The Practical Disciple » Entries tagged with "giving"
Creative Giving to Preserve Dignity and Build Relationship
I love preaching and teaching except for one thing–God always seems to challenge me on whatever I put out there for other people to do. A week ago, I wrote a post about helping people during this tough economy. My post was prompted by an email from a friend who was in need of sixty thousand dollars for their business, but having trouble getting a loan. As I was giving the post a finally proof reading and about to hit the publish button, a man came through my door looking for assistance. You need to understand something. Because the economy is whacked out, our normal discretionary monies for helping people are already exhausted for the year. Which means that often times I now have to make some personal … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Guest Post–Erin Potter Kaye, Creatively Ministering in this Tough Economy
Last week I wrote a post on ministering to others during this tough economy. A friend and colleague, Rev. Erin Potter Kaye, called me a couple of days later to share a great creative response to someone’s financial need. Here is her story in my first guest post. Thanks Erin for sharing! ——– Hi John. Last Wednesday I read your post on the Practical Disciple and was inspired to share a story with you. The day before, Tuesday, I was supposed to be at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, near Little Rock, AR, on a private planning retreat. However, a saint of the church had passed away the previous Friday, and I was honored to be asked to preside at the funeral on Tuesday morning. Afterward, I went back to the church office … Read entire article »
Filed under: compassion
Responding to the Economy
I called a dear friend recently whom I hadn’t talked to in a while. She and her husband are small business owners. They are furniture crafters who have spent the last ten years building a solid, reputable business. I was dismayed to hear that like so many others the economy may soon put them out of business. They have the customer base they need but need operating capitol to put product on the floor. Like so many others, they can’t find a bank willing to loan to them. I can understand their frustration. We moved right as the economy shifted a little over 18 months ago. Our house sat on the market for a year and a half as we watched its … Read entire article »
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Being Prodigal
Most of us know the story of the prodigal son. A young man, probably full of late adolescent angst or early twenty know-it-all syndrome, tells his daddy. ”I can’t wait until your dead to get my money. Give it to me now.” Forgive me for the tremendous paraphrasing but you get the idea. Dad gives him the money. The young man then heads out on his own. He squanders his money and finds himself yearning … Read entire article »
Filed under: compassion, Uncategorized
A Simple Exercise to Grow in Charity and Grace
Carry a one dollar bill in your bill fold with a paper clip on it. Pray that God will send you the person that needs this one dollar bill. Then the next time you are approached by someone needing money, trust that this is the person you need to give the bill to and let them have it. I suspect some of you just raised an eyebrow and within you an objection is arising. ”If … Read entire article »
Filed under: compassion
Different Tomorrow Today–Get Inspired.
I mentioned in a recent post that my daughter, Ruth, is going to be raising money to purchase a cow for a needy family via Heifer Project International as a Lenten project. I am really proud of her for taking on something so ambitious. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, but she is already up and running. She actually cleaned someone’s workshop today in exchange for a gift to her project. She has started … Read entire article »
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