Daily Thoughts about God

“Those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord.” Proverbs 19:17

He was a staunch defender of the faith. He gave generously of his resources to the church. He believed the Bible, faithfully attended worship services and knew the words to all the old hymns. Before every meal, after thanking God for His gracious provision, he prayed these words, “And bless those who do not share in this abundance.”

He called himself a follower of Christ and I believe he was one. Then why did that last sentence of his dining room prayers make me feel so uncomfortable? Could it be that I had also heard so many of his living room conversations? Discussions where he berated the poor for “not pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps?” Times when he described races other than his own as lazy and of less intelligence? Even his strongly stated opinions “that giving money or goods to the homeless was a waste?”

Author Donald Miller writes, “What I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do.” The New Testament writer James put it another way, Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but have no deeds? … Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “God’s peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

Lord, it is so much easier to merely talk about serving you than to get my hands dirty in that service. Mother Teresa believed that you love everyone so she spent her life living that love. May my dining room prayers and living room conversations say the same thing.

1. In what ways do I avoid “getting my hands dirty” in service? Why?

2. Ask God to show you at least one person outside your normal circle this week to which you could practically show the love of Christ.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/09/10/me_this-I-believe/
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By Mark Buchanan

Cheryl and I attended Thursday night the premier of Broken Down, local filmmaker Harold Joe’s documentary of the inside story of those who live outside, the homeless. The film introduces us to three homeless (or formerly homeless) men from the Cowichan Valley, and one homeless man and three ladies, two currently on the streets, from Vancouver’s East Side. The movie’s production quality is rough-and-tumble, but it is a powerful depiction of the brutal hardships and daily struggles of those with no fixed address. And it is a stark reminder of their basic humanity.

Some of the scenes are heartrending: a beautiful but ravaged First Nations girl who lives in an alleyway in Vancouver, mourning the loss of her girlhood, craving her next fix. Or bracing: Brenda, a former heroin junkie who lived on Vancouver’s streets for 30 years, warning youth, “Don’t even think about experimenting with drugs” Or touching: Red Beard, a Cowichan man who scrounges cans and bottles for beer money, taking the time to twist the openers off the mouths of cans so that he can contribute toward wheelchairs for disabled children.

Harold’s movie, I think, will become a catalyst for both deeper compassion and more concerted action in our community. The language is coarse in places, but never gratuitously so. It’s not suitable for young children, but I think everyone 12 or up should see it. I’m going to make sure my own teenaged children see it.

The documentary’s title, Broken Down reminded me of verses from Isaiah 58:

If you do away with the yoke of oppression….
and if you spend yourself in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like noon day
Your people will be rebuild the ancient ruins
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings (Isaiah 58:9,10, 12).

Whatever the causes, many and varied, that lead to broken down lives, God has one solution: his church and his people. When we live in Christ-like compassion, God names us and makes us Repairers and Restorers. In the place of ruins, homes. In the place of desolation, dwellings.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/09/10/mb_broken-down/

Daily Thoughts about God Posts

This I Believe

Broken Down