But what am I doing?

There are times when I wonder if I make a difference in this world at all.

Sure, I work with a group of people and do a monthly serving to those in need.  We provide food, clothing, care kits, etc...

When I remember to do so, I hand out McDonald's gift cards to those on the corner flying the sign.  Or 20 bucks, which I was called to do recently.

But is that all I can do?

Short answer is: no.

But there's a difference of what we can/should and are called to do.  We can all do the SAME thing, but that doesn't mean we are supposed to.  We are all called to something, and not always is that "something" the same as what others are doing.

The group of people that I work with that do a monthly serving to those in need - that's what we are currently called to do. Maybe this is all we will be called to do, I don't know.  Maybe we will expand or grow in ways I can't foresee right now, but we know what we can do RIGHT NOW.

So what are we doing?

A couple things.

While we aren't "religious," that is while most of us are Christian that has never been criteria for what we do or people to help what we do, we are Christian.  We are trying to love as Jesus loves.  All who come to us get help, that we can provide.

We aren't the best at what we do, there are other organizations that do what we do better...but that's okay and that should spur others on.  Anyone can share God's love in any number of ways.  If we can, you can.

And sure, some days, you'll think "what am I doing?" because you won't see what you have done or know that you have really made a difference.  But when you need it most, God will show you what exactly you are doing.

And no, not everyone you meet will be on the same page as you.  And that's fine.  God will find a way to use them too, if they are willing.

Honestly, I just want people to know - if you feel a passion toward something that you want to do: do it.  God is with you in it.  It might not be big or get noticed.  We aren't and haven't and we have served for over three years!

But God notices and those whom we help notice too!

Some servings go better than others...but we never regret doing it.

So what are we doing?

We are loving...as best we can.

Can we do better?  Of course!  But that's part of why we keep doing what we do...to learn to love how Jesus loves.

No, we won't always see or know if we have made any impact...but when we truly need to know we will.  Trust me.

So what can you do?  You know it already.  God's told you.  Just trust him and follow it.  It might not be World Vision (we aren't!) but it will impact someone and that is the truth.

Take care,

Chris

Just One Example.

Local Boy Helps Homeless Kids...

His story goes to show, it takes very little to something "big."

What keeps us from doing anything, sometimes, is that we measure with the wrong "ruler".

If we measure by the standards of "man" what this boy did, really doesn't amount to much.  It was just toys after all, right?

Thankfully, God doesn't measure that way.

We might never know the full impact of what this boy, or we, do.  Because of this fact, we sometimes let it stop us from doing anything; even feel as if what we do is...a waste of time.

It never is.

Everything we do matters and makes a difference...to someone...

Be a Bell Ringer!

Ever wanted to a be a Salvation Army Bell Ringer, but can't stand the cold - well the Red Kettles have gone virtual and now you can help fill the Red Kettle right at home, on your computer with your friends and family.

Check it out HERE!

A Knitting Ministry of One

For those who like to knit, there are many needs for basic knitted items. Warm winter hats and mittens for kids, tiny caps for infants and prayer shawls for the elderly are just a few.

If you are a knitter and want to become a knitting ministry, here is a site to help you get started. You will find patterns, hints and tips, as well as a list of charities that need knitted items. There is even an email newsletter to subscribe to. It's a perfect ministry for Just One.

Knitting For Charity

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The Family Place

Two things got me thinking today.

1) At work, there was a bunch of left over loaves of bread. From what I could gather a staff's church had extra bread and this staff brought it to the office for people to grab.

- Now, I'm kicking myself for not grabbing it. Especially now days you see many people needing something to eat...this bread might have helped out in some way.

2) I got a mailer from The Family Place.

The Family Place is Ramsey County's ONLY day shelter for homeless families with children.

Check them out...

Diversity...tolerance...huh?

Yesterday we had "tolerance" training at work.

While I know they are good intentioned, I can't help but wonder what the exact purpose of it was.

It's not like the field we work in is homogeneous. We inherently have a diverse population we work with and serve.

This field is not for racists, bigots, or those who devalue any human - because if so, then you have one awful day of work after another, as you are surrounded by any number of "diverse" people.

Black, white, gay, straight, mentally ill, developmentally disabled, foreign...etc.

True this goes for other fields as well, what I'm trying to point out is that we picked and work in this fields because we have open minds and open hearts.

It seemed that it was preaching to the choir...or maybe there's a problem I was not aware of.

It got me to thinking though...we are soooo concerned with our differences. And differences are good, between people, as it can be a nice spice to life...who wants cut outs of each other?

But we focus so much on the OBVIOUS differences. Black/white...straight/gay...man/woman.

These things we focus on, and call out when we see someone of a different ______ either a victim or aggressor.

Yet, we gloss over many, many, many other differences that we hold against each other. And, by doing so, as well may overshadow the REAL reason behind someones hate, or prejudice...it just might NOT BE because someone is black, but because of....you name it, it can be anything.

Looking at the obvious, doesn't get to the core, and doesn't change of offer solutions.

But one solution came to mind.

C.S. Lewis had written a letter to someone about the difference in Christianity. Mainly, protestant vs. catholic.

He said something to the fact that point out each other differences (and pointing out how one side is right and the other wrong) won't bring the two sides any closer.

Lewis said through charity would both sides become closer. Through charity, we'd forget about the differences, and focus on the greater good.

I believe this can be said for "human relations" as well.

Perhaps that's why in the field I work in, many diverse people CAN get along so well. (I'm not saying LIKE or LOVE) but get along...get work done DESPITE any differences.

Through charity, through coming together for the greater good, the greater need, we not only won't focus on the differences, but will realise that it ultimately doesn't matter, and that WE ALL are in this together.

Many of our differences are not our choice, thus even we shouldn't be proud, or point them out...many of our differences are our choice - for good or ill.

Either way, if we think of the other man more, we think of ourselves less. If we think of ourselves less, we won't notice that anyone is any different.

That is what God was trying to get at with the commandments...(but that's another rant)

Five KEYS to happiness revealed!!!

So, I was going about my day when it hit me! I had to pull over and write it down!

The five keys to happiness!

Get your pen and paper and get ready to write these down…ready? Okay here they are!












Okay, none of that happened. Because, well, there are no “keys” to happiness. At least, not as we would define them. Certainly there are things that make us happy, but these are not ALL the same for you and me.

I am happy when the Twins win. You, on the other hand, may not care (I don’t know how THAT could be, but there are mysteries in life we may never understand).

Granted, there are certain things that do make us all happy. Doing good for someone in need, for example, I think makes us all happy. Maybe not jump up and down happy giving each other high-fives, but it does make our SOUL happy.

The problem with the “keys to happiness” is that they are grounded in the fallacy that we are to live a completely happy life – or a life where there are WAY more ups than there are DOWNS.

That isn’t how life is…

Life is a ride, it’s a journey, it’s a roller coaster…there are UPS there are DOWNS. It’s not important that we have less “downs” than “ups”, but rather to appreciate the “ups” when we do have them, and to help others when they are having their “down.”

Are you enjoying the sun more today (or appreciating it) because of yesterday?

I know I am.

Also, the other problems with “keys to happiness” is they are selfish. All it takes is one look at the “Self-help” section in a bookstore…what the heck is going on here?! What a failure rate of Self help…how many books need there be?

I haven’t looked at these books so this is a pure guess: not many are devoted to NOT being MORE selfish.

Somehow, someway they find a way to tell you that it’s that you need to treat yourself to a sweater when you are feeling down (or a latte, or a book in my case) and while that might help temporarily, it isn’t the cure.

Now, yes, we all need warm fuzzies for ourselves, we all need pick-me-ups. But we might need a few less if we handed out more warm fuzzies and pick-me-ups to others.

All the “things” in the world are of no help in a dark room if you can’t see – when all it would take is the smallest of candles to light your way (or someone else’s).

Jesus talked about abundant life…LIFE. Not money, not love, not friends, not things…life – life is made up of UPS and DOWNS. He promised a whole bunch of each, because when we start to truly live from our heart and soul we will be hurt more often, taken advantage of more often, sad more often…

But, the sunny days will also be that much brighter and warmer and sunnier and…

Okay, off my soap box now, it’s getting a little rickety.

Chris