Live to Give

   Blog »    Live to Give
Monday, June 16, 2014

  “Love your neighbor as yourself.  I am the Lord . . . .”  
                                Leviticus 19:18               

            When moving a family in need takes you to the Master bedroom.  

We work with students at my church. There are some housing projects around the corner and a student started coming to church from there. He is 13 and the oldest of 6 children. His mom and dad were both unemployed at the time and being kicked out of their unit because the city is in the process of taking the buildings down to create luxury town homes. All the other local housing was filled already so they had to move about 30 minutes away but had no way to transport their belongings. Wasn’t sure how I could help but I thought about seeing if a U-Haul company, given the situation, would lend us a truck so we could help them move. I called the company and they agreed. When I went to pick it up they didn’t have any record of the conversation I had with them and weren’t going to let me have it. I knew the family at this point needed to be out of the house so I decided to pay for it myself. I arrived to the housing unit and they were floored. It was about 8p.m. and right there we began packing that truck with all of their stuff. (not exactly packed, but more like lots of loose items in bags :-). The neighbors looked at us like there was something wrong with us being there (2 white guys :) but the dad kept introducing us to them as their friends. We then took the drive to their new location.  Me, the son and the dad arrived in the truck at the house with the rest of the family waiting.  We then simply unloaded the truck and finished close to midnight. Then the remarkable thing happened. I found myself sitting on the edge of the master bed, with both parents and all 6 kids lying, sitting, and running around us. Nothing but smiles and laughter. They were so thankful but I was equally thankful that God had led me to this moment. They had let me “in”.     A bridge had been built, a new relationship formed with an incredible family. I’ll never forget it.  

“Lord, cause me to stop at your promptings, look, see, listen and then act.    Use me Lord.   May your agenda for me trump my agenda for myself.  Amen”

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Another Great "Live to Give" Story

Blog »    Another Great "Live to Give" Story  

    Wednesday, June 4, 2014

“For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability,
they gave of their own accord”
2 Corinthians 8:3 (NASB)  

“Hayden Carlo said he was brought to tears after an unnamed police officer's kind gesture.

Nearly a month after a story of a New York police officer’s charitable gesture became an Internet sensation, a police officer in Texas—who wants to remain anonymous-- is gaining attention after he gave a man $100 bill folded in a citation.

Hayden Carlo, 25, was pulled over by Plano police because he had an expired registration,   Fox2Rio.com reported . He said he told the police officer that he was struggling financially.  He said he had to choose between updating his registration and feeding his kids.

Carlo recalled their conversation.  He flatly said he doesn't have an excuse for the expired registration except he can't afford a new one.

"I don’t have the money," he told the officer. "It was either feed my kids or get this registration done."

The police officer then handed the driver a citation, but when Carlo unfolded the paper, he saw a crisp $100 bill.

He said he "broke down" in his car. “What else can you do?” he asked.

The charitable act would have gone unnoticed, except Carlo's grandfather was moved to contact the department about the gesture.

Carlo took the money and was able to update both his and his wife's registration with the money.

The officer does not want to be identified. But a department spokesman said he is 43 and has a family. He apparently has a past of doing good deeds at his old post at another police department, The Dallas Morning News reported in an editorial. His coworkers are reportedly planning on honoring him for his generosity.  

“Lord, this simple prayer I offer you today.  Give me the eyes to see and the will to act when you place before me an opportunity to give.   Amen”

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This Sunday at Noon! The Impact of Addiction on the Family

Blog »    This Sunday at Noon!
    The Impact of Addiction on the Family  

    Friday, May 30, 2014

             This free program conducted by Addiction Prevention Strategies will be held this
             Sunday at Christ Church at the Grove 1986 Newark Rd. New London, 19352. This I
             is the New London Presbyterian Church building on Route 896.   Everybody is
             welcome to attend so be sure to invite anyone you know who could be helped by
             this presentation!!!!   

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free”
Galatians 5:1  

Helping Families Recover From Addiction  
www.addictionpreventionstrategies.com   
484-432-8721

Latest blog: Cause of Addiction  
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

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Results of 3 decades of American's Self Esteem Movement

Blog »    Results of 3 decades of American's
Self Esteem Movement 

    Thursday, May 29, 2014

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars
containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God,
 not from ourselves."    2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)  

The following comments from Anneli Rufus are particularly pertinent for parents of school age children.   They also prompt us to ask ourselves how we view ourselves.   Do we see ourselves as the kitten sees itself in the mirror or do we see ourselves as Paul writes to the Corinthians?   Have a great day!   Jeff

Is low self-esteem all that bad? Self-loathing is. But between self-loathing and narcissism is a vast spectrum comprising infinitely various degrees of self-regard. Neither extreme is good. If only we could just reach medium.

In 1986, California state assembly member John Vasconcellos proposed the State Task Force to Promote Self-Esteem. This ignited a new movement: Based on the notion that low self-esteem caused every kind of social woe from teenage pregnancy to low test scores and high dropout rates, school curricula and parenting techniques were radically transformed, their main objective now being to cultivate high self-esteem among the young, which activists proclaimed would cure those social woes and make America a safer, happier, and better place. A multibillion-dollar industry surged around self-esteem. Kids were taught to make “me” flags of their putative “me” nations, to view history and fiction through the filter of their feelings, and to start schooldays with affirmations such as I always make good choices and Everyone is happy to see me.

The aftermath has not worked out as planned. Since 1986, self-esteem among young people has increased. Studies show that students hold themselves in higher regard than students in decades past. But to the shock and horror of the self-esteem movement’s boosters, soaring self-esteem has done nothing to stem crime, addiction and those other ills the boosters claimed high self-esteem would stem. In fact, ambient sky-high self-esteem might present new problems of its own: One long-term study found that college students are now twice as narcissistic as college students were in 1982; other studies link high self-esteem with high rates of aggression, territorialism, elitism, racism, and other negative qualities.

And other studies show that the so-called Millennial Generation – young adults born after the self-esteem movement began — are demonstrably less likely than Baby Boomers and Generation Xers to care about social problems, current events or energy conservation. Millennials are also less likely to have jobs whose main purpose is to help other people. In one study, three times as many Millennials as Boomers said they made no personal effort to help the environment . . . .

Noting that there are “almost no findings showing that [high] self-esteem causes anything [beneficial] at all,” University of Pennsylvania psychology professor Martin Seligman laments:

“Something striking has happened to the self-esteem of American children during the era of raising our children to feel good. They have never been more depressed.”

 

“Lord, thank you for showing us where our self-worth comes from. . . anyone who is in Christ has become a new person.   The old has gone and the new has begun.   (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Amen”

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Last Call! Have you taken the Survey?

Blog »   
Last Call!
Have you taken the Survey?
    Wednesday, May 28, 2014

“Feasting makes you happy and wine cheers you up,
but you can't have either without money” 
Ecclesiastes 10:19 (TEV)

This passage from Ecclesiastes doesn’t sound very spiritual does it?   Yet the Bible doesn’t differentiate between a spiritual life and the rest of life.   We don’t have a “spiritual” life, we just have a life.   And a big part of that life is money.  

I finally took the Money Life Indicator Survey.  It only took 15 minutes and the assessment it provided me of my attitudes and habits in the areas of work, spending, saving, generosity, debt, budgeting and more is simply excellent, and really helpful.   

If you have not taken the survey yet, please note that this is the final week it will be available to be taken.    If you are married, both spouses should take it so that you can compare your scores.   Teens should take it too.   It is completely confidential, is provided by the most reputable Christian Financial Organization in America and is being offered to you by CLC free for this limited time.   But you must take it today or by Friday at the latest.  

Everything we have is all gift from God and God holds us responsible for our stewardship of what He has given us.   This survey is a great way to start!!!!  

Just click www.clcfamily.net and then click on the box that looks like the one above.   Then just get started.  It’s easy and the scores you’ll be sent will, I promise, be informative!  

“Lord, I know that all that I have and all that I am is a gift from you to me.   Thank you for this opportunity for self-assessment so that I can grow as a steward of your Grace.  Amen”

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Live to Give

Blog »    Live to Give  

    Tuesday, May 27, 2014

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat”
Matthew 25:42 (GW)  

The following “I like to give” story was passed on to me last week a member of the CLC family.  Jeff  

                                                 I Like Giving A Cup Of Coffee.  

Sitting exhausted in a San Francisco Starbucks, reflecting on his 3 week road trip cross country, Eddie was ready to get home. He knew he had a few more hours before he even headed to the airport for his redeye flight back to the east coast. He had only taken a seat in Starbucks to relax while his iPhone charged. With him, he had all of his belongings from his trip, which surprisingly only consisted of a backpack, messenger bag, and water bottle. His backpack had been a high school gift and had survived the 6 years since, staying with him through college, camping experiences, skateboarding trips, and everything in between. It still worked, if you knew how to correctly tie the shoelaces that held together the broken zippers and didn’t play with the duct tape that was covering some of the holes that held sentimental memories of skateboard falls. His sticker-covered water bottle was hooked to his belt loop with a carabineer and the sweatshirt he was wearing was looking forward to a good wash almost as much as its owner was looking forward to a real shower.

He leaned back, staring off into space, thinking about his next project at work and excited to see his sister for dinner before he headed back home. In his relaxed state, he hadn’t noticed the man who had wondered over to him until he placed a five dollar bill on the table and said, “Son, get yourself a cup of coffee. You look like you could use one.” Startled, Eddie said thank you and stared at the $5. He would love a cup of coffee . . . and he wasn’t planning on spending his money on it, so why not? He walked up to the counter and ordered himself a small black coffee. When the barista handed him the change, Eddie looked around for the kind man. He saw him sitting in a corner with a few bags. Ed grabbed his coffee, walked over to the man, thanked him again, and put his change on the table.

“No son, you keep it.” He said.

“Sir, the coffee was plenty, thank you.” Eddie said, leaving the change on the table and walking back to his seat. But when he sat down, he couldn’t help but watch the man - he looked even more worn then Eddie felt. He clothes were a bit dirty, and the bags he was carrying looked old and worn as well. And he was not drinking coffee. He had tucked the change from Eddie’s coffee in his pocket and was just resting. Interested, Eddie walked over and took a seat next to him. “You live in the area?” Ed asked.  

“I guess. I don’t really have a home, but I usually sleep somewhere around here.”

Which is when it hit Eddie. This man was homeless. And even more than that, this man thought Eddie was homeless. And even in his state of survival, this kind man saw an opportunity to positively impact someone who appeared less fortunate.

The moral of the story - (besides the fact that I need to get my brother some nicer clothes) - a man recognized an opportunity to ignite someone’s potential. That cup of coffee was not going to save my brother’s life. That cup of coffee would not have even fed him if he was hungry. That kind man saw Eddie, and regardless of the judgment he may have passed, recognized a tired soul that seemed far from home. And, putting aside any judgment, knew that he could do something little to make his day just a bit brighter.

How often do we take advantage of those small opportunities? Albert Schweitzer reminds us that, “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”

How often are we rekindling someone’s flame? 

Do you have an “I Like Giving” story to share?   Just send it to info@clcfamily.net  and we’ll share it with others!  

“Lord, help me also to recognize a “tired soul who may be far from home” and in some small but important way show that person that someone notices, and doing so to be a sign to them that God notices as well.   Amen” 

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What would Jesus say about Purple Heart recipient Jed Zillmer and the other 22 per day?

Blog »    What would Jesus say about  Purple Heart recipient Jed Zillmer and the other 22 per day?

    Friday, May 23, 2014 

As you prepare for Memorial Day, think about it as Jesus would think about it.  Feel what he feels.  Think about his words as he commented on the fate of Jerusalem, which was destroyed in the most horrendous of ways in 70 AD.  

 But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to weep.  “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.  Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.  They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.”                                                     Luke 19:41-44 (NLT)  

Now think of Jed Zillmer.  Here’s how a friend of his put it.  

Jed Zillmer was a kid.
Jed Zillmer fought for his country.
Jed Zillmer returned to a nation ill-equipped to deal with the injuries he suffered as a result of his service. And I’m not talking about his foot.
Twenty-two veterans a day commit suicide in the land of the free and the brave.
Imagine a gunman walking into an elementary school and killing dead an entire First Grade classroom every single day.
That’s what 22 veterans a day looks like. It looks like the slaughter of young boys and young girls.
As young Zillmer tragically learned, the real battlefield isn’t in Afghanistan, or even Iraq.
The highest incident of soldier bloodshed is right here on U.S. soil.  

What is Jesus’ word to us about Jed Zillmer, the 22 per day, war and peace?  How would he have us pray, think and act?  What would he have us do?  

Here’s the newspaper article . .  . . .  

Sheriff’s office releases recordings of response to Zillmer call, fatal shooting by deputies

By Kip Hill The Spokesman-Review

Emergency dispatchers warned law enforcement responding to a high-speed chase with a suicidal Army veteran earlier this month that the man was seeking a confrontation.

“He says he doesn’t plan to harm citizens,” a dispatcher said of Jed Zillmer, 23, who was armed when he was shot and killed by deputies near Spokane Valley Mall on Feb. 11. “Unless we take too long to shoot him.”

More than 40 minutes of recorded radio traffic between responding sheriff’s deputies and dispatchers was released by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

The recordings detail the response to Zillmer’s initial calls that he was seeking “suicide by cop,” according to dispatchers, through a high-speed chase that ended at the intersection of East Indiana Avenue and North Sullivan Road. Six deputies opened fire on Zillmer, who was found with three guns, after he refused to comply with law enforcement commands, according to court documents and the Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team.

Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said that deputies worked to limit citizens’ exposure to the situation, stopping Zillmer before he reached the Spokane Valley Mall. According to the recordings, spike strips were deployed just east of the Indiana exit to slow Zillmer, who had been traveling at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Officers attempted a maneuver to disable his 1997 Honda sedan but backed off when it was apparent he was slowing to a stop, according to the recordings.

One dispatcher said Zillmer told a city 911 dispatch supervisor “he wants to be shot in the head” and “he will shoot in the air until we shoot him.”

Paramedics did not immediately approach Zillmer after the shooting because of a fear that there were explosives in the Honda. Zillmer had told dispatchers he was “heavily armed.”

The regional response team is handling the investigation into the shooting and will forward information to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for any potential charges in the case.

Zillmer, a former infantry sniper, earned a Purple Heart during battle in Afghanistan in February 2011, according to a lawsuit he filed along with other veterans claiming he’d been denied benefits. Zillmer was pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and computer science at Spokane Falls Community College, according to his family. The family suspected he might have been suffering from post-traumatic stress.  

“Lord, there is something gone wrong when we can live comfortably while our young men and women simply leave home and then die tragically fighting other young men who die tragically, or come home and die then tragically because they can’t figure out how to live.  Why are we okay with the the thoughtless, “well that’s the price of freedom”?   And what does it all gain?  Freedom, we say.  And a memorial day barbeque.  Is there no better way? You tell us there is.   Lord, Lord, Lord, help us.  Amen”

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