Why do bad things happen to good people?

This question is maybe one of the hardest in theology and in life. It has been asked in one form or another by people throughout human history and by people around the globe. The world observes people who are truly "good people" and ask the same question in different ways depending upon the circumstances.

• Why do "good people" become victims of a disease or a natural disaster?
• Why do "good people" get caught in the crossfire of acts of "random" violence?
• Why is it that the "good" young men and women of our country have to die in a war against religious fanatics bent on the destruction of freedom and devoted to the subjugation of the world to their ideology?
• Why do otherwise innocent children get abused - mentally, emotionally and physically by an older person who is in a position of authority over them?
• Why does the young, Christian teenager with a promising future get killed in a car accident?
• Why did my marriage fail after I, a "good Christian", tried so hard to make it work?
• Why did an "innocent" driver (a "good person") get killed by a drunk driver?

In other words, why do good people have to suffer? The real question that is being asked, but not stated here - "Is God really fair?" Another related question - "Does God really love me?" or "How can a God of love let bad things happen to His children?"

I'd be the last to try and explain away the hurt and anguish we feel with a handful of pat answers even if they are Bible verses. But I can offer some perspective I have learned in living through my own grief and life traumas. While we cannot possibly know all of the details associated with any individual circumstance, we can know and understand some critical truths from Scripture that provide stability, comfort and strength in the midst of our own times of suffering and that help us understand the reason why bad things happen to good people.

First let’s look at Some Faulty and Incomplete Explanations for the Presence of Suffering

Many answers have been given in an attempt to explain the problem of human suffering. Many of these answers are very wrong. The Book of Job illustrates this very plainly. Job's wife, his friends, and his acquaintances grappled with the question of why Job was suffering. They had plausible sounding, glib answers; but they were wrong! Look at the answers they gave to account for Job's suffering.

1. "God has sent it.” This was the answer Job's wife gave. She felt that God was causing Job's agony and so she urged: "Curse God and die." (Job 2:9) People often accept the same explanation for suffering today: "God took my loved one!" "It is God's will" for some tragedy to occur. Natural calamities are called "acts of God." But it is absolutely false to say that all suffering is sent by God!!! Job's sorrows were not inflicted by God but by Satan! It is most emphatically not true that God is responsible for all suffering!
   
   
2. "God is punishing you." This was the response of Job's three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. They were not bad men. They meant well but were tragically mistaken. They argued that all suffering is the direct and sure result of sin. "Whoever perished being innocent?" they asked. (Job 4:7) They counseled Job to admit that he had sinned and that he deserved what was happening to him! Now, there is sometimes an element of truth in this explanation. Sometimes we do suffer because of sins. Paul told the Corinthians that many of them were weak, sickly, and dying because of their sinful abuse of the Lord's Supper. (1 Corinthians 11:30) David sinned and as a result his baby son died. (2 Samuel 12:13-14) Sometimes people do suffer for their sins but we make a grave mistake when we assume that all suffering is the result of sin. When Jesus died on the cross two men died with Him, suffering for their sin. But Jesus was without sin. He suffered in innocence. Many people do today. Jesus once healed a man born blind and when asked whose sin was responsible for the man's blindness, He said: " Neither this man sinned, nor his parents, but... that the works of God might he displayed in him... " (John 9:3) Innocent people suffer without having deserved it!
   
   
3. "God is trying to tell you something." This was the explanation given by a young man named Elihu for Job's trouble. He was impatient with Job and his three friends because they couldn't see what he thought were obvious. "God is trying to teach you a lesson," he said. "Man is chastened with pain." (Job 33:19) This is sometimes true. God taught Paul humility by refusing to take away his "thorn in the flesh." (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) But it was not the total answer. It did not apply in the case of Job. It does not always apply today!

So…Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?

The Bible gives several insights into this question.

1. Some suffering is built into the universe. God made this world in a certain way and in a sense suffering is woven into its very fabric. God has natural laws, which order and maintain our world. Powerful forces are unleashed by the working of these laws. We can get caught in the machinery that drives the universe. If we get in the way of God's natural laws we can get hurt: floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. Jesus said, in John 3:8 "The wind blows and no man knows where it goes." The way the universe is built allows for some suffering to happen.
   
   
2. Some suffering is self-inflicted. God has both spiritual as well as natural laws. When those laws are violated, we suffer the consequences. God made man a creature with freedom of choice. We can choose evil or we can choose good. We can make mistakes, blunders, and wrong choices. And we suffer for it. We speak of breaking God's laws; but actually we don't break God's laws; we disregard God's laws (natural or spiritual) and they break us! We don't "break" the law of gravity by jumping from a huge skyscraper; we disregard it and suffer the consequences!
   
   
3. Some suffering is passed on from others. Sometimes our suffering is the result of choices and actions of other people. Other people can misuse their freedom of will in such a way that it harms us! "We have met the enemy is he is us." It is men who riot and rape and kill and lie. Men like Mao or Stalin or Hitler can plunge a whole nation or a whole world into suffering. Because God did not make us senseless robots, but men and women capable of choosing good or evil, we will go on hurting others and being hurt by them.
   
   
4. Some suffering represents the rage of Satan. It was Satan who afflicted Job! Paul calls his thorn in the flesh a "messenger of Satan." (2 Cor. 12:7) The Bible speaks of Satan causing disease (Luke 13:16) and having the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14) It was Satan who trashed God's creation by unleashing sin, disease and death on the world. Let's never lose sight of this. Satan hates those who seek to do right and will do all in his power to hinder and oppress them. Suffering and calamity may be an indication that you are on the right track and Satan is trying to derail you!
   
   
5. Some suffering is educational. (See James 1:2-3; Romans 5:3-5) Suffering can confer spiritual insight; it can teach us patience and can build character and strength. It can prepare us for greater service. It can knock a lot of nonsense out of us! Illness, for example, may lead us to see things in a clearer light than we ever did when we were going through life without a care! Troubles are the tools that God uses to fashion us for better things.
   
   
6. Some suffering is therapeutic. It may make us better people; it may lead us to repentance; it may discipline us spiritually. " It is good for me that l have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes." (Psalm 119:71; see Hebrews 12:6-11) God may permit suffering for the sake of our spiritual health and well-being!

Suffering may arise from a variety of different causes--perhaps from a combination of causes or from causes we cannot even understand. (Job was never really given an explanation for his suffering!) We cannot easily look at any experience of suffering and put our finger on the "why" of it!!! But in a sense why is the wrong question! There is so much we do not know. Suffering is beyond our fullest comprehension. We need to tum to another question that is far more important!

How Should We React to Suffering in Our Lives?

1. We must remember that suffering does not defeat or thwart the purposes of God. Hold on to Romans 8:28 - " And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." We think that there should be a plan that we know and understand. But that is often not the case. We don't see everything like God does. What if the car that hit the power pole was being stopped from going 100 yards down the street and running down a little girl? Belief is about putting your faith in God not in your own knowledge. Faith is about knowing that He is in control and subordinating self will to God's will. The "plan" might be to get us to asking questions. It has been for me. It might be to strengthen us for worse things. Then again it might just be that pesky "free will" where cause and effect are happening. It is easy to lose sight of the good that is happening if we focus on the bad. Yes, sometimes bad things happen to people who seem undeserving of them. But God allows things to happen for His reasons, whether or not we understand them. Above all, however, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us or friends or family that we simply cannot understand. However, instead of doubting God's goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. ”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6
   
   
2. We must remember that the important thing is not "why" suffering comes, but "how" we meet it! Suffering can make us bitter or better. It will do one of the two. It is up to us! The real question is not "what's behind my suffering?" but "what's in me?" We can use suffering as a tool for improving our lives or as an excuse for getting mad at God! Tragedy, disaster, sorrow, and calamity do not frustrate God's purposes. Our goals and purpose should be His. Our problem is that we look at things from the wrong side. My wife Kathy is a quilter. If you look at the work from the bottom of the quilt it seems to be only a tangled mass of threads and bits of cloth before the batting and quilting. But on top a beautiful design is being worked out in an intricate pattern. God did not send Paul's "thorn in the flesh"--Satan did; but God used it for Paul's good! Paul was a better man because of it. No matter what happens, God can arrange matters so that it fits into His pattern!

The poet has said:

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oftimes he weaves in sorrows,
And I in foolish pride
Forget he sees the upper
And I the underside.

Nor till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

We must remember to trust God and rely on Him whatever comes! We do not understand all that happens. We do not have all the facts. Our vision is limited; we see from an earthly vantage point instead of from eternity. We must, therefore, trust in the wisdom, power, and love of God! This is the message of the Book of Job! God didn't tell Job "why"! He said "trust me!"

The Farmer and the Bird:

A farmer watched a mocking bird building her nest in a heap of branches pruned from the apple tree beside the house. All day long the bird toiled; in the evening the farmer destroyed the work she had done--scattering tiny twigs about and trampling them under his feet. The next day the bird patiently began building again. Again at evening time her work was destroyed. Judged by bird standards, the man was cruel. The third day she began her nest again, but this time in the rose bush by the kitchen door. In the evening, the farmer smiled on the bird and her work remained. Day after day she continued to build; the nest was completed; the eggs were laid and warmed beneath her bosom. But long before the time for hatching, the pile of branches from which she had been driven had been removed and burned. Had the far seeing farmer allowed the bird to have her way, all of her nest, her little ones, and her hope for the season would have been destroyed. She did not see beyond one day. He saw the end from the beginning.

Since God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) we can trust Him in all things--even those which we cannot understand! Jesus said something in a different connection which also applies very well in this connection: ""What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand later." (John 13:7)

Conclusion

Admittedly, when we are in so much pain we "do groan, beinq troubled..." (2 Cor. 5:4) we may not have the strength to even pray the pain is so great. But God is there. Just know that God will get you through this even when the pain is minute to minute and there seems no end in sight. I don't have all the answers but in my experience, when I have been at my worst, hurting or in the greatest pain and suffering, God is there and I try to remember that Christ has overcome the world. That there is a better land--a land where suffering and sorrow are unknown. God has prepared a home for us there and to that home He wishes us to come. Were it not for the heartaches, disappointments and sufferings of this world, we might forget the greater destiny that lies before us. Perhaps the sufferings of this world were designed, in part, to cause us not to be satisfied here, but to lift our eyes toward that world to come where "He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more." (Rev. 21:4)

Those who have this hope, need never fear tomorrow! Is this hope yours...? It Can Be!

Love one Another
The Church Mouse

People of True Value (A New Years Challenge)

Philippians 3:17 "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you."

1 Corinthians 11 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

I was just listening to yet another ad telling us all the great deals and fantastic values available if we would just buy at store Z or the new brand X. This got me to thinking about people and that which is of, "true value".

Some of the finest people I have had the opportunity to be associated with are those who have lived their lives in service as an example to others. Not for personal reward or acclaim, but because they understand the influence of personal example in all our lives. I have been gifted to know many such people in my life.

They have taught me there are two basic ways to improve human development both personally and with others. They are, attitude and behavior. You may try the easy path to advance yourself through lies or tearing down those around you, but that eventually leads to angry, cynical, distructive and defeatist behavior. Or you can follow the difficult path. A path of improving yourself while trying to help those around you to improve as well. That path is the path of excellence and growth for everyone.

Experience has taught that those people of true value are not the most famous, the most wealthy, the most powerful, or even the most "religious". No. Rather I find they are simple people of character. They are flawed just as we all are, but the difference is in how they handle their flaws. These are people who examine who they are inside and outside and work to improve daily. People who give selflessly and spend their lives in a relentless pursuit to be the best they can be while building and growing those around them.

They are caring and forgiving people, relationship builders, thinking of the welfare of others before their own. They are gifted in different ways but each makes the most of their gifts and gives them away generously, even lavishly, to everyone they can. People like the woman with terminal cancer who smiles and jokes with friends and family so that THEY feel better, or the man suffering from the death of his child who serves as Santa at an orphanage.

These are the unsung heros of our everyday lives. The teachers, police officers, firemen, soldiers, doctors & nurses, scoutmasters, pastors, coaches, Mom's & Dads, Grandmas & Grandpas and many others. Those who spend thousands of hours in cheerful service to others. Planting seeds often without knowing it, and without the gratification of seeing the end results. Each showing by example that there is a better way and each building others through their behavior.

God provides each of us with the opportunity to be special everyday. The opportunity to make a difference in the lives around us. It may be a smile, a positive attitude, a helpful hand. It is a decision we make everyday. To leave everyone and everything just a little bit better than we found it. I pray that not just today, but everyday, we all decide to take the difficult path, to be people of, "true value".

Love one another,

The Church Mouse

"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi

All Truth is God's Truth

Psalm 100: 5

For the LORD is good;
His love and mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

“All truth is God’s truth”, is something that has stuck with me since I first learned it from my confirmation pastor. Because God created the world with a full set of natural laws, scientists, artists and philosophers who may want nothing to do with a belief in God can indeed make observations and conclusions about life that can be supported by a biblical point of view. For example, I may know nothing about the faith of the man who carved a beautiful butterfly from a block of maple, or the woman who sews a vibrant and warm quilt, or the engineer who designed this computer, but each teach me how to see the beauty of God in what they have done. That truth belongs to God. They may believe in Karma, Buddha, Allah, or nothing at all, it doesn’t take away from their adding to my worship of God.

Notice I didn't give that false idea that all religion is the same because it is not but that is a subject for another time. Truth however is the same for Truth comes from God. The Psalms is a great place to learn that.

You might be wondering why this is important. It’s important because it could potentially turn our whole day into one continuous time of worship. Here’s how. It all relates to our attitude and ability to perceive God in the world around us.

First, we don’t have to look away from the world to worship God. After all, God created the world. This is good news since we all, of necessity, have to pay a good deal of attention to the world in order to live here. The world is our address. (for now) Remember as Christians we live “in” the world but are not “of the world”. In other words we are working and growing here but it is just the beginning of the journey in Christ.

When we build and touch the hearts and minds of others by bringing Christ into their lives, we begin to understand how living in the world and worshiping God can happen at the same time. When we understand and live the example of Christ in our own lives we learn how to show the good, love, mercy & truth to others. This allows us to turn more of our life into worship and service—potentially, all of it. We can live our devotions at work, at school, at the movies, at the ballpark, at the gym, during sickness and stressful times, and times of health and plenty. We can use all times to focus on God.

Secondly, our ability to find truth in our culture provides points of connection that prove valuable to our mission, which is to love others and tell them about Christ. If we do not live in the world and speak about things that are relevant to others lives, we become self centered crack pots, that no one wants to listen to.

The clearest example of this in the scriptures comes by way of Paul, who, when he was in Athens addressing the Greek Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, chose things from their culture (words of their own poets) and even their pagan religion (an idol to an unknown god) to help convey his message about Christ. He didn’t say, “You’re all wrong and I'm right.” He said, “You’re right about this, this, and this… now based on that, please consider the following...” (Acts 17:16-34)

All this to say: THINK, LISTEN, pay attention to others needs. Keep your eyes open and your spiritual insights working at all times. Make friends and develop true relationships, not just the surface kind. DON'T try to change others, change yourself! and your example will LEAD the way to Him. Don't compromise your values but don't rub people’s noses in their sin. REMEMBER we are sinners too. (The only difference is Grace which you did not, and can not earn, but which is given through the sacrifice of Christ) When witnessing remember the 3 L's LISTEN, LIVE IT, LOVE. When we model these things people are much more attracted to the message.

In Faith, Hope & Love,

The Church Mouse

A Passion for Service

Galatians 5:13—You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

What do you love to do? Chances are that love can be tapped into, as a service for the Lord. This kind of thinking may seem obvious, but it is radical at least to my Christian upbringing.

I grew up with a kind of warped Christianity that taught that if I was passionate about something, it was probably wrong. God was the great killjoy in the sky. Virtue was painful, depressing and boring. What we were told was good usually felt bad, and the bad (seemingly) felt good. Denying yourself meant never doing anything you really wanted to do. Conversely, if you hated doing something, that was most likely what God was calling you to do. “Christians” seemed more focused on telling others what they were doing wrong, than on what they were doing right. They also seemed to seldom look at their own faults. As I read the Bible and talked with my youth pastor, this was clearly not what Jesus had in mind (Matthew 7:3-5). This caused a lot of conflict for me as a youth/young adult and I researched a lot of religions and Christian denominations as I searched for spiritual understanding.

As you might imagine, this kind of indoctrination has turned away millions of potential brothers and sisters in Christ. It also created a generation of Law centered, diminished, sad, dull, self-righteous and boring Christians who were always suspicious of others and of enjoying the freedom purchased by Christ. Where do you think the character of the Church Lady on Saturday Night Live came from, anyway? :-) This is certainly not the kind of person that turns a non-believer on to Christ and undoubtedly is not healthy for believers either.

God does not hate you. He is not out to get you. He doesn’t want you to feel bad, and He doesn’t want you to be confused and depressed. He is our Father and He loves us so much He gave us His Son to reach out and build a bridge to us. He gave us the Bible to build our understanding of Him. He gave us a “helper” in the Holy Spirit to provide discernment and guidance. He is a God of love, passion, joy, encouragement, development and understanding. He wants us to grow in the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 22,23) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, caring and self-control. This is the joyous message of Christ! The Law is fulfilled, (Matthew 5:17) let us grow in the Light of Jesus Christ! God wants us to avoid sin out of our love of Him, and for the joy and health that it brings into our lives spiritually, emotionally and physically, not out of duty to the law. Christ has paid that bill.

Now, that is not to say that we never have to work, or do something we don’t want to, or suffer loss or pain to serve and grow in Him. That’s the same false thinking that says peacemaker and meek means passive and weak. Look at the life of our Lord, His example was never weak and he was certainly no passive fence sitter. He was intense, vibrant, involved, caring, and passionate! He was NEVER apathetic or passive.

Think of what you know about King David in the Old Testament. Now here’s a guy who reeked of passion. He loved music, poetry, women and war. So he became a warrior/king and all his passions, in their proper places and under the Spirit’s control, drove him to be not only a great king, but a man after God’s own heart. THE KEY HERE IS UNDER THE SPIRIT’S CONTROL. When David forgot who he was and lived for himself, he suffered. But when he allowed God to move him and use the gifts of his passion, he accomplished great things and was well loved by God. David’s Journey was never an easy one and he made many mistakes and suffered great loss and pain, but He also experienced a transcendent joy, peace, and love though a close relationship with God.

Remember all of us are special and have a gift to bring to service. If you think you are too old think of Noah! If you think you are too young think of Timothy! Read the Bible or look around you! God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things!

Look at Nehemiah, who was a servant with no formal training in engineering or logistics. Yet, he used faith and a passionate desire to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and accomplished the task in (Nehemiah 6:15) just 52 days! He knew how to tap into people’s passion for service. People who serve out of duty alone seldom accomplish anything of note. It takes a passionate desire to serve, lead by the Holy Spirit within, to be a good and faithful servant. Passion makes great Fruit.

You were made for service and God equipped each of us with a special gift or gifts. If you don’t know what your gift is, experiment! Try some things out. Step out of the boat in faith as Peter did and walk on the water to Christ. (Matthew 14:22-33) It is scary, and you may fail, but you may also succeed, and in any case Christ is there to catch you if you begin to sink. Taking a risk is required to earn a great return for Christ. (Matthew 25:14-30) You will make some mistakes but that is part of the learning and building process. It is the Journey of becoming like Christ.

God is not in the frustration business; He is in the fulfilling, joy-filled business. When you become a Christian, part of the transformation is a passion for serving God. Like any worthwhile endeavor that requires a plan, hard work, and a passion to succeed.

To use all that you are for Christ, to be the best you can be, and so humbly lead and build others in being the best they can be, to leave everything and everyone you touch a little better than you found it, that is the core of passionate service in Christ. And don’t just serve in the Church. Spread the light of Christ around (Matthew 5:13-16). That’s our job as Christians. So think about your gifts. What do you love? Your most successful investment for God will be along those lines.

Love one another,

The Church Mouse

Separation of Church & State?

There is NO such thing as "Separation of Church and State" it is simply a fairy tale. It is yet another of the leftist’s love affairs with junk philosophy that comes from Europe much like socialism and communism.

The idea of the “separation of church and state” came about in 1905 as a French law and idea enacted by the Third Republic and establishing state secularism in France as a reaction to the abuses of the Church and a desire of the French national leadership to be rid of the power of the church and it’s influence. The idea of “laicity” was then modified to be “power of the people over the power of religion” and was brought to the United States by socialists in the 1930’s during the great depression era. It is not in any way an American idea or ideal and in fact is in direct opposition to the founding fathers perception of a nation under God, that gets it’s legitimacy from inalienable rights provided by God.

The Foundation Documents of the U.S. include the Declaration of Independence; Constitution and Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution). The Declaration of Independence includes multiple references to God and is the primary document on which the founders legitimized their claim to the foundation of a new nation. The very idea that ones belief structure can be separated and will not influence political decision making is ludicrous and shows a profound lack of understanding of both history and human nature.

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights does not include any language that establishes a "separation of church and state". In point of fact, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment protects the right of the people to have and practice their own chosen religion. It was never meant to create a secular humanism that erases any reference to God from our educational curriculum, history, and public venues. It was written into the Constitution because of the situation in England that many of the Colonials suffered under.

In England; there existed the Church of England - a national church that was also a political entity and which could exact taxes from the citizens of England - in addition to the taxes exacted by the government. Many an English Landowner - most notably the second (or third, etc) sons of a nobleman lost their property - and their titles due to unjust taxation (confiscation) by the Church of England.

In America, the Founders were committed to preventing a state established religion that could exert similar authority to the Church of England. Thus, the First (ratified) Amendment to the Constitution is written to protect the people from being forced into an autocratic situation - that of having a state run religion.

As this is the history - and yes, it is documented - look in the Foundation Documents and the Articles of Confederation - to see the background explained here in this Blog post.

Check out the text of a personal Thank You letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Church in 1802. This letter actually exemplified the explanation given above - that no man was subject to explaining his faith to any other man. Nor, was a man's faith subject to governance by the Federal Government. It is the idea that only God is supreme not man nor state.

So, as is exemplified in both the First Amendment and the Danbury Letter, in all fact; the term "separation of church and state" has been usurped by those who have an agenda that goes contrary to the free expression of the basic Christian Principles in the foundation of the United States of America.

As if this was not enough; there is an Article of the Constitution which lays down clearly that if there is an incorrect "interpretation" of the Constitution and the Amendments, that interpretation - and any following actions based on that incorrect interpretation - do not constitute the creation of a right - or precedent of law that will stand under examination.

The meaning of the Founders was clear - practicing the religion of one's choice was protected in the US and infringement of that right is indeed Unconstitutional.

These are facts not opinions. It is time we started teaching real history and government again in our schools instead of indoctrinating a generation in this mush headed hog wash.

BIBLICAL GOVERNMENT

Today America is as divided as it ever was during the Civil War. Dr. D. James Kennedy has written: "We are engaged ... in another struggle even more fundamental in its character than the Civil War. The question before our nation today is not whether men are created equal, it is whether they are created at all .... " Whether one uses the label "liberal" or "conservative," "progressive" or "orthodox," our nation is divided -- as James Davidson Hunter says in Culture Wars -- by those who hold to "an external, definable, and transcendent authority," and those who tend to reject external authority, reinterpret historic faiths and judge life "according to the prevailing assumptions of modern day life."
The conflict of visions for our nation is intense. It's a struggle over the meaning of America. The outcome will determine the definition of the family, what will be taught in the public schools, the way law will be handled by the courts, national security, and what will be allowed on television, radio and in print. Ultimately, those who have the votes to enforce their concept of America via the ballot box will decide these questions.

This is why as Christians exercising your constitutional right and responsibility to vote is of monumental importance. Moreover, understanding a Christian theory of government is critical. To fail to rightly comprehend our religious moorings, unfortunately, will relegate us to the trash bin of history. The Bible teaches the nation that forgets God shall be turned into hell. Quite frankly, the question every American should be asking each election is this: "Is my vote supporting what God demands of the state?"

Certainly God commands there be justice for all. "Thus says the Lord, 'Do justice and righteousness and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place'" (Jer. 22:3). The biblical perspective of justice simply means the state has an obligation to procure sufficient military and police forces to protect the God-given rights of the public to their lives, freedom and belongings. It means we ought to have a fair legal system that protects the innocent -- including the innocent unborn! At the 1994 National Prayer Breakfast, Mother Teresa told the audience that any country that accepts abortion is teaching its people to use any violence to get what they want. If life is not vigorously protected, nothing else is safe.

God also demands government stay within the parameters of its role. Romans 13:1-7 specifically states that civil authorities are to "bear the sword" in punishing those who do evil and protecting those who do right. "For because of this," said the apostle Paul, "you pay taxes" (v.6). Government's role is not child-care, health care, investment, etc. The state should have a limited function, that of securing justice, which America is failing to provide in part, because its energies are dissipated by countless other responsibilities it should have never taken on.

Every year it seems the government accepts a new responsibility, expanding the tax burden. Each election season, politicians tell us by their political posturing they want to provide us with more and more. Government has essentially become "the opiate of the people." We look to it to solve all our problems. Nevertheless, in taking this approach we preempt the genius of private enterprise, the power of charity, and the profound influence of the Church. These serve to make us a better people -- to increase the national character -- to serve the public more effectively than government ever could.

John Cotton, a Puritan and founding father of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, once solemnly warned: "Let all the world learn to give mortal men no greater power than they are content they shall use, for use it they will .... It is necessary therefore, that all power that is on earth be limited."

Because the Scriptures teach the nature of man is fallen and sinful, our nation's founding fathers, who were mostly Christian in their worldview, believed no person or group should ever be trusted with total power. They believed we ought to diffuse power into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. They were convinced this was the best way to preserve and protect liberty. They understood that government is the greatest threat to personal liberty and restricted its role as much as possible.

In recent years, however, our nation has allowed an unprecedented amount of power to be concentrated in the judicial branch. Did you realize every public policy issue tearing away at the moral fabric of our nation -- no prayer in the schools, no posting of the Ten Commandments, abortion, the abolition of sodomy laws, etc. -- were all foisted upon us by judicial activists who were bent on making law rather than interpreting it? This matter alone may prove to undo us, unless we maintain the separation of powers by electing a president who will appoint federal judges that interpret the Constitution according to the framers' original intent, and not as a "living" malleable document. We need justices who will demonstrate judicial restraint by sticking to the interpretation of the law, while leaving lawmaking up to the legislative branch and law enforcement to the executive branch.

Some will contend a government that embraces the principles advocated in this editorial would be a violation of "the separation of Church and State." The concept of complete state neutrality is a damnable notion inconsistent with those of America's founding. John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, said: "The highest glory of the American Revolution was that it connected in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." Legislation and public policy never operate in a moral vacuum, but always impose someone's value system.

There is no middle ground here. We either maintain the belief that we are "one nation under God," or we support a form of state-sanctioned atheism -- the belief there is no one true God to whom the nation is accountable. When preparing to cast a vote this November, keep in mind no candidate is perfect on all of the issues, but some are aiming at the Christian ideal more than others and they deserve our support.

In Faith,

The Church Mouse

Stewardship --- Kingdom, Mission & Money

“For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart.” (Matthew 6:21)

When I served as an Elder on Session, one of the areas of conflict and concern was Stewardship. How do we pay the bills? How do we grow the church with limited funding? What mission and ministries will provide the greatest return for Christ? Why don’t people give? Why do people give to special projects but limit giving to the general fund of the church? What services do we pay for and which ones do we use volunteers? How do we compensate staff appropriately? This is a subject that we frequently avoid as Christians because it makes us uncomfortable. Money is always a volatile subject because we are seldom apathetic about that which we regard as our own earnings through work, pain, and the sweat of our brow. Money is a serious thing to people.

Let’s focus on the ministry of Jesus Christ. At least 25% of His parables directly deal with our use of material wealth. So it must have been important to Him also, but for a different reason. Christ is/was concerned about where our heart is/was. Christ was a carpenter; He was well acquainted with hard work and the physical and emotional pain of making a living. However, His ministry marked the fulfillment of the longing for the coming of the Kingdom of God. His teaching and living example details for us the proper attitude towards material wealth. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) reminds us that we are to enter into Christ’s mission (thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven) of making the Kingdom visible in our schools, workplace, relationships, and community. Understanding God’s Kingdom means realizing:

• EVERYTHING belongs to God – Psalm 24:1-2
• God rules over all the Heavens and the earth – Psalm 47:8-9
• We are to live lives that reflect Kingdom values -- Romans 12:1-2

I like to think of God’s Kingdom as a cosmic work of art; the bringing together of God, humans, and all creation in a perfect masterpiece of matter, energy and light, of fulfillment, joy and delight. This is what the Hebrew prophets called “Shalom” (The universal flourishing, peaceful, wholeness of all things). God does not need our service to create His kingdom on earth. However, He willingly provides the glorious opportunity to share in the building of it. If you have ever created a thing of beauty or been a part of constructing a home or something of lasting value then you understand the significance of this gift He is giving us.

So what does this mean to us as followers of Christ (Citizens of the Kingdom of God)? How does this relate to Stewardship?

God made us responsible for (Genesis 1:26-30) the things of creation. This is why we seek/need a sense of purpose and mission in our lives. The significance of our mission and citizenship in the Kingdom of God should not be underestimated. We are to be active participants in the evangelism of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the building of the Kingdom of God. Each of us is gifted with a part to play, and a path to walk, for the Glory of God.

In Ankeny we live in a financially affluent community. We also are citizens of the wealthiest country in the world. In the secular world, social and emotional status is conferred by the attainment of material wealth, property and comfort. Therefore, it is particularly challenging to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God, whose King is constantly calling us to put the needs of others ahead of our own (Philippians 2:3-5); to give away our time and money in generous proportions (Proverbs 22:9, 1 Timothy 6:18), especially to those who are poor and needy (Deut 15:7-8, Proverbs 14:31, Luke 12:32-34). Yet that is the task of the Kingdom, and therefore of you and I as its citizens.

As our leadership works to equip us to build the Kingdom, let us give generously of our time and money. Not as a duty, but as a joyous opportunity to spread the light of Christ in our relationships, businesses, schools, and communities. May we be good and faithful stewards of the many gifts God has so generously heaped upon us! Give generously, serve selflessly, trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, and love extravagantly, for that is who we are in Christ!

Love one another,

The Church Mouse

I Want To Be Good

1 John 4:16
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

I had taken my wife and our two children to get a snack at the DQ after a soccer game. My young son had just had his game, and we were celebrating the fact that he had done his best. It’s a tradition that we celebrate because we want to build confidence and support good sportsmanship and teamwork. Which really is the goal at this age. Our son was hungry as usual, having been on the soccer field since early that morning.

We took the kids in, let them pick out what they wanted to eat, and then headed to the car. Once we got inside, we gave each a napkin and their ice cream. Our little soccer player was heard saying from the back seat, "Dad, you know, I want to be very, very, very good." I answered with, "I know, son. You are good most of the time." But, he wouldn't leave it at that. Our son said, "But, Dad, I know, but, if I drop any of this on your back seat, you are going to be angry with me." He got me. I said, “Jon you are right, sometimes I get mad about accidents but I want to do better. I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect you to be perfect, but I do expect you to do your best to get your ice cream inside you and not wear it or dribble it on the seat. But, even if you have an accident, you know I will still love you.”

How many times have we, as a child of God, appeared before the Father, and didn't think we were living up to His expectations? We sometimes under estimate the Lord's love for his children, just as my son under estimated his Dad's love for him. Just as I wasn't expecting him to be perfect, neither is the Father expecting something we can't give. Each day that we live for Him, we do our best, and that's what He wants. He understands we are human, and that we might and often do fail, but He also knows that He gives us the power to succeed. And, if it's His will, and we work hard enough, endure long enough, then we will succeed. He's not keeping score, or drawing back with his hand to give us a lick, if we fail. He's ready to draw us into his loving arms. His Grace provided by the atoning death of His son has purchased that ability to freely love and support us even when we fail.

Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

James 1:4 So let faith grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your unconditional love for your children. Help us realize that your love isn't based on our performance. That we do not earn your love but that it is given freely. Help us to understand fully that you are the God of Love and Grace. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Love one another,

The Church Mouse

Equipping the Saints

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12)

God has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Each a special gift of leadership. Why has God given these leadership gifts to the church? He has given them for the equipping of the saints. Now, who are "the saints?" Do the leaders need to wait for the saints to come marching in before they begin their equipping? :-) No -- recall that Paul addresses this letter to "the saints in Ephesus;" the word "saints" includes all of us, as it literally means all who are called to be set apart, all who are called to be holy and blameless in God's sight. So, you and I, and everyone who trusts in the shed blood of Jesus for salvation are saints. And, if you are a saint, Ephesians 4:12 says you are to do the work of the ministry.

The leadership gifts are given, then, to "equip the saints" for this work. What does equip mean? The Greek word translated "equip" can mean to make one what one ought to be, to build up, to complete, or to perfect. So the leadership gifts are given to the church in order to make each saint what he or she is intended to be. The leaders are gifted by God to shape and mold the rest of the body, so that all members of the body are then able to exercise their particular gifts. The effect is the building up of the body of Christ. So we see that the saints are to be equipped so that the saints can minister, so that the body of Christ can be built up. This is the purpose and design for which God has gifted us with these leaders.

This is an active truth. This means that EVERYONE is to be engaged in ministry. This includes both time and money. It is not the work of some hired holy man to do all the ministry. Nor is it the assigned task of an elected Eldership. Elders, according to 1 Timothy, are for stewardship, preaching and teaching. They are leaders who equip us to do the work.

Some people have the attitude that they pay a minister to do the ministry. By ministry they mean that he is to do everything or at least be involved in everything. He is to do all the visiting, all the evangelism, all the praying, all the counseling, all the administration --- and if time permits he needs to get together a little talk for Sunday. After all, they think, that's why we pay him.

It should be no wonder that so many pastors/priests/ministers/elders/deacons and other Christian leaders are dropping out of service because of burn-out or becoming spiritually damaged through overwork and lack of spiritual renewal. Or that their flocks are losing numbers and/or floundering for lack of teaching or feeding. They are burned out because they can simply not keep up with these kinds of expectations. In fact, many feel compelled to pretend they are doing it all in order to keep up an image. This only further drives them to discouragement. The harder they work the more work there is to do. Their families get neglected, a fact which is sometimes lost on church members, and the demands keep coming. “Why would God put such an unreasonable burden on a person?” Why would He, indeed! He didn't! He gave the ministry to all the saints. And He gave the task of equipping the saints to do that ministry to anointed and gifted leaders. You don't pay leaders to DO the ministry. Leaders are to feed, teach, facilitate, provide vision, and build others so that WE (You and I) might DO the “work of service”.

At APC we have been gifted with a number of special leaders in the faith. They are known by various titles like Pastor, Director, Elder, Deacon, Teacher, or simply Leader. As 1 Timothy 5:17 tells us, these people are worthy of “double honor”. Let us honor and respect their service as leaders by humble submission to their leadership and active dedicated service towards the ministry and vision they are providing in building the Kingdom of God.

Love one another,

The Church Mouse

Perseverance, Faith for the Journey

James 5:11 “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

Life is difficult. Nothing worth anything is easy to come by.

I’ll never forget my first real long-term backpacking experience. 14 days in the Rocky Mountains. I was 16 years old and hiking with a group of fellow scouts. I had never had an adventure like this before. We climbed over 4,300 feet the first day to get over a peak at 12,000+ feet. Of course I had no idea how elated I was going to be reaching the top of the mountain and descending down the other side to a pristine High Sierra lake with the crisp smell of pines in the wilderness untouched by anyone other than backpackers on foot. All I could think of for the excruciating last two hours of that first ascent was what on earth was I doing this for? Barely managing one foot in front of the other, focused only on the pack of the kid in front of me, we slowly made our way up above the timberline through gravel and shale that made you slip back every few steps ‘til it felt like you were taking two steps back for every one step forward. I knew nothing of the reward; I knew only to keep going—keep pushing through the pain of adding 65 pounds to my weight, and testing the muscles in my back, legs and lungs that had not been used to this kind of demanding punishment or altitude.

But how all that changed when we reached the top!

A lot of our spiritual journey is the same way. Obedience sometimes seems like nothing but hard work. We keep on moving forward—keep on believing—even when we have no clue how much farther we have to go or what’s on the other side. But I have noticed one encouraging thing about this. My subsequent experiences of backpacking were easier to endure and a whole lot more fun once I knew what was waiting for me on the other side of the mountain. A few rewards of faith under your belt will go a long way towards giving you the courage to believe again, even in testing times.

Once you have believed God and found his faithfulness to be real and full of actual substance in the midst of demanding circumstances, it makes it easier to believe him again when a new trail challenges us. So whether you are on this trail for the first time or the umpteenth time, keep your eyes fixed on the goal and your feet moving one in front of the other, even if you slip back from time to time. It will all be worth it (and much of the pain forgotten) on the other side. God is faithful. Don’t give up.

Love one another,

The Church Mouse

Gossip

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

I caught myself listening to gossip the other day. To my great shame because it was also a case of hypocrisy since I often teach against it. Yet, I allowed myself to do it because it was about someone with whom I have a poor relationship. Another sin – lying to myself that the sin was OK because I didn’t like the person who was the subject of the gossip and by listening a third sin by being a poor example of Christian values I failed my fellow Christians and God. I also sinned in that the group I was with were friends of mine and I didn’t have the personal courage to stop them and take the chance they would see me as one of those “religious nuts”.

The only thing to do in such a case is to repent and ask forgiveness and work harder to do better next time. Gossiping causes big problems in relationships. It is deadly to a church.

The motive of gossiping varies, curiosity, revenge or hurt are common reasons. The reason we do it may not always be to hurt another person, although that is often the result. Knowledge is power and we love the feeling of power. It is seductive to use lies as a weapon. We can even convince ourselves that we are doing a good thing by hurting someone who has hurt us or someone we love. We often enjoy the experience.

Christ calls us to have the courage and integrity to communicate directly with the person with whom we're angry, hurt or feel a grievance against. However, that is very difficult so we often use this passive-aggressive way to punish them. We go behind their backs and talk. Instead of going to the person and working out the conflict we talk about them to our friends. And we usually don't just tell something we know; we embellish it so it makes that person look a little more foolish, stupid, and hateful.

Another Passive-Aggressive method is to speak in generalities for example “Well, there are “PEOPLE” who don’t like ……… You fill in the blank.” which feeds rumors and innuendo and blows problems far out of proportion. This is very dangerous because one person who is very vocal can use this to influence decisions and manipulate people out of proportion to reality. To fight this it is important to seek out specifics. To know who, what, when, where, and why before making any decision. Don’t rely on gossip.

The Proverbs have a lot to say about gossips:

- Proverbs 11:13 says "a gossip betrays a confidence." Often, a friend tells us something for our ears only, but we know we can use it to make points with somebody else, so we betray that person. It's not much different than Judas getting 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus.

- Proverbs 16:28 says "a gossip separates close friends." This can be taken two ways: the gossips' goal is to make the person he's talking to think less of the person he's talking about, but also, when we gossip, sooner or later people realize we aren't trustworthy, so they back off from us. Either way, friendships are hurt.

- Proverbs 18:8 says, "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts." There is a sensuous seductiveness in gossiping. The words are like the best food you've ever tasted. It may be bad for you, but it tastes so good!

- Proverbs 26:20 says "without a gossip a quarrel dies down." Gossips have power, and they use that power to keep people angry at each other. They destroy confidence and trust, and the delight in making themselves the center of controversy because they are the ones who say what truth is.

I'm afraid we have gotten too used to gossiping, so we aren't on guard against it like we should be. We hear people telling juicy stories about others at school, at work, at home, and sadly, at church.

Here's the solution:

- Don't do it. Just quit. That's right, when you find yourself wanting to have the power to tell what you know about somebody, just shut up. And talk about something else. I know from experience it is not easy but it is a great habit to form and to constantly work together on.

- Don't listen to it. If a friend wants to tell you something about somebody else, stop him. Say, "I really don't want to hear it. Let's talk about something else." When we walk with God, when we walk in righteousness, we are, as Peter called us, "peculiar people." People who love to gossip will think you and I are really peculiar if we don't listen to them talk about others in negative ways! They may think you self righteous or condescending. But who do you really want to please, a gossip or God?

Paul believed gossiping was a genuine sin. He put it in a list of destructive sins in his second letter to the Corinthians. And he instructed the Ephesians, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29).

Gossiping may be fun sometimes, but it is evil and it will hurt you in the long run. We need to see it as God sees it, and if we need to, repent. Be accountable. Replace those destructive words with positive, encouraging words that help people instead of hurting them. You will not always be successful but every success is a result of multiple failures. Repent, and work to succeed.

Love one another,

The Church Mouse

101 Ideas for Family Christian Focus

The Christian home is by far the most powerful evangelizing agency in the world. By their gracious influence, Christian homes win more converts than all the preachers put together. Give us enough of them, and the world would soon be alive for Christ. Our Lord showed us the value of PERSONAL witness through our ACTIONS not just words. Here are suggestions for presenting the gospel to those inside and outside our homes.

Personal Preparation

• Study carefully such Bible verses as Eph. 2:4-8, 13; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:12-20; 8:1 which convey the good news of salvation in Christ.
• Reflect on the love of God. What human instruments have profoundly influenced you in your understanding of God's love? How is your understanding of God's love growing?
• Prayerfully develop your personal testimony of faith and assurance of salvation in Christ. Writing your testimony may help you to think it through.
• Make a personal list of Bible verses which speak to you of God's love. Study and memorize these for sharing with your personal testimony.

Sharing Faith in Marriage

• Share your testimony with your spouse. Listen to your spouse's testimony. How has the gospel influenced your relationship?
• Give evidence of God's grace at work in your life by your empathy with your spouse, in sharing thoughts and inner feelings together.
• Take time to communicate about the meaning of your faith with your spouse. How does your faith affect the way you handle anger, resolve conflict, deal with depression?
• Endeavor to uplift and encourage your spouse with affirmation and appropriate compliments.
• Worship and pray together regularly.

Winning Ways with Unbelieving Spouses

• Be a source of emotional and spiritual encouragement for your non-believing spouse, striving not to be judgmental of his/her behavior, but offering compliments and affirmation regularly.
• Provide an example of your belief in God's grace by living your Christianity before your spouse honestly. Be candid about weaknesses and faults, recognizing these as areas where Christian growth is needed.
• Communicate with your spouse about the forgiveness and continual renewal you are finding in Christ. Let everything you have learned about relationships in Christ make your experience in marriage better.
• Make extra efforts to identify and emphasize the things you and your spouse have in common. Seek points of agreement.
• Enter willingly and happily into every possible aspect of your spouse's life which you can without compromising principle.
• Discover together new activities and friends to replace those that may have been left behind because of your beliefs, realizing that the strength of your love bond together is the greatest asset you have in winning your loved one for Christ.
• As you develop acquaintances at church, invite men to befriend your husband, or women your wife. Invite your spouse to participate in activities of church life: social activities, health seminars, family life events, retreats, camp-outs, or church building/maintenance programs.
• Encourage the participation of your spouse by recruiting and enlisting his or her expertise in some aspect of church life.

Christ Centered Parenting

• Prepare a list of changes you would like to make to give a more Christ centered approach to your parenting.
• Make the gospel attractive to your children by your positive relationships with them, by smiling often, by entering into your child's feelings and activities.
• Sing songs to your children which tell of God's love.
• Pray with each of your children, rehearsing God's love and your love for your child in your prayer.
• Tell your child in simple terms about God's love as described in His Word.
• Ask forgiveness of your child for something you have done which brought pain to him or her.
• Show unconditional love and acceptance of your child. Avoid conveying the message, "I will love you if . . . ."
• Plan ways for giving each of your children special opportunities to make their decisions to trust in Christ personally.

Relatives

• Pray regularly that relatives will accept the gospel.
• Work together as a family to prepare a list of specific efforts your family can make to lead unsaved relatives to Christ.
• Plan ways for making contact with each relative for whom the family is praying—by phone, by letter, by personal visit to give, first of all, an expression of your love and to share encouragement.

Friends and Neighbors

• During family worship relate what special opportunities for gospel sharing have occurred for each one during the day—in your family, at work, at school, in the neighborhood.
• Discuss as a family the prospective spiritual interest of individuals in work, neighborhood, school, family circles.
• Start a prayer list on which are the names of your 10 closest neighbors.
• During family worship talk about special ways of witnessing to the individuals on the prayer list.
• Encourage your children to do little errands of love and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves.
• Cooperate with your child in some task of Christian service to which their abilities, strengths and interests are suited and from which they will gain success and joy.

Spiritual Gifts

• Spend some family worship periods reading and studying the Bible texts on spiritual gifts—Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12, 13; Eph. 4. Discuss: How do these texts help us to identify our spiritual gifts?
• Read biographies of Presbyterian pioneers or other notable Christian leaders whose spirit of service and spiritual gifts will inspire and encourage your family.
• Think together, pray about and discover what each family member's talents and abilities are. Thank God together for these gifts and abilities of each one.
• The gifts that God has given your children may differ from yours as parents. Invite other Presbyterian Christian relatives or church members who may have spiritual gifts and abilities more nearly like those of your children to share their experiences to help provide models and examples for your children.
• Express appreciation in a special way for the unique talents, gifts and abilities of each one in your family, affirming the contribution each one makes to the smooth running of the family.
• Think and pray together about how the special abilities of father, mother, sister, brother or other household member could be used by God in the home, in the church, in mission work, and in the community.
• Recognizing personal talents and abilities, let each family member prepare a simple plan of one or two specific things he or she could do to witness for God. Small children may draw pictures depicting their contributions.
• Ask family members to share on a regular basis how God has prompted them to use their talents and abilities in their everyday activities. Have a “God Moments” sharing time at meals.

A Family Missionary Project

• Plan to involve the family's various talents in a special family mission project. Get suggestions from church leadership on projects that might be helped by your family's involvement.
• Tailor the family's involvement to accommodate various ages of family members, keeping an appropriate balance between the family's personal needs and the need to share with others. Strive toward an experience that has some measurable results and whereby all can feel a sense of success and fulfillment.
• Read the Bible or gospel literature to an elderly or visually impaired person.
• Pay a friendship visit to a shut-in.
• Do grocery shopping for a shut-in.
• Write a letter of encouragement to a bereaved, grieving or discouraged family.
• Visit someone who is sick.
• Provide a no-interest loan to a financially struggling family.
• Bake a loaf of bread for a homeless person.
• Prepare sandwiches for distribution to homeless individuals.
• Offer a food basket regularly to one or more families in need.
• Do grass-mowing, leaf-raking or other yard work for an elderly person.
• Provide once-a-week child care for a single parent.
• Sing or play musical instruments at a nursing home or retirement center.
• Give a few hours of service on occasion to families needing assistance in child care, home remodeling, financial management, etc.
• Give new or used clothing to persons in need or donate such items to an appropriate distribution center.
• Encourage friends & neighbors to read the Bible.
• Invite younger family members to share toys with children of needy families.
• Invite friends to a Christian meal assembly or cooking school.
• Invite one or two of your children's friends to church and a meal. Provide transportation if needed.
• Have a "help and bless" brainstorming session with your family. What act of Christian helpfulness might your family perform right now for some acquaintance in your extended family, your church, your neighborhood, your community?

The Art of bringing Christ to others

• Ask an individual successful in visitation to take your family, or members of your family, on a visitation excursion into your neighborhood. Allow this individual to coach you in appropriate manners, conversation and conduct of the visit.
• To provide an opportunity to become acquainted and begin to cultivate friendship, take a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" gift to a family just moving in.
• Take a "Congratulations on your new baby" gift to a family with a newborn.
• Take a "Congratulations on your wedding" gift to a newly wedded couple.
• Take an appropriate expression of sympathy to a family who has experienced some loss.
• Invite your neighbors to church programs, i.e. Vacation Bible School, holiday celebrations, socials, etc., so you will be prepared to invite them to evangelistic meetings and worship services.
• Take a gift of food to a neighbor. Allow your children to have a part in its preparation and its presentation.
• Give gifts that are tailored to perceived interests and tastes of your neighbors, perhaps a potted plant to a neighbor who likes plants, a stamp for a stamp collector, a recipe for one who enjoys cooking.
• Give gifts that will interest and delight your neighbor's children. Christian periodicals with stories, storybooks, or tapes, for example, are gifts that will be appreciated by both adults and children.
• Ask your neighbors for a favor. Show them that you need their friendship and help as a family. This will place you on common ground with them and open the doors for fellowship.
• When visiting homes of friends or acquaintances offer a humble prayer as you part company. Your prayer will be a powerful witness to your belief in God, His care, and the truth in which you believe.
• Invite other families, acquaintances of the family or those with whom you would like to become better acquainted, to your home for family worship. Make the service brief, interesting and full of life. Sing songs that can be easily sung and pray short, simple prayers. Choose cassettes for listening or readings tailored to the age and interest level of those present.
• Invite others to your home for a meal. Offer friendship and modeling about Christian values and healthful living through the meal which is served.
• Invite others to join you in a family outing or recreational activity that is typical of the wholesome times your family spends together.

Reaching Out to the World

• Learn the names and locations of missionaries from your locale or region that are serving in missions. Pray daily as a family for these missionaries.
• Obtain addresses and write regular letters of encouragement to foreign missionaries.
• Contact your pastor or church leadership about how to make contact with a pen pal from a foreign country. Have family members write to pen pals appropriate to their ages and share with the family what they learn about life in another country.
• Make a study as a family of one of the main world religions outside Christianity. Discuss creative ways Presbyterians might reach these groups with the good news about Jesus. What about their religious beliefs might make them open or closed to such good news?

Love one another,

The Church Mouse