Civic responsibility means doing something, not complaining that something ought to be done, as in this story told by William Bennett in The Moral Compass, pages 613-614. ————————– Â Â Â There is a story told of a king who lived long ago in a country across the sea. Â He was a very wise king, and […]
3420) Just Do What Needs to Be Done Read More »
    “He would give you the shirt off his back.” That is what we sometimes say when we want to describe someone who is remarkably generous, willing to sacrifice even what they themselves are using, to help someone else in need. We know it is just an expression, not meant to be taken literally. We
3415) Extra Shirts and Shoes Read More »
From: Stinginess and the Generosity of God, (10-21-26), by Randy Alcorn at: http://www.desiringgod.org *************************************     On a trip to Ukraine in 1991, my pastor friend and I spent the evening with a large family, feasting, singing hymns, laughing, and praising Jesus together. We felt guilty when we learned our hosts had served an entire month’s
3410) Don’t Be Stingy Read More »
    Adapted from a sermon illustration I recently heard: If I tell my daughter to do the dishes, what I want, is for her to do the dishes. But let’s say two hours later I look, and I see that she has not even filled the sink with hot water, and all the dirty dishes
3406) Be Ye Doers of the Word Read More »
   “Do you want to change the world? Sponsor a child.” That was the headline of a Christianity Today article several years ago about Compassion International’s child sponsorship program.     When I read that story I was encouraged, and, a bit relieved. Our family sponsored a child, and I had often recommended child sponsorship
3395) How to Change the World Read More »
    Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Minnesota based Christian organization that provides healthy meals for children around the world. Meals are packaged by volunteers, and all food costs and expenses are paid by donors. This year they will pack and ship over 400 million meals.     FMSC began their work in 1987. One
3393) Full Circle Read More »
    When you see a panhandler with a cardboard sign at an intersection, the best advice is to avoid eye contact and never give them any money. Even the good folks who dedicate their lives to helping people on the street will tell you that your money is better spent by contributing to an organization
3373) Doctor Samaritan Read More »
By Brian Doyle, in First Things, August/September 2016, pages 21-22. Â Brian Doyle is editor of Portland Magazine and author of A Book of Uncommon Prayer. ——————————– Â Â Â By chance I was in New York City seven months after September 11, 2001, and I saw a moment that I still turn over and over in
3370) A Spontaneous Tribute Read More »
A Labor Day meditation on the foundation of a Christian work ethic. ———————————– A reading by Edna Hong, in Bright Valley of Love, copyright 1976, Augsburg Publishing House, pages 98-9.   In his next (confirmation) class Pastor Wilm picked up the subject of what’s a guy to do with himself when he’s no longer just a
3360) It is the Lord You are Serving Read More »
From Mother Teresa (1910-1997) ——————- People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous.  Be happy anyway. The good you do today
3348) Simple, Godly Wisdom Read More »
