2012 – A Year of Service?

Most of us have heard about the anonymous donors this Christmas that paid off lay-away gifts at some of the big department stores pleasantly surprising the customers.  There has been a generous outpouring of gifts to the Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission and to the ministry at Congregations for the Homeless where our non profit, Living Perspectives has an active supporting role.  I am blessed here because this website has been prepared as an act of giving and love by a colleague who offered to design and bring it to life, giving of his time and asking nothing in return.

At a Bible study this morning with 8 men in transition (homeless), we discovered the benefit of God’s faithfulness in what he gives to us as we honor him. “The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.  The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in him.” Psalm 37:39-40 NIV… a perfect message for the guys.

We often think of giving to God as putting money in the offering plate as it comes by.   But do we give to God by taking a quiet time to listen to the Holy Spirit, or to pray for someone, to read his word and or extend a kind word or reach out to someone in our office, neighborhood or even a banker?

This year I gave a box of chocolates to our bank branch (they are really friendly with warm greetings) and got an incredible “thank you” note signed by everyone….completely unexpected.  Our neighbors invited some people over for coffee and doughnuts two months ago and now that has become a regular thing on Sundays after church, and sometimes this is our church as several neighbors get to know each other. This has become a time to help neighbors in need but to also share the Good News.

At Congregations for the Homeless, Living Perspectives is recruiting and training men and couples to become spiritual mentors to these wonderful men in transition. We had the privilege to baptize 4 men in Lake Washington this summer and one man accepted Christ last week.  Who is going to serve and disciple these men…we need some special people to “stand in the gap” with us in 2012.  Contact us.