Who Cares?

How often have you heard, “Who cares?” All too often we are so captivated with our own predicaments that we fail to look around us and see who is really in over their heads. I found this article and wanted to share it with you.

 

Arthur Gordon in an article entitled "The Rewards of Caring," tells the story of how once, as a small boy, he was witness to a near-tragedy. At the beach, a woman stepped off a sandbar into deep, swift water and panicked. At least 20 adults in bathing suits watched, apparently paralyzed, until suddenly a young man ran up, plunged in full-clothed and brought the woman out. As Arthur Gordon described the episode later to his parents, his admiration for the young man was matched by the contempt he felt for those who failed to act. She was drowning, and they didn't even seem to care. His father looked at him thoughtfully and said, "The world often seems divided between those who care and those who don't care enough. But don't judge too harshly. It takes courage to care greatly."

 

As we keep plugging along in our journey, could I share two thoughts with you today? First, may we not become so busy and hardened that we lose sight of the needs of folks around us. Secondly, aren’t you glad Jesus cares?

 

Mike

 

 

Encouraging Words

Max Lucado, in Facing Your Giants writes of his encounter with a race and the people he rubbed shoulders with…“I discovered the importance of healthy counsel in a half-Ironman triathlon. After the 1.2 mile swim and the 56 mile bike ride, I didn't have much energy left for the 13.1 mile run. Neither did the fellow jogging next to me. I asked him how he was doing and soon regretted posing the question. "This stinks. This race is the dumbest decision I've ever made." He had more complaints than a taxpayer at the IRS. My response to him? "Goodbye." I know if I listened too long, I'd start agreeing with him. I caught up with a 66-year-old grandmother. Her tone was just the opposite. "You'll finish this," she encouraged. "It's hot, but at least it's not raining. One step at a time…don't forget to hydrate…stay in there." I ran next to her until my heart was lifted and my legs were aching. I finally had to slow down. "No problem." She waved and kept going. Which of these two describes the counsel you seek?”

 

You know it is no secret that we will soon become like the company we keep. It is also no hidden thought that the Christ follower is to be lifting up the people around them, not serving as a weight to pull them down.

The Bible lets us know that we are to “…encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13 New American Standard Version)

 

We need to always ask ourselves, “Are my words building others up or pulling them down?”

 

May this be a week filled with the glory of the Living Lord!

Mike

 

 

 

Getting to Know Him!

In 1776 Thomas Paine stirred the land with these words: "These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands now deserves the love and thanks of man and women. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; ‘tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price on its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated."

 

Now that summer has officially slipped into our pathway, what better time to recall the freedom we can experience in Jesus. If we carry Thomas Paine’s thought into our connection with God, we can be sure of the price of the gift which supplies our free position in the Kingdom of God. Peter says the cost of our Real Life freedom came from the blood of the precious Lamb, Jesus, on the cross.

 

My hope for us this summer is that the church might become better acquainted with the head of the body, Jesus. This coming Sunday I will be teaching on how we can experience Real Life in the Home. This should be an interesting day as we examine the role of the husband and wife loving each other and caring for the needs of each other. I hope you can be a part of the worship experience this Sunday. Be blessed this week.

Your Friend,

 

Mike