Day 16 - Still Shining

Verse of the Day:
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 16

When Kelsey was in 3rd grade, she had a dress up biography project. She had to read a book and then dress up like the subject. While most of her peers chose Presidents or sport heroes, Kelsey chose Hannah Senesh. Hannah Senesh was a Jew born in Budapest, Hungary in 1921. During WWII, Hannah became a paratrooper with the British Air Force and volunteered for a rescue mission into Europe. After crossing the border into Hungary, Senesh was captured and tortured. She was executed by a firing squad on November 7, 1944, at 23. Hannah Senesh responded to endless hatred, danger, and her eventual torture with much more than courage. She responded with total faith that ultimately justice would be served. Hannah lived her life believing that one person can make a difference. While she was in prison she wrote many things. Below is one part of her writings:

There are stars whose radiance is visible on earth though they have long been extinct.
There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world though they are no longer among the living.
These lights are particularly bright when the night is dark.
They light the way for mankind.

Many of us have had a special person to guide us in our faith. The light of Christ was part of who they were. As the scripture says, "In the same way, let your light shine". Give your gift today in memory of someone who still shines in your life.

Day 15 - Shine!

Verse of the Day:
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2: 14-15


Every year after the 11 o'clock Christmas Eve service, I look for the Star of Bethlehem. It might sound silly, but I am anticipating Jesus' return and I don't want to miss it. Recently, I have realized that God does not need the Star to guide others to Jesus. He has us! We are the Star of Bethlehem. We are to be the ones shining to help others find their way and the more brightly we shine the easier it will be for others to see. As we give our gifts, lets make sure that we shine.

Day 14 - Who do others see?

Verse of the Day:
"And You shall be witnesses unto me." Acts 1:8

"I am my neighbor's Bible
He reads me when we meet,
Today he reads me in the house,
Tomorrow in the street.

He may be relative or friend,
Or slight acquaintance be,
He may not even know my name,
Yet he is reading me."
by:
Corrie Ten Boom

Lord, Help me as I give to others that I will glorify you. Amen

Day 13 - Love

Matthew 5:44-45
"But I tell you : Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven..."

Economic times are tough, but even in these times, we are able to give meaningful gifts without breaking the bank. Love comes with no dollar sign. Love can be and should be freely given, but often it has a heavy emotional cost. Today, give the gift of love to someone who you find difficult and maybe even impossible to love. Love them and pray for them in the same way you love and pray for those who are closest to you.

Love is a simple gift but brightens the days of all who feel its warmth and radiance. Today, be mindful of love and give a gift that will warm both the receiver and you as the giver.

Kelsey

Day 12 - Who's shoes will you shine today

Verse of the Day:

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1Peter 4:10

Sunday, I attended the Colts Neck Reformed Church to share information about our recent mission trip to Texas. Scott Brown shared a story about a shoe shine man named Albert Lexis. This almost 70 year old man with mental challenges has spent the last 30 years of his life shining shoes at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburg. He charges his customers $3 a pair while donating all of his tips to the Free Care Fund (helping children get the best possible care when their parents can't afford to pay). He has donated over $100,000. Albert refers to those that he has helped as "his children". He might not be rich by the world's standards, but I think that he is a millionaire. Jesus, as he washed the disciples feet (like today's shoe shiner) showed us that it is about a life of service to others that brings meaning to our lives. Each of us have been given gifts and we should be using them to serve.

Who's shoes need shining in your life? Will you make time for a simple act that could make a world of difference? Be a servant today and everyday for Jesus.

Breakfast Wednesday

Please join us for breakfast at 7:30 am on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Shaker Cafe (Main Street, Flemington next to the Post Office). A time to encourge each other and to share. Hope to see you there.

Day 11 - Celebrating Purim

Verse of the Day:

"He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor." Esther 9:22b

Yesterday February 28, 2010, our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrated the holiday of Purim. The story of Purim is told in the book of Esther. It shares how Esther trusting God saved the Jews from certain death. Knowing that people tend to have short memories when it comes to God's faithfulness, Mordecai (Esther's cousin) sends out letters to all Jews to celebrate annually,"as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies and the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration" (Esther 22a). Part of the holiday tradition is to send out gifts of food or drink, and to make gifts to charity. The sending of gifts of food and drink is referred to as shalach manos.

We too forget how faithful God is, so I challenge you to give a gift of food and drink to someone in honor of Purim remembering how much God loves us.