I can hear the groans from my fellow administrators now - “where is he going with that one?”.  Thanks for being patient with me, guys.  OK… let me explain.  First, I wanted to get your attention.  Second, I actually believe that prayer works - not only works, but has incredible power when offered in true faith.  A power that is desperately needed (and let’s be honest - is generally not very apparent in this day and age).  Third, that statement is a quote - both from me in my past, and from my son not too long ago.  If we’re honest, I’ll bet we’ve all had that question enter our minds at one time or another.  So I want to explore the thought… because when my son asked that a couple years ago I did not have a good response - and that shook me.

Jesus said if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we could (casually, it seems) tell a mountain to hop into the sea and it will happen.  I’ve never tried that, but I can name hundreds of things I have asked for/claimed/believed for in faith/etc… that never happened.  All seemed like good things.  I see now that some of them weren’t.  That’s part of my answer.  I have less understanding of what is really for my good than my 3 year-old who can’t understand why candy for every meal isn’t a good thing for him. 

Another part is that I think we really do miss out on incredible blessings and powerful benefits that effective prayer, offered in true faith, will deliver. Why do we miss out? (I know that would have been a better way to word the title, but I told you I wanted to get your attention).

How is this for a promise to answer just about every prayer you can think of?

Your light will break out like the dawn, and your healing will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. You will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am ‘.  Your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

I think that pretty much covers it.  If you want more than that, I really have no answer for you.  I’m not sure there is much I could ask for or desire that is not in there.  Here’s the rub.  These promises come from God’s Word.  But they are given with some “ifs” (all from Isaiah 58):

Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your healing will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am ‘
If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.

“But.. but… but… Jesus said that it was “just” faith.”  Yeah, we all have big buts (quoting another deep thinker there, any other child of the 80’s remember who?) - but those are not big buts.  The real question is: what is faith?  God’s Word tells us that faith without works is dead, and that even the demons “believe”.  James gets downright sassy with that passage (my paraphrase): “You say you believe?  Good for you.  You know… you should be really proud of your accomplishment - you’re doing as much as the demons of hell.”  Man, that’s talking some smack.  I know I’ll never approach that level of genius in sarcasm.

The point is:  God will do His part.  His promises are real and powerful.  But His entire Word is true.  We can’t take the seemingly “easy” path that some verses can imply if read in a vacuum and expect to see any kind of power in our lives.  Nor can we take the “hard” (or perhaps"impossible”) standards we seem to be held to in other verses and give up.  His entire Word is true.  We have a role to play.  One that requires real commitment and sacrifice.  I believe we need only step onto the mat - really commit to the fight - and He will meet us there.  And when He does, we can not lose.  But He will not step on the mat to fight our battles if we do not step out to fight with Him.

After Don and I posted our thoughts on the story of the rich young man/rich young ruler in the Gospels, I spent some time talking to my brother about our interpretations of this story.  Frankly, he didn’t agree with us on some points, despite the fact that we agree completely on our overall core beliefs.  We had a great discussion on the deeper truths that we do agree on: salvation is a free gift of God’s grace; yet scripture is clear that our actions are also critically important.

Shortly into the conversation, we had drifted far away from the specifics of the rich young man story.  Near the end, I told Rich that I always try to stress that the obligation to love others as ourselves, and actively sacrifice for their good, is not a burden.  My personal experience is that I struggled with our decision to adopt.  I felt a heavy burden of responsibility to care for my family’s financial and emotional needs with my income and my time and effort.  I knew I could not have the same “certainty” of doing that after committing to adopt 2… OK, now maybe 5… kids on top of the 3 we already had.  I came to a point where I knew that it was wrong to hold onto that.  That I was required to surrender all to follow Jesus, as He demanded of everyone He called when He was on earth.  Since I have done that (or at least started that process), I have experienced a joy and a peace that I have never had before.

He responded by telling me a personal story I had not been aware of.  He had spent many years burdended with a desire to be married and have a family.  That was not happening, and he was 36 years old.  He had vocalized “turning the matter over to God” many times, but never really had.  One day brushing his teeth, it hit him like a ton of bricks that he just had to accept that it might not happen for him.  In a very real way - a way he never had before - he gave that over to God.  He experienced a spritiual and emotional breakthrough that day, and ironically, met his future wife shortly thereafter.

At first blush, these are seemingly conflicting ideas as to what it takes to get that “breakthrough” moment and really connect with God.  And they are if you’re looking for a formula for success - but God is not about formulas - He’s about relationships.  But I was struck by the parallel between our stories, the story of the rich young man, and the stories of everyone Jesus called.  He demanded one thing of everyone He asked to follow Him (or who asked if they could follow Him).  That was simply this: give up control over what you value most and turn it over to Me.  Surrender that one thing… that one thing that you most desperately want to hold on to (and thus free yourself to surrender everything).  The rich young man walked away sad when he learned the cost of following Jesus.  That cost may not be our posessions - it is both harder and more freeing than that.  The cost is control - truly valuing relationship with Jesus over anything else in our lives.

Just in case you are questioning why we place so much emphasis on giving here, there are a couple of reasons.  Most importantly, that’s simply what our mission is - helping meet physical needs at Ludlati, and doing the same locally.  Just like Focus on the Family, well… focuses on the family, or like a business school focuses on teaching about business, our purpose is to discuss giving in a way that we believe is consistent with God’s Word - for our benefit and that of others.  That does not mean that our theology is skewed in some crazy way.  It just means that we have a specific purpose with KnownToMe.

That introduction is necessary because the rest of this post might otherwise seem way off-topic.  I, however, do not believe it could be any more relevant.  Giving our all, surrendering that which is most valuable, is what Jesus seemed to ask all who wanted to follow Him.  The following is an email I received from a friend who is an army chaplain in Iraq… not one of those internet stories that is more urban myth than reality - I know him personally, and he is an inspiration to me.

Thoughts of Sacrifice, Duty and Honor

As I sit here today, I have been thinking about all that has transpired in the last 24 hours.  I started yesterday in the house of the Lord, singing of the matchless love of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Preaching the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ and I rejoiced and shared with my brothers and sisters during worship.  Following worship, the usual Sunday events happened.  I counseled soldiers, met with soldiers around FOB Diamondback, assessing their needs and praying that the Lord would use me to help them with whatever issue the soldier may have.  At times I was laughing, at times I felt their sorrow, and at times I was simply in awe of the difficulty in ministry – one second laughing with a soldier and literary the next consoling a soldier who is in deep despair, and pain.

Then something out of the ordinary and something very unfortunate happened.  I was in the TOC (Tactical Operation Center) of the 3-7 CAV and was told a helicopter had crashed.  The Battle Captain informed me that they did not know more, but believed there to be two KIA’s.  My heart sank, saddened by the loss of soldiers who have graciously taken upon themselves to come to Iraq, to sacrifice their time, to be so long away from home for their country and for so many that they love. 

I was talking with another Chaplain shortly after this time, and became aware of the fact that the helicopter belonged to 1-230th Air Cavalry unit – located right next to my Squadron Area.  I further became aware that their Chaplain was at another location, due to 1-230th having soldiers at different locations.  The other Chaplain and I went with some of soldiers to help with the news of the passing of 2 pilots.  It was tragic to see the grief and pain in their eyes, while tears flowed down their faces.  As I left there, I was told that they needed a Chaplain to fly down, so as to provide some care to the flight crew and to honor the dead, as is part of the Army custom.  I told them I would be honored to fly down and pay respects to the dearly departed.  All I could think about was, they were going home in a couple of weeks, they had families, they had goals, desires….I remember looking as we flew over Iraq also wondering if the departed had also flown over the same portion of Iraq.  I kept thinking about them, the soldiers in their unit, their families, and the flight crew in the Blackhawk I was in—-I was so consumed by loss that I didn’t feel the flight. 

As we touched down, and the bodies were removed from the vehicles, I was amazed at the reverence and honor given by those around.  You could see it in their eyes, hear it in their voices, see it as they saluted, and you could see it as they honored their dead friends. 
I read Psalm 23, and then asked for the Lord’s comfort, strength in this unexplainable tragedy.  Just does not make much sense when something like this happens.  I certainly know the Lord provides in all ways, but it always is a struggle to explain things that really can’t get good answers to the “why’s”, and the “what if’s.”

After the body of one of the soldiers was placed in the Blackhawk I was in, I felt honored to ride with him and the crew that was carrying him back to his unit.  I placed my left hand on the body bag and prayed, and prayed, and prayed.  I prayed for the crew, his unit, his friends, and his family, all of their hopes and dreams, all that he wanted to do.

And then I prayed thank you to the Lord for such men.  I am sure the dangers of aviation were well known to this man.  I am also sure that he knew the risk and accepted them fully while coming here to Iraq.  Such willingness to travel the unknown dangers of this world, such willingness to demonstrate the honor in character that we should all strive to emulate, and such willingness to place duty to others above his own needs.  Thank you for such a man who gave.  I prayed even more, Thank you Lord for the people like him who serve, and who would gladly risk their life for their brothers and sisters in arms, for their country, and for so many that they love.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, how do we honor such a person?  How do we honor those who have sacrificed so much for so many who perhaps have sacrificed little or have not sacrificed anything at all?  It is from soldiers like these that our country and our faith have a rich heritage.  After all, without the willing sacrifices of so many before us where would we be?  Would our country have thrown off despotism and tyranny?  Would our country have risen to throw off the shackles that once enslaved our fellow man?  Would our country have expelled the fascism of evil men?  Would our country have protected others from the genocide by oppressors of hope, freedom, and liberty?

I believe that the way we truly honor such men and women is to keep their stories alive.  We should never forget their sacrifice, and willingness to place themselves in harm’s way.  I believe that the way we truly honor such men and women is to train up others who understand the importance of such ideals.  After all, should no one stand to guard those who cannot protect themselves—we too shall stumble and fall.

Is it not right to help those in this world less fortunate than ourselves?  Would it not be prudent to protect our neighbors who have been treated unfairly by ideals that promote destruction, despair, and devastation in our world?  I ask you, if it is not right for us to stand—then who?  That is how I honor you, my fallen brothers and sisters in arms.  I shall keep your story alive and teach others the values that are so important to many of us.

Every time I read Matthew 19, I try to think about how my life lines up with Jesus’ demand of the rich young man.  But here’s the problem.  No matter how hard I try – even when I know I’m doing this – I can’t help but make excuses and explain away why it doesn’t apply to me, or why I’m OK living how I do.  I try to get past myself, but I can’t.  The human mind and defense mechanisms are a fascinating thing.  So, I thought I’d do the opposite:  instead of figuring out how I should change to get in line with scripture, I re-wrote scripture to match my lifestyle and thought process to get a different perspective on the mismatch between what I “believe” and what I do.  I think a full Bible in this translation would be a best-seller - maybe I’ll call it The Practical Application Bible since I’ll base it on what I do, not what I say I believe.  It sure provides some comfort (I based it on the King James translation because it sounds so much more official).  As to accuracy and integrity of the message… well,  let’s just say that you may not want to be in my vicinity about now due to the pending bolt of lightning that is probably coming for me.  It was rather shocking for me to see it this way - just how far I had to pervert Jesus’ message to fit the way I see myself living.

Matthew 19:16-29 (Practical Application Bible)
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?  21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  22But when the young man heard that saying, he turned away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. But Jesus stopped him, and saith; Wait… no… I spake more strongly than I might… sometimes that happeneth… thou art OK, really.  If thou shouldst say the sinner’s prayer thou hath no need to change thy lifestyle.  For, lo; my message is one of ease and comfort.  23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, it is easy for all, even a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God than it is to walk through an open gateway.  25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly relieved, saying, all then can be forthwith and easily saved.  26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are easy, and upon my sacrifice… very, very easy.  27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that was irresponsible and rash… yea, stupid even.  Ye are children of the King because of what I will do – you need do nothing difficult.  In the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall have acted foolishly - for such sacrifice is not necessary; all who call on my name will receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Just in case you don’t remember off-hand, what follows is the original KJV.  Maybe presenting this as well will allow me to dodge that bolt of lightning…

Matthew 19:16-29
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.  18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,  19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?  21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?  26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.  27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

“If there were no Carepoint I think my whole family would be dead…I pray for God to help me live a good life and my future be like a miracle.”—Quote from a Swaziland Teenager shared by Tom Davis, CEO of Children’s Hopechest on his facebook page.  This quote provides a real word picture for the life giving hope we plan to give to Ludlati.  A Ludlati Development Plan is set up to intervene in the lives of Ludlati orphans and at-risk children by helping them come to know Christ, provide support needed to thrive physically, and teach the skills needed to sustain themselves and their family as they mature.  A critical aspect of the development plan provides support to native Swaziland community leaders and mentors who already show a commitment to help these children, but lack the resources to do it.  This promotes in-country growth and sufficiency for long term development and sustainability.

Ludlati Development Plan:

1.    Obtain land from the village leadership, typically available as an empty plot. - DONE

2.    Provide food, water, and basic preventive medical care to orphans and at-risk children in the area using the land as a gathering place.  Funded through monthly contributions. - IN PROGRESS

3.    Develop facilities:  Fence, kitchen and a well (if possible at this location).  Funded through capital project contributions.  - IN PROGRESS

4.    Provide support for school fees and on-site schooling for all children at Ludlati Carepoint.  Funded through monthly contributions at 100% monthly funding level.

5.    Develop facilities:  Build a building for school, training, and discipleship activities.  Also used as temporary shelter on the grounds.  Funded through capital project contributions.

6.    Deliver ongoing care and education to provide immediate and long-term hope.  Funded through monthly contributions at 100% monthly funding level.

7.    Move beyond orphan care into the community to develop micro-enterprises that provide a means to earn both income and dignity.  Funding plans for this stage will be developed at a later date with the goal of long term self sufficiency.

We are excited to be started on working through the development plan steps, and are currently in the midst of Step 2 and 3 above.  50% of the monthly support needed is raised for Step 2.  We are thankful for each family and individual who has committed to give!  But there is 50% more to go…help spread the word.  Step 3 is a capital project to build a kitchen and fence around the carepoint grounds.  We were given a quote from Children’s Hopechest of $15,000 to build the kitchen and fence.  We are so thankful and blessed to have $12,500 raised for this project before wide spread publishing of the need for Ludlati capital funds!  If you will help us close the funding gap, we want to raise the remaining $2500 in the next two to four weeks.  Pick this link to learn how to give by mail or on-line to the Ludlati Capital Project.

More Ludlati Development Plan details are posted and updated at the following link or menu bar pick:  COMMUNITY > SWAZILAND > Ludlati Development Plan

Please understand how a Carepoint effects the life of children in Swaziland from another true story given by a boy in Swaziland named Musa (from Children’s HopeChest):

“My name is Musa. I am five. My mother and father are dead from AIDS. Now my sister Zodwa is taking care of me. She’s 12. After my parents died, we ate grass for food, but now that is changed. Every day the go-gos cook food for us at the carepoint. At the carepoint, Zodwa and I eat two meals each day. I no longer think about food so much. Now I dream of school. Thank you for making this place for me and Zodwa. Please do not ever forget us. I do not want to be hungry again.”

I am pleasantly struck this morning by another insight after reading about the “Rich Young Man” or the “Parable of the Rich Ruler” that I have missed in the past.

If you are familiar with the story documented in at least three places in the bible (Mathew 19, Mark 10, Luke 18), it is a memorable moment when this “rich guy” walks away sad after hearing Jesus response.  I gather from Mathew, Mark and Luke’s perspectives, this man was everything most humans on earth would want to be.  He was a good man.  He was young.  He was rich.  He was a Ruler, so he had power.  Nothing is written about his looks except his general age….but if you have all that, there is plenty of evidence to show he doesn’t necessarily need to be handsome.  I think it is safe to assume, most of us would see this person, and think I want to be and live like him.  We can also cipher from their response that people nearby were impressed.  If this guy can’t be saved, “Who then can be saved?”

Now let’s set up the scene.  This rich man was standing in a crowd listening to Jesus teach people how they can obtain eternal life.  After He was done he starts walking on His way, and this guy runs up to Him, falls on his knees, and asks Jesus, “Good teacher! What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  I would love to see the faces of this man and the people nearby when Jesus responds with, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good-except God alone.”  I can see the blank, questioning look on each of their faces.  That would have been my expression too for that matter.  Huh!?  You are not good!?  Then Jesus says in so many words, “God has these commands see…and no one can follow them all see…”  And the rich guy’s eyes get wide as he looks up with excitement and proclaims, “Teacher!  I have kept all these commands since I was a boy!”.  Jesus replies, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  This is the pivotal moment where so much is happening.  Jesus is feeling a deep sense of love for this man, because he knows his response will be sadness and rejection of His instructions.  The people nearby will be drop-jaw’d because they don’t understand why this good man can not meet the requirement for eternal life.  This is where I as the reader in the past have thought, “Hmm…I am a Christian, but sell everything, and give it all to the poor?  Wow.  That would be tough for me to do.”  This is where suddenly it hit me!

Jesus did not say how much to give.  Jesus asked the rich man to change his lifestyle.

In my mind, I often thought Jesus asked him to give ALL his possessions to the poor.  If you did too, then look again.  The instruction was simply, “give to the poor”.  The amount was not specified.  The second part of Jesus instruction was, “follow me”.  It is an important point that Jesus loved the rich man, and wanted to be together in relationship with the rich man.  He wanted to live life together, both in the present and eternity.  The rich man’s response revealed his true desires were for his current lifestyle and everything that went with it.  He was excited by Jesus’ teaching how to obtain eternal life.  He thought he had passion for God.  He had followed God and been good his whole life!  He looked like a sure candidate, just ask the people nearby.  In my opinion, the rich man was sad because he could not have it his way.  Jesus was sad because he cared for this man who rejected his love and things of eternal value.

Though this is a sobering story that challenges all of us to test our own desires and heart, I want to bring us back to what I believe is an insight about giving.  Jesus’ instruction was simply, “give to the poor”.  Again I point out, the amount was not specified.  In our on-line discussions we have seen the questions repeated that we are all wrestling.  How much should I give to the orphans and widows in distress, brokenhearted, wanderers, and strangers?  For clarity, let’s state the word “giving” implies gifts of time, money, energy, love, compassion, etc.  I think we all understand that God wants us to give all of our life to Him.  What that means in practical daily life is the challenge.  There are many scriptures about giving, and how God feels about it.  Yes, God wants us to give our entire life to Him.  But how we work this out on a daily basis is not spelled out explicitly in God’s word.  I believe He wants each of us to seek this instruction from Him.  We do have explicit guidelines at the extremes.  For example in Mark 25:31-46, the parable of “The Sheep and the Goats”, and I paraphrase - if we “didn’t give to the least of these” we are rejected, and if we “do give to the least of these” we are given eternal life with Him.  This parable can stress us out unless we realize that salvation is freely given and received.  No one can earn it, so no one can boast.  Once one understands salvation, works and giving are part of Jesus plan for our lives (Ephesians 2:8-10).  Now that the extremes are stated, I think most of us believe we are somewhere in between.  Again, we come back to the question of how much?  To explore one answer to this question, let’s go back to a story that I learned as a child through a Sunday school song.

“Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he…”  Remember that song?  Because of this song, I have always pictured this little wimp with Jesus scolding him, “Zacchaeus!  Get down out of that tree!  We are going straight to your house young man!”  Brings back memories of my parents shouting, “Donnie!  Cut that out! Go straight to your room!”  As a child, I also learned Jesus loves everyone - even little, dirty rotten tax collectors - so he must love me too.  Judging by my parents reaction to the word, I also figured he was probably extra bad since he was associated with the word “tax”.  Recently, my picture of this guy has changed.  Let’s review the story.  Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, was wealthy, and most everyone hated him.  We probably wouldn’t know he was short except to explain why this guy was up in a tree so he could see over the crowd.  It probably should be added to Jesus list of miracles that Zacchaeus didn’t fall out of that tree when He turned His head and said Z’s name.  Boldly, Jesus invited himself to little Z’s house in front of everyone.  The people were shocked and appalled Jesus would talk to this guy and even go to his house to eat with that dirty tax collecting thief!  Zacchaeus was all those bad things, but look at his response to Jesus.  Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”  Zacchaeus got it right away.  Now I choose to call him BIG-Z.  He decided on the same day he met Jesus to change his lifestyle.  He gave more than half of his possessions, but more importantly, he understood giving his life to Jesus meant acting on Jesus instructions and commands.  I believe these are actions of a big man.  I would love to know the rest of BIG-Z’s story.

Peter is one of Jesus’ disciples who had a couple wimpy episodes, but eventually turned into a big man himself with the help of God’s spirit.  At the end of the story about the rich man, Peter was excited about the disciple’s prospects.  Luke18:28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”  29"I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”

We have God’s love for us, His promises and blessings of life, and we have many inspirational role models for “giving” in the Bible, history and in the world today.  As part of my current prayers I seek the works I am supposed to do, and I trust and see He is working in my life to lead me this way.  Some days are routine and “uneventful” and I have to decide to trust and have faith anyway, but He gives me opportunities daily to act on my faith in seemingly small and some bigger ways.  Other days He has given me insights to show me He is leading me toward the answer to these questions.  How much should I give?  How should I live my days?  What should my lifestyle look like?  I pray that we all be inspired, encouraged, seek and trust that God will guide each one of us to our specific actions and work.  Just for fun, let the children’s Sunday school song play in your head, and imagine the collective impact we will have on the orphans, widows, strangers and the world when we all respond like the rich man, Zacchaeus, and change our lifestyles in Christ.

We thank God and we thank everyone who has joined in providing financial support to the children of Ludlati in Swaziland Africa.  We have 50% of the carepoint monthly financial support raised.  More importantly, we have 35 of the 70 children who have an individual or a family committed to send letters that show individual children that someone from far away knows and cares about them.  It may be easy to dismiss the value received from a gift of a few simple letters.  Try to understand, it is the difference between life and death.  A great gift of hope in a child’s distress.

It has been proven many times over that people who have hope in difficult or impossible situations are much more likely to get through than someone who does not have it.  I know a true story how a touch on the shoulder and a simple statement of “See you in the morning.” made the difference between giving one’s life up, and fighting to live on to the next day.  Another story about a man who was in a bad car accident and the doctors projected the need to amputate his leg due to decreasing blood flow and gang-green.  In his pain and weakness he had given in to the inevitable loss until a volunteer advocate came along side this man.  Through simple visits and encouragement, this man was able to find hope.  Over time this man’s leg was saved, and he was able to walk again.  He said the visits and simple acts of kindness made the difference for him to have hope.  Without this hope, he would have lost his leg.

Do you remember your own excitement as a child receiving a letter in the mail?  If not, I can tell as a child I loved it, and my own children receive mail with great excitement.  They treasure the letters and cards.  Now imagine a child who has nothing but a few tattered clothes, maybe some worn shoes, and lives each day wondering if he/she will eat.  When this child receives a letter in the mail, the value to them is extremely high.  I have been there, and seen the excitement from a simple handshake greeting, playing together and many hugs.  Much hope is drawn by these children from these encounters.  The letters are equally valued, and will be kept as a treasure.  We call the children of Ludlati our “Neighbor Kids” because we know if Ludlati was our neighbor hood, we all would reach out to help the many orphans and at-risk children.  If you visit your “Neighbor Kid” someday as I plan to do this September, you will find this child values your letters and care, and you will never forget the true joy you share together.

I encourage one or two more people to decide today to become an advocate for an orphan or at-risk child in Ludlati.  We have two children taken from the front and back of our list featured today.

Sethu is a girl who is turning 5 years old this year.  Sethu’s current home is a 30 minute walk to the Ludlati CarePoint where she lives with her Grandmother who is unemployed and lives with six other children.  Both of her parents are living, however they are both unemployed.  The unemployment rate in Swaziland is 60%.  Even if someone has employment, jobs often pay $3 per day for more than 8 hours of work, and the cost of living is the same as here in the midwest of the United States.  Sethu needs an advocate to give her hope along with the meals, school support, health training and discipleship to give her a chance to grow and live.

Thabo is a boy who is turning 13 years old this year.  Thabo’s current home is a 25 minute walk to the Ludlati CarePoint.  Thabo currently lives with his Uncle who is employed.  Both of his parents are deceased.  Thabo lives with four other children on his Uncle’s homestead.  Thabo receives an education at Joy Primary School and is in the third grade.  He is one of the 45% of the children who are able to go to school in Swaziland.  They do not have a public or government system to provide education.  Fees must be paid in order for children to go to school.

All of the children who come to Ludlati carepoint are children at-risk.  The development plan for Ludlati carepoint includes providing basic food needs, education and support of school fees so children can be educated, health training to teach children about AIDS, and discipleship training by young men and women Swaziland mentors and role models who show the kids how they grew and changed through tough circumstances, how to love God, love each other, and find hope for improving their families and community.

I believe if many of you met either one of these children in person and saw the living conditions they have to deal with everyday, you would be moved to act on your compassion.  It’s as if one of these children showed up at your house in their dirty tattered clothes seeking just one meal.  Let your heart and mind be moved to action as other KnownToMe members have been to give hope to a Ludlati child.  The development plans we have in cooperation with Children’s HopeChest rescues children from starvation, and provides support through native Swaziland workers and role models committed to lead children toward self sufficiency through education, health and AIDS training, and discipleship.  I have seen the work personally in Swaziland.  I have met the devoutly committed people on the ground in Swaziland, visited carepoints where kids are getting care, met the ladies cooking the food and teaching the children, seen the inspiration given by the young men and women discipleship trainers, and I have been to carepoints just getting started where starvation, neglect and dangers are still a heartbreaking reality.  I am looking forward to visiting our and hopefully your Ludlati Neighbor Kids in September this year.  Please start now by picking this link to select Sethu, Thabo or another available child on our list.  I know you will find joy added to your life as we have through this act of giving.

Click here, and start supporting a Ludlati Child today!

Both Hands is a great name for this organization, but I keep wanting to call it something else. When you hear more about it, you will know why (in my mind) the alternative name for Both Hands is Extreme Makeover: Widow and Orphan edition!

According to a message from their founder J.T. Olson,  Both Hands began when a friend refused to sponsor him in a Charity Golf Game. The friend denied J.T’s request saying that he wouldn’t sponsor him for the golf game, but the friend did say that if J.T. was doing something like working on a widow’s home to raise funds for the charity, he would be interested in sponsoring that.  While I am certain that was not the response J.T. expected, it was certainly a response that provoked some thought.  Out of those thoughts, Both Hands was born.  From their website http://bothhandsfoundation.org/, “Both Hands is a non-profit organization with a two-fold mission. We serve widows in a very practical way in our communities, while raising funds to help willing families adopt.”  Both Hands work with Lifesong for Orphans http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/ to make this innovative fund-raising method a blessing for widows and adoptive families.

Imagine being a widow with limited ability to do home repairs or landscape projects, what a joy it would be to have a team arrive excited and prepared to do just what you need. Imagine being an adoptive family working hard to save for an adoption. Wouldn’t this type of project be a great way to help and be helped at the same time?

Lifesong explains the program like this, “When adoptive families are accepted into this program, Lifesong and Both Hands helps the family to remove financial barriers to their adoption and help benefit a widow’s home.” In this program, an adoptive family asks for 10 volunteers to work on a widow’s home for one day. Prior to the work day, those volunteers send out sponsorship letters to ask friends to sponsor them in the work on the widow’s home. Those sponsorship funds go to Lifesong who gives these funds in the form of a grant to the adoptive family.  These projects raise an average of $10,000 for the adoptive family.  What a great way for so many to get involved helping widows and orphans!

Of course, there are many more details in the online manual for this project.  http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bothHands.html  There you will find instructions on things like recruiting volunteers, choosing a widow’s home-improvement or landscaping project, finding a superintendent (any retired skilled construction workers among you?), making a project timeline, finding materials,  and much more.

Local families, if you are considering a project with Both Hands, let us know!  We think there are some of you out there considering this.  We would love to help. Also, if you would be interested in being a construction superintendent on this kind of job or if you know of a widow with a project, can you let us know?  Maybe we can help connect everyone to make one or more of these projects a go! 

Gee, you all are going to think I’m some kind of raging wacko… but now you can add angry to my list of tired and discouraged.  Although, praise God, He is lifting out of the discouraged part of it.  And that’s the worst.  Remember in the Christmas classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life, when Gabriel calls Angel 2nd class Clarence to give him instructions, Clarence asks about the problem with George Bailey: “Is he sick?”  Gabriel replies: “Worse… he’s discouraged”.  The most true and profound words in that entire movie, although often overlooked.  Our enemy knows what saps our will to do what we need to do, so he uses that weapon often.  We need to see it as that.

So now I’m angry.  Easy enough to happen when someone wrongs me and treats me poorly.  But today, someone wronged my wife and treated her poorly.  Thus angry is not really a strong enough word if I let my instincts take over. 

But that is not God’s way, and I have no excuse for that reaction, or to feed my natural emotion.  Jesus told me to love my enemies, to do good to those who intentionally, spitefully do me ill.  WHAT!...  WHAT!  Not just to find a way not to stew over it, but to DO GOOD to those who intentionally do me ill.  Just one more reminder of a biblical theme that should have so many implications to us every day, every moment.  Our lives should not make sense to the world.  If we act like Jesus did, if we act like he commanded us to act, the world should be SHOCKED at our behavior.  If those around me think I am normal, I believe I have a problem with God (by the way, on the surface I am very safe here - no one has EVER thought I was normal - although not always for the right reasons).

We should not fit in.  Our giving, our compassion, our forgiveness, our grace, our self-sacrifice, should stand out to the extent that we look like we’re certifiably insane to the world.  Jesus’ grace toward me looks like that.  And when asked how to pray, Jesus included the line “...forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”.  This applies to our lives at work, at home, and in the context of KnownToMe, it applies in the arena of giving of our time and our money.  If my financial plan, budget, expenses, savings, giving, etc. make sense to the world, fit in any way into the world’s range of “normal” scenarios, then I beleive I am failing to meet God’s extraordinary calling to those who follow Him - all of us - it’s in His Word for all of us, not just a special calling for a select few. 

Good news - He promises extraordinary joy and blessings in return to those who follow him in this way… things good beyond our comprehension such that they make even less sense to the world around us.  His way is not the world’s way.  Those who would be first will be last, and the last first.  He turns all of this around for our benefit in glorious ways if we allow ourselves to become the last… true servants to others.

By now, many of you probably know that today is World Aids day.  Three or more years ago, I would have skimmed right over that news morsel.  You know, there is always some kind of day for this and that.  Days for things that other people care about.  That’s nice that someone cares about such and such, I would think.

Now, I feel like someone has grabbed me by the front of the shirt and forced me to look at the human face of this pandemic. 

* 33,000,000 people are living with HIV and AIDS around the world
* Every 13 seconds a child is orphaned because of HIV and AIDS

And it matters. Why?  Because it matters to God.  I say this because I believe God is a compassionate Father.  He longs to be gracious to us (all of us); He rises to show compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice.

Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1)

And How about Christ’s compassionate care of the leper (similar in many ways to an HIV infected person of today): “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” FILLED WITH COMPASSION, Jesus reached out his hand and TOUCHED the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.” Mark 1:40-42 (NIV). I do realize that HIV can result from sinful behavior.  But Jesus spent so much time with sinners that he was roundly criticized by the religious authority.  His response (paraphrased): these are the people that really need Me.  They are the people who really need us. 
 
Nothing has put a face on HIV for us like the children Don met in Swaziland this past October.  Were the children he held and played with infected with HIV? Almost certainly some of them were.  In fact, in one area they visited, the rate found at a medical clinic there was actually 90%.  What does this number mean to the kids there?  It means parents dying. It means four year olds living alone. It means not knowing where the next meal will come from not to mention the next hug or loving touch.  It means hope can be hard to come by. 

So what is our response? What can we do?  Kay Warren says it like this: HIV/AIDS offers us the opportunity to make the invisible God visible to a world that does not understand what He is like – a caring, compassionate Father. This is done by being filled with compassion and touching the man, woman or child infected and effected by HIV. 

No more ignorance. No more shunning. No more excuses.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.  Proverbs 31:8

…Look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 1 Timothy 6:18

Practical ways to act this out are everywhere. How about start with $5.00?  Children’s Hopechest has a program that takes your $5 and my $5 and brings hope for HIV + orphans. http://www.5for50.com/

How about the care point like our own Ludlati that allows orphans and at-risk children to have food to eat, a chance at education and real hope through discipleship.
http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/index_community_neighborkids

Whether it is across town or across the ocean, compassion for those who are infected and effected by HIV must be part of the very fabric of who we are… if we want to act like (i.e. follow) Jesus.

by Greg Kneller

We Christians are pretty good at justifying the bad rap we feel we get in society.  What we see as being holy and pure is often perceived as egotistically separatist, elitist, and self-righteous; and, be it right or wrong, perception is everything.  After thirty-four years in Christendom, I have acquired an increasing scent of cynicism which calls into question much of what I believe and challenges those of us who believe it—look not too closely and you’ll find a fair amount of ego here also.

Recently, while reading Tom Davis’ Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds, I was called to the carpet.  Tom references first and second century Christians who gave to all who asked and they never asked why.  I immediately justified my position of being gracious to those in need if I could guarantee they wouldn’t spend it on drugs or alcohol.  There are many things wrong with that logic, however.  First, it usually kept me from giving instead of causing me to give.  It also puts me in charge…as if?  And, it is a condition.  I understand that we don’t want to support a lifestyle of which we don’t approve, but again, it’s not about me.  God clearly commands us to give and give freely.  So here was my challenge.

I told God that I wanted to give to someone in need without any judgment.  I went looking.  It was Sunday morning, and I figured I should be able to find someone in need before I got home from church.  As I dropped some stuff off at Goodwill, I gave the cash to a worker who must have needed it—and I hope he did, but I was restless.  There was still a lot of judgment in me and in that gift.  I had found a guy whose circumstances told me he could use the help—I judged that he needed it, and he didn’t even ask for help.

Two days later I turned 41.  I planned a fun evening of Chinese take-out and movies with my family.  My son and I were rushing home for the big event, and it was raining.  As we rushed to the car, a tall, thin man came up to me and literally asked, “Hey man, can you help me out?  I’m trying to get home to my family in Chicago, and my car ran out of gas.”

Uh, oh.

“I’m forty-nine, and I lost my job, and my wife is waiting for me.  If I could just get home tonight, I can send you a check in the mail,” he quickly and somewhat convincingly speaks.  I’ve heard this before, I thought.  I tell him I have no cash, and I turn to leave (my son is now in the car—watching).  But, as I do I remember—give to anyone who asks without judgment.  I pause.  I ask him to wait five minutes. We rush to the ATM and rush back.  I pull up, and the man is still waiting, and he jumps at the sight of my truck.  I hop out of the truck with the door still open to give him the cash.  “Thank you so much.  You’re an angel,” he says as his smile breaks through the dark rain.  I tell him I’m surely not and that I hope things work out for him.  He asks me if there is anything he can do for me, and I tell him there isn’t.  He says it’s a wonderful day and that I really helped him a lot.  I tell him it was indeed—my 41st birthday.  He congratulates me and gave me a hug.  I can smell the alcohol still on his breath, and I again resist judgment and the urge to fill his stomach with food rather than his hand with money.  Carl tells me that life has been hard, but that I made his day and that he would like to pray for me if I would also pray for him.  We agreed; we embraced; and we departed—Carl with a damp twenty and a lighter step, and me with some thoughts to reconcile. 

I don’t know what Carl did with the money, but that isn’t my concern.  God asked me to give and give freely; I asked God to provide that opportunity, and He did.  I’ve been praying for Carl.  Whatever his need was that night, it was met just a little through me.  My need was also met.  Interestingly, it was easier to give the cash than it was to resist running from Carl or living up to our aforementioned Christian stereotype.  Yet, as I continue to ponder that moment and look forward to more, I am struck with this: Carl found a person who would meet his need; I opened my heart, my wallet, and my mind; and my son witnessed a moment that he will not forget.

First, before I start - this is not an appeal for giving to our carepoint.  I am completely comfortable that Ludlati is in God’s hands and that we have no need to badger anyone for support.  Having said that, I do think that we all need to seriously consider how important it is to give generously to support the poor.  Where?..  How?... I can’t tell you that. Seek God with that question, He won’t leave you without an answer if you desire to give deeply of what you have.  Why do I think it is so important to support those in need… to an extent that demonstrates real compassion? (Remember that definition again – the Greek root words mean “to suffer with”).  I’ll start with 48 reasons – 48 reasons among hundreds in God’s Word.  No need to look all these up, they are listed on this site under “About > Perspective” on the menu bar above, or at this link:  “About > Perspective”

Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:16-21; Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12: 28-34; Luke 10:25-28; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-14; James 2:8-9; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Deuteronomy 15:10-12; Zechariah 7:8-10; Matthew 9:21; Luke3:10-11; James 2:14-19; 2 Corinthians 8:12-15; Exodus 22:21-23; Deuteronomy 10:18;  Deuteronomy 14:28-30; Job 24:1-4; Psalm 10:14; Psalm 68:5; Jeremiah 49:11; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 1:23; Matthew 18:5; John 14:18; James 1:22-27; Exodus 23:10-12; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:21-23; Exodus 23:4-6; Deuteronomy 24:17-18; Deuteronomy 27:19; 1 Kings 3:10-12; 2 Samuel 12:1-5; Job 29:16; Job 31:17-23; Psalm 112:4-6; Psalm 140:11-13; Luke 18:7-8; James 2:1-7;
Isaiah 10:1-3; Amos 5:6-7; Ezekiel 16:49; Matthew 23:23-24; Matthew 25:34-26; Luke 16:19-26

When you read these, note how many say “you must support a Ludlati orphan”.  That’s right, precisely zero.  I make no pretense to tell you where or how God has told you to have compassion for those in severe need.  However, I will be bold in this assertion:  God HAS told you to have true compassion for those in need.  To love them as you love yourself.  To love them as if they are Jesus… because Jesus said that in some very real way they ARE Him.  To give until there is equality.  He’s told you to do that.  How do I know that?  He made those instructions universally to all of us in His Word. 

I just listed three things God told you to do.  He told me the same thing.  My grades: FAIL, FAIL, and FAIL.  Thank God for grace.  But I will tell you that I believe I may be getting close to a D-minus for effort.  And God has met my weak and feeble effort with a peace and joy, a security in my life and purpose that I have longed for all my life but always failed to find.  God’s goal is not judgment.  It is for us to share in His joy and His heart’s desire.  He loves us… just as much as he loves the poor.  By giving we connect with His heart, the poor see and feel His love through us, and He is pleased.

The email below is from a staff member of Children’s Hope Chest to an online prayer group called iFast58.  As I read it, I was moved to tears and haunted by the question of how I allowed myself to put this in a box and not care for so many years.  I just flat out didn’t care.  That’s the reality, and I’m not going to sugar-coat it.  I knew full well that children like Dima existed, but I never opened myself to any level of personal compassion (that word again) for them.  It is an interesting parallel to the biblical concept that “faith without works is dead”.  I did not really care until AFTER I began to act out of obedience to what I saw in His Word, and my level of care and desire to serve orphans and the very poor has grown exponentially for every small action I take to physically help.  Don’t put off action until you “feel” an emotional call.  God will supply the emotional desire and the joy of doing His will when we act… at least that’s how it worked for me.

As I contemplated the iFast58 request today, my heart was broken. The profile of a young boy named Dima caught my attention. I am not sure why it caught my attention it has been sitting on a credenza in my office for weeks. But today, I began to think about him – how he is a little younger than my son Luke. I thought of how Luke sometimes needs his mom just to hold him or he will just come snuggle with us – Dima does not have that – he is alone. It is easy to dismiss Dima because we don’t know him – he is on the other side of the planet – out of sight and out of mind.
I want you to meet Dima:The is no current information on his parents.

In Russia , when a child is orphaned, they are stigmatized for life. Their options for education, work and a future are very limited. Their suicide rates are high as is their propensity to abuse drugs. Organizationally we have needs but I would prefer that you pray for Dima today. Please pray that he does not feel lonely when he goes to bed at night. Please pray that when he is scared someone will be there to tell him it is ok. Please pray that someone will encourage him and tell him he is special. Please pray that despite his circumstances that he will feel loved and not worthless. Please pray that he would feel the presence of a loving God who wants to him to know that he created him for a purpose.Thanks!