‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.’
Such a sweet picture of Jesus and Young Life.
But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there is nothing to listen to.
The worst thing this world can do to me is kill me. But the best thing this world can do to me is kill me. Death does not bind me. Death sets me free.
This is one of my favorite songs ever by one of my favorite songwriters ever. It also has one of my favorite lyrics ever.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:4-5
He is making all things new
All that’s broken and sad will come untrue
He is changing even you
He is making all things new
Surprise - Lee Younger
Revelation 21:4-5
My friend Aaron is a college baseball player and the coolest person ever. You should read his blog because…
A) He’s a better sportswriter than anyone on ESPN.
B) He LOVES Jesus and loves to tell people about it.
C) He’ll send you any autographed memorabilia if you ask for it. Hold onto it, it may be worth something someday (in this world or the next).
Where, O death is now thy sting?
Where, O grave, thy victory?
The only thing that’s good in me is Jesus.
Least of These
I gave 40 dollars to a woman on campus tonight who asked me for help. The funny thing is instead of getting a pat on the back for this kind of thing I end up being questioned. I usually never tell people when I do stuff like this because Jesus tells me to shut up and I will get my reward in heaven, but on too many occasions I have been questioned for giving people money on the streets that I have decided to publicly defend myself. Weird, huh? I’m defending myself for actions that I would consider Christlike but others consider unwise.
This tends to happen to me a lot, actually, I seem to be a magnet for beggars. I made a deal with myself a few years ago that I would never say no to someone who asked me for money (if I had it), so maybe beggars can sense that or something. Tonight I was walking near the Strip on campus heading to dinner when a woman asked if she could use my phone. After using my phone she asked for 25 dollars and gave me a long story about cancer, medicine, and desperation. She said she needed medicine, I didn’t have any cash, but I agreed to walk to an ATM so I could help her out. The ATM could only give me 20’s, so I ended up handing her 40 dollars, prayed with her that her surgery would go well, then parted ways and headed to dinner.
After things like this happen I always get the question, “Do you think they were sincere?” I don’t know. I’ve heard people say, “Why don’t they get a job?” I don’t know. “Don’t they have family or insurance to help them?” I don’t know. “Did their story add up?” I don’t know. “What do you think they’ll really do with the money?” I don’t know. I’ve had people tell me I’m stupid, that I may be helping to support their addictions and reward their laziness. Maybe, I don’t know.
Obviously, there’s a lot that I don’t know. Here’s what I do know…
Jesus said at the end of time he will divide up people on his left and his right, and to those on his left he will say, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” His followers were confused, and asked when this ever happened. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Jesus also said, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Paul said that we were bought with a price, and that nothing we own is actually ours. Who am I to hold tight to my money when it is not actually mine?
I am not trying to tell you that you should always give money to people who ask (but, Jesus is). All I am doing is giving the reasons why I choose to. A simple Google search will find many articles written by Christians who give opinions very different than this one. The main reason I’m not telling you that you should always give money away is that I am not sure I am right. I may be wrong, it’s happened before. But I am not convinced that if Jesus saw a beggar on the street that he would say or think, “Get a job,” and walk away. Maybe he wouldn’t give them money either, but without being God and knowing their heart and intentions I have not yet come up with a better alternative.
But the least of these look like criminals to me
So I leave Christ on the street
This World - Derek Webb
On a side note, I’m also convinced that 90% of the people who have asked me for money are angels. Yes, real ones. But I can’t include that in my argument because I have no valid supporting evidence. Only faith.
