Generous Protection
4. February 2012
Global Nomad
Guest post by:
Pastor Fred Sherwood
Mannville Community Church
Several people in our congregation have known the heart break of a devastating fire in their home. When you ask them what was their greatest loss the answer invariably is the pictures and other personal effects that have memories attached to them. Things can be replaced but the memories are precious and irreplaceable. It is a good reminder to us to be doing the kinds of things today that will produce memories that we will want to recall fondly for the rest of our lives.
My small work space is surrounded by pictures of my family. One of those pictures was taken in the south of England in the countryside of Burrington Combe. You may have heard the story of the preacher and hymn-writer Augustus Toplady who was from a nearby town. As he was walking along the road a sudden storm swept across the landscape. Toplady sought shelter in a large rock formation with a wide cleft in it. With his creative mind he meditated on the connection between his shelter and God’s help in the storms of life. Thus, on that stormy day, was born the famous hymn Rock of Ages which has been a source of strength for many and a personal favourite of mine. Since I was in the area I
wanted to stop and get my picture taken in the same cleft where Toplady sheltered from the storm. As if on cue a storm came up and I took shelter in the cleft which is now sign-posted “Rock of Ages”.
My wife snapped the picture of me sitting on a boulder in the cleft with our baby on my lap and a toddler holding my hand and peering out from under my arched legs. My children felt secure in their father’s hands and I had a moment to reflect on my own security in the hands of our Heavenly Father. I wondered how many travellers over the centuries have sought refuge in that cleft and how many of them knew the God who created it. The words of the hymn came to my mind and I sang to myself,
“Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee…Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked come to Thee for dress, Helpless look to Thee for grace…While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death, When I soar to worlds
unknown, See Thee on Thy judgement throne, Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.”
Toplady’s hymn captures the essence of the Gospel message. We cannot earn our way to heaven by what we bring with us, but we must accept by faith God’s unmerited favour in sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Those who trust in Him will experience the resurrection unto life and will never need to fear death again
Photos: Wikipedia and Fred Sherwood.
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Generous Neighbourhood Watch
31. January 2012
Global Nomad
Dorothy’s diligence and care for the folk in her mobile home estate is quite amazing. Her awareness of those who might need extra care or encouragement is very finely tuned. Knowing all the names of the residents and their individual needs speaks volumes.
Recently, some damage was done by folk not really thinking of the welfare of others, caused considerable anxiety in the community where Dorothy lives. She was able to be the link between the residents and the authorities as they seek to discover exactly what happened and also to bring the folk concerned to task for their thoughtlessness.
Giving time, talents and much tenderhearted care within the community has been such a blessing to those who live there.
Global Nomad.
Photo Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_home
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Generous Ploughing
29. January 2012
Global Nomad
Today while traveling in the UK, I noticed many a freshly ploughed field. How rich soil looked as it silently waits for the sowing. The upturned clods of fertile earth had been turned over exposing it to the elements and allowing the atmosphere to enrich it.
There is much hard work in preparing the fields for sowing in expectancy for a rich harvest. My thoughts were considering the starting of new ventures of faith or new personal projects or whatever service might come our way. Much hard work is need to be invested into the planning and preparation. Ensuring that such initiatives will bear fruit.
May we be ready to invest such effort into times of preparation and thus reap the harvest.
Global Nomad.
Photo: Society of Ploughmen http://www.ploughmen.co.uk/british.htm
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Fear of Generosity?
27. January 2012
Global Nomad
I’m bad at choosing gifts—or at least it’s not easy for me to do. I wonder what the implications of a certain item are—if it sends a message other than that which was intended (usually, “You’re important to me”). Did I pay too much or too little? Does it reveal an assumption I’ve made of them by thinking they would want a certain something? And I think about all this before I even wonder if they will like it or not!
So, yes, I have a sort of fear of generosity in that I’m afraid of what the other person will think or say. I’m afraid of rejection. It’s like this with ideas too. What if something I share is criticized and devalued? What then? That’s a good question, what then? I’ll feel bad, but that is temmporary and is up to me in a lot of ways. Should that stop me from sharing? No!
There are many roadblocks to sharing ourselves with others: busyness, laziness, fear. What holds you back from sharing your ideas?
Posted by Jon and Mindy Hirst http://generousmind.blogspot.com/
Photo: courtesy of Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gift
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Generosity Just Keeps Giving
23. January 2012
Global Nomad
I have had the most fun when I’ve been given the opportunity to be generous. I used to tell my kids that being generous to others is “better than chocolate cake.” Proverbs says it best, “He who refreshes others will be refreshed,” (Proverbs 11:25b). Generosity was the virtue theme for December’s 252 Basics.
Wanda, from Portico Church in Ontario sent this story about launching their first shared Family Experience—or FX, as we like to call it. We used the Generosity theme for our FX and played the Rapid Response game where we gave away a prize that looked cheap and cheesy (lots of fun and laughs by all), but we wrapped it in “The Wrapper” you supplied for the virtue theme of Generosity. We actually switched it up, and gave away some pretty decent prizes containing some gift cards. After listening to the FX message that generosity is making someone’s day by giving something away. The family gave the gift back to our Children’s pastor to give to someone who could really use it.
A bit later, the leader came across a family who had missed the FX altogether. She explained about the FX and the gift card, and asked them if they would like the gift card. They readily took the gift. Later, we found out the second family had decided they too wanted to make someone else’s day, so they gave the gift away. We’ve heard rumor that this family may have also given the gift away to another family. We’re trying to track the gift card to see where it ends up.
We’re praying that it will land in the hands of someone who needs to know that God loves them! The cool thing is that every one of the folks who have had the gift, whether they attended the FX or not, seem to have gotten the message of being generous and making someone else’s day!
As you plan for 2012, consider investing in a shared Family Experience at your church on a consistent basis. Think about what opportunities there may be for conversations throughout the week among those who experience an event like this together. Think about how to invite NEW families to your church via a shared Family Experience in the new year. It can create new momentum and opportunity for bigger impact. FX is part of the strategy of Orange!
Post courtesy of http://252blog.com/2012/01/19/generosity-just-keeps-giving/
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Generous Welcoming…
4. January 2012
Global Nomad
On Christmas Eve morning, I had the joy of visiting our Parish Church, as I often do on Saturdays. A small group of friends meet for coffee and discussion – very informal but increasingly valuable. On the way, I met up with the Rector and we chatted briefly. He informed me that most probably the church would be closed as it was so close to Christmas Day.
However, I thought I would still go along in case the other folk we there and we could meet up somewhere else. It was so encouraging to see the doors open. Although there was no one able to volunteer for that morning, the coordinator of the “welcomers” felt impressed that he should come along.
Amazingly, a stead stream of folk called in over a couple of hours. Each with his or her own specific needs and it was a joy to encourage them. I felt this generous act on the coordinator’s part was well worth sharing with you. It is wonderful how Father takes the small acts of service and makes them a real blessing to others.
Be encouraged to live a generous lifestyle.
Global Nomad.
[Photo courtesy: http://www.sjayeovil.co.uk/ ]
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Generous Change
24. December 2011
Global Nomad
A friend’s Christmas news update included a note about dedicating a new aircraft for FMS for which his son serves as a pilot. Here is a note about this remarkable group “delivering change to Botswana” through various generous channels of blessing.
Flying Mission Services is based in Botswana and provides flight and maintenance services throughout Southern Africa. The heart of FMS is to generate enough income through commercial operations to not only sustain its own ministry and operations but also to provide subsidised flights for missionaries and to support the broader ministries of Flying Mission. This new paradigm in mission aviation is an exciting step away from donor reliance and toward sustainability.
http://flyingmission.org/index.php
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Brimming Generously with ideas.
16. December 2011
Global Nomad
What a special treat to attend a weekly meeting of a small group of young adults who daily face relational challenges. As they took turns to share about their hobbies or interests, it was so evident that they have so much to contribute.
From intricate sequence placing on a pattern of lively sea-horses to a couple of creative video clips using a kaleidoscope of production techniques.
The photography was good too as well as the art and gifted student of WWII history plus samples of rank chevrons and other memorabilia for the WWII. The latter is keen to write a book about his subject and I am sure he could.
If you have an opportunity to encourage such groups in your area, I am sure you will be encouraged. It’s a great experience.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome
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Generosity at Lunchtime.
13. December 2011
Global Nomad
At this season of the year, friends and neighbours ensure that folk living on their own are invited over for Christmas Lunch. Some churches also make this a special event in their calendar and arrange for folk either to be with others or to hold a special Christmas Dinner at the church hall. This is special generosity.
One year, all my family were away and thus I was wondering how things would work out. Three couples asked if I was ok for Christmas Lunch and the first one to ask, although they already had twelve guests, were most welcoming. Another example of generosity in action.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia: Christmas Dinner: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_dinner
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Puppet Generosity
10. December 2011
Global Nomad
Discovering purposeful projects for youth can be a challenge. One young couple has taken a creative step. They trained in puppetry and then set up their youth group to give performances. This has gone really well and now they have many invites to take part in various events.
It was great watching them in a shoping area of our town, giving a Christmas programme on a Saturday morning. Busy shoppers were spell-bound as they watched the colourful and dynamice perfomers. The teams generous sharing of theit time, talents and enthusiasm as well as the message of Christmas was tremendous.
Maybe there are innovative ideas that you could introduce into your youth group too.
[Photos courtesy of Martock Christian Fellowship: More information: http://www.wearemcf.org/]
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