Hunger knows no church denomination. Let's just feed people and let God do the rest. Below is a link to a wonderful little video clip about Sudan. Tim and I have often sent money to James and Betty Robison's organizations for feeding and digging wells for countries where it's needed. I have never regretted giving to fill a need. This video clip has the cutest little girl named Emilia and talks about a necklace she's wearing. It's really sweet!
I never want to be accused of ONLY sending money if it's a Church of Christ organization. God calls us to just do what He says.....teach, feed, clothe, etc. I refuse to not give because of doctrine differences. People are starving and drinking water that will kill them!
What will you do?
http://www.missionfeeding.com/may07/index.htm
Jennifer
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Life Outreach International
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Jennifer, if you had the choice between sending money to a good work that taught God's truth as you understood it and sending money to a good work where you either weren't sure what they taught or knew that something was not exactly right, which would you support? There is no shortage of ministries which teach God's truth and also do the things that are mentioned in your post. You may not know about them, but 95% of the time they are there. I don't know much of anything about James Robinson or his teaching or ministries so I can't say much about him, but the fact is that Catholic, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Baptist, Unitarian, Seventh Day Adventist are all involved in good works like these. Are they all worthy of our support regardless of what they teach? If James Robinson's group was the only one doing these things, I would agree with you. But since there are many groups involved in these very same activities, what is the problem if I actually ask the question: What do they teach? There's always a teaching component in these ministries and people's eternal destiny--not just their bellies--are on the line. Think about it. Steve
That makes alot of sense, Steve. I just want to be the kind of person who sees a need and gives without having to think about all the reasons why I should or should not get involved. I believe we are looked upon by God in such a way that He's sees whether we give or whether we don't give. I just think that it all comes down to whether we ourselves are being faithful in our actions to reach out. I really do belive that will take care of the rest.
Thank you for your comment. I am sorry if I appear to be misunderstanding the bigger picture in all this. I'm still learning as I grow in Christ.
I just want the church as a whole to see a need and go after it without questioning it. I'd like to see an act of the heart over rationalization any day.
Jennifer
Another idea that kinda' goes along with this line of thinking is:
If you see a guy standing by the road asking for money, will we give him money or worry that he'll use it for alcohol or drugs, etc.? I really believe we are called to give. Once the money has left our hands, we pray to God asking Him to touch the guy's life. God doesn't need us. We need God. God just allows us to be involved in other people's lives.
I have to wonder if maybe in God's great wisdom, He is getting us to take care of one another to teach us something. Rather than Him worrying about what group we do things through. I think He really has to be interested in seeing our hearts change.
I would naturally prefer to work with a program that taught God's truth. I just can't possibly allow myself to say no to all of the people who need fed in the areas of the world where I am not able to reach, but others are. I don't want anyone to be taught something that is against God. I just can't stand by and let people starve because the missionaries aren't "ours". I just want to give and give to the point that it appears crazy. "Crazy", naturally being a good thing in the previous sentence...haha.
I feel like my heart is right in the area of giving, but I realize that I'm still learning, as I said before. I'm afraid I may have alot of Peter's traits when it comes to following Christ. I'm pretty head strong and usually end up plowing right into something. There are good things about being like that as well as bad. I'm well aware of that!...Hahaha!
There is a sentence that I think several people hear me say alot:
"I just want to do what God wants me to do."
I admit that I have alot to learn about living and serving like Jesus. I hope I don't sound mean and nasty in any of my comments or posts.
I like to live and think like a child does in the way that when I see someone in need, I act without thinking. Once again, a good trait and can possibly be a bad thing.
Jennifer
I can understand where Jennifer is coming from in her comments. Many folks, having grown up within a strict CofC environment are frustrated with the subtle sectarianism of our congregations. It not that we reject the fundamental tenets of CofC doctrine, not at all. The key difference is a greater degree tolerance for the differing perspectives of other denominations. Not complete tolerance!-- only a greater degree than previous generations typically allow. That is a simple product of the paradigmatic shift we are experiencing from a modern to postmodern worldview.
Having said that, I also can identify with Steve's comment. We need be very conscientious about what we are supporting. To do so involves a good bit a self-education regarding what people and groups truly stand for.
The key concept here is tolerance. Sunshine is moving toward greater degrees of tolerance, compared to years past. Some welcome this, others fear it!
(I'm digressing from the original point.)
I would like to see us find a way to discuss these things in an open, constructive manner. I fear that eventually some folks in the congregation (especially leaders) are going to realize that the others (the majority) do not think like them at all. This could get ugly, quickly.
We need to support, encourage, and constructively challenge each other to grow in our relationship and understanding of Christ. We need to avoid polarization.
The Christian Relief Fund (http://www.christianrelieffund.org) is a humanitarian group that does the same kind of relief work done by James Robison's organization, but it is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. You may wish to check into it, if you would like to help people but are uncomfortable working with other groups.
Post a Comment