Putting legs to your faith

Don't miss the fun!

When I was growing up and even now, I would dislike arriving to a fun event after it started. My parents had a bad habit of spinning around and leaving late when we had to go to something exciting like a party or game (I think my wife has that habit now :-) )

My reason is I don't want to miss the fun. I don't want to hear about what I missed and how good it was so I wanted to be right there when the action started.

Maybe you are like me and you don't like missing out on exciting things. Let me give you the scope on something then. I've been looking at the pictures on the www.wiiserve.org website (go to the media tab and then click photo gallery). It shows youth all over the Midwest serving others doing different things.

Some are cleaning up a building so families can move in, others are visiting and caring for senior citizens, others are delivering care packages to nurses, doctors and firefighters and some are out in the snow feeding the homeless.

There was one thing I noticed in common with them all - they are all smiling, laughing and having a good time. I mean this is stuff connected with church and they are having fun! Some of it is uncomfortable (try standing out in the snow delivering food and tell me how you feel). Some is even a bit gross (like the youth who had to toss the old toilet in the dumpster). But no matter what it is, they had fun doing it.

I think God wired us that way. When we are helping others there is something in us that feels good and makes us fulfilled. I've got youth all over who are witnesses that this is true.

So if you have not tried it yet, it's not too late. We still have 29 more days left for this Campaign and a lifetime of service ahead. Join in the fun and serve someone individually or through your church youth group.

You don't want to miss all this fun. Trust me it's worth it.

Remembering a Servant

I had planned to talk about the great things I had seen over the course of this week of service and the first week of the Crazy Campaign. But something else is on my heart and mind right now.

You know we all are called to live lives of service and many times it's not recognized, acknowledge or applauded. You servants don't seek the spotlight, the cameras, the attention - they just serve.

Well this morning one of the most giving and selfless servants I have met passed away. His name was Pastor Jack Morris. I thought I would share with everyone some of the lessons on service he taught me.

1. Servants are in touch with the needs of others

Pastor Morris had a knack for knowing when you were going through something even when you didn't tell him. He would invite me out to lunch or offer a word in time without me telling him anything. I look back now and wonder how he knew but maybe it's because servants are in tune with others and are able to figure out when things are different with them. Let's strive to tune in to others around us.

2. Servants regard people as more important than things

I can't count the number of gifts Pastor Morris gave away to me and others that I have personally witnessed. It may not have been recognized at the time, but he actually spent his money to get those things. They were his. But he was not one to hold on to things but would rather give to others. There are many young people in churches all over who were able to attend church schools, youth congresses, camporees and other events because of his gifts. Let's not look at our stuff and our money as more important than people.

3. Servants take time to show those close to them they love them

Maybe the most important lesson Pastor Morris showed me was how important it is to show love to your family and loved ones by giving them your time. He adored his wife and you could see it in their interaction. He loved each of his children and was so proud of them and he would tell stories of having a day for each of them growing up.

It's important that we serve those overseas and in our neighborhoods. God has called us to reach out beyond our family. But more than that He's called us to show love to our family by giving them our time and ourselves. It would be a shame if everyone else can testify that I'm a servant but my own family not see it. Let's make an effort to show our family our love by serving them by letting them know it and investing time with them. Let's show our parents we love them as well as our siblings. I know it seems cool to be at odd with our parents but real servants show love to their parents.

I'm going to deeply miss Pastor Jack Morris. I plan to use these lessons to be a better servant. I hope you do to. Please keep his family in prayer. I look forward to seeing him when Jesus comes back.

This is getting dangerous

I am pretty focused usually when I go to do something. If I go to the store, my plan is to get in, get it, and get out. My make up doesn't allow me to wander around the store.

Well since I've started this Crazy Campaign it's been throwing me off my usual routine. I can no longer just go take care of what I want or what I need. With those "You've Been Served..." cards in my pocket, I have a new perspective on things.

Instead on get in, get it, get out, I'm looking around for people in need, people I can serve, just a way to cheer someone up. Just yesterday for example on a family outing to the local indoor amusement center (aka McDonald's Indoor Playground) I spotted another gentleman's tray of finished items as I was throwing away mine. I had to ask him to serve him by getting his tray and disposing of it as well. You know I gave him a card.

At the local Walmart, I was looking around for people I could help. I couldn't find anything big enough to give a card away but I certainly was able to be nice to the cashier who was having a hard day. I figured I was serving her by being nice even if it didn't warrant a card being given.

You see I'm not locked in to me and now I'm relentlessly looking for people to help. I guess you can say I'm dangerous with these cards in my pocket. If you have a need or look like I can help you, I'm going to approach you and try to serve.

I'm walking up to complete strangers offering to take their trays, give them a hand coming out the car, anything. If you're in need and come in my way, I'm dangerous because I'm going to help.

And guess what, I'm not alone. I'm part of a movement of youth all over who are out to help. Don't fall in front of us because we'll pick you pick. Don't drop something, we'll pick it up. Don't make a mess, because we'll clean it up.

We are positively, radioactively dangerous servants of the King out to help others.....You better watch out!

I did something crazy last week

Alright I have a confession to make. I did something I don't normally do and it felt weird doing it. Here's what happened.

We've been living in this neighborhood for the last three years and I only knew the name of the older gentleman who lives in the house right next door (we've bumped into each other mowing our lawns quite a bit). For the most part we as a family keep to ourselves.

Well as I started thinking about this Crazy Campaign and the part about doing Random Acts of Kindness something told me to reach out and meet my neighbors. So here's what we did - My kids and I put some oranges that we bought from the school in bags and headed out down the block.

Here I was with three toddlers, each carrying a bag of oranges, and we went ringing the door bells of our neighbors, introducing ourselves, giving away the fruit and then a "You've Been Served..." card.

Some folks looked surprised. Some said no thank you. But one neighbor and I had a great conversation and here's the crazy part - we're planning an Easter egg hunt for all the kids in the community. I think we will be meeting a lot more of our neighbors in the future.

Well I did something crazy for me by reaching out to meet my neighbors. It was weird but I plan to keep on doing it. I also plan to more crazy things to touch others for the next 40 days. I'm looking for people to meet, help, serve. It's going to be crazy but good.

What have you done as a random act of kindness for this Crazy Campaign? How did it make you feel? What reactions did you get? Share it here!