Feeding Kids

A few weeks ago I got to participate in something wonderful. God used me to feed a child thousands of miles away. He used CCF student ministries to feed hundreds of kids thousands of miles away. The experience of being used by God is very hard to describe. There are many feelings and thoughts that bubble up during an event like the 30 Hour Famine. For some the thought of not eating for 30 hours is too scary to even entertain. For others it is not a problem at all. While it was cool for us to experience what many go through every single day, what is really cool about an event like this is that it brings out a persons sense of servanthood. It is a humbling thing to ask someone for money to help support kids in another country. I was in a conversation recently discussing fundraising for mission trips and we were processing why it was so hard to ask people to help financially. Culture has told us that money comes after work, not before and that if we want to make money we need to work for it. My question is, does that reflect how God chooses to use money? If we believe that it is all God's money anyway then does it really matter when He chooses to use it or for what purpose. When missionaries ask for support they are not asking for a handout or for an individuals sense of generosity to win the day. They are calling each and every person to the mission that God has called them too. That is a wonderful thing that we can all get behind and support in any way possible. We should always be asking the question, "God what are you calling me into today?" With that kind of heart and mindset I don't think we will have a hard time asking for and giving money too those around us.

Duck on a Pond

I saw a movie once that included a scene where a football coach approached a quarterback practicing by himself in the stadium for an upcoming game.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?"
"No," answered the quarterback.
"Yeah like a duck on a pond," coach responded.
The quarterback looked at him, confused.
"On the surface everything looks calm, but under the water those legs are going a mile a minute," the coach explained.
My wife and I have received many compliments at how we have handled not having a place to live for so long. While I appreciate these encouragements and am making a solid effort to act as I think Jesus would in this situation I sympathize with the duck. I always know God is trying to teach me something when the tension of life increases. Have you ever noticed that it is not how fast you move in the water that dictates how fast you go? God is teaching me to engage in His rhythm of life and not try to force my agenda on His sovereignty. This life is one big mish-mosh of God drawing all of us to Him. He uses all of our experiences to interact with us in His wonderful perfect way. I know that God used our housing woes to not only teach us many things, but I am sure that He taught many others lessons through what seemed to be only happening to us. In the midst of crisis we can't forget the purpose for which we were created. God uses all things to draw us into deeper relationship with Him. Swim in His rhythm and we won't beat up the water like the scared duck.