Do you do for others as you do for yourself? That question stops us in our tracks. People need us, but do we need them? Sometimes we help them. Sometimes we give them something to eat. We want to help…but do we? Remember those times we took the time to help someone who needed it, when we gave someone what, if it came down to it, you would rather have kept.

I think most of my readers would say that they want to help others more often than they do. Does it cost you? “Well, no.” We just don’t do it, or even think about doing it. So I think we should wake ourselves up. I mean, really and truly wake ourselves up. That would take some doing and a little thinking. But we can do it, and we can think about how to do it.

Let’s think about it.

First we need to have a plan. Let’s decide: Who? What? Where? There are a few groups that furnish the tools for making a meal for those who need it. Select one of them and then check what they do. You can start to help them. Get involved in whatever way you can. You can do all sorts of things like gathering clothes for the homeless or people in need. You can help with setting things out on the shelves, if you want. You can assist wherever and whenever. Expand your horizon. Try something new. Get a grip on.

After you have a plan, it helps if you determine what action you will take. Make sure you look clean and neat. You need to make a good impression, that is, if you want others to take you as serious. So, look nice, wear clean and neat clothes. Smell good! Be helpful. Put your best foot forward. Then go to some places, two or three, and ask if they could use some help. Even places like a library can use your help.

Try something new this week

Then you should take some time to plan a fresh face approach. Think positive thoughts. Be willing to learn. Do your best. Be kind. Help others. Be considerate. Ask your boss what he or she would like you to do…and then do it. Be courteous. Don’t waste time and don’t use improper language. You want this to be fun, but you want to make the day go better because you are there. I mean this, really and truly mean this.

Let’s talk some about your attitude. You can make the day go better since you are there, or you can make the day um worse because you are there. You can do it, yes you can. You may not even be working with the customer, but your presence makes a difference. If you are determined to be a good help, you most likely will be. It’s the way you look at things. Have a positive attitude and your day will go better than, say, having a poor attitude (even though your world isn’t perfect). People like to be around positive people.

People know you care . . .

I have been talking about volunteers. However, these same principles work where ever you go. a positive attitude always is pleasing. Even for a teacher, it pays to be positive. It may be small or even big things. Compliment the way they look or something they brought to work with them. Laugh at people’s jokes (clean jokes, I mean). Bring treats, now and then. Watch your language, you’ll be glad you did. Be busy…all the time, not just when it suits you. Good manners help. Say please, thank you, no problem and that sort of thing.

. . . when you show you care.

Now. unfortunately, it’s taken me a l-o-n-g time to get myself in gear regarding these practical tools for social engagement. I used to be a negative thinker and doer, although I wasn’t too bad. Part of it was because my life was a bit hard, but that is no excuse. I could’ve. should’ve, but didn’t. I remember my Aunt Louise saying that as a teacher she should’ve spent more time with her peers. That was true of me, too. People know you care when you show you care. In fact, that is true where ever you go.

So, if I see you in the market, please say hi. If you’re at the park and a ball comes rolling your way, don’t ignore it, throw it back with a smile on your face. If you mess up, say you’re sorry. It is all the little things that matter. People are drawn to people who make them feel good. Remember that. During the Covid upset and people were staying home because they had no choice. some of the public skills drained away. It’s time to bring them back. I don’t know about you, but I particularly like it when the store personnel is pleasant to me. They make me glad I’ve come. Some of us older folks know these things. Put your smile on…and thank YOU!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

In the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas there is a scene where Linus Van Pelt tells Charlie Brown that he knows the true meaning of Christmas. Then Linus begins to recite this passage, which is the true meaning of Christmas.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in he field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:8-14).

In 1965 when Charles Shultz wrote the play, the production team wanted to cut this scene. But Charles Shultz refused to remove it. The network was sure the movie would flop. But they were mistaken. It was widely watched and a huge success with 45% of homes watching.

9/11

Decades later, on September 11, 2001 I was teaching on the day of the attacks on the Two Towers. That same year, while our country was still reeling from the assault on our nation and the clean-up of the site was ensuing, the 8th grade class in the public school where I was a teacher performed the play A Charlie Brown Christmas. Surprised at their audacity and pleased as Luke 2:8-14 was recited, I was reminded of the way a tragedy brings us closer to our roots and our faith. Barriers had come down whereas barriers had been erected prior to 9/11 to prohibit words of faith from being expressed in public, including the songs we performed for Holiday/Christmas school-wide performances.

Wonderful Counselor

Pastor Warren Weirsbe was a guest speaker for chapel at Western Baptist College when I was a student in the 1970s. He exuberantly expressed his joy in the Lord. I was impressed. This led me to purchase a book written by him that was in the college bookstore.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Weirsbe wrote about each name expressed in this passage of scripture: Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. I would read his book, His Name is Wonderful, at Christmastime to soak in the essence of who Christ is, what qualities He brought to earth, and the goodness of it all. In such a gracious way, here in this scriptural text we are shown the majesty of the kingdom of God on earth.

Messianic Prophecy

often listen to debates between Christians and atheists. I’ve even bought a few books related to the subject. One of the most compelling proofs of the Bible’s validity is the fulfillment of prophesies recorded by prophets in Old Testament times. This phenomenon of the foretelling of future events highlighted the hope and the promise, the way of salvation that God would provide for God’s chosen people and simultaneously for all people. The world needed a savior to save them from their sins, as we all do. Here’s one of many messianic prophecies.

“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:11-12).

The Plan’s Fulfillment

However, this salvation wasn’t only limited to the Jewish people. It was part of a God-sized plan for the salvation of Jewish and Gentile people groups. The Righteous Servant was God’s only begotten Son, the true son of God. His redemption plan was all inclusive. It was a broad message and its impact was far reaching to all peoples of the world. God so loved the world in its entirety. God’s gift to humankind was the greatest gift of all. It was a gift of love for God so loved the world.

If Christ had never been born, if Christ had never died an innocent death, if Christ had never loved a sinful world, if redemption had never come to the world, we would be forever lost without hope, without peace, and without the light of life, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

A Positive Heartwarming Story

Now for a treat. I’ve been collecting positive stories for a while. I decided to share some of them with you. So, I leave you with this simple story seen on Twitter, 2020, by Annie White.

“When I was 4 years old, my mom had to stop by the station with me in tow. Just as my mom started to turn left into a hallway, I saw him. Real. Live. In person. Mr. Rogers. DEAD AHEAD! I did not follow my mom, but bolted to my sweater-clad hero. I wrapped myself around his legs, sitting on his feet and screamed at full volume, ‘MISTER ROGERS! I LOVE YOU!’ My mother was mortified. But do you know what that saint of man did? He peeled me off his legs while sitting down on the floor next to me. And screamed, just as loud as I did, “AND I LOVE YOU, TOO!” And to this day, I believe he meant it. Because that’s who Fred Rogers was: Loving. When he found out my mom and (then) step-dad had a quiet courthouse wedding, he threw them a shower at the station because he said every marriage should be celebrated. He genuinely was every bit of what you saw on TV.

God is still at work in people’s lives. God is drawing people to Himself in unforeseen and unprecedented radically new ways. He answers the cry of the soul and meets their needs. I am surprised how he does this.

Our job is to keep praying for their souls.

We are charged with sharing the gospel of Christ to an lost but unforsaken people. It is much easier to connect with them when we love them. However, I keep feeling like I’m running out of time. Change is in the air.

Last month two acquaintances in my local writing venue unexpectedly died. I wasn’t ready for this. Their passing was hard to make sense of. I didn’t want them to pass on. One was from my class in high school. She was the sweetest person. She visited with me every time I showed up. I just couldn’t believe it. She was active in the club and published the club’s monthly newsletter.

Two loving sisters in their eighties have joined the ranks of those home-going to heaven. They passed within five weeks of each other. The second one’s service was a week ago. Her husband shared how he kissed his wife two times before he left the hospital the night before she passed. He said it was the last time he saw her alive. I gave him a hug and felt his sad emptiness. She was a lovely person. Her great-grandson wept as he told of her unconditional love.

I don’t know what is ahead, but God does. I remember sharing one of my writings, The End of the Road, with one of the women who passed a month ago. My writing wasn’t picked for a shout out, but I know she read it, and I’m glad she did so. She was older than me and a former law enforcement officer. She looked at me curiously whenever our paths crossed. Sometimes we talked, but I rather doubt we were on the same page in the spiritual realm.

We just never know where some stand spiritually. This compels me to let my light shine. I should breath deeply and reach out whenever I have an opportunity. It is a beautiful thing to share the gospel of Christ.

Oh, Lord, you’re beautiful–Your face is all I see. I’m so thankful God is Who He says He is. Nothing can take Him away from us.

I’ve loved this song since the first time I heard it when Keith Green sang it at Laxson Auditorium at Chico State University.

. . .

I wish you well on your spiritual journey.