Red Cross Motto

"The Greatest Tragedy is indifference"

Our Challenge

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver

Saturday, April 14, 2012

A Great Book with a powerful message..

I recently finished a book, "Same kind of different as me."  This book was recommended to me by more than a few people and I honestly don't know what took me so long to finish it.  The message is simple but yet profound.  It is a message that is similar, if not the same that I teach to our volunteers working with the hurting...Move hearts. Change lives.  Make an impact.  Faith that Works attempts to move a person's heart toward love and caring for "the least of these," as described in Matthew 25.  The Lives that are changed is two fold-the volunteer and the person we help.  The last, make an impact is something I feel particularly passionate about.  I want to leave this life knowing I did something of worth, that I did not waste my time here thinking that I am the point.  I am not the point, Jesus is and if I could be so lucky to be used by HIM to make an Impact, I count myself blessed.

Following is a review for Same kind of Different as Me-
Ron Hall is a wealthy international art dealer who travels the world buying and selling rare and expensive works of art. He has grown rich but has also grown selfish and has grown away from his family. When Ron Hall reluctantly volunteers at a homeless shelter (at the insistence of his wife) he soon comes into contact with Denver, a man his wife is convinced is going to change the city. Denver grew up as a sharecropper in Louisiana, living a life that seemed little different from the life of his ancestors one hundreds years before. He eventually walked away from the cotton fields and found that, while life on the streets of Fort Worth was difficult, it was easier than being a sharecropper. It was here, in a homeless shelter, that the two men met, one serving food and the other being a reluctant recipient of this charity.


Today a small group of us will be in tent city, serving the homeless.  I am reminded every time that I am amongst the homeless that I don't get it.  I am so selfish, so "caught up" in me that I could easily miss what God is calling me to.  I realize more and more- I am not the point.  Helping another is not particularly honorable or amazing- it is something we as believers are Commanded to do.   When we obey this, we are changed.  God allows us to feel the pain of our lack in the face of helping another, showing us that we need just as much help as the homeless person.   If we enter outreach with this attitude of humility, asking God what he is going to reveal in our character, we may just walk away like Ron Hall in Same kind of different as me- changed.   We may just come away with a little humility and extra measure of grace.  We may just learn what love truly is and begin living our life with the realization that we are not the point and find  joy in knowing it too!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have read so many content on the topic of the
blogger lovers except this article is genuinely a pleasant
article, keep it up.
Also see my website :: crushing cogs tower

Anonymous said...

Marvelous, what a website it is! This weblog gives useful data to us,
keep it up.
Also visit my page :: Charter specialist

Anonymous said...

Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on
this blog loading? I'm trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Also visit my blog :: New Bubble Shooter

Anonymous said...

Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Opera.
I'm not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I'd post to
let you know. The style and design look great though!
Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Kudos
My web page - diet plan

Anonymous said...

Because the admin of this web site is working, no question very shortly it will be renowned,
due to its feature contents.

Also visit my web site - hop over to these guys

Anonymous said...

WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for copier

Feel free to visit my web page copenhagen dj

Anonymous said...

you are actually a good webmaster. The website loading velocity
is incredible. It seems that you're doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you've done a
magnificent process in this matter!

Feel free to visit my blog post ... vertical jump workouts

Anonymous said...

Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and
sources back to your blog? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would genuinely
benefit from some of the information you present here.
Please let me know if this alright with you. Appreciate it!


My web page :: http://www.explorethecapabilities.com/michaelkors.html

Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. But think about if you added
some great images or video clips to give your posts more, "pop"!
Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site could undeniably be one of
the greatest in its field. Terrific blog!

Check out my webpage: how to dunk