Comments on: Haiti (or, Why I Eat Burned PopTarts)

By: Lyla Lindquist

Lyla Lindquist — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:04:23 +0000

Seems we overanalyze so much we don’t get much done, Dad. I think we just need to use well what He pours out on us, the old open- vs. closed-handed. If I see what I have as His, not mine, it’s much easier to let loose of it.

By: Dad

Dad — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:20:27 +0000

Many, many years ago (at my age, I can say that) I read a short book titled “In As Much”. It was based on this scripture (KJV) from Matthew . “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and yo visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink,? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’. I really can’t remember much of what the author said but his point was that we need to respond to needs as though we were directly dealing with Christ.

Jesus said in Matthew 26 “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me”. The context is not about feeding the poor or needy, but Jesus did not say that we should not be feeding the poor even though we may not be able to make a dent (your word, Lyla). Generosity or responding to a need should always be tempered with good stewardship. Your observations are right on point, as usual.

Dad

By: Lyla Lindquist

Lyla Lindquist — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:58:50 +0000

Nancy and Jennifer – true enough. One.

Just one.

By: nancy

nancy — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:08:39 +0000

good to remember how each one of us all giving a little can make a big dent.

By: Jennifer@More Than Adam's Rib

Jennifer@More Than Adam's Rib — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:05:16 +0000

Laughing at you setting off the smoke alarm with jello and crying over this whole disaster. I spent the morning trying to see how I could get my church involved in giving tomorrow. When I see such destruction, it’s just so hard to see how I can make a difference. But I give because God has required it of me to help. If one life is saved…that is still one.

By: Lyla Lindquist

Lyla Lindquist — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:06:31 +0000

Let me cover several topics in one comment reply:

1) This is the trimmed down version. The original post, while still in my head and pre-charred breakfast, had several more topics.

2) Butter on a PopTart? Ew.

3) Did you know you can get the frosting hot enough to start on fire in the toaster?

4) Oh, how He does prepare our hearts. He has to. No way would we even twitch about it on our own.

By: LG

LG — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:26:08 +0000

As usual, you cover many topics in one entry. Blessing, generosity, and one at a time. Our pastor is covering this on a regular basis. It has prepared my heart for just such a thing as Haiti. I hope that i can continue to remember to just do it. I have a tendency to over think it and convince myself that my contribution is not going to make a difference. Our God MULTIPLIES.

I burnt many a pop tart. Turn it over and butter it. If you’re going to eat it, may as well indulge.

By: Lyla Lindquist

Lyla Lindquist — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:14:17 +0000

Deb – how true. It’s not about our perception. It’s about doing something, doing it now. Regardless of what I think.

Jennifer – the enormity overtakes me at times until I stop to see that the dents — they represent real people. The fact that we cannot do everything should not prevent us from doing something. You are so right.

By: Jennifer @ GDWJ

Jennifer @ GDWJ — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:52:48 +0000

I just cried fresh tears reading this. It all feels so … HUGE, doesn’t it?

But then, again …
your one plus
my one plus
Deb’s one plus
my neighbors’ one
plus your Dad’s one
plus your neighbors’ one
plus my Dad’s one ….

We, will make a dent.
We will.

“What if two billion people embraced this vision of God transforming our world — through THEM? Imagine it. Indeed, what if even two THOUSAND people took their faith to the next level — what might God do? Two thousand years ago, the world was changed forever by just twelve.

It can happen again.”

– Rich Stearns, president World Vision

By: deb @ talk at the table

deb @ talk at the table — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:40:18 +0000

Well said , Lyla.
Strange even the incredible millions of dollars in donations coming from everyone sounds same old .So sad. And it isn’t about our perception at all anyway, is it.