A Christian sent this message to me, and I think it is profoundly an excellent idea. Question is, will the Laodecian "comfortable & wealthy" church in America, move out of their comfort zone, dirty their hands and reach out and help someone less fortunate who has lost ALL? Will the 250Million Americans reach out to help the 0.20% who lost everything with this storm? Sometimes people don't need just $$money thrown at them, sometimes they need some helping hands and helping ideas, a new job, a place to sleep, someone to help care for their children, some sound advice...... just plain some neighborly help. These are Americans' that except for the Grace of God, go you and I. Stop cursing the darkness, and strike a light!
What if every church in America adopted one of these families? (And the larger churches adopting more families?) Think what a difference it would make? Think who these people would THANK? Not the gov't.....but God! Pick up the phone and call the Houston Astrodome, pay for a family's airfare out of that temporary nightmare. (I'm sure the airlines, with all their empty seats now would be willing to even donate the seats!) Help these people get back on their feet and assimilate into other parts of America. Do what you would wish someone would do for you if you were in their situation. Be God's Blessing!
In a message dated 9/5/2005 11:09:33 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, _______ writes:I want to start a movement in America. Our materialism is out of control and this is a perfect time for all to see that material things are NOT permanent.
I want American's, Christian's especially, to "sacrifice" Christmas this year for others. What child (in a normal situation anyway) needs another toy? Mom a robe? Dad a tie?
While people sit in front of a big screen TV eating a steak dinner and their children play in their rooms on last years video games and asking for this years model...feeling guilty, they write a small check for the Hurricane Relief and they feel they have done enough for their neighbor. NOT true. People in their own communities even go hungry and without everyday.
Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord your God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and will all thy mind, and with all thy strength, this is the first commandment. And the second is like namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
I want people to sacrifice their money and TIME this year to help others and forgo the gift exchanging. Go find someone who needs help and help them. I don't think giving to organizations is the answer. We need to reach out ourselves and touch someone. Take a needy family shopping for shoes or clothes, help that senior citizen pay their heating bill, take them grocery shopping. Get the idea?
Can you imagine God's joy at seeing His children celebrate His birth by reaching out and helping their neighbor and NOT getting caught up in materialism. People can use this Money AND TIME to help in their communities as many donations will be not made this year due to the hurricane relief.
God bless...YSIC, Lisa