Outreach will indeed call for the need to be wise and discerning. Typically I can discern a true need from the "I'm dressed up to look homeless and asking for money but really I'm just fine" kind of a person. I've seen enough of both to recognize the difference. Not every time but generally speaking. Last night Sophie and I waited in the van while Randy ran into the store to ... Read More »
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31 Days: Day 29 – The lady behind the counter
People are hurting all around us. Going through things we have no clue about. When God gives us a glimpse into hurting souls count it a privilege and ask for His guidance in showing His love even to a stranger. It might seem weird, awkward and uncomfortable but it's worth it. Today I met a lady who was bawling and could hardly get herself together to check me out. I asked her ... Read More »
31 Days: Day 28 – How outreach can provide the breakthrough we all need
I will never forget the night God woke me up to show me Isaiah 58. I still have written in the margin of my Bible, "I was awoken in the night for this." Is 'awoken' even a word? It was on May 5th, 2006. Not sure the significance of the day I just know that God wanted me to see how serious He is about helping the poor and needy. Isa. 58 contrasts man's version of fasting with ... Read More »
31 Days: Day 27 – Margaret Feinberg shares what NOT to say to someone with cancer.
I love Margaret Feinberg and her way with words, her wisdom and her willingness to share from the middle of where she is. Even when she's walking through a scary and hard place. As such was her recent bought with breast cancer. Her study "Fight Back with Joy" was a timely and powerful study for me. It ministered to me during one of my most vulnerable times emotionally. I felt ... Read More »
31 Days: Day 26 – Taking care of the needy
"...Blessed is he who is kind to the needy." Proverbs 14:21 "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31 There is so much in scripture about taking care of the needy. Sharing food, lending money and defending rights are ways we can show kindness to the needy. We bring honor to God when we do these ... Read More »
31 Days: Day 25 and I’m about to die – somebody reach out to me!!!!
Ha Ha! I'm half way kidding but not really. I'm about to die here with this daily writing gig but it's been a good challenge for me personally. With two days notice for this challenge and it falling during an incredibly busy time I've had to prayerfully wing it. But thanks for hanging in there with me - all one of you. My hubs maybe. Ha! Ha! I wanted to share a few pictures ... Read More »
31 Days: Day 24 – 5 Practical ways to comforting others
When it comes to knowing how to comfort others we can sometimes overthink things. We might be afraid we'll say the wrong thing so we don't say anything at all. Or we might draw the conclusion that hurting people need space more than anything and so we don't show up. But I believe God wants us to be involved in each other's lives. He wants us to bear each other's burdens and ... Read More »
31 Days: Day 23 – Comforting others as a means of outreach
II Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." Isn't this awesome? According to these verses God comforts us in our affliction. He does this because he loves us ... Read More »