Tag:

Serve

Let’s Find the WOW – NOW!

by Corine Channell April 7, 2021

“Let’s find the wow.” I was thinking about what I hope to leave behind to my family and friends, and how I hope to be remembered. I realize how short this life journey really is. And how little time I have left to leave behind something of worth and value. For me, it looks and feels a lot like just the outward flow of WHO I am.

This is birthed and given through the things that I write. Daily social media posts, films, blogs, books. And of course offering my prayers (of which are stored in heaven with my bottles of tears.) “This is what the Lord says, Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strength of their strength or the rich boast of their riches. But let the one who boasts boast about THIS – that they have the understanding to know ME.” (Jeremiah 9:23) THIS is what I am able to boast of. Jesus! I KNOW HIM!

Find The Wow: What We Leave Behind

We can all look at our accomplishments or successes and hope that they matter in the bigger picture. I hope when I get to heaven there are people there because of me. Maybe I witnessed to them on the street when I was a teenager, or they heard me give a speech on the Jesus Revolution in high school. Or I taught them in Sunday School. Perhaps I had them in a music class. Or they watched a film I helped produce or read a blog I wrote.

All the little parts of who we were along the way, are the same parts we leave behind.

How I would feel to meet any of those people would be, “WOW! Really?” I would be humbled and honored and shocked.

I realize I want to feel the wow NOW. Getting to heaven and seeing all the pieces fit, and the people who made it because of me, THAT is when I finally get it? Why can’t I capture the essence of that NOW? And why can’t I find that WOW factor while I am doing it? Why can’t I more intentionally embrace my journey with the joy and wonder of my purpose? I am rather exhausted by my own insecurities and fears.

I don’t want to just show up in heaven and be like, “Really?” If I had known that THAT mattered that much, I would have done it sooner. And I would have done it more. Perhaps I would have given my all. I don’t want to just exist here with that Eeyore attitude. “Oh well, it will probably rain anyway. Always does.” NO! I want to embrace the RAIN and dance IN it. And see what God can do with that rainstorm.

Daily Making A Difference

I want to use my daily opportunities to be a history maker and a life changer. Instead of seeing the glass of my ordinary day as half empty, I want to be like – OHHHHHHH LOOK! I still have HALF a glass left! I think this is what I have been missing. To not be consumed by the messes and the failures and the unanswered questions. And the ongoing struggles. But instead to embrace the wonder and mystery of the unknown lying in wait to be uncovered.

This really is what childlike faith LOOKS like. Think about how a child sees things. Exactly. THAT is how we need to view life. Where anything is possible and probably will show up in some unexpected and possibly upside-down form. But possible, nonetheless. I don’t want my ducks in a perfect row. But rather, I just want to appreciate them however they show up. I also want to take a second look before I panic.

Maybe a fifth look. I so do NOT want to miss a thing. I want all the wows NOW. This is a mysterious call we can each answer. To say YES to the unveiling of pain to purpose, as we use up ourselves to save others. What an honor and privilege.

Live With Intention

How about we give our all EVERY day? How about every single thing we do is offered with the WOW of what God can and will do with it? In addition, how about we feel WOWED just to get another chance to change a life? Or maybe to change history? How about we live in the light of eternity, instead of just waiting to get there? And finally, how about if we get EXCITED to give away our greatest gift, Jesus?

“God has made all things beautiful in their time, and He has set eternity IN our hearts.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We are eternal beings and our hearts should be set on lock mode right into the here and after. Instead of being awed by what awaits us there, let’s plan for it! Let’s take risks and step up to action and take the road less traveled. If you (like me) are a blog writer, write blogs to change the world and to change generations yet to come. Purposely leave your mark. Look for a crack from which to shine light through.

Find The Wow

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

But how do we find the wow? Let’s purposefully and intentionally live in the light of eternity, ready to fully live here. And then just transition there knowing we gave our all on this all too brief journey.

Let’s find the WOW, NOW!

April 7, 2021 0 comment

Faith

Who Or What Do You Serve?

by John Mathai August 2, 2020

written by John Mathai

Who or what do you serve is an interesting question to ask anyone who desires to know – what is the one thing that drives you? We all have drivers that keep us going forward. This could be a vision, purpose, or goal. We live in a performance-based world. From early childhood, we have been driven to achieve goals and win. Those who are laid back are seen as lazy. Whether at school or work, we are challenged to achieve goals. This keeps us moving forward, or it appears that way. However, many times when we look back, we have been going around in circles. We change our language but achieve the same end. This is because we don’t learn from history and reinvent the same wheel.

The game changes if we sit back and ask ourselves what is the point of all this. Most of us go to work to earn money to meet our needs or wants. This is good as the Bible says that we should not eat if we do not work. However, we live in a performance-based world, which is the opposite of the Kingdom. In a performance-based world, there will be winners and losers. What happens if we change the narrative and ask the question, “Who do we serve?”

Shift In Focus – Serving Jesus

Who we serve changes the game from performance to a person. If we serve self then we are performing to make oneself better than our neighbor. If we serve another then we are serving others. After going through both the performance cycle and the self-serving cycle, I have chosen to serve Jesus. I feel there is nothing more satisfying than to serve Him who gave His life for me.

Serving Jesus s is to love God and love your neighbor. God owns me. I don’t own God. I, therefore, live to glorify His name. Jesus is my owner for He created me and also redeemed me by shedding His blood on the Cross. Now He can do what He wants with me. This is to come to a place of rest. He possesses me so that He can use me to achieve His purposes. I enjoy this relationship because it is based on love rather than performance. He is a loving God and He knows what is best for me. Thank you Jesus for saving me from the rat-race where everyone is involved in a competitive struggle. Now I am a son privileged to live a life of abundance, secured for me on Calvary.

We Are A City On A Hill: Rescuing Those Who Are Drowning

by Corine Channell June 2, 2020

written by Corine Channell

These times upon us are the best and the worst, colliding simultaneously. We all will get through it very differently, depending on our personal perspective. In a visual, it seems as if humanity is drowning. Many are drowning in a raging sea of fear, anxiety, sadness, loss, death, and the sheer terror of the weight of the unknown enemy warring against us.

If you throw a drowning man a life preserver and he doesn’t immediately take it, it could be because of multiple panicked reasons. It seems that in not thinking straight he can’t admit he’s drowning. He may think he can save himself. He is in too much fear of drowning to see that his rescue is inches away from him. It can’t be that he’d rather drown than be saved by the person throwing the preserver! Right? Why would a drowning man not want to be saved?

Our Purpose As The Church

As followers of Jesus, we believe and know Him to be the source of strength, hope, joy, forgiveness, provision, faith, salvation, redemption, purpose, mercy, protection, and peace IN the storm. Why is it that often when we try to offer those things, much like throwing out a life preserver to a drowning man, it is rejected? Of course, “none is so blind as he who cannot see.” And humans also are “right in their own eyes.” Certainly, there are those obstacles to get past.

I offer that perhaps we as the church have failed. We have shined bright like a diamond, yet not really a diamond at all. We have often become some sort of glorified subculture instead of representing Jesus as His hands and feet. Let us remember His hands and feet were scarred as reminders to us that love is costly. We cannot offer it as a cheapened option.

The church was NEVER meant to just be a building. It was meant to be a living, breathing organism – HUMAN. The church was meant to be the one rescuing the perishing, the lost and broken, the widow and the orphan, the unlovely and the stranger. “Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!” (Psalm 68:5)

In short, our purpose is to get down and dirty in the filth of this life to save others. Period. As a youth evangelist Bob Lenz so passionately said, “We need to love people all the way to the gates of hell!”

It’s Time For Change

In the second grade, the teacher often sent me to stand in the corner. I stood in the corner so much I started signing in! The whole point of being cornered is so you STOP your current behavior and CHANGE! It took me a while to get that concept. Rather than change, I actually mocked the corner by signing my name on the wall, proudly. What? Really? Second-grade rebellion. Point being, I offer in all humility that we have ALL been sent to the corner. The whole world is on time out!

It is time for us to save souls. We are not on vacation; we are being given a chance – we are being given an opportunity to shine bright in the darkness. The flicker from the flame of a candle can light the darkness up to two miles away!

How do we reach people from home? The ways are endless in the 21st century. Write a blog. Share a podcast. Sing a song and upload it. Electronic evangelism. Send a letter or card. (Remember stamps?) Share loving gifts of surprise to a lonely neighbor. Send a gift through Amazon. Order groceries for someone. Check on those who are alone. Don’t argue on social media – instead, encourage. When you can, go serve the down-and-out. And pray. Pray from the deepest gut level within. You know Jesus prayed so hard He sweated drops of blood. “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44) Ugly-cry people to Jesus while there is time. “You are the only Jesus some may ever see.”

We Have The Light

“So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35, 36)

I think at this no-end-in-sight time we will find out if we are the ones drowning, or the ones equipped to throw life preservers, or the rescuers down and dirty in the filth of this life-saving others, or if we are the ones stuck in the corner repeatedly signing in.

May we all be good representatives of Jesus in the year 2020. May we all see clearly the task at hand. “Ye are the light of the world; a city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

Read more by this author: Dirt Friends Are The Best

June 2, 2020 0 comment

Articles Faith Lifestyle

Jesus Is The Best Leader Of All!

by Henrietta Decruz March 10, 2020

written by Henrietta Decruz

Who is the Best Leader among all the leaders in history? Jesus is the one person whose leadership changed the world. All those who aspire to be good leaders can look up to and learn from the Best Leader of all – Jesus! What can we learn from Him about leadership?

Image result for jesus as a leader

Best Leader: Jesus was humble

Jesus had the power to command the wind, the sea, and storms. He could walk on water, raise the dead, heal the sick, multiply food and turn water into wine. Being a celebrity in His time, people followed Him everywhere. Yet He was not proud.

Though Jesus is the ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’, He was lowly and humble before God and men.

John 13: 3-5 shares how Jesus served His disciples. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Jesus showed compassion

The Pharisees caught a woman in adultery and brought her before Jesus. He said whoever had not sinned should throw the first stone. One by one all of them left. “Jesus said, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? She answered, ‘No one, Lord!’ ‘Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.’” (John 8: 10-11) Jesus was the only sinless person Who could stone her but He didn’t. Instead, He spoke to her kindly and encouraged her to give up sin.

Jesus cared about the people who followed Him. Matthew 15:32 says “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.’” Jesus cared and provided their needs.

Jesus saw “a dead person carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. He said, ‘Don’t cry.’ He touched the bier they were carrying him on and said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (Luke 7:12-15) Jesus cared for those who were helpless and in need.

Best Leader: Jesus came to serve

In Luke 22:25-26 Jesus said to His disciples, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves?”

Jesus said, “You are not to be called rabbi (teacher), for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone [in the church] on earth father, for you have one Father, Who is in heaven. And you must not be called masters (leaders), for you have one Master (Leader), the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself [with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor.“ Matthew (23: 8-12)

Jesus pleased His Father

Jesus could have thrown His weight around, He did not do as He pleased. He said, “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:28b-29) We too need to learn how to please our heavenly Father as He did.

Being a leader is a very big responsibility. Luke 12:48 says, “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required; and of him to whom men entrust much, they will require and demand all the more.” All leaders will one day have to give an account to God for all that He entrusted to their care.

March 10, 2020 0 comment

Articles Faith Lifestyle

Sri Lanka: GOD TV Feeds The Hungry

by GOD TV January 8, 2020

written by GOD TV

Exodus 6:6 says, “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring
you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their
bondage and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.” For the past three years, GOD TV-Sri Lanka has extended its arm to many villages that have experienced near starvation due to landslides, floods or mere poverty.

Once again GOD TV joined hands with the International Ministry of the Salvation Army that
sourced those in near destitute situations who had lost almost everything they owned due
to the recent rains that brought about flooding and landslides in the central hill districts.

How We Help

Gift packs of dry rations that would sustain a family of four for a minimum period of three
weeks were distributed. And the response we received was heartbreaking due to the
individual stories carried by each family. Stories of how their fate changed overnight from the
storms that engulfed their villages. They were left with almost nothing. They had no clothing,
food, shelter, nor the opportunity to obtain employment due to the massive economic
downturn of 21st April 2019. This date marks the terror of ISIS bombing
many key commercial and religious buildings, that killed the flourishing industry in Sri Lanka.

Testimonies from Sri Lanka

Family of four: “We have lost our belongings, our food supply and part of our house that we
lived in. We do not have the resources to repair our home and there is no work available in
our area and therefore we are forced to seek shelter in a relative’s house which is very small.
The food pack we received will assist all of us plus the family that took us in, as they too are
facing financial challenges, but we appreciate the work you do in reaching out to assist us at
a time such as this. Moreover to assure us that we are not a forgotten people.”

Mother and Infant: “Pastor, you might wonder why we are in this group of recipients, as we
are able-bodied folk. However, since the April 21st bombings my husband has been
unemployed and we live by growing a few vegetables in our small garden that cannot
sustain us daily and we rely on one meal a day which has now begun to affect our health due
to a lack of nutrition and the small amount we consume daily.”

More Testimonies

Middle-aged unmarried daughter and mother: “My mother is blind and for the past 15 years
since our father’s death, our income has stopped. We grow whatever food we can, but this
does not sustain us adequately. I cannot leave my blind mother alone to go out looking for
work. To be very honest with you, I have never seen or had so much food available to take
home ever. Thank you for visiting our village.”

Semi-blind elderly man: “I live all alone and depend on those that bring me food from time to time as I cannot go out due to my poor eyesight affected by cataracts. I live far away from this food distribution center, but I wanted to bless you for thinking of me and my situation. He then requested two people to lift the large food pack on to his back and though he needed a walking stick to assist him he carried his gift back to his home which I was informed to be at least two kilometers away.”

Final Words: Sri Lanka

Many more testimonies of this nature were witnessed by us that day. And we are motivated
to focus on collecting more funds for food distribution towards folks that might face similar
situations in the new year of 2020.

We wish to conclude that none of this would have been possible if not for the amazing
financial support of our GOD TV Partners that assisted us in reaching those who have lost their
possessions, moreover their dignity.

Saving souls is our primary objective, transforming lives is the extension of this mandate.

January 8, 2020 0 comment

Faith

Feed The Hungry, It’s That Simple!

by Corine Channell December 14, 2019

written by Corine Channell

Were you ever really hungry? Think about it. Did you ever miss a meal? Too late for supper and it was all gone? At this time of year when food seems at its height of abundance and at its peak of mouthwatering delight, there are people who will not have any holiday meals. Some won’t have any meals at all. We need to feed the hungry!

Why should we feed the hungry?

Well, Jesus TOLD us to. If we offer a cup of cold water (or hot coffee) in His name, it is just as if you are offering it to Him. We tend to think He would rather us be all religious and do something that seems… well, more important. No. Just no. We have it all backwards.

To represent love, God, humanity – we need to feed the hungry. It’s time to care for the widow and the orphan. We need to shield the bullied. Let’s stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. We need to take care of our veterans. We need to be human. And it can all start with something as simple as feeding the hungry.

Spread His Love

Matthew 25:35-40 – “For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me. Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.’”

This Christmas season, and all year long, be encouraged to go find someone who is hungry and feed them. Afterwards, take a moment and feel the warm smile of approval from the Father.

If we want to be great, we must serve. God bless us, everyone!

December 14, 2019 0 comment

Articles

Farmers Rally to Help Grieving Family Finish Harvest

by Jared Laskey October 26, 2018

written by Jared Laskey

Tragedy on the Farm

Steve Wollyung of Connersville, Indiana shares his story restoring our faith in humanity, while reminding people about keeping safe while outdoors. On November 5, 2016, he was preparing to harvest the last 112 acres on his farm when his 4-year-old granddaughter, Ayla, started playing on a grain wagon and got trapped.

First responders were able to remove Ayla from the grain wagon but after life-flighting her to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital she later passed away. The news was deeply devastating, spiraling the family into shock and grieving. But that’s when their community came together and helped the grieving family bear a heavy burden.

Good People Are Still Around

Tara Henry reached out to the Wollyungs the day after the tragedy. After finding out that the final 100 acres were not completed, Tara began calling up a number of other farmers for help. On November 12, 2016, multiple combines, semis and grain carts came to serve. Tara rallied the volunteer army of farmers. After praying together, they got to work to finish the harvesting for the Wollyung family.

Steve Wollyung told reporters, “I couldn’t believe it when I saw everyone showing up to help. All the support and number of people wanting to help is just overwhelming. It was emotional to see everyone. Whatever we needed, they brought.”

A Community Bands Together to Serve

Other people volunteered bringing food, snacks and water for those serving. Work started at 10:00 am and by 5:00 pm they had harvested 18,463 bushels. Steve stated that the work would have taken him a week to do on his own.

Nathan Williamson said the high turnout of volunteers was a reflection of the type of person Steve is. “He’s a very honest, stand up guy, and just a good community member. I was talking with some other people at the farm and we all seem to agree that sometimes the worst things happen to the best people.”

Nathan added that such an effort is typical of the farming community. “Most farmers look out for each other and would do that for anyone.”

Steve said, “This truly shows that people will drop everything to help their neighbors in times of need.” And he wants his story to help raise awareness about the dangers on farms for children. With corn mazes, hayrides and farm visits being so popular, everyone needs to understand the potential dangers. “We need to teach kids that farms are a place where serious work is done and they can be dangerous.”

Watch this video on YouTube

October 26, 2018 0 comment