Archive for the ‘Service’ Category

Newer Entries »

Bible Study and Christian Service

August 29, 2012

Bible study as a culture neutral experience? Or, better said, cross-cultural experience. Bible Study magazine has an article this month on the organization InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. This is an organization for college students with local associations run by students.

It raised an interesting point. For many students, going away to the university (for my international readers, we use college and university interchangeably over here) is perhaps the first experience in multi-culturism. Perhaps it’s even the first time associating with people of different Christian persuasions.

The idea that the Bible is actually neutral in that regard–where you can gather groups of people from different cultures and different denominations in an honest and deep study of Scripture–never dawned on me. Not that I don’t approach it that way. But as a philosophy, that’s cool.

Perhaps since I was raised Methodist (4th generation, I’m told) with two Baptist minister uncles and then taught in a Catholic school, I regard all these and the rest as just different manifestations of how to worship God. Often it’s a matter of culture and upbringing. Fortunately in the U.S., outside of bouts of discrimination toward new denominations, we have not fought any religious wars along sectarian lines. In Europe, there’s an entirely different experience, which I’m sure deeply influences things there.

Just start with small groups and a Bible. And a passion for learning.

Service opportunities

Thought I’d pass along some reading I’ve done. There is a Website called “Lifehacker.” The hacker part comes from the technology sector where people “hack” electronics and programs to make them better. So Life-hacker is site that offers tips on how to live.

One of the Spiritual Disciplines is service. Many people are either confused or apprehensive about service opportunities. This Life hacker article discusses How to Find a Volunteer Gig You’ll Enjoy. Maybe it’ll help push some of you over the hurdle into a life of finding satisfaction in volunteer service.

Posted in Disciplines, Service, Study | 1 Comment »

Do The Right Thing

July 24, 2012

Wise thought from Andy Stanley, senior pastor of Northpoint Church in suburban Atlanta, from one of his podcasts on leadership. He says he started telling his children this every night when he put them to bed. Doesn’t remember where the phrase came from or when he started.

I think that this is a good one to put on a sticky on your computer monitor, or on your desk, or on your bathroom mirror–somewhere that you will see at least daily and remember it.

“Give me the wisdom to know the right thing and the courage to do the right thing, no matter how hard it gets.”

Posted in Ethics, Service | Leave a Comment »

Boosting the Next Generation

July 16, 2012

Investing in the next generation pays so many  dividends. It raises the community level while reducing crime.

I’ve devoted much of the past 25 years developing soccer referees. Many are young people. Most won’t referee for many years. But I’ve felt that if I can influence them in a positive direction and give them some life skills, then I’ve made a positive impact on them and on society.

For this work, I’ve just received an award from the Southern Ohio Adult Soccer Association and the Ohio South State Referee Committee. It is a great honor.

That’s me in the blue shirt. On either side are the youth referees of the year from Ohio South (on my left) and Ohio North. Talking with them after the award ceremony at half-time of the Columbus Crew MLS match last Saturday was rewarding. They are great kids with a great outlook on life. When you get discouraged reading media reports about the next generation, just go out and work with some of them.

Couple this with a TED Talk I just heard from David R. Dow, a death row lawyer. He notes that 76% of inmates on death row had previously in life been involved in the juvenile justice system. What if, he asks, we as a community had intervened in their lives when they were at risk, but before they had taken someone’s life?

We would not only have saved a couple of lives, but we’d save a lot of money (if you’re of a frugal mindset) from the court and jail system.

I think that it is a human task–to bring up the next generation. It’s not something that should be pushed off to someone else while we pursue our own selfish “happiness.” It’s not something that stops after you’ve raised your own kids. It’s our task until we die.

I wish I could help everyone of these people that I meet. It’s never enough.

Posted in Living, Service | Leave a Comment »

Put Your Money Where Your Faith Is

May 21, 2012

There are so many needs in the world. Sometimes we hear about those far away, while there are many in your neighborhood. I’ve written about helping a little at a time. If we all help a little at a time, it’s amazing what great work will happen.

I just heard about Donor’s Choose charity. If you are looking for a place to donate a little, this one helps kids. I also make “micro loans” through Kiva. These are little steps that can have a fantastic help to people around the world.

Do you have some favorites? You can leave a comment and add them.

 

Posted in Service | 1 Comment »

Christian Business People

April 23, 2012

There are two types of Christian business people–those who flaunt it and those who quietly live the life. I’ve met both in my life. And I hate to say this, but the former ones scare me. If I meet one, I instinctively reach for my pocket to see if my wallet is still there. That sounds cynical, but I’ve met only a handful and every one with whom I’ve had a business dealing owes me money promised.

I’ve met many of the second type. They have been universally ethical, honest and upright in their dealings. And great people with whom to share dinner.

I try to know the line between analysis and cynicism. Experience can be a bitter teacher. I typically trust people until I’ve been given reason not to. It’s only hurt me a handful of times–and I recover quickly anyway.

What brings this up is listening to a guy at church Sunday who is trying to be both types while only exhibiting the traits of the latter. If anyone can break the mold, he can. That would be fantastic. We have too many of those negative images. We need a positive one. What I picked up out of his talk was the way he talked about dealing with people. It’s like he cares about them. And that’s the best marketing you can have.

I hope he succeeds.

Posted in Christianity, Ethics, Service | Leave a Comment »

Preparation Through Service

December 21, 2011

Christmas is only a few days away. We’ve been attempting to prepare our hearts and lives to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We can look at it as a birthday party. But we can also look at the day as a reminder that Jesus came, is coming and will come again.

I don’t think I’d look into the logic of that sentence. But we celebrate that Jesus was born a human being and lived for a time in the area around the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem. But we have 2,000 years of testimony of people whom Jesus also came to. Jesus can come to someone (you) any day. You never know. Are you prepared? And Jesus will come again in some manifestation that we really don’t know, just anticipate.

Among the ways we can prepare for Jesus to come into our lives perhaps the best is through service. Many ancient philosophers and modern psychologists have discovered that doing something, then developing a habit of doing that something will lead to both a behavior and an attitude change. Even if you don’t “feel” like doing it, finding ways of serving others in the name of Jesus will lead to a life change where service is a habit and Jesus is at the center.

You can start simply by dropping some money in the Salvation Army kettle. Buy some gifts for a family that is out of work. I just read of people going to K-Marts and paying off the balance of layaway items that are obviously for kids’ Christmas presents. Our former pastor would sometimes pay for the transaction of the person behind him in queue at the store. Or you can visit someone. Do something for someone. Service opportunities abound. Just become aware of those around you and see where you can help.

In this manner, you will find you have prepared your heart for Christmas.

Posted in Ethics, Service | Leave a Comment »

Preparation Through Repentance

December 12, 2011

When John used the image from Isaiah about preparing the way for the Lord, Luke says he was preaching the baptism of repentance. What he was telling people was that they needed to change the direction of their lives. In order to do that, first they must recognize that what they are doing is wrong. Then they must see the way to a new direction. Then they must do it.

So the people asked John, what must we do? And he said, “Whoever has two coats must share one with someone who has none. And likewise he who has food.” He continued on to say that tax collectors and soldiers must not abuse their power.

There is no mystery to our response. Other than the mystery of Jesus’ coming, our response is in the direction of our lives. Deciding whom we will follow. And what we will do.

This advent given the economy we’ve experienced and the huge number of people doing without, it seems a perfect time to practice John’s advice. Choose to give from your plenty to someone in need.

Or, if you are in need, let a Christ-follower know so that we who have the blessings of material things may know where to share.

Posted in Living, Service | Leave a Comment »

Why Do You Work

November 3, 2011

I found myself in a profession several years ago where my work receives much visibility. It better. I’m the editor of a magazine which we all hope garners thousands of readers. One of my passions is technology and manufacturing strategy. I get to write about it and hopefully educate and motivate people.

The thing is–I am pretty recognizable. When I go to conferences most people say nice things about me. The thing I must continually remind myself is that I do this because of my passion, not because I want to be Lord of Automation or something.

Same thing in working for God. Do I do what I do because I want to be in charge, recognized as a leader, feel great about myself? How about you?

I’ve been reading in Acts for the past few months. There are a lot of nuggets of wisdom in this book that describes what people did in developing the early church. Today I was reading where Paul stopped at the port of Ephesus on his way back to Jerusalem. He didn’t want to go into the city–maybe he didn’t want to delay his trip or maybe he didn’t want to get into another scrape with “the Jews”.

He said good-bye to the elders of the church and reminded them he came to serve them. I got to thinking about that word–serve. Paul met lots of people. He converted lots of people from a life that was lost to a life that was full of grace. He taught, preached, developed leaders. What did he not do? He never set himself up as “the boss.” He was firm in his teachings–which he received first-hand from Jesus. But he never established an office–say High Bishop or something–and set himself up as the “political” leader.

Leadership is service. Paul remembered where his passion was. He developed leaders who could carry on and then he moved on to the next city and did it again. Most of his letters back to those groups were designed to strengthen the leaders.

Paul came to serve. And in serving, he received no earthly glory or power, but his legacy is strong even to today.

Why are you doing what you do? Is it a passion to serve? Or a passion to be popular, to be the boss, to be honored?

Posted in Service | Leave a Comment »

Newer Entries »