A “Let Us” Salad Is Healthy!

It’s that time of year when we start thinking about gardening. As spring means greater warmth and sunshine, it is also a time for planting. April showers produces me flowers, as the saying goes. Preparing the soil music as important as planting seeds.

It’s a great time to be outdoors as well. Breaking out all of the patio furniture and cleaning up the grill is a favorite for most people; Spring cleaning can be motivating. I especially love the sunrises and sunsets that we can see. God’s blessings are new each morning! 

Newness can be found afresh in 2021 when we have gone through they terribly difficult year with a pandemic and civil unrest, we have not seen such incredible news events in our lifetime! Yet, there is good news on the horizon! 

I’m reminded of the story of The Good Shepherd from Matthew 18. In this account we find the disciples arguing as to who his greatest. Yet, we see the response from Jesus in the form of a story!

Sheep tending was a common practice in ancient biblical days. In those days it was a highly honored position among the most lowly of status positions. you were in trusted with the welfare of some of the most honorable of creatures, the sheep. 

There are three things that come to mind as I think about this but first let me tell you a joke. **What do sheep like to eat? Think about that for a minute as I break down further what my three thoughts are. I’ll tell you the punchline soon. 

Similar we find in Hebrews chapter 10 the importance of understanding sheep in the meaning of the parable.

 - Flock Together. Sheep we’re safest when they were with the great Shepherd but even been together as a Flock meant a certain level of safety versus being left alone.

 - Encourage One Another. The metaphor that we find is that Jesus encouraged his disciples to stay together for the purpose of encouraging one another. Did you know that there are over 70 “one another“ sayings in the Bible? Certainly it is something that we need to do. 

You may ask, how do we know if someone needs encouragement? I love what S. Truitt Cathy said, founder of Chick-fil-A. He said we can tell if someone needs encouragement if they are still breathing! 

**What do sheep like to eat? Baaaaanaaaanaaas! 😂

 - Have compassion for the lost. We also find that Jesus left the 99 other sheep for that one that had been separated from the flock. Why did it matter? After all, he had 99 which was a pretty reasonable profit for a businessman. But those that tend to the sheep do not see this as mere prophets. Neither did Jesus when he said that one who has left the flock is important! He risked going after the one, who may, metaphorically speaking be you or me! 

What is this have to do with a vegetable salad? In Hebrews chapter 10 we find four types of “Let us”. This is likened to a food, it is vita nurisent to our spiritual nourishment; a food staple.

Let us: Draw Near- vs 23 (to God)
Let us: Hold Fast- vs 24 (to truth/from the world)
Let us: Consider one another- vs 24 (to others)
Let us: Not neglect meeting together. vs 24

Do Good = The word “good” appears 749 times throughout the books of the Bible.

Here are the 40 most encouraging Bible scriptures on doing good. :: 40 Encouraging Bible Scriptures on Doing Good – ConnectUS

2020 was a rough year and there is hope in the spring of 2021.

Given all the new language that we have come to understand during the COVID year, allow me tell you some of the good things that God is doing!

In this new day in which we live, we are learning new terms. Let me reflect on this and offer new hope from the lesson on The Good Shepherd and the “Let us” salad. Please hold the tomatoes! 

2020 has taught us new terms that we are now using every day and I vocabulary. Terms like social distancing and mandatory masks, and, like never before we have heard from the CDC.

We may have been issued executive orders to require us to quarantine because of COVID-19; instructing us to wear a mask to prevent the spread have a deadly virus; and to distance ourselves from one another! But I tell you this, that’s social isolation might prevent the spread of a deadly germ but we cannot escape death, Eternity has always been knocking at our door!

The face-mask may prevent the spread of the germ but there is good news, we should be spreading the seed of life to everyone. It is good news because of Jesus Christ! What if we could get the gospel to spread like a wild virus?!

We need to remember that only in Christ do we have the right PPE — Personal Protection Equipment - which is prayer and worship as well as through the reading of His Word; We can have our sins forgiven, God eternal PPP - Payment Protection Plan (because He paid it all!) and by his blood we are healed!

In the age of the cancel culture, God has cancelled our sin and redeemed us through Jesus! The World may want to cancel you but God reconciles everyone unto Himself! We are redeemed through His Blood! They may try to cancel your message but God‘s truth cannot be ignored!

We know that every life matters to God, #BlackLivesMatter do indeed matter, as does the life of the unborn! God our Creator, who has knit us together while in our mothers womb and has gifted us through the power of the Holy Spirit for every good work!

While tensions and worries seem to be on the decline there is talk of “herd”immunity through vaccine! Yet, I am here to encourage you that there is only one remedy to the deadly results of sin - which is through Jesus Christ alone. His grace and shed blood is sufficient. You don’t need a second dose because he has done all that is necessary, once and for always!
We can come together as a church to benefit from “flock” immunity!

In spite of all the “fake news” there is GOOD NEWS! 
I owed a debt I could not pay. I needed someone to wash my sins away! **Jesus has paid the debt the He did not  own!**

Life is fleeting! I am reminded that we need to make the best of the times as we have them, moments matter! 

Religion and ritual alone will not save us. Communion with Jesus and his church is necessary. It’s about a relationship. It’s about hearing his voice and staying together that we can be found in the safety of The Great Shepherd, Jesus.

Time Is Fleeting.

Time is always constant. There are 86,400 seconds each day that are given to everyone, no matter who they are!  No matter what you do to save time, it passes on. Companies push for more efficient ways of delivering services and solutions in efforts to save time. The last time you were in a fast food lane or sitting at a stop light, how did you use your time? 

Investing in people is what really matters. A friend of mine once used to say, You impress people from a dis trance, you impact them up close.” This has become my motto. I usually follow that saying by the words: impact people!

How we use those precious fleeting moments is up you. When they pass, they cannot be made up. I am grateful that God gives us the choose to invest in these moments. Each moment passed may be a missed opportunity. There are many times that we feel like we need to take some time to watch a movie series or even the NAIA Basketball games. Time marches on no matter what. 

Many reason that certain kind of activities are better than other ones but in reality, time is no respect to people, it is equally distributed on a daily basis. It is what we invest in that may determine the lasting impact of our use of time. Like money, once we cash it in, it is gone. We may be able to make more money but it is how we invest it that matters.

 

I love the saying, “What we do here echoes for eternity!” It is how we steward the use of time, and money, that matters. If we are intent on investing time into someone, in God’s scale, it is never really wasted. It is an investment in someone that really makes the difference. 

What we do here today echoes for eternity!  (Psalm 90:12)

What keeps you busy? How do you choose to use your 86,400 seconds each day?

Weather Changes But Not God!

I love experiencing all four seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall are all favorites for me. Yet, I enjoy winter most of all. I love the fresh-fallen snow and the purity it reflects that often reminds me of what Isaiah wrote about my sin, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18) It is my reminder of the joy I feel knowing of God’s Grace for you and me! 

For Hoosiers, we may experience each season in any given week. If you don’t like today’s weather, just wait, it will change could be our state motto. We are all like the typical people of the mid-west, we are too often settled in our spirit about the weather. We complain that is it too cold or too hot. We are not content with what we have because in every season, there is blessings we receive whether we receive fresh fallen snow or rain, sun or shade. 

When we reflect on the incredible grace God gives us, we can rejoice evermore. Take a look at the blog entry from a while ago. 

Seasons change, they come and go but there are some things that never change! One is the loving, grace-filled, faithfulness of God’s Word and His Love. (Hebrews 13:8) thankfully God does not change! His love for us is constant and sure. We can trust Him for what He gives is always right. 

Do you like change? How does it help knowing that His Word (the Bible) does not change?

Recipe For Life!

Family recipes are best kept secrets. They are passed down over generations to family. These recipes are very personal and must be followed exactly as written. If followed correctly, the taste is exact! It is unmistakable and unique in taste and quality. 

Similarly, family legacies are passed down from generation ti generation! 

Family secrets are not always negative. They are best kept secrets that reflect quality in character and quality of love. Both for one another and others, family is central. I have met many families and enjoy the stories of where their family originates. 

Sometimes we get hung up on negative past experiences. These are not supposed to be what defines out identity but they do define our future. We can determine how we handle those experiences. With God, we can find redemptive outcomes. If we remain bitter, we become prisoners to those circumstances. Yet, it may very well be that there is a hopeful outcome just around the corner.

Doing genealogy tracing has yielded family secrets of revolutionary and civil war heroes. I have discovered legacies and stories that have changed how I even view my current narrative. I feel blessed by what has been a part of my family tree. 

When I ask about our family tree from my elders, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and parents, I am often impressed by the many times they have maintained faith through hardships and terrible tragedies. Even negative stories offer redemptive hope. The stories are a part of who we are today. 

There is a recipe for life eternal that is not asecret yet few find it. This is also passed down to generations but it shows the way to eternal life. It begins with God’s plan thatsays, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” (Read more at John 3:16-17)

What family recipes do you have hidden away?How do you feel knowing that God loves you? 

Good Habits ....

Good habits are hard to make but easy to break! It is said that it takes weeks to develop a new habit through consistent practice. It only take one bad day to break a habit. 

All habits are based on choices. I often tell those I speak to in my prison work, be careful what choices you make; they may become the prison cell of life you will occupy. Choices have consequences. This is true for everyone, there are both good and bad consequences. 

In our society today, we don’t want to talk about consequences. Often I hear about God’s grace as if there are no results to the choices we make. Of course we realize that we cannot defy gravity. If we step off the end of the cliff we are certain to fall to great peril.

Even on a spiritual level, choices can result in that outcomes. We are, after all humans resulting from the fall of mankind. Even if we deny this theology, we can see through natural law sickness and tragedy. These too are too often the results of choices we or others have made. (While I understand that not all sickness is based on negative choices.) 

Choices, while different for everyone, are afforded equal status for everyone. We all have the freedoms to choice. Reading the Bible is one choice that renders a good return on your time. God’s Word “never returns empty.” (Isaiah 59:11) Choices that are based on a firm foundation are often positive. We learn from the mistakes of others so to avoid them. We learn wisdom from ancient proverbs and principles. These Truths are found in the Bible.  

What are your bad habits? What good habits might you start today?

What is Truth?

The weather is not easy to predict. On days we expect sun, we get clouds and rain. If you Live in Indiana, as I do, you learn that if you don’t like the weather, give it time & it will change. You learn to expect and settle for anything that comes your way.  I am told that there are only two professions that are not held to accurate predictions; Meteorologist and I will let you guess the other…. 

When Jesus was before His accusers and Pontius Pilate was deciding His fate, this Roman Governor asked, What is Truth?  (John 18:38) The question is as profound as the answer that Jesus gave. Pilot was in search of greatness and likely learned that being powerful was not all that there was. His expectations came up short.Having to preside over the greatest of all verdicts, Pilot was simply an actor in the greatest story ever written. Did pilot know something that others did not? Was he aware of how monumental his verdict would be in all of history? 

The Truth is often sought but only those that seek can find it. It begins with a quest through the good book, The Bible. No matter the quest or where you come from, the pursuit for that which is real, and ever so illusive, is the journey many, and perhaps all, begin. Few find the road less traveled. Unlike the classic Beatles song, “The Long and Winding Road” where most travel but only few find the end and are satisfied. It the Bible, Jesus says that He is the Truth. 

Jesus is worth the pursuit! What answers do you seek? When you seek Truth, where do you begin?

Breakfast With Jesus.

 I love a good meal with friends. It isn’t really the food that draws me to the table, it is Friendship. It is being accepted and loved. It is about the fellowship of a good friend. No matter what you say to a good friend, they will always care. 

Jesus often ate with His disciples. On one occasion Jesus actually made breakfast. It was after His death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead that He shared a good meal and conversation. (John 21:12 NASV) I wish I could have eves-dropped in their conversations. I wonder what they talked about. 

We only have but a shadow of what was said but I imagine it was filled with grace and love, friendship that is both forgiving and kind. Having a meal with Jesus would have been burnishing to not only my body but also for my soul.

What would you order for breakfast with Jesus if you could? How would the conversation begin?

Three Little Words!

Three little words can make a world of difference if spoken correctly. These three words can solve conflict and enhance the spirit of good will and care for others. Love can be cheap but true love is both true and eternal. In the english language the word love is used to describe everything from pizza to possessions, things and experiences. The love of God is eternal. 

God‘s love is different. Packed in those four little letters are sacrifice, commitment, patience, and the list goes on. These qualities originate with God! Love motivates and is measured by both actions and meaningful expressions. The kind of love God gives is everlasting. Is is not selfish not does it envy! (1 Corinthians 13 completes the list of attributes.) 

Can you hear God say, I love you? What are you willing to give up two show true and lasting love?

Equal Opportunity Offender.

We all have one thing in common. It is equal across all classes, races, and backgrounds. It is woven through every generation in the past and yet to come. It is an equal opportunity offender. It is within all of us. This one thing can have a negative impact on our lives. 

The Bible calls it sin. We can find sin throughout the Bible and it is often defined as break the law. It usually addresses the moral wrong-doing or act that violates a divine rule. No matter the offense, it is damaging, destructive, and deadly. 

Yet, the same can be said of God‘s grace. We read in John 3:16-17 that God sent is Son, Jesus to us because of His loves. God wanted to save us from sin. It is called grace! It does not discriminate; it is equally available to everyone. It is an equal opportunity defender; God’s Amazing Grace! 

Which sin has you captive? How has God‘s Amazing Grace set you free?

Every Opportunity To Do Good

Good words are recorded in the Bible including, “Make the most of every opportunity.” (Ephesians 5:15) I believe that doing good is never bad and it beats the alternative! In the Bible we read this and other similar verses that encourage us to expand opportunity by utilizing wisdom, God’s wisdom. The New Year makes dreaming possible and potential realized.

God is a God of possibility and limitless potential as we grow in His grace and Truth. God knows that we have potential and that is good news. When I was a child I didn’t always know this. I grew up being told I was stupid. I was told that I couldn’t do certain things. I applied those beliefs to everything I did. 

I am reminded of a rule that my son says to his children; “Don’t say can’t!” I love that he is expanding the often limiting challenges with his young kids. It is a lesson for us as well, don’t say can’t. I said once that I couldn’t do something in front of my 6 year old granddaughter and she responded, “Don’t say can’t!” I think that my son’s instructions are sinking in.

While I know that I have limitations and I am better at some things over other things, I need to see that God put eternity into my heart. I need to know that I was put together in my mother’s womb with potential. I need the reminder that God doesn’t make junk.

In my youth and young adult years my friend and mentor, Gary used to say to me, “I is somebody!” I would say self-loathing comments and make excuses but he would say, “Look at me! Say it! I is somebody! Say it!” I got so used to hearing this I even today, when I doubt myself I look around to see if Gary was around. His words echo in my mind today! 

What limits do you place on yourself? How can you expand your potential with God’s help and wisdom?

Better Than Sliced Bread!

Throwback Thursday is a new and interesting phenomena. We see some of the most interesting flashback post pictured all over social media. Here is yet another entry. 

In 1943, the government, in order to ration materials in support of the WWII effort, sliced bread was banned! What?! You might be surprised to read this and quickly checking fact check to see if this is true. Yup, it is!

Invented in the 1916 and first manufactured in 1927, the sliced bread cutting machine changed the world forever. Bakers used the convenience of the invention to automatically slice loaves of bread for their customers. Housewives were delighted by the already sliced and packaged food staple.  

From that time, the phrase, “better than sliced bread” has become a common phrase that compares the innovation of new products. We often like to think that what we offer is better than sliced bread. Not sure how this little nugget of history really changes anything but it makes for great conversation and useless, yet interesting trivia.  Today, I offer one interesting spiritual parallel.

Today, the purpose of government is debated as to what their role in our personal al lives. We might even debate the legitimacy of certain laws, especially today! You can draw your own conclusions to the government example that may parallel here but that is for your own inspection. Political satire is prominent exactly because some things that are suggested by large, over-reaching powers are so unusual and overbearing that if we don’t laugh, we just might cry.

Now onto the spiritual insight. When Jesus spoke of Himself as the bread of life, he was drawing from an everyday activity, eating bread! (John 6:35) This was a significant food staple to life!

After feeding 5,000 men plus women and children, Jesus speaks to the crowd again, this time offering them a different kind of bread, one that would never rot, and would always keep them full. When the people ask for this bread, the Bible records, “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’”

Today, while sitting at a bakery, Sonrise Bakery in Warren, Indiana, I am writing this blog entry. Perhaps it is the aroma of freshly baked breads or the atmosphere but I cannot escape the incredible analogy of baked bread with Jesus Christ. One of his most prominent miracles that happened more than once was the feeding of 5,000. Jesus taught using everyday analogies; something you could remember through your daily activities. 

Pointing to His own death and rising again, He announced His central role in our own salvation. Predating the invention of sliced bread, we might be able to say that He and His teaching is better than sliced bread! 

Remarkable, when the war time government overreach occurred in 1943, banning sliced bread, many opinions and criticism were heard at water coolers and street corners all over the country including famous celebrities. Actress Olivia Mary de Havilland  remarked, “Steps should have been taken long ago because bread was always sliced too big and it was about time the government stepped in.” Try not to laugh.

The whole notion of rationing and controlling every detail to one’s life, as was the case of the 1943 government “food order #1”, preventing the slicing of bread by bakers, the order was retracted just 2 months from when it was issued. Most in the Roosevelt administration denied authorship of the bread rule and themselves from it claiming they didn’t know who was responsible for its creation. 

Exceedingly More...

Good words are recorded that tell us that God is able to do...“exceedingly, abundantly more….” (Ephesians 3:20) Just imagine the limitless ability and perspective that God has. It is beyond our comprehension and it exceeds our capacity to even understand. The future is held in God’s hand.

 

Prayer is a simple act of aligning my will with God’s Will. As we do this we realize that His plans are usually unimaginable. We often pray “earth-bound” prayers; that is, praying for what depends on ourselves. We pray for help when the ability for help is within our grasp. 

What we need to pray is the alignment of my will with God’s Will. It will take us places and help us accomplish more than we could on our own. Pray as if your future depend on it!

As the Apostle Paul wrote about prayer he reminds us that we need to understand that God is able to do more than what our limited perspective can even imagine. Many passages of scripture reveal that we can (with God’s help) when we feel like we can’t. 

What is God’s Will for you? What is the first step you can take to align your earth-bound perspective with God’s limitless Will?

We Saw His Star And Followed!

“We saw his star…” (Matthew 2:2) Seeking for over a year, the Wisemen followed a star and finding Jesus they worshipped. They were seeking and found the only One who is worthy to worship. They spend their wealth, traveled a long journey, and gave what they had to Jesus.

The wisemen searched in faith. They seemed to know that the baby Jesus was royalty. Foretold that this child born would be the savior of all mankind. The wisemen devoted themselves and their resources to finding what the sign in the stars promoted! 

If you were to visit royalty for the very first time, how would you respond? What gifts might you bring? When you finally arrive at what you search for, is it worth it? Wise men seek Him today! 

The journey of wisemen can also be ours as well. For the wisemen, they were not disappointed. The searched for this new child who would save us from our sin. Seeking and finding the fulfillment of their hopes! 2021 can begin your journey or for many, it fulfills your longing heart seeking the One worthy to worship. 

What are you seeking today? What is worth all your seeking? Finding Jesus, they worshipped!

Hope-Filled Resolutions!

Happy NEW Year! I know of very few who will miss 2020. It was a tough 2020. We hold onto the hope that would be with us in such difficult times.  “God us our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 45:1)

It is about HOPE! What most people do every year is make NEW Year’s HOPE-filled resolutions. It is a time to look ahead, set goals, and find HOPE for something NEW! We all like and need hope! 

The Bible tells us that “God’s mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) 2020 is like the setting of the sun with 2021 bringing a bright hope like a sunrise! Though we lament of all the struggles, we can be renewed. 

The author of the Book of laments in the Bible found HOPE when all seemed lost. In fact, HOPE is at its best when we are desperate. If we don’t give up and keep going we can find, like the Prophet Jeremiah, “God’s mercies never come to an end.”

What worries you? What do you HOPE for? How does God’s unchanging mercy change things?

Who Will Miss 2020?

I can’t imagine anyone ever saying that they will miss the year 2020. Such an incredible year that has been packed with the unusual and the catastrophic. So many have lost jobs and loved ones while so many other adjustments have been made. It has been a year filled with uncertainty. Who will miss 2020? 

Packed with the unusual is an understatement. Not only do we have the COVID-19 occurs with catastrophic consequences, the year was filled with conspiracy theories and uncertainty. Rocked by a controversial Presidential election, leveled by the insurmountable amount of news - 24/7, yet, filled with incomplete information. The result is a fearful and hopeless; many are simply put, cynical.

In John 14 we see the disciples wondering what the future held as they hear Jesus say He was departing. With so many changes and uncertainties they were comforted (as are we) by the words that Jesus spoke, “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come again.“ Indeed! He keeps His word.
    
How would you feel hearing what the disciples heard?  What would you want to change upon His return?

Love: Compassion & Care

Being shown love through compassion and care brings a feeling of joy to every person. It may not solve every problem we face but it helps us to endure the hardship of our experience. When someone cares we feel human! 

During the Advent Season, we anticipate a day that will bring the greatest joy, the return of Christ who is our salvation. It means that the One who defined love by demonstrating compassion and care for us individually. We have a clue about what love means because Jesus showed great love by His action and provision. It is witnessed by His humble birth; God Emmanuel (God with us) is love with skin on.

One of the most remarkable phrases in the Bible that describes the emotion of Jesus is, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) It demonstrates how Jesus felt and it was an emotion of compassion and care.  The love He showed for his friends in the death and raising again of Lazarus is remarkable! He often showed compassion for the multitudes as well. (Matthew 9:36) I believe that when Jesus wept, the heavens opened and Lazarus came forth.

The fact that Jesus was filled with compassion is well documented throughout scripture. It tells us that we can trust Him to care for whatever burden and concern we have as well. If Jesus can weep for His friends, He will also show His compassion on us as well.

When you think of how much God loves you through the actions of God Emmanuel, how does this make you feel? What brings you to tears? How could God’s love care for you today?    

Lessons from the Red Kettle

 Lessons from the Red Kettle (Republished)

By: Rick Carder

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Every year it’s a joy to volunteer my time in the community. This year, I took time out of my schedule to volunteer with Marion’s Salvation Army‘s Red Kettle. For just a couple of hours, I stood outside of the Marion Walmart greeting the patrons as they entered and exited.

Volunteering is a lot of fun and especially when it’s within your particular niche. My niche just happens to be conversation. I love to greet people and listen to their stories. Perhaps that’s why I am enjoying my time in the Indiana Wesleyan University Alumni Association as the Director of Alumni & Church Relations.

Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army is a blast in my opinion. If you enjoy observing people and interacting with them, I would highly recommend this experience. It is most interesting to me to see the reaction of people who either avoid looking at you or make every effort to let you know that they have already donated. I happen to enjoy the former more, because it is a challenge to get people to break out of their comfort zone and offer you at least a gesture of a greeting. It’s usually the nod of the head or a simple wave.

I have observed three different types of people during my time ringing the bell. First, you have the avoiders. These are the people that will go out of their way to look away and pretend they don’t hear your bell ringing and verbal greetings. One lady, who did everything she could to avoid talking to me, pretending to not hear me at first and then when it was all to obvious I was there, looked into her purse as if to grab a cell phone call. I remembered her and when she came out later I loved the opportunity to get her attention. “Hello again, and good evening,” I said. While looking straight at me, she walked past as if I was invisible. Now I’m certain she heard me because her eyes seem to convey an assurance of my existence, but she was not going to communicate with so much as a wave or nod of the head. She simply kept walking. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I’m certain that she had other things on her mind. Perhaps they were burdens or a fear that somehow talking to me would commit her to dropping a few coins in the Red Kettle.

Then there are the people who just simply respond to my greeting with a simple echo of my greeting. “Good afternoon!” I’d say, and they would mutter, “Good afternoon to you as well”. I refer to them as the echo. This is the basis of society called reciprocity, the reciprocating of your smile or kind words but never going beyond that simple response.

You may be like the third person I encountered in my bell ringing. These people represent the true heart of charity and perhaps the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This usually calls for a little special treatment of their response. Perhaps they not only say hello back, but they also say God bless you or thank you for being here and even offer a kind gift of a donation in the Red Kettle.

Scripture speaks often about this golden rule, going the extra mile and give cheerfully. The Christian faith is full of examples both in scripture and in life of how important it is to put others ahead of yourself. In order for a society to better itself, we need to have charity and goodwill with a splash of hope that reflects the love God has for each one of us.

This time of year there are many who are ringing bells, trying to call attention to their favorite cause. They desire to bring goodwill to one and all. It is this time of year that we think of the Christmas carols and even reflect on Charles Dickens, Christmas Scrooge. It is this time of year when charity seems to come to life visibly and in real, tangible ways.

One young lady with her six-year-old stopped at the Red Kettle and told me simply, “I can’t walk past a single one of these Red Kettles without putting something in!” as she stuffed several dollar bills into the kennel. “This organization helped me when I was in great need, and they bought gifts for my son. I am grateful and especially now that I’m on my feet I can give back so that others will have the same opportunity I once needed from this great organization.“

So take note the next time you hear that faint bell ringing; there is much to be gained through charity. There are so many benefits because of it. May that bell ringing remind you that we can do for others as we would have done to us. In this we could reflect the kind of love that God extended to us when we were yet undeserving. It is through our acts of kindness we show others that we best demonstrate the love and goodwill of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” – (Saint Francis of Assisi) St. Francis of Assisi

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Written prior - Rev. Rick Carder, (Formerly Director of Alumni and Church Relations for Indiana Wesleyan University’s Alumni Office.) — Currently serving White’s Residential and Family Services, Church Engagement.

From Fear To Peace

Advent is a time to hope! We find hope wrapped in small packages! While hope begins its work, many also stress over life’s circumstances. For the infant child and the humble manger family, hope is veiled at times and shadowed with fear. 

In later passages we find Jesus, the adult messiah casting out fear, something that even the the young manger family experienced. The link to the manger family and later the adult Jesus was (and is today) acquainted with our grief. The disciples were afraid. How often do we read of those closest to Jesus, His disciples, were afraid? In one incident they were fishing and a mighty storm suddenly came upon them. The wind and the waves were breaking over them. The storm was raging and they feared they world perish. Where was Jesus? He was asleep. (Matthew 8:23-27) 

Just like when He was the infant child lowly, He was resting in a calm assurance that shatters our imagination. The world is in chaos but He slept right through it.. After all, He is the prince of peace! 

Jesus was fast asleep as the disciples feared their death. Awakening Jesus, they saw him calm the wind and waves. Jesus’ contrasted lack of concern was because He could calm any troubled waters. We too can experience His presence that brings a peace in the midst of broken pieces.

What waves are breaking over you today? How can Jesus calm your spirit just now?

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the food we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. - William Shakespeare