Sunday Fortune: Be Gracious to the Poor

He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. (NAS, Proverbs 28:27)


This post stems from my trip to the city the other day. I took you all on my journey on the NYC MTA system and I mentioned that a homeless man distracted me from getting off at my stop.

Just about every time I get on the train, a homeless person or an aspiring rapper or a child in need of a sports uniform or whomever else will be on the train begging for money or food.

They always start off the same, "Excuse me ladies and Gentlemen, sorry to bother you...." followed by what circumstance has them begging and then they tell you what they are looking for you to give.

I do give, but not often. I find myself NOT giving because I'm nervous to take out my deluxe tri-fold wallet and then another part of me doesn't know if they really want the money for what they say they want it for. But that really shouldn't be my concern, right?

Helping those in need is a major theme throughout The Bible. The Bible tells about how you should give generously and as a result you will receive more.

For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give -- large or small -- will be used to measure what is given back to you." (TLB, Luke 6:38)

But back to this guy in particular.... After he gave is spiel, he went up to everyone one-by-one, looked them right in the eye, and said, "Excuse me sis/brother, do you have any food or change?"

It was so bold.
And it caught my attention.

That's why I realized too late that I didn't get off where I was supposed to and then became frantic about where I should transfer.

But I digress...

I've decided to volunteer my time. I'm on vacation until Sept. 8th, so what better way to spend it.

I've signed up with NY Cares and I have an orientation coming up very soon. I'm excited. Some of the vulonteer projects include, dancing with seniors, being a friend to immigrants or those with AIDS, reading to homeless children, teaching low income adults financial skills etc.

I can even get my students this year involved.

Sunday Fortune

An Endangered Trait

We used to play a game at summer camp in which we would blindfold one of the kids and have him or her run through a wooded area, relying on a friend for verbal directions to help navigate. "Turn to the left; there's a tree coming!" "There's a log in front of you--jump!" Some kids would not trust the verbal directions whatsoever. They would shuffle their feet walk very slowly, even though their friends were shouting that the way was clear. Other kids would trot along, and a few would go like gangbusters. All the kids though, had to fight the urge to tear off the blindfold so that they could see what was ahead. It takes a great deal of courage to follow another persons lead.

As Christians, we sometimes feel like those blindfolded children. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We live by faith, not by sight." We are not alone in the woods, though--God will direct our paths. But following Jesus Christ demands an enormous amount of courage. Quite often his leadings sound illogical, irsay, "No, I think I'll just crawl back into my shell and play it safe." Then a voice inside me says, "Where's your courage, Hybels? Get up and walk. You can trust god."

Cowards do not last long on their spiritual pilgrimages. They shrivel up and disappear. It takes enormous courage to repent and become a Christian. It takes enormous courage to follow God's leadings in the Christian life. Some of his callings demand the best that you can summon. Some of his tests stretch you to the limit. Some of his adventures evoke great fears and doubts. Truly, spiritual courage is on the endangered character-quality list.

Author: Bill Hybels
Men's Devotional Bible: NIV

Sunday Fortune

Save the Boys

WE SAVE our boys by giving them a role model to follow. When our boys have clear role models, they intuitively know how to function when they assume the responsibility of marriage and parenting. But in their generation, there are too many crippled boys who have no idea what it is to be a man.

It is my God-appointed task to ensure that my sons will be ready to lead a family. I must equip them to that end. Little boys are the hope of the next generation. They are the fathers of tomorrow. They must know who they are and what they are to do. They must see their role model in action. That's how they will know what it means to be a male. That puts the ball in my court...and in yours...

It's our job to save the boys. So the question is, how are we going to do that? My boys are eight and five. I've got ten years left with John before he heads out to college, thirteen with Josh. That time is simply gonna fly by. So I must have a pretty clear idea of what I need to teach them during those remaining years. I must ask myself: What do I specifically need to do in order to train them to become leaders of families?

I have five goals for saving my boys. It is my job as their father to model for them the importance of

• knowing and obeying Jesus Christ,
• knowing and displaying godly character,
• knowing and loving my wife,
• knowing and loving my children, and
• knowing my gifts and abilities, so I can work hard and effectively in an area of strength, rather than weakness, and contribute effectively to the lives of others--and have a little fun at the same time.

Author: Steve Farrar
Found in the Men's Devotional NIV Bible

Sunday Fortune

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they
have deep inside them: a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have
the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."

--Muhammad Ali

Sunday Fortune

"Don't feel entitled to anything you didn't sweat and struggle for"

--Marian Wright Edelman

Sunday Fortune

"Happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends
upon what you think."
-- Dale Carnegie

"Every good thought you think is contributing its share to the ultimate
result of your life."
--Grenville Kleiser

I've been praising the Lord and thinking happy thoughts. And sure
enough, He is bringing them into existence.

What happy thoughts do you have?

Sunday Fortune

Psalm 138:7-8
Though I walk in the midst of trouble you preserve my life; you stretch
out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you
save me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures
forever-
Do not abandon the works of your hands.

The Rev A.R. Benard read this scripture today in church and told us of
many near death experiences he has had and how the Lord has had a plan
for him all along because he continuously preserves his life against the
anger of his foes.

I know the Lord has a plan for you today, because you are reading this
post. There are many that can't read this post today because they
didn't wake up this morning.

Have you had any near death experiences? If so, please share.

Sunday Fortune

"You'll never be motivated to persue any purpose if you don't think you
are worth anything"

The Rev. A. R. Benard said this today during service.
How powerful this one sentence is...
Think about it.

Sunday Fortune

The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.

Got this from a fortune cookie.

I totally agree, I'm in the process right now.
I've made choice to be in it.

Sunday Fortune

People create success in their lives by focusing on today.
It may sound trite, but today is the only time you have.
It's too late for yesterday. And you can't depend on tomorrow.
--John Maxwell

I got this from a spiritual and inspirational book by Pator A.R. Benard
of the well known Brooklyn Cultural Christian Center. The book is
titled "HAPPINESS IS... a way of mind a way of life"

This speaks the truth. Do what you have to do for the now.

If tomorrow comes, God willingly, then do whatever it is you have to do then

Sunday Fortune

Pride is a good thing to have, but don't overdose on it

Got this in a fortune cookie after having lunch at the Chinese buffet
with my parents.
It speaks the truth.