James 1:27

This weekend our church is recognizing the millions of young children who are left without parents for whatever reason and under whatever circumstance.  It's important to me because it falls in line with what this blog is all about...my passion...about building bridges of life to those God loves.  It's important to me because James 1:27 says: "Religion (also translated Worship) that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help..."  If it's important to God, it should be important to us.

Sadly, I believe that too many of us, are desperately hoarding the resources that come to us every other week just so we can pay for the operating expenses and building costs of our lives and churches. Tragically, as necessary as that may seem to be, it's too bad that we, as individuals and the church, have gotten to that point in our existence!

I believe that most of us would make the choice not to do that if we fully understood that God's abundance is released into our personal lives and into our ministries, when we take what He says about the care of orphans and widows...believe it and obey it!

In fact, I've come to the conclusion, based on Scripture, that it's vitally important to both our personal and corporate financial lives!  Why?  Well, because, if you think about it, God is our provider, and it's His command to care for those who can't take care of themselves, for whatever reasons!  So, when we obey Him by releasing our resources and possessions to His commands (to the things that break His heart) our ultimate Provider takes care of us!

This is what breaks the heart of God.  I don't know how it couldn't break yours:
According to international agencies that track the orphan situation in the world...

• There are somewhere between 143 and 210 million abandoned, neglected and/or orphaned children in the world today.
• A child under the age of 5 dies in the world every 3 seconds from some kind of neglect, starvation or exposure.  That's 11 million precious children of God every year!
• Every 12-15 seconds another child in Africa becomes an AIDS orphan (how long have you taken to read this blog so far?  Think about it!)
• There are an estimated 18 million AIDS orphans in Sub-Sahara Africa (that's 8 out every 10 children!)!
• Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually!  Good, right?  
• BUT, 14, 505,000 grow up as orphans, and at 16 years of age are out of the system...38,5000 children a day! 
• In Russia and Ukraine, 10-15% of those who "age out" commit suicide before they are 18! 
• About 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.  
• And the U.S. statistics are too much different when you look at them.  

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is a travesty to our FATHER!  A travesty that he expects us to take care of...at whatever cost or sacrifice!  What are you going to do to be part of God's answer?  GET INVOLVED!  Be proactive - Do Something, PLEASE! You won't regret it! 

 

If you're in the area, we invite you to join us at Central Christian Church in Snohomish, WA for Orphan Sunday.  Services are at 9 & 11 (don't forget to set your clocks back, U.S.) and then the International Worship & Prayer at 4pm with The Orphan's Table and Orphan/Adoption/Foster Care Testimonies at 5pm.  Go to www.centralfaith.org or www.orphansunday.org for more information.

A Humble Servant, 

Greg

ANTICIPATION

Most of you may remember the old Carol King song,

"Anticipation."  

A couple of decades ago it became popular as the Heinz Ketchup commercial jingle that played while you watched in anticipation for the thick, tomatoey sauce to slowly make its way through the bottle neck and drop onto the burger.  It was quite dramatic and worked perfectly while Carol King sang:

"Anticipation, 

Anticipation, 

Is makin' me late, 

Is keeping me waitin'." 

It was a great commercial for a slower time in our culture.  Today, it would drive most people nuts because it would be too slow and the need for fast, time-sensative ketchup would seem to be preferred.

But, anticipation describes this moment for me right now.  Without any need for this moment to pass quickly, I'm treasuring each precious minute, patiently waiting for what's about to happen.  I really like that Heinz commercial!

You see, I'm about to have another "first" in my life.  I'm sitting here in a hospital anticipating being grandpa to a little girl named Addison.   I'm currently a grandpa of her cousin, Jayden, who was born just 13 weeks ago (and that was a great first for me also)...but this moment of anticipation is for the first little girl in the Ishmael clan for close to 5 generations (from what I can gather).   Yes, she's a little late, and she is keeping us waitin', but I'm not bothered by that...I'm just enjoying the anticipation (However, I'm not the one who is doing the work to get her into the world, so please understand my perspective on this may not be quite the same as her mom and dad).

I don't know what Addison is going to be like or look like, but I've been talking to her off and on for the last 41 weeks, so I'm anticipating that she's probably going to recognize me in some small way as soon as she's here (OK, maybe not, but for my sake, just go with me on this).

I'm anticipating that the God who formed the universe, also "fearfully and wonderfully" made this little sweetheart that I'll be holding soon; and she'll be perfect in every way, without exception!

I'm anticipating times of reading to her!
I'm anticipating times of talking with her!
I'm anticipating long walks together,
I'm anticipating having tea parties with her,
I'm anticipating giving horsey rides around the room with her,
I'm anticipating playing alongside her,
I'm anticipating taking her on outings,
I'm anticipating giving her hugs and kisses;
I'm anticipating holding her and her cousin, one in each arm,
I'm anticipating encouraging her in life and letting her know she can be all God created her to be!

Wow...ok, that Heinz commercial isn't as great as I thought it was!  I don't seem to be enjoying this anticipation journey anymore!  Addison, hurry up!  I don't think I can wait...I'm too excited!  See you soon!

A Humble Grandpa To Be (not soon enough)
Greg

Be Present

In Atlanta, right now, a conference called Catalyst is taking place.  It's purpose is "To ignite passion for Christ and develop the leadership potential of the next generation equipping them to engage and impact their world." 

It fulfills it's mission!  I know because a couple of years ago I took our staff, and I believe it ignited our passion for the One we serve, for each other and for those we lead!  It developed our thinking outside the lines people had drawn around God's Church. It bonded us together under a new flag of engaging and impacting this world for the Kingdom of God!  

This year's conference is based upon the theme: Be Present! Here's how they state it:
Distraction has become the new norm. We get caught up with what happened yesterday and are preoccupied with what may happen tomorrow. Our attention is too often focused on what is happening “out there.” In the same moment, we are talking on the phone, replying to an email, updating our status and checking the latest headline. We commit to be in too many places at once. And those right in our midst are hurting. Brokenness exists all around you. Right now.

As leaders, we must be present. It’s our responsibility to embrace what God has put squarely in front of us, and take action where we are.

Being present requires time, space, and place. Eye to eye focus. Undivided attention. Messy moments of inconvenience. A willingness to lay down everything else to pay attention to who is in front of you. Listening, caring, and loving. Putting down roots in a specific place. Leading where you are.

We need more presence. With our Savior, our families, our friends, our neighbors, our city, our teams, our circle of influence.We must show up and be in the moment.


I have to confess...I've not been present lately.  I've not been present with God in the way that I passionately desire; I've not been present with my wife in the way that she needs me to be; I've not been present with those I shepherd and lead--I've just not be present!  I thought I was just having trouble focusing and concentrating, but now I realize I've been distracted by everything the enemy uses to pull us away from a "presence" with God.

Maybe you're experiencing the same thing (I think most of us do in different ways)!  But have you noticed, like I have, that when you attempt to focus on being present (especially with God), even more distractions seem to come up?  And then you end up giving "presence" to them, instead of the things of God.  It's frustrating!

I was listening to Francis Chan's Catalyst presentation today, and one question he asked hit me for the first time...again (isn't it amazing how hard-headed we can be in learning something?):  Does anything else matter than being completely present with God?

Of course, the answer is "no!"  As I think about it (again), when that relationship takes precedence in my life, my presence with all the other relationships naturally fall in place behind.  Why?  Because God cares about those he has placed in my life...all their joys, hurts, idiosyncrasies, etc.  Being in His Presence bring me to the place where my heart breaks for the things that break His heart...for the people HE cares about!

My prayer for you, and for myself, is that we would first Be Present with our Lord, and that the distractions of this world (whether in the form of material things or people or whatever) would be lessened.  And as a result, each of us would be given the supernatural time, space, attention and place to BE PRESENT with God in deeper ways; resulting in a deeper presence with those God has placed in our lives!

Sometimes A Hard-Headed Servant!
Greg