Mark Beeson

Food Drop 2017: It's a Team Effort

 

 

There are always chores to be done.

When I was fishing in Canada last summer, we carved out time to hang an overhead light. It was a team effort. Trent and Marvin can do things I can't, but I wanted to help so I looked for a way to participate. I found it. I took a picture.

This Saturday morning we have work to do. Thousands of us will pack, load and deliver tons of food to Michiana's hurting and hungry. It's time for our annual Food Drop.

Let's do this good work together... and I'll take a few pictures as we do.

Matthew 25:34-40  -  “Then the King will say to those on His right side, ‘Come, you who have been called by My Father. Come into the holy nation that has been made ready for you before the world was made.  For I was hungry and you gave Me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave Me water to drink. I was a stranger and you gave Me a room.  I had no clothes and you gave Me clothes to wear. I was sick and you cared for Me. I was in prison and you came to see Me.’ Then those that are right with God will say, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? When did we see You thirsty and give You a drink?  When did we see You a stranger and give You a room? When did we see You had no clothes and we gave You clothes?  And when did we see You sick or in prison and we came to You?’  Then the King will say, ‘For sure, I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of My brothers, you have done it to Me.’"

 

Direct, Correct and Redirect Your Children

 

My Grandson Charlie

  

My grandkids are like most kids. They're not special just because they're mine. They're special like all kids are special... because GOD says so. 

Like all children, they have questions, a lot of questions.

And, like all children, if they can come to their parents with questions about anything, they'll be less likely to go underground for answers. Of course, that means parents are going to be asked uncomfortable questions. But children can't wait until their parents feel comfortable about fielding their questions, or they will wait too long. 

When kids ask questions, even disturbing and difficult questions, don't be upset with them. Love them, and in the most age-appropriate way possible, clarify the truth for them. 

I'm proud of my children. They're great parents. They all know that a question-asking-child isn't the enemy... his or her ignorance is. 

Ephesians 6:4 (JB Phillips) - Fathers, don’t over-correct your children or make it difficult for them to obey the commandment. Bring them up with Christian teaching in Christian discipline.

 

Recipients of Grace

 

- Another couple responding to GOD's grace through baptism last weekend - 

Every day we are given countless opportunities to make decisions about how we will respond to GOD's grace. Sure, these opportunities are undeserved, but GOD sovereignly acts in grace and we are summoned to respond.

GOD's grace is inextricably linked with GOD's beckoning to join HIM in HIS redemptive work in the world.

• The healed are invited to become healers.
• The forgiven are called to forgive.
• The rescued are summoned to set other captives free.

Every single day, we have innumerable opportunities to respond to GOD's grace. So every day, we have decisions to make. 

• We decide to forgive... or not.
• We decide to support the church... or not.
• We decide to encourage another... or not.
• We decide to pray... or not.
• We decide to care for the least, lost and hungry... or not. 

GOD's grace is always undeserved and always tethered to an invitation, a summons that beckons and calls us to join GOD in his redemptive work in the world. I'm praying every recipient of grace will settle for nothing less.

 

Matthew 4:19  -  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." 

 

Mournful Broken Hearts Rejoice

 

A Warm Embrace from Dr. Bob Laurent / GCC's Baptism Service  

 

Some of us left home to find the "good life," only to discover our steps brought us to a land of heartache. We went off by ourselves to do what we wanted, and woke-up distanced from Love's warm embrace. We became unhappy people in unhappy circumstances, surprised by the sadness of isolation. Our decision to leave took us farther than we wanted to go, kept us longer than we wanted to stay and cost us more than we wanted to pay. 

The distance we'd chosen wasn't all it was cracked-up to be, so we got up and went home, only to discover our eternal Father welcomes the solemn, sorrowful penitent. 

The warm embrace of homecoming is a beautiful thing. Maybe that's why it's so difficult to see people "keeping their distance," as if they might be unwelcome... should they choose to return home. 

 

Luke 15:24  -  This is my son—I thought he was dead, and he’s alive again. I thought I had lost him, and he’s found!

  

Remember What, Who & Why

 

 

A long, long time ago (back in 2016), I went fishing in Alaska with a few friends from GCC. 

We had a blast, caught some fish, solved many of the world's problems and donated a pile of money to GCC's Early Learning Center. We shared the adventure. Now we share the perspective we gained by taking good steps, in a good direction, with good companions, for a really good cause. 

• What are you doing in 2017?
     Got a good direction in mind?
• Who are you taking with you? 
     Got some good friends to share the adventure?
• Why will your 2017 be worth the trip? 
     Got a good enough reason to give the next year of your life for it? 

Join me for one of GCC's weekend services and we'll help each other live a life worthy of GOD's reward in 2017. 

 

Colossians 3:23-24  -  Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

 

Welcome to 2017

 

 

Sheila and I launched 2017 with our grandkids making a big effort to "Feed The Birds." We know GOD has that covered but we figured we'd help by packing some home-grown nutrients into our home-grown feeder. We made some memories and cooperated with GOD's care for HIS creation in the process. 

You are much more valuable than you know, so live 2017 well.

• Take your loved ones with you and make some memories this year.
• Remember to care for what GOD cares about.
• Pay attention to what refreshes and nourishes you. 
• Make some effort. 
• Help those you can. 
• Help when you can. 
• Help where you can.
  
  

Matthew 6:26  -  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?