the little things

(little things mean a lot) The little things It’s the little things that I seem to notice. A CEO who eschews the reserved spot to park instead at the far end of the lot.  A worship leader who steps back from the spotlight when someone else is singing or playing a solo.  A senior pastor who sits in the front row, taking notes, when a younger staff person preaches.   Or a manager who takes the time to brush the snow off her teams’ cars while her own warms up.  These small gestures…done largely unconsciously…are a window into the heart of the person.  A humble, serving attitude reflects a deeper commitment to doing what’s right, even when it’s inconvenient. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 With his words above, Jesus set the standard that how we handle “the little” extrapolates to our ability to handle “the much”.  If we react anxiously to every perceived problem, how will we handle a full-blown crisis?  If we don’t share bad financial results quickly and transparently will stakeholders trust us when we really need their help? The same applies to our faith.  We ought to give God thanks for the basic gifts of health, happiness and comfort.  These blessings may be small, but our thanks are the least we can offer. Thanks for all you do. Brian <><  Volume 7, Number 19

No one too lost. No one too low.

On July 1st the YMCA co-sponsored a Freedom Celebration in conjunction with a local township and one of our church partners. It was a great family-friendly event and as we walked around thanking people for being there I heard much positive feedback. The high point of the evening was a free concert by Sanctus Real, a local Toledo band that has made it to the top of the Christian music scene. Since that night I’ve not been able to stop thinking about the last two lines of their current hit: “No one too lost for me to love. No one too low for me to serve.”

I think those sixteen words convey the essential fabric of the Christian life; loving and serving. Everyone is included, no one is excluded. We are called to love our neighbor and love our enemies. We are called to serve those in authority over us and to be servant leaders to those we oversee.

I don’t work with the sick and dying in Calcutta like Mother Theresa did or try to save the lives and souls of the poor in Honduras like Great Commission Latin America. But working for a mission-driven, Christian organization gives me the chance to live out “no one too lost; no one too low” in a public way every day. Whatever you do, wherever you are, seize the opportunity that you have to love and serve.

Brian

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Friends

(friends are important!)

Friends have been on my mind a lot the last few weeks. Friends come in all shapes and sizes. There are work friends, friends who live next door, childhood friends, church friends, old friends, new friends, and (if you’re lucky) a few really close friends. I love how kids can meet someone at the park and 2 minutes later they introduce you to “my new friend.” We had a chance to see some friends on vacation and then more at church back home when we visited. It was so great to reconnect with people, even for a short time, since a change in physical proximity can make friendship a lot more work!

There are also friends like the ones mentioned in Mark Chapter 2. Four men brought their paralyzed friend to see Jesus; firm in their faith that Jesus could heal the man. The crowds were so large they could not get their friend in the door. So did they turn around and go home? No… they climbed to the roof, made a hole and lowered the man right at Jesus’ feet. And because of their faith, the man was healed.

Let’s see. Friends who care, friends who have faith, friends who want to help, friends who follow through, friends who love you so much they carry you to the Master’s feet. Wow! I want friends like that. Even more, I want to BE a friend like that.

Brian

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