Who is worthy?

On Friday, January 9th I was working at a restaurant in downtown Apopka when a young lady approached me.  She introduced herself to me and explained how she was a missionary from Georgia. (the country not the home of the Bulldogs)  This did not surprise me because on another occasion that I was there I had a gentleman come up and introduce himself as a missionary for another Eastern European country.  I have heard how America has become one of the greatest countries for missionaries from overseas, even was in school with one for a semester or two.  But never thought I would run into one in Apopka.  Not once but twice.

God has impressed on my life the value of all human life.  He has really open my eyes up to what it means to love.  Because of this I was deeply disturbed by this chance meeting with a fellow believer.  I was actually busy for a change and was in the midst of moving some heavy equipment.  She came up to me to speak and I knew the routine.  That was not the part that bothered me.  It wasn't the fact that I had to stop what I was doing to have this conversation, I actually didn't mind taking a break.  It wasn't any part of our conversation.  It was the fact that as she hurried across the street she had a choice to make.  I was there working and there was another man sitting on the curb passing time.  She chose me.  Not a big deal right?  The part that was a big deal is after my conversation she went on never saying a word to this gentleman. 

 No one else was in the area but she walked pass him never even saying "Hi".  

He was homeless.  His clothes were wrinkled.  He had all of his earthly possessions on him.  Some how in our twisted view of the value of life we are attracted to the lives that most reflect ours.  I am not putting her down because she has the guts to go to a foreign country and share her faith boldly.  I just ask who de we go out of our way to talk to.  Those who look like us, listen to the same music as us, dress like us, make as much money as us?  We do the same thing day in and day out.

Jesus was homeless, even a fox has a den and birds their nest, He carried his belongings with Him, He didn't wear the fancy clothes.  Would we walk by Jesus if He were here today because we wouldn't find value in His appearance?  As we walk through life we determine the value of a persons worth.  What if God used the same standards we do?  Would Mary be the virgin mother?  Would the shepherds been the first to hear?  Would Paul have become the greatest missionary of all time?  How do I measure up?  Can I measure up?  

I am thankful that God sees us ALL as worthy!

Been a while...

My intentions were good but follow  through was lacking.  I envy those of you who post on a regular basis.  I never find the time or don't make it a priority to actually post.  I was hoping to have all of these stimulating blogs over the holidays encouraging us to remember Christmas as a time of celebrating relationships.  After all are we not celebrating the relationship of Christ with us?  Isn't it about Him coming to us to walk amongst us?  Unfortunately it has become a holiday to celebrate the consumerism and greed of the American way.  Just so I don't miss the opportunity check out this video.  

This Christmas was probably one of the best Christmas' for our family.  We got bogged down with all the normal junk.  Having to attend the obligatory parties and performances.  Fighting the traffic to get to the mall.  Not that we didn't enjoy some of these activities but many times we have to do these things out of obligation not a desire to spend time at the event.  This year we didn't wait for the grandparents to start opening the gifts.  This year we didn't take the traditional picture of the tree with all the gifts under it.  This year my wife and I didn't buy each other gifts.  I am not telling you this for you to feel sorry for us or to take pity on us.  Our decision had nothing to do with finances or the economy.  It wasn't because we were having marital problems.  Quite the opposite.  We decided to focus on what was important to us and to use the time that we would have spent shopping with each other.  We didn't take a picture of the tree with the presents because what kind of message are we preserving for our children?  When we look at that picture would we remember it as the year we spent time with a mother whose son and father were working out of state a thousand miles from home? Or would they remember it as the year the presents over took the tree?  

As mentioned we took dinner to a friend who was home alone.  We went bowling!  Our son who is quickly growing up had a blast.  We laughed and played around.  We learned how to curve the ball.  Couldn't hit a pin but it sure looks cool.   We had cheap bowling alley pizza for dinner.  On the way home we didn't discuss how cool their toys were.  we talked about how much fun we had.  The thing I will always remember about Christmas '08 is on the way home that starry night is Connor telling us that it was his favorite Christmas because we spent time just playing together.  I think we may have accidently started a new tradition.