Scout’s honor
October 28, 2008
As I was coming out of IGA store I saw the girl scouts selling cookies. I am a diabetic so I cannot eat sugar. As I politely said no thank you, I got to my car and heard the Lord instruct me to go back and buy the cookies. I sat in my car saying loudly “but Lord you know I cannot eat them? “ He said “did I say you were to eat them? I said then what do I do with them?” Immediatly My precious Lord showed me a way to witness His love in a greater way I have ever known.
As I approached the Girl scouts and their Leader again, I asked How many of you know My Jesus? With such excitement they all started chattering I know Him I Know Him. I asked them How many Boxes of cookies do you have left? They counted them all up and told me how many. Well I said Jesus is going to buy all of your cookies today How about that? They all began to become so excited. I said now after paying for them all, Jesus wants to know that you know Him and Love Him .
So what your going to do for Him is give the cookies away from Jesus today with great love and enthusiasm. They all started to scream yes that will be so fun. I left the stand and the Leader ran after me and said what Is your name, we have a website and I have to put this on our website. I told her I cannot give you my name but feel free to let your readers know that The Lord stopped by today to buy Girl Scout cookies. She hugged me and as I was driving away what a thrill it was to see these young girls passing out their cookies in our Fathers name. Thank you for hearing my story
In His Service
Love Connie Ciccone
A lifestyle choice
October 28, 2008
The historic storm that just rolled through Cincinnati in September damaged a large oak tree on our property. The tree is estimated to be around 100-125 years old and as you can imagine quite large. Just two days ago we had it removed because it posed a significant risk to our house along with the neighbors. The crew arrived with a pot of hot coffee waiting for them. It was a cool morning and they seemed to enjoy this unexpected warmth as they prepared the equipment. Once the crane went skyward and the saw blades fired up the neighbors came flooding out. It was a great experience as many of the neighbors stood outside talking with each other (there’s an idea) while they watched the crane at work. Many of these interactions were new. My wife baked dozens of cookies for the crew as they broke for lunch. More significant than even that was the opportunity for a half dozen of the neighborhood kids to sit in the crane and help the operator hoist the climbers. The fun those kids had taking pictures and videos; they had a blast. Also, the neighbor at the end of the street heats his home with a wood burning stove. LIGHTBULB! He is now able to enjoy at least a whole winter’s worth of oak for his stove. All for free. Consequently, dropping these massive logs in the neighbors front lawn also served the tree service as they did not have to take 4-5 trips dumping the huge chunks of trunk in addition to paying to have those burly pieces disposed of.
The point I’d like to make is that this service project was a community event. It seems to me that all involved were both served and serving. The serving opportunities weren’t altogether planned but spontaneous displays of practical needs being met. Serving is a lifestyle choice not a program in which to participate.
-Randy Henson
Sounds like a good plan
October 15, 2008
I got one of the cards at the Vineyard instructing me to bring my child’s art to a retirement community. I’ve recently got involved with something else that is outward focused that I want to write about instead of visiting the retirement home. I just don’t have time to do it all.
For several years I have been meeting with two friends of mine every week for accountability and to just talk about life. We’ve dedicated that intense 1.5 hours to discuss problems and how we can be more like Christ. For the past several months we have become bored. We’ve talked about everything under the sun at least 3 times and we’re just out of topics. So we decided to get out of our comfort zone and spend 3 weeks a month visiting with the homeless at City Gospel Mission. We’ve just started so we don’t know how it’s going to work. But we decided to be more outward focused and put into action what we’ve learned. We also want to teach other men to have the same type of relationship that we have learned to have.
Initially we plan to meet with 3 guys from the mission and just play pool. So far we’ve just sat down and had dinner with them a few times. We hope this will allow us time to hear their stories, get to know them and just get comfortable with them. Then we plan to take it to the next level. Maybe we’ll do a Bible study, have a prayer group or some type of discussion that is below the surface. The idea is to intentially pursue the men and be a positive example to them that will allow them to know Christ more and break free from poverty. I’ve recently learned that it takes a significant relationship with another person to break free from poverty. I still plan to do a small outreach to hand out the card though. Thanks.
Lions Tigers and Bears Oh My!
October 3, 2008
A little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Halloween for many a Christian is a very scary night. Bar the doors, pull down the shades, keep the kids in and play it safe can be the reaction. However, it’s important to note, lots of Americans living in your neighborhood do not have a Christian belief system. Their view of life is much different. Those who know not Christ see Halloween as a fun family night for the kids.
One year I stayed home, on purpose. I wanted to check out the scene in my neighborhood where I’m known. To catch the vibe. See what parents were doing with their kids. To be in my community.
My desire was to connect with my neighbors in some tangible meaningful way. I chose to sit on my front porch with my mini dachshund as protection and use an Izone mini camera to take the little monsters’ picture then give the kids the photo and ask them to hand it to their mom or dad.(it was interesting, no scary costumes on my block)
The pictures were a big hit. Comments like, ‘Wow, this is cool!’ to questions like, ‘Why are you doing this?’ were the norm. I’d reply, I’m just having some fun showing you God’s love in a practical way.’ And chat with the parents.
One my friends decided to have Veggie Tales playing on the big screen in their den. She’d invite the parents and kids in and offer free coffee, hot chocolate and have some personal gifts made for each family. A huge hit and she had many positive conversations with parents.
Here are some Halloween tips.
- Recognize you can be creative and leave a positive impression in your neighborhood. Hopefully, people are saying something like…’Hey that’s Mr. Jones. He’s a nice guy always doing nice things. He’s goes to that pretty good church down the street.’
So, If you are going to stay home…be kind, be warm and be inviting. A little bit of kindness goes a long way
- Recognize, ‘they out there,’ are not your enemies. They are your neighbors. They have names like Mary and Tom, etc. with kids named Joey, Samantha, etc.
- Recognize if a parent is walking with their child they are being responsible parents. Saint or Sinner, it’s true, it matters not.
Do something out of the ordinary like:
- Buy an izone or Polaroid camera… kids come to your door take a picture hand it to the kids for the parents.
- Have something for the adults. Offer a cold pop, or a cup of coffee, hot coco, or hot tea.
- Set up your TV and DVD outside and show Veggie Tales. Have lawn chairs set up, add bags of popcorn and you’re off to the movies. One friend in Tampa had a crowd by the end of the evening.
- Buy something different like giant candy bars or individually wrapped bags of popcorn etc. available at most stores. Be Big… Be Generous… Be Creative
- Be ready to share your faith, answers questions…and by allowing your positive caring attitude show. A smile and an encouraging handshake mean much to most people in your neighborhood
Heaven’s angels
October 3, 2008
Some have met with angels and didn’t know it…
Have you seen those commercials where the guy is going through a difficult and uncertain time in his life, and then he meets an older version of himself? The “future him” lets the “present him” know that everything turns out OK. Well, I think something like that happened to me.
A couple weeks ago hurricane Ike blew through Cincinnati and left many of us without power for days. In the aftermath I ventured out to UDF to get some gas and pick up some snacks. They were already out of gas, but as I was paying for the snacks I overheard the guy in the next line asking for directions to the next closest station. He was a 50-something biker guy wearing black leather. He had already walked a couple miles from where his bike ran out of gas and wasn’t looking forward to having to walk a few more. I chimed in offered to give him a ride to the next station and he was happy to accept.
As we drove up the road we began to talk. He had ridden up from Tennessee the night before and didn’t know anyone in the area. It turns out his name is David, same as mine. I told him I didn’t have a motorcycle but that I had just called on one for sale a few days ago. Then I noticed his jacket said, “Christian Motorcyclists Association” and we found out we are brothers in Christ. As we stood at the pump filling a gas can and my tank, he insisted on paying for my gas. I was touched by his kindness in return, and began to open up more and tell him about what I was going through. I told him how my wife, Julie, had just been diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, that she was recovering from a bilateral mastectomy, and that she was about to start chemotherapy.
Suddenly he stopped and looked at me, and he said, “This may be the reason God brought me here.” And he proceeded to tell me how 13 years ago (when he was my age!) he and his wife went through exactly the same thing! She has been cancer-free ever since and he went on to encourage me and build me up. It was as if God wanted to let me know that Julie is going to be OK.
Here I thought I was the one doing an act of kindness for a stranger, but God had orchestrated it all to bless me when I most needed it. I know some have met with angels without knowing it, but I wonder if more often some are angels and don’t know it. Anyway, don’t be surprised if 13 years from now Julie and I are riding around on a Harley!
