"Heart and Sole" Fellowship versus Factory

A few years ago I was at a conference where we honored a Salvation Army officer who was retiring after over 40+ years in ministry.  He was given an opportunity to speak briefly and what he said continues to influence me to this day.

He spoke of his childhood, of being a "troubled" young man, always in trouble.  He found his way to The Salvation Army as many a troubled young man or woman often do.  He began to notice the way in which the officer interacted with people in need and it had an affect on him.  He told a story about a time when he had seen a man come into the building without shoes.  The officer was down the hall unaware of the young man looking from a distance.  He saw the officer bend down, take off his own shoes, and put them on the feet of the man.  That simple act made such an impact on him that is was one of many things that led to him being an officer in  The Salvation Army.

I have reflected over this story for many years.  I believe we have to be careful in the church and in ministry not to lose that personal and sacrificial aspect of our ministry.  In today's culture of mega churches, government funded programs and state of the art facilities, when we identify a need like; a man without shoes, we are more likely to build a shoe factory or develop a shoe ministry than we are to simply bend down and take off our shoes.

I love the story of when the Holy Spirit came during Pentecost in Acts 2.  Towards the end of that chapter, we have a few verses 42-47 titled, "The Fellowship of The Believers."

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Oh that we would be a fellowship of believers who are quick to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Who give sacrificially from what we have been blessed with to those who are in need.

So the question is are you the kind of person who builds a shoe factory or who bends down and takes off your shoes?

Date Night: "We Are God's Children"

One of the greatest Joys of my life is spending time with my two daughters, Riley and Lily.  It is almost impossible to put into words the amount of love that I have for them and the JOY that they bring into my life.

One of the things me and my oldest daughter (almost three) do, is have a weekly "Daddy /Daughter Date."  Every Tuesday we either go to the local Japanese Steak House which she enthusiastically refers to as the "Fire Place," or we go to see the latest animated movie.  It has become such a meaningful time for us both to spend one on one time with each other.  During this time she knows that there is nothing or no one more important to me then her and she has my full undivided attention.

I was thinking about that earlier today and I couldn't help but consider how much God loves us as His children and seeks a relationship with us.  I can't begin to even remotely comprehend how deep or how wide Christ's love is for us, because it is so vast.  Knowing how much I love my daughters and our relationships imagining being loved by God even more than that is something that blows my mind.

There are so many people sadly in the world today who don't experience true love.  My hearts breaks and I am moved to tears when I think about kids living in children homes, maybe even the same age of my daughters who have no home, no one to hold and squeeze them and take them to the movies.  My heart breaks when I see grown men and women who have no concept of what it means to be truly loved.  My heart breaks when I see young girls and boys who get involved with drugs and sexuality as a way to compensate for a void in their life from not feeling love.

^"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

(John 1:12-13)

God created us.  God desires a relationship that is indescribable in human terms.  For you a "Date Night" with God might include prayer or Bible Study.  If you have to be so intentional about scheduling it...do it!

Today why not take some time to consider how much God loves you and wants a relationship with you, and make sure to tell others about how much He loves them too!

Blessings!