Jalen and the Gnome

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4

Today's story is a reminder for all of us that it doesn't take much effort at all to make someone's day; to turn a frown upside down. All it takes is thinking of others, first.

During my summer disc golf class for kids, we had a quiet young man do something quite unexpected. As you might have guessed, his name was Jalen. He was 10 years old.

One night, Jalen showed up with a handful of 3D-printed gnomes and gave one to every kid in the class. He even gave one to his instructor. Suddenly, Jalen was loved by everyone in the class.

This kid didn't have to do what he did. He wanted to do it. But he had the ability (the gift) to make those gnomes. So he did.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17

Was Jalen's gift "good and perfect?" I'd say 'yes' because I know how it made me feel. But the beautiful thing was, Jalen never expected anything in return.

What "gifts" have WE given to others recently? Does anything come to mind? Think about it. What was the last nice thing you did for someone? 🤔

Uhh.....

Maybe if we did unto others as we would have them do unto us ("Golden Rule," Matthew 7:12) we would all be better off. But we don't do that. At least not often enough. Why not? It's a command from our Lord.

Start off this work week "in Jesus' name." Buy some donuts for the office for no reason. Compliment someone on a job well done. Open a door for someone. Drop something in a tip jar. Donate something to the local food pantry. Donate blood or platelets. Clean out your office and donate the items to Goodwill. Take a walk and pick up trash. Give someone a hug.

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35

FoTS - Goodness

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

Today we are talking about goodness. In a Biblical context, 'goodness' is a morality issue. It means to do what is morally right - doing what is right in God's eyes. Obedience to God's will for our lives is what it's all about.

Examples of goodness then can be found in the Ten Commandments. Starting with #5 we have "honor your father and mother." #6 - do not murder. #7 - do not commit adultery. #8 - do not steal. #9 - do not lie. #10 - do not covet.

But goodness goes beyond NOT doing bad things. It also means doing GOOD things. James tells us that "faith without works is dead" in James 2:26. Our good deeds are evidence that God's Holy Spirit lives in us.

Yesterday I went to the UPS store. After I had finished my business there, I left. On my way out the door I noticed someone approaching, arms full of boxes, so I held the door open for them. They said thank you.

After I got into my car I witnessed another person trying to get into the same store with an even bigger load of boxes, and I just sat there in my car. Why? Was it too inconvenient? No. Timing. This girl had clearly done this before and I would have gotten there too late.

But the point it this. I should have made the effort to do good. Maybe I will return to the UPS Store one day and spend some time opening doors for others. It would actually be a great opportunity to share the Gospel.

Questions:

1. When was the last time you did a good deed for someone?
2. The Boy Scouts have a saying "Do a good turn daily." Have you do that today?
3. What are you doing now that is against God's will?
4. In the drive-thru, pay for the person's order behind you in line. Pray for them as you drive off (that wasn't really a question).
5. When you're standing in the checkout line, let someone go ahead of you. How did they react?

FoTS - Kindness

"Be kind to your web footed friends,

For that duck may be somebody's mother

She lives in a hole in a swamp

Where the weather is always damp

You may think that this is the end:

Well, it is!" (sung to Stars & Stripes Forever)

That's an old Boy Scout song from my youth. I'm not sure WHY it came to mind just now but there it is.

'Kindness' is a fruit of the Spirit and stop #5 on our Fruit of The Spirit tour. It's nearest friends are compassion and love, yet, although those feelings are usually reserved for those closest to us, we can also be kind to complete strangers.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:12

Recently, my wife and I drove to Michigan for a family reunion. During our stay there we visited my uncle and aunt, who are in their 90's.

It's been over a year now since my aunt's cancer diagnosis. She's actually doing pretty good considering her decision not to seek treatment. A year later she is still up and talking with us. Especially my wife.

You see, my wife went out of her way to exhibit kindness this past year by sending my aunt monthly cards with hand-written notes. My aunt appreciated those very much and told my wife that, repeatedly.

It was such a joy watching those two ladies talking with one another!

Questions:

1. How will you exhibit kindness today? This week?
2. Show kindness to a total stranger this week. What was their reaction?
3. Is someone you know struggling with something right now? How could you demonstrate kindness to them?
4. One act of kindness could changed someone's life. Who will you go out of your way to be kind to this week?
5. Open a door for someone this week and greet them with a smile. What was their reaction?

The Sting

Nothing gets a parent's attention faster than a painful scream from one of their children. Instinct kicks in and the parent charges into whatever it is that's hurting their child. Last Thursday night it was a nest of ground bees.

There was no deliberation on the part of the parent. There was no thinking, "Maybe this would be a good life lesson" or "Let me pray about it before I pull Johnny out of the nest." Nope. Only action, And without regard for self on the parent's part either.

We react. That can be either good or bad. For example, when my little brother was still in diapers, he came walking out of the kitchen carrying a knife. By the sharp end. My sister reacted swiftly and yanked the knife out of his hand. Medic!

Reaction is something that is instinctive. We can't help it. So, how do we react when someone attacks us because of our beliefs? Do we react? Or do we think or pray about it before we speak?

Life lessons are important for all of us to learn. Sometimes those lessons sting. Would you run into a nest of bees to save your beliefs from being attacked? Are we ready to act quickly and in love when someone challenges our faith?

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." - 1 Peter 3:15-16

My young friend who got stung by bees this week was grateful that his father reacted quickly, the father sacrificing his own safety to rescue his son. May we react just as quickly when someone attacks our faith. Not for OUR sake, but for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Parable of The Chickadee

A cold, cruel world exists just outside the Hall house these days. The bird feeder is always pretty well stocked but our once active birdbath is now quite empty. Much to the chagrin of one forlorn little chickadee who was looking up at me this morning.

"Hey, there's no water in the birdbath! How do you expect me to take a drink? Fly all the way down to the creek?"

I felt kind of sorry for the little guy so I put on my coat and grabbed a bucket out of the garage. I put on my shoes and my coat and ventured outside in the 35mph wind to fill up his precious little watering hole.

When I arrived on the scene with a fresh supply of water there were a few pine needles frozen in the bottom of the bird bath. There was also a frustrated little chickadee sitting right next to me in the lilac bush - supervising the fill.

After I got back inside I looked out and saw my little chickadee friend taking a drink. He took a sip and then looked up at me. Another sip and another look in my direction. That's something this world could use a lot more of. Compassion. And thanks.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." - Colossians 3:12

Later that day the bird bath in our yard was filled with birds - all drinking the water and taking baths. My wife and I love to watch our backyard birds so we feed them and give them water. They repay our kindness by simply being who they are.

I watched the following video in the evening as I prepared this story for you. There was a hand-written message offered at its conclusion. How right it is.

A simple act of caring creates an endless ripple - that comes back to you.

Compassion In Action

Who's The Loser Now?

Just about everybody was happy to see the New England Patriots lose this past weekend. Everybody except little Tommy that is. Why is that?

Well, part of our joy in seeing the Patriots lose is because they are always winning. How many Super bowls have they won? Five? Six?

And, even though Tom Brady will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history, nobody likes the guy. Why? They see him as a whiner and a cheater. Remember "Deflate Gate? And look at that face! Poor little puppy.

Maybe if Tom Brady was a little more humble. Maybe if he cared about others more than he cared abut himself. Maybe if he was just a little more "human."

So, what does any of this have to do with God? Not much really. But it has a lot to do with us. Take a step back for a moment and look at the person in the mirror. Are you seeing what I'm seeing? These are the words of Jesus.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48

We like to sit back in our recliners and on our couches and tell the people on television exactly what we think of them. We cheer when someone we don't like has a bad day. Are we any better than the politicians we elect or the opinion shows we watch or the people we are trashing with our words?

Nope.

So how can we change all this - these negative attitudes towards our fellow human beings?

As always, Jesus is the answer. The world needs more of Him. But how do we do that? Look, we all have a "Tom Brady" in our lives. Let's "be Jesus" to them and BE the example, like Christ did for us.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." - Ephesians 4:29