if I crinkled it up and offered it to you. Still worth $20.00, right?

What if I dropped it on the floor, stepped on it, got it all dirty and maybe a little damp. So now it's a crumpled, damp, crinkled up mess. But...it's still worth $20.00, am I right? Would you still want it? Of course!

My point is this: we are not all crisp, clean, new $20.00 bills from the bank. Some of us are worn. Some of us may be a bit faded. Some of us are smudged with dirt, a little messy, less than perfect.

But we all have the same value.

Don't EVER let anyone tell you you are LESS THAN because you have an illness, disease, disability, whatever. Don't EVER let yourself feel LESS THAN. Because you are not. You are VALUABLE, just the way you are.

True Thankfulness

Matthew 25: 40 “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it unto Me.”

I saw a show on TV the other day called I Survived. (I love this show...it's story after story of people who beat the odds and survive the most dangerous, horrible, unimaginable circumstances.)

This particular episode had a story about a missionary in Haiti. He was from California. He lived in Haiti at least 6 months out of the year, running an organization that helped the needy (pretty much 90% of the population in Haiti). He worked with people in the slums, in the ghettos, and in the gangland.

One night he was driving through some gang territories to bring a small child to an airport to get him to the United States for eye surgery that would save his vision, possibly his life. Suddenly gunfire broke out all around him. He himself was shot, although the child was uninjured.

He was being kidnapped for ransom. The gang members asked for $300,000. The missionary had to laugh; he tried explaining he was a missionary, his organization had no money! Eventually he was released for $3000.00, and was able to bring the child to the US for surgery.

I saw how these people lived. I saw the cardboard shanties and the nasty water. Now, especially, after the horrible earthquake and cholera outbreak, these people definitely qualify as "the least of these."

But you don't have to go to Haiti to find the least of these. Look around you.

The woman whose husband just walked out on her and their children, leaving her a single mom working 3 jobs to keep her children fed and clothed.

The soldier's wife, raising a baby alone while her husband is overseas.

The homeless man you pass on the street every day on your way to work. Have you ever really seen him?

The elderly man with no family left. No one to visit him. No one to cheer him up in the old folk's home.

The chronically ill. Those who can't leave their homes without help. The shut-in. The ill. The imprisoned.

What you do (or don't do) to these, you do unto the LORD Himself.

Please be mindful of all we have to be thankful for, and reach out to someone who may need YOU to be Jesus with skin on.