Saturday, March 28, 2009


It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

Monday, March 2, 2009


Service: Wishful Thinking, Occasional Acts, a Hobby, or… a Way of Life?

Although in this economy, and with significant expenses in my future, I am thankful and happy to have a job. In fact, I am thinking of going back to full-time. But there is always a place in my heart and mind that is playing out a life in which I do not have to work. Dennis used to think I was joking around, but he is starting to get the picture. “If I didn’t work, I could go to Grace Ways,” I say. Or “We could let go of the housekeeper and gardener.” Even “I could actually cook dinner for us most nights – with food from the garden”… But more importantly, won’t I have more time to serve?

This is the thing: I want to serve. But somehow I don’t ever do it. Yes, I am in two small groups through church, and we are supposed to be doing service projects. We do perform our worship service every now and then, but that is it. Don’t get me wrong – I celebrate this accomplishment, if you will, and it is fuel. My participation in “What’s Happening” is too joyful to be considered service. But I hear a call to do more. So now I am trying to move from wishfully thinking about service, to making it at least an occasional act. Then, it won’t be long before it becomes my hobby. And then, perhaps, a way of life. Right?

Being in Nellore with Titus and his family and the AH India community was such an inspiration to me. You may have heard me say that communing with Titus kind of makes one want to drop everything, rent an apartment in Nellore, and get busy with AH India. For those of you who do not know, Titus actually has a day job. He and his wife, Arathi, are professors at one of the local colleges. So how, you may be wondering, is he also the pastor at Abiding Hope Nellore? He has commitment and help. Arathi, Marilyne, Williams, and other family members, Karunakar and Ruthamma, Bangaraiah, among others. All of these brothers and sisters of the church come together and create an Abiding Hope community 8700 miles from ours. And it is a wonderful and real example of how we can reach out to others: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, supporting medical teams, offering sewing and spoken English classes – the list is limitless in our hearts and ultimately in reality. As Titus reaches out to others, he is also raising them up - not just those being served, but those who are serving!

“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

My mind is made up.