"Shane Battier was my Vacation Bible School Teacher" read a sign at a recent basketball game between Duke and Michigan at the NCAA Basketball Tournament. When he was just 16, Battier went to see his pastor to ask if he could teach in the church's VBS, because he didn't feel he could be a "whole person" if he ignored his "spiritual side."

Shane Battier, the 6-foot-9-inch stand out for the Duke University's basketball team is a whole person today. Scouts and the press have had their eye on him before he was a teenager, and he hasn't disappointed them. Though some might think a man of his height and athletic stature would have his head in the clouds, he has his feet firmly planted on the ground. The committed Christian is a religion major and is still tending to his "spiritual side."

"And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." (Mark 9:35 NASB)

Bill Erkes spends 10 hours a day, five to six days a week in his workshop, earning no payment for his work, and giving away everything he makes. Erkes is a retired airline pilot who spends his time making wooden crosses that he gives away to churches, youth Bible camps, traveling missionaries, and religious groups. Though his operation resembles a small business enterprise, Erkes says it is only a hobby.

Erkes says, "I don't look for rewards. I know it sounds corny, but it’s the truth." He adds "There is something about working in the workshop when your realize you might be doing something our Savior did thousands of years ago."

Erkes uses wood from trees he cuts down himself, trimming branches off in his workshop. He creates mainly ten-inch tall freestanding crosses, but also creates some small enough to fit in a missionary's pocket and others large enough to anchor a church altar. The crosses have traveled around the world. Erkes has received cards from hospital patients in Spokane Washington, and a missionary from New Zealand. The missionary had attended a prayer conference where Erkes sent crosses.

Erkes says the reason he works so hard is simple. "I had time when the requests came in," he says "I've never done any advertising. It may sound corny, but I love the Lord… and I'd like to learn better to serve him, and this is just one way my so-called talents can be used toward his kingdom."

—http://www.umc.org, Retiree's Cross-Building Hobby Touches People Around the Globe, by Amy Green, March 24, 2004, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Col. 3:17 NIV “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Every Tuesday evening a crowd gathers at a home in a well-worn suburban neighborhood south of Chicago. Among those attending the meetings are drug users and problem gamblers. These meetings have a different purpose- evangelizing new Christians and to build their faith.

More than 20 people from age 9 to 63 gather every week on foot or in vehicles that fill the cramped street, to praise God, and learn about His love.

The meetings are led by Nathan & Angela Thomas, who are the youth/children’s pastors at a new church plant in this neighborhood. Nathan and Angela left a secure position at church in Nebraska to join Nathan’s parents in starting this new outreach. When asked why he chose to give up a secure position to risk reaching out to this blue-collar Chicago neighborhood, Nathan says, “ We had no money. But the scariest thing to me isn’t lack of money—it’s being out of the will of God.”

—Pentecostal Evangel, Suburban church plant grows, July 14, 2002. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”

In the book, Leading with Love…and getting more results, Neil Eskelin tells the story of Clyde the carpenter. Clyde had spent most of his career working for one contractor. He felt it was time to retire. Although Clyde hadn't saved a great deal or money, he thought he and his wife would scrape by.

A few days later, Clyde went to his boss and announced that he was too tired to build any more houses. Therefore, he had decided to retire and call it quits.

A few days later, the contractor came to Clyde and asked him to reconsider and build one final house. The contractor pleaded, saying, "I really need your supervision. Please."

Clyde finally agreed and began working on his final project. His heart wasn't in the work anymore, so his workmanship was shoddy and fell far below Clyde's usual high standard. The house barely passed the final inspection.

On the final day of construction, the contractor called all of his employees together. He also asked Clyde and his wife to be present that day. The boss announced, "This is Clyde's last day with us. He has been a faithful employee of this company for years, and we want to do something special to honor him. Clyde, this house you have built is not going to be sold. We are giving it to you and your wife as a gift for many years of faithful service. This is your retirement home, one I know you will enjoy for the rest of your days!"

Phil 2:3-4."Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

—Leading with Love…and getting more results, Neil Eskelin, pg 71-72, published by Revell, a division of Baker Book House. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

For more information on Leading with Love, go to: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800757424/fm082-20

Kurt Warner, the quarterback of the St. Louis Rams says he wanted to win the Super Bowl in 2002, but the most important thing for him was giving glory to God before, during, and after the game.

Two years prior, Warner led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship. Many fans believed the Rams would win again, but the New England Patriots captured the championship with a last second field goal to break a 17-17 tie.

Warner said, "Who wins and who losses isn't the determining factor in what he gives each one of us. It's how we're going to glorify God and how we are going to give Him praise in a winning situation, in a losing situation, in an 'up' time, in a 'down' time - I don't think it matters - but I think He cares about every one of us, and He cares about every situation that we're in."

—http://headlines.agapepress.org, February 8, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

As I get older I realize I will never play in a Super Bowl or World Series Game. Kurt Warner's words remind me where the real success in life is. Every moment, every action, and every word is an opportunity to serve the Lord. He wants us to glorify Him no matter what we do, or when we do it.

Colossians 3:17 NIV "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Recent attacks and kidnappings by terrorists in Iraq have forced some foreigners in that country to flee. Despite the violence, the aid organization World Vision is continuing its work on a number of projects in the war-torn country. World Vision spokesperson Andrea Swinburn-Jones says a lot of work is being accomplished in a hostile environment.

World Vision has 67 staff members working in Iraq. Swinburn-Jones says, "In our programs in northern Iraq, we've managed to rehabilitate more than 200 schools—and in excess of 100,00 children now have access to clean, rehabilitated schools. She say the actions of the workers are speaking loudly to the Iraqi people. The people were very aware that the organization is a Christian organization and were not sure what to make of what they were doing. Swinburn-Jones adds, "We've brought education areas to their children, running water, that type of thing—and they can see that it's our hearts that count. We're driven by the work of Christ."

—http://headlines.agapepress.org, Amidst Violence, Ministry Demonstrates Christ's Love, Reaches Out to Iraqi People, April 15, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

These workers serving in the middle of danger certainly need our prayers of support. Their service is given to the Lord and not men.

Ephesians 6:17-18 NIV "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free."

Singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus says the PAX TV series “Doc” is more than a television program; to Cyrus it is his way of giving back to God. Cyrus says he had always prayed to use his skills and talents the way God wanted him to. When he saw the pilot script for “Doc,” Billy Ray knew the program was the vehicle he wanted.

“Doc” is not Cyrus’ first acting endeavor. He says, “I had done ‘Mulholland Drive’ and I felt kind of bad that my kids couldn’t watch that movie.” He adds, “I always prayed that God would give me the vision and wisdom and the intelligence to do the things I was supposed to do, and use my influence in a manner He would be proud of. When I read ‘Doc,’ I thought, ‘Here’s my chance to give back to God.”

Cyrus describes the program as a little bit “Mayberry,” a little bit of “Touched by an Angel,” and a little bit “ER.” Cyrus doesn’t necessarily want to play a perfect character. He says he would also like to explore some of the other aspects of his character’s personality but he says that he feels the program is a really well rounded program and represents the light.

—http://story.news.yahoo.com/news, Billy Ray Cyrus Giving Back to God, September 24, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Colossians 3:17 NASB “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

The way you sleep may reveal a lot about your personality. A new study by the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service in London has identified six common sleep positions and their meanings. A large hotel group commissioned the study

Director of the Service, professor Chris Idzikowski says, “We are all aware of our body language when we are awake, but this is the first time we have been able to see what out subconscious says about us.”

The study found the most favored sleep position, and the one favored by 51% of women was the fetal position. People who curl up in this position tend to be shy and sensitive, while people who sleep on their back with their arms at their side are usually quiet and sensitive.

The study identified those who sleep on their sides with outstretched legs as usually social and easygoing people. If their arms are also outstretched, the study found that person tends to more suspicious. People who sleep on their back with outstretched arms and legs are usually unassuming and good listeners.

The least common sleep position observed was lying on the stomach with arms at the sides of the head. Only 6.6 percent of people prefer this position, and they tend to have brash and gregarious personalities.

Idzikowski identified the positions by comparing personality traits of people, preferred ways of sleeping, and the common sleeping positions; said that once a sleep style is adopted, it is rarely changed. He said, “What’s interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect.”

—www.cnn.com, September 16, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

The Apostle Paul recognized that it is not the way we sleep but the way we act while awake that was most important.

Ephesians 5:13-14 NIV “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’”

They thought they’d failed miserably. Sixteen Chinese Christians went to a rural area to plant churches but got absolutely no response from the people. They were destitute, living in the Forest, scavenging for enough food to keep them alive.

Discouraged, they fasted for a week and prayed for God’s guidance. When they gathered to discuss what they should do, each person said that God was saying to stay and “wash their feet.”

For three years, they sat on the side of the road with buckets of water offering to wash the farmer’s feet as they were going and coming from the fields. The offer annoyed the farmers who regularly beat the evangelists and poured their water over them.

But the Christians didn’t give up. Finally, one of the farmers let one of the Christians wash his feet and when he did, the other farmers relented. For three months they washed 1500 farmer’s feet, twice a day. Until one of the farmers asked, “Why are you doing this.”

Three years and three months after they decided to stay and “wash feet” they finally got to proclaim the gospel. A few weeks later, the gospel had triumphed in the hearts of the farmers and they all placed their faith in Jesus Christ, as did another 50,000 residents of the region within 2 years.

John 13:14 NIV “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.”

Two mountain goats met on a narrow highland pathway. On one side of the path was a canyon 1,000 feet deep. On the other, there was a steep cliff rising straight up. There was no room to turn around, and neither goat could back up without falling. The missionary observing this, wondered what would happen next.

The goats studied each other for a few minutes. Finally, instead of battling to the death over the right to pass, one of the goats knelt down and became as flat as possible. The other goat walked over the first, and then both goats proceeded safely.

In many ways, the church seems to have reached an impasse with culture. Our first response is to fight for our rights, and knock our opponents off the cliff. Shouldn't our response be to humbly bow and allow our opponents to pass over us. This is not to say the church needs to become a footstool of the world, but we can show the relevance of Christ's love as we serve others instead of trying to win arguments. The power of Christ is seen in submission and service more than in dominating and commanding force.

John 5:12-13 "Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

—Our Daily Bread, October, 2000, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

When Mother Theresa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she said. "I choose the poverty of our poor people. But I am grateful to receive (the Nobel) in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared-for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone."

Even while being honored, she brought attention to the downtrodden she served. Why? She knew the spiritual nature of her work. She was doing more than touching the needy; she was touching Jesus. Five years prior to accepting her award, she said, "I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?"

Matthew 25:40 KJV And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

In June of 2000, Tiger Woods was spotted on the Black Mountain course in Henderson Nevada during a qualifying round for the U.S. Amateur Public Links. No, Woods wasn't playing golf, he was caddying for his college roommate, Jerry Chang. People who are truly great are willing to serve.

Matthew 20:26 NASB "… but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,"

A former National Guard captain whose military service was supposed to have ended 7 years ago was sent to Iraq by mistake due to a clerical error. In May 2004, Jim Dillinger received a letter from the defense department saying he was one of the 5,600 members of the Individual Ready Reserve who were being sent to Iraq. Dillinger had resigned his captain's commission in 1996 after serving 17 years in the Guard. His contract said his military obligation ended in April 1999. His personnel record mistakenly said his service would end in July 2010, which was the date he would have been discharged if he had remained in the Ohio National Guard.

Dillinger said, "They were still carrying me on the books as a captain, and nobody caught it. Including me." Dillinger was told he had not been discharged because of the military's "stop-loss" program. He says, "That explanation didn't make complete sense to me, but I accepted it. I'd been in the Army a long time, and when they tell you something, you believe it." When the error was discovered in May, the Guard sent Dillinger his discharge papers along with their apologies. Regarding his service in Iraq, Dillinger said, "I honestly believe I helped accomplish something over there, and the men I served with, they are like brothers to me. But I can't get past the fact that I should never have been sent there in the first place."

—Associated Press, Man serves in Iraq Due to Clerical Error, July 4, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (CEV) [3] As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering. [4] Soldiers on duty don't work at outside jobs. They try only to please their commanding officer.

It was every parent's worst nightmare. On March 24, 2005, one-year-old Connor Reynolds fell down a flight of stairs in his grandmother's home in Burnaby, British Columbia. Fearing the worst, Angela called emergency services for help. The paramedics arrived on the scene in a heartbeat, but they told her that her situation was not an emergency and that she could tend to it herself. One of the paramedics said that babies at that age don't have bones.

Knowing that something was wrong with her son, Angela took matters into her own hands and rushed him to the hospital where doctors put him in a body cast to treat his broken femur.

While the B.C. Ambulance Service hasn't released details of what measures were taken, they have assured Ms. Reynolds that they've disciplined the paramedics. That isn't good enough for her; she's contacted a lawyer just in case there are long-term consequences to the poor service Connor received.

—http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1113066723074_16/?hub=Canada Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Why would qualified personnel refuse to serve? In this case, they didn't think there was a legitimate need—at least that is what they said. Perhaps it was laziness or hardheartedness—I don't know for sure. Regardless, they had a job to do and refused to do it. Certainly they deserve whatever punishment they will get. And so do we.

Ezekiel 33:6 (HCSB) "However, if the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn't blow the trumpet, so that the people aren't warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives, then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood."

Dr. Jennifer Furin has the credentials that would ordinarily guarantee a comfortable life. At the age of thirty-five, she has completed Harvard Medical School, and one of the world's most prestigious residencies at the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Though she could have a thriving medical practice and six-figure income, Dr. Furin has chosen a different path. She is one of several doctors who are serving in a new medical program designed to bring the best of modern Western medicine to sick people in some of the poorest countries of the world.

Dr. Furin spends most of the year working 70 hours a week in Lima, Peru, caring for patients in the shacks and slum clinics. She is one of twenty doctors who treat patients and train local doctors in Peru, Haiti, and the prisons of Russia. Some of the doctors give their efforts to caring for the poor in neighborhoods of Boston. The program they are part of was founded in response to the growing gap in healthcare between the rich and poor of the world. The program is funded primarily through private donations.

Dr. Furin explains her motivation this way. "I have seen that the world can be a terrible place. For some reason beyond me, I am in a position to do something about that. It is not noble. It is simple. Because I have the choice, because I can, I do."

—Parade Magazine, April 3, 2005, Because We Can, We Do, by Tracy Kidder. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Peter 4:10 NLT "God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you."

In his book, "The Radical Reformission" Mark Driscoll writes, "People with this transaction mindset about God and church will even see ministry not as something they do with the spiritual gifts God has given them but rather as something that is done for them as a religious service by someone else. Consequently, churches pandering to this mindset are filled with consumers who take more than they give and with observers who watch more than they participate."

Mark 10:45 (NASB) "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

In his best-selling book, "The Purpose-Driven Life", Rick Warren writes, "Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you."

"You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose!" And then he writes, "Your ministry matters to the kingdom of God."

Service that pleases God is service done for His pleasure, not for personal recognition. Dr. Warren is absolutely right—your ministry does matter to God's Kingdom. Don't judge your ministry by the recognition you get from people. What matters most is what God thinks about what you do and the heart you do it with.

Philip. 2:3 (NASB) "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;"

In his book, "An Unstoppable Force", Erwin McManus writes, "The purpose of the church cannot be to survive or even to thrive but to serve... The church exists to serve as the body of Christ, and it is through this commitment to serve that we are forced to engage our culture."

It is easy to make survival or success our focus and miss the point that Christ established His church to serve.

Mark 9:35 (NIV) "Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'"

While Dean and Patty O'Bryan lived in Germany, they took their kids to a small circus in a nearby town. The circus sported all the usual acts: high-wire stunts, bareback horse riders, bicycles, and animal tamers. After about 30 minutes they realized, however, that in every act, the same 8 or 10 performers would appear. The performers would appear, breathless, running in and out, changing costumes quickly, and assuming the next role. By the time it was all over, Dean and Patty realized that the circus performers were great at jumping from role to role, but none of them did a great job at any one role.

“How much like the American church,” Dean says, “where the same few people, usually out of breath, try to do it all, assuming roles they can't fill well, because ‘someone has to do it.’”

Ephes. 4:11-16 NASB “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. [14] As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; [15] but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

Early in the morning on October 19, 2002, Gene Jones and his partner Jeremy Wieckhorst were making a routine run, hauling a load of oil when they saw a white van hit a light pole and roll over. By the time they got over to the wreck, Michael Myers, grain truck driver pulled over too.

Jones extended his hand to the dark-haired man to see if he could feel a pulse. When he did, he told the man that help was coming and continued to hold his hand.

When the police arrived, the three truck drivers helped them roll the van off of the man and when they’d done all they could to help, got back into their rigs and headed out.

Stella Galindo was grief-stricken, as I’m sure you can only imagine, when the police notified her that Juan, her son had died in a traffic accident. Her grief was multiplied by the thought that he died alone. She was haunted by the thought of her son dying in the cold, alone. A few weeks after his death, a police officer told her that a witness saw a truck driver crouched over her son’s body. For a month she searched for the man and when she located him invited him over to her home.

When the doorbell rang, Stella, her husband Juan Sr. and daughter Sanjuan answered the door. She hugged the thick-chested truck driver and said, “Thank you for stopping. Thank you for not letting him die there alone.” Jones reached out his big hand once again, but this time he wasn’t holding onto a dying man—this time he was holding onto a grieving mother. “I wish I could have done more,” he said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Later Stella gave Jones a plaque she had made with two hands clasping one another—her way of expressing her gratitude to the man who offered a helping hand to her son…and to her.

—Wichita Eagle, www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/4538202.htm Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

James 2:15-17 NASB “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? [17] Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

Quebec's Court of Appeal upheld the firing of two Montreal paramedics who refused to help a dying man because they were on a break. Stopped by a motorist who said his friend was having difficulty breathing, the paramedics directed him to a hospital two traffic lights away.

—Macleans Magazine, February 23, 2004 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dave Bootsma

Do you serve Christ and His people only out of duty or when it's convenient, or do you do it out of love and gratitude?

Psalm 100:2 (KJV) “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”

On the night of February 9th, 2006, a parking lot scuffle occurred between a shoplifter and three security guards in an affluent neighborhood in San Ramon, CA. Matters worsened when a small mob of angry shoppers joined the fray, attacking the security guards believing them to be muggers harassing an innocent man. While a thief was trying to get away with stolen goods, and security guards attempted to apprehend the thief, shoppers battled the security guards.

Out of nowhere another man entered the fray and cried with a booming voice, "Everyone back up! Everyone calm down! I am the mayor of San Ramon!"

The thief got away but the mayor managed to settle the mob and give medical treatment to a wounded guard.

Unlike many in high positions, Mayor H. Abram Wilson is willing to get his hands dirty and truly serve those under his authority—even at the risk of his own life.

—East Contra Times, Saturday, February 25, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Nathan Morales.

Mark 10:41-44 (NIV) Jesus said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"

In the book, "Here I Am (Now What on Earth should I be Doing?)", author Quentin Schultze encourages us to put our hearts into our work by finding ways to serve others. He writes, "My first paid job was cleaning and restocking shelves in a family drugstore. After one week, I had mastered the work and grown bored. Then two things began to improve my view of the tedious job: customers started asking me where to find products, and I noticed shoppers purchasing items that I had restocked. The paycheck was useful, whereas serving others was rewarding. Because we are creatures of the heart, we seek work and volunteer stations that serve others. Our labor need not be impressive, but it is most gratifying when it contributes to others' well being."

—"Here I Am (Now What On Earth Should I Be Doing)", pg. 37. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Philip. 2:3 NLT "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself."

61 year-old fisherman Jim Peterson faced a quandary when his fishing boat recently seized up, stranding him about 80 miles off the coast of Newport, Oregon. After several hours of struggling, Peterson was only able to get the boat to go into reverse. Though he could have waited for a rescue ship, Peterson decided to use what he had. Though it was incredibly slow, Peterson piloted the ship back to port in reverse. The 80-mile trip took 39 hours to complete.

—World Magazine, Slow Boat, September 9, 2005, pg. 9. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Even when it is difficult, let's use whatever we have to serve the Lord and others.

1 Peter 4:10 (MSG) "Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it:"

In his book, The Shape of Faith to Come, Brad Waggoner writes, “Serving God and others is a mark of spiritual maturity. In fact, without service, spiritual transformation is impossible.”

In his book, 360 Degree Leader, John Maxwell writes, “The true measure of leaders is not the number of people who serve them but the number of people they serve.”

Philippians 2:3 (NKJV) “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

John Hamilton was arrested and police charged him with obstructing official business and disorderly conduct. What was his crime? Frustrated with the city’s inability to pay mowers to cut the grass in Sandusky’s Central Park he decided to do it himself. He cut the foot high grass and was cleaning up with a power blower when the city decided they didn’t like his volunteerism and arrested him.

--World Magazine, June 20, 2009, p. 18 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

The saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.” The moral of this story, if there is one, has to be the wisdom to be sure to check with the people you are volunteering to help before you start.

But more than that, I think there is another lesson. Perhaps you’ve felt unappreciated for your service and your desire to do what’s right. While our ministry is to our fellow man, ultimately it is to God.

1 Corinthians 10:24 (NASB77) “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”

In his book, An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God has in Mind, Erwin McManus writes, “The life of the church is the heart of God. The heart of God is to serve a broken world. When Jesus wrapped the towel around his waist, he reminded us that only he could wash away our sin. The church cannot live when the heart of God is not beating within her.”

Mark 9:35 (NAB) Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."

In the book, Unexplainable: Pursuing A life Only God Can make Possible, author Don Cousins encourages believers to find a life where God Himself becomes the fulfilling dynamic behind an unshakeable contentment, profound significance, and abiding success in life. Cousins uses the examples of well-known men from the Bible such as Abraham, Joseph, Moses. King David, and Daniel. Cousins writes, “We view each of these men as having a “calling” from God, which they did. Yet not one of them was employed in a situation that fits our common understanding of calling. It’s worth noting in particular just how many of them spent significant seasons of their working life engaged as slaves.

In each of their cases, we see that God’s influence through them wasn’t dependent primarily upon a position they held or a job they performed, but rather upon their relationship with Him. It wasn’t what they did that characterized their calling; it was who they did it for. Each of them was led by God to the position they held and the work they performed.”

For each of us Cousins summarizes that our calling is not what we do, but who we do it for. He writes, “You’ve been called to a relationship with Jesus, and you need to carry out your work, whatever it may be, in a manner befitting His presence in your life. Seeing Jesus as your boss makes a big difference.”

Ephesians 6:6-8 (CEV) Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do. Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people. You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free.

Lydia delivers meals to low income senior citizens with the charity “meals on wheels.” So what, you may say, thousands of people do that. Lydia is 101.

Lydia rides shotgun and navigates for her 72-year-old partner helping the “little old ladies,” as she refers to her clients. She speaks of the blessing she gets from being of service. “It’s fun for me and a chance to get out. It gives me something to do.”

Even over a century old, Lydia Hart takes what she has and employs it in the service of others. What a challenge to you and me.

1 Peter 4:10 (NASB77) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

More than 50 years after his death, the Army has endorsed awarding the Medal of Honor to a Kansas priest who humbly served his fellow prisoners in a Chinese prison camp during the Korean War. When they returned home after the war, members of the eighth Calvary Regiment spoke of the many ways Emil Kapaun continued to look after his men even though he was wounded and sick himself. Kapaun often risked his life to sneak out after dark to seek food for those who were too weak to eat, and wash the clothes of other prisoners. Kapaun died at the camp seven months after he entered captivity, but his men say they will never forget him, and worked for years to see Kapaun receive the honor he deserved.

Helen Kapaun, the chaplain’s sister in law said she and her husband had prayed they would live to see Kapaun honored. Rev. John Hotze of Wichita said the recognition has been a long time in the making. Hotze said, “He saw it as a role of serving his men and laying down his life for his men.” Kansas Representative Todd Tiahrt, who will present the matter to Congress added, ”It’s hard to image living through something like that. He handled it like a saint. This is the kind of person that we ought to emulate.”

--Army agrees Kansas priest worthy of Medal of Honor, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091013/ap_on_re_us/us_chaplain_medal_of_honor ; October 13, 2009. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Mark 10:44-45 (CEV) “And if you want to be first, you must be everyone's slave. (45) The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people.”

Luxury Hotels have added an amenity to their resorts. Guests can stay at the resorts and spend a day of their vacation volunteering. The projects include things like serving at a soup kitchen, improving a hiking trail, working in food banks, or removing invasive plants in Everglades National Park.

Called “Silver Spoon Volunteerism,” guests stay in their plush rooms, wine and dine at their luxury restaurants and spend a day, or part of a day as volunteers. Critics think these are just people who want to “soothe their guilty consciences by doing something that is billed as ‘giving back.’”

--Time, November 15, 2009. P. 53. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Churches have long known that people will volunteer for many kinds of short-term projects. Hotels and resorts are just now learning that people have a heart to help others. Jesus taught us that ministry is when we not only give a cup of water, but when we give it as a disciple of Jesus.

Our goal is not to just minister to others, but to do so in the name of Christ. That is the difference between volunteerism and service. We want to be servants of Christ, not just servants.

Matthew 10:42 (MSG) “Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing."

During the heavy snowfall in the Milwaukee area of 2010, three neighborhood boys decided to brave the elements so their neighbors didn’t have to. Rasheed Harris, his brother Koran, and their cousin Rahagee Burns began early in the morning with the wind whipping, and the snow swirling. The boys began by clearing their grandmother’s driveway of snow, and then kept going until they had cleared almost the entire block. One neighbor came out with his snow blower but the boys shoveled his drive anyway.

The three shovelers never asked for a penny. They said they viewed shoveling snow as more than a chore. Speaking for the three, Rasheed said, “We’re just out here doing good deeds, No charge, just shoveling all the snow.” Rahagee added, “I want to be a little more helpful, all around Good Samaritan. It just feels good doing good deeds for other people.”

--Kids in one north side Milwaukee neighborhood shovel entire block for free, http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100209-kids-shovel-snow,0,32178.story; February 9, 2010. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Peter 5:5 (GW) “Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders. Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble.”

While hiking in the Nepal’s Himalayas, Ethan Todras-Whitehill discovered one of the hazards of hiking in scenic places. If you focus too much attention on the footpath, you miss the scenery. If you focus too much on the scenery you trip over the rocks and roots on the trail. While hiking with an Icy peak dominating the horizon, Todras-Whitehill said, “even though the terrain beneath my feet was still easy, I kept tripping because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the 24,786-foot Annapurna III.”

This is a hazard of life as well. If we focus too much on the mundane, we miss the glorious. But if we spend too much time in the glorious we miss the common tasks that are essential.

Matthew 17:4 (NASB77) “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’”

According to a lament by a letter writer in USA Today, not only is employment tough to find during this recession, it is even hard to find a place to volunteer.

--USA Today August 16, 2010, p.8a Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Many Baby Boomers have reached the age where they are no longer attractive to employers. Many have already retired and are just looking for a place to volunteer their services. Sometimes, it is not easy.

One place you can find a way to serve is at your local church. We have plenty of service opportunities, places where you can use your talents to serve the Lord, your church, and your community.

Mervyn Salmon, a choir member at St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells, Somerset, may hold the record for longest continuous service. When he joined the choir, 70 years ago, “King George VI was on the throne, Winston Churchill was prime minister, and Adolf Hitler stood towering over Europe.” Today, at age 78, Salmon is still singing. Except for when he was in the military in 1956, he has never missed a service.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NASB) But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

Larry Hasenfus earned a spot on the Springfield College baseball team. His dazzling knuckleball was enough to win a spot on the pitcher’s mound. The interesting thing is Larry is 58 years-old. He went back to college when he lost his job, now he is playing baseball with teammates who are all younger than his own children.

Some of us may think we are too old to serve the Lord. Rag arm Larry should be an inspiration to us all. We never grow too old to be of some service to the Lord and to His church.

Galatians 6:9 (NASB77) “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”

In Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, Richard Swenson writes: “Medical studies reveal that service is health enhancing. One of the best ways to heal your own emotional pain is to focus instead on meeting the needs of others. It works, powerfully.”

Matthew 20:26 (CEV) But don't act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others.

A restaurant in China has found a new way to guarantee “service with a smile.” The Dalu Robot restaurant opened in Jian and is believed to be China’s first hotpot eatery. More than a dozen robots operate in the establishment servings as entertainers, servers, greeters, and receptionists. Each is equipped with a motion sensor to tell it to stop when a customer is in its path.

The robots that resemble Star Wars style droids circle the room carrying trays of food in a conveyor belt-like system. The restaurant’s owner, Zhang Yongpei says he was inspired by space exploration, robotic technology, and global innovation. He hopes to show the world that China is a serious competitor in technology development. The robots have drawn a lot of praise from patrons, who have been disappointed by lackluster service in other establishments. Li Xiaomei, a first time visitor said the service was better than humans. He said, ”Humans can be temperamental or impatient, but they don’t feel tired, they just keep working and moving round and round the restaurant all night.”

--Robot Waiters in China never Lose Patience, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101222/ap_on_re_as/as_china_robot_restaurant; December 22, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Philippians 2:14-16 (HCSB) (14) Do everything without grumbling and arguing, (15) so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. (16) Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.

Blake McJunkin, the center for the SMU football team, displays passages from God’s word on his social networking site. Recently, he put one of his favorites in practice by protecting Aggies safety Trent Hunter in a dangerous situation. Hunter intercepted the football during the first quarter of the game, and in the process lost his protective helmet, leaving his head exposed. McJunkin and teammate Kelly Turner made the tackle stopping Hunter, but McJunkin recognized the danger Hunter faced without his helmet.

With one spontaneous move McJunkin used his left arm to shield the opposing player’s head. McJunkin said 2 Timothy 4:2-5 is one the verses he has posted on his social site. One verse is a reminder to “keep your head in all situations”, and McJunkin put it into practice. After watching the game tape, Hunter recognized his opponent’s kind act, especially considering a turnover changing the course of the game, might fill some players with rage. Hunter said, “My helmet popped off and I really didn’t know what had happened. When I was watching the video later, I saw that (McJunkin) was protecting my head from any other hit. I really appreciate that gesture, it’s what sportsmanship is all about.”

--SMU’s Blake McJunkin Shields An Opponents Unprotected head, http://www.totalprosports.com/2011/09/13/smus-blake-mcjunkin-shields-an-opponents-unprotected-head-video; / September 12, 2011. Illustraton by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Timothy 4:5 (GW) But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.

Mark Titus holds the record for the most individual career wins in Ohio State basketball history. He was teammates with seven future NBA players. In his four years he scored a total of nine points, had five rebounds, and three assists while playing only 48 minutes. After his days on the team were over he wrote a book about the time on the bench. (Titus, Mark, Don’t Put Me In, Coach, Doubleday: 2012)

--Sports Illustrated, March 26, 2012 p. 26 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Church members need to be sure that is not their attitude about getting in the game. Don’t put me in Pastor. I don’t want to play. The Church needs every member to be involved in her mission. There is no place for bench warmers.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV) (11) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, (12) to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Scott Kwak was a successful business man who founded and led his own e-commerce company, until the summer of 2007, when the market crash forced him to close the company. Kwak says he was in a state of despair and admitted that his faith in God plummeted as the company went down. He was lost about what to do, until he went to an event featuring Loren Cunningham of Youth With a Mission.

At the event, Kwak was challenged about his purpose in life, and decided to volunteer his time with a ministry that partnered with his church, called Zimele, Zulu for “to stand on one’s own feet.” At first,Kwak was skeptical about the group but his view changed after visiting South Africa. He saw firsthand how the organization was impacting rural communities in that part of the world. Kwak said, after that he saw how God provided every month, and heard miracle after miracle where God had provided. He began to see God in the middle of everything.

Kwak says since then, his faith and joy have been restored. He discovered that sometimes in life a person must surrender to God in order to get back on the right path. When asked about his new position, as executive director of Zimele USA, Kwak said, “If you would have asked me one year ago I would have said, ’No way’.” He added, “It’s been a blessing and a miracle, really. I’ve been humbled every step o f the way.”

--PROFILE: How one former executive is doing a world of good with his NJ church, http://www.christianpost.com/news/profile-how-one-former-executive-is-doing-a-world-of-good-with-his-nj-church-70868; March 6, 2012, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Corinthians 9:12-13 (HCSB) (12) For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. (13) They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service.

Darnell Brown is a one-year-old adventurer. Venturing out in East Point, Georgia, Darnell fell into a storm drain and became trapped. The only rescuer who was small enough to reach him was Rosa Tullis, who stands only 4 feet 11 inches tall. She squeezed down the hole where she reached little Darnell and pulled him to safety. She ended up with cuts and bruises but says it was worth it because, “I have boys.”

Matthew 7:12 (HCSB) Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets.

Onlookers called an unemployed New York man a superhero because he risked his life to keep a nine-month-old boy from being hit by an oncoming subway train. Delroy Simmonds was on his way to a job interview when he saw the toddler, still strapped into his stroller trapped on the tracks. Simmonds jumped from the safety of the platform and lifted the bleeding child to safety as the train bore down on them. The child’s mother was too shocked to respond after a sudden gust of wind blew the child into the train’s path.

Witnesses said Simmonds never hesitated. He simply took action, and saved the life of the toddler. They were amazed at his courage and kept calling him a hero. The child was taken to a hospital for treatment of facial cuts and is doing fine. After watching the ordeal on television, a project manager from a local airport called to offer Simmonds a job as a maintenance worker, which he accepted. Afterwards, Simmonds, a father of two, told reporters, “Everybody is making me out to be some sort of superhero. I’m just a normal person. Anybody in that situation should have done what I did.” --Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Unemployed man who saved toddler from oncoming subway train in Brooklyn gets a job, http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/unemployed-man-saves-toddler-subway-brooklyn-143602582.html ; June 27, 2012,

Colossians 3:23-24 GNB Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.

The queen of England recently celebrated 60 years on the throne of Great Britain. She used the occasion to reaffirm her dedication to serving the nation and its people for the rest of her life. Her confidants said the queen still has the same sense of duty she had when she was crowned six decades ago. The queen is only the second monarch to serve more than fifty years. She is following in the footsteps of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

A member of the queen’s inner circle said she has made a promise before God to dedicate herself to her country and to her people. She was serious when she made the commitment 60 years ago, as she is today. Friends say she would never abdicate the throne and wanted to use the special occasion to rededicate herself to the task she accepted when she ascended to the throne at age 25. The same close friend said, “Queen Victoria would never have considered abdicating and neither will our Queen. And that is so marvelous for us that she is like a rock in a stormy sea, we know she is there regardless. Everything else around us shakes, but she doesn’t.” --Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

--Queen makes it clear she will not abdicate, http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/diamond-jubilee/2012/06/02/queen-makes-it-clear-she-will-not-abdicate; June 2, 2012,

A lot of people in the St. Louis area remember Steven Stevens for his rich resonant voice, but others say they prefer to remember the way he used his voice. Stevens was a radio and television personality in the area for many years, and since he started broadcasting at a young age his voice influenced the direction of his life. His family says they remember that Steven’s relationship with God played a bigger role in how he lived his life and used his abilities. The first thing we would do each morning was to read the Bible, because he wanted to put God first. Stevens had read the Bible through several times, and used his unique voice to record several full length translations of the Bible as well as many specialty-themed recording on topics like healing, love, and prosperity. Steven’s daughter Kristi says her father used his talent best when he glorified God with it. She added,”The Bible teaches that we are to love God and then love others. And my dad did that.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Steven Stevens reported at WLWT, recorded the Bible, http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121013/NEWS/
310130071/Steven-Stevens-reported-WLWT-recorded-Bible?odyssey=nav%7Chead&nclick_check=1, Accessed October 12, 2012.

Philippians 2:1-4 (HCSB) (1) If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, (2) fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. (3) Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. (4) Everyone should look out not ?only? for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

The family of 40-year-old Jason Kroft says they would like to find and thank the man who saved Jason’s life but they cannot locate the person. Kroft was sightseeing in New York, when he suffered a serious heart attack on a street corner and collapsed. Kroft’s wife called emergency operators, but noticed her husband was turning blue. At that moment, a man appeared, asked a few questions, and administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The stranger continued doing chest compressions until an ambulance arrived. In the confusion of getting Kroft into the ambulance and transported to a hospital, the stranger slipped into the crowd and disappeared.
Kroft and his family are trying to contact the man, but he has not come forward. They do not suspect they will find him. Kroft’s brother summed up their feelings saying, “We would definitely like to find the guy and thank him, but if he doesn’t want to be identified, we don’t want to force him. I hope all the media around this reaches him and he knows how much we appreciate him.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

New York Good Samaritan Sought by Family of Man He Saved, http://abcnews.go.com/US/york-good-samaritan-sought-family-man-saved/story?id=17483730#.UH0r7mfF3CZ, October 15, 2012.

1 Corinthians 10:24 (HCSB) No one should seek his own ?good?, but ?the good? of the other person.

33-year-old Nathan Grindal was removed from a dart tournament in England because the people around him found his appearance distracting. Grindal has long hair and a full beard. During the final match of the tournament, people seated around him began chanting, “Jesus! Jesus!” Before long, the majority of the 4,500 fans in attendance joined the chant, and security officers had to escort Grindal to another part of the stadium, concerned the commotion would distract the players. Fans found the incident funny, but Grindal was not amused. Even though the runner up in the tournament later signed his program, Grindal said the event was distressing. He told a local paper, “I was emotionally distraught. The crowd was bullying me and picking on me. It would have been OK if security hadn’t made a fuss getting me out.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Man who resembles ‘Jesus’ tossed from darts tournament, http://www.theindychannel.com/news/daily-extras/man-who-resembles-jesus-tossed-from-darts-tournament, Accessed, December 19, 2012.

Hebrews 13:7 (ESV) Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

A study designed to examine the ability to do more than one thing at a time has found that most people who think they can perform simultaneous tasks fairly well really can’t. The study conducted at the University of Utah assigned multiple tasks to college students and measured their ability to do things such as use a cell phone and drive. The researchers also looked at other personality factors such as impulsivity and the desire to seek sensations, as well as asked each person to rate their ability to do more than one thing at a time. The results indicated that people who said they liked to multitask were the worst at it, while those who rarely attempted more than one thing at a time were much better.

Previous research has shown multitasking reduces the quality of a person’s work, and the new study suggests that one of the main reasons people try to do more than one things at a time is that they think they are good at it. Research spokesman David Strayer observed, “The people who multitask the most tend to be impulsive, sensation-seeking, overconfident of their multitasking abilities, and they tend to less capable of multitasking.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Frequent Multitaskers Aren't Good At Multitasking, Study Shows, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/27/multitasking-frequent-ability-bad-at-it_n_2553107.html?ir=Healthy+Living, Accessed January 27, 2013.

Ephesians 6:7 (ESV) rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,

While visiting China for a residency and 40th anniversary tour, members of the Philadelphia Orchestra were delayed on the tarmac waiting for a flight to Macao. Instead of getting irritated, the Orchestra members decided to offer an impromptu concert. Two violin players, a viola player, and a cello player launched into the Finale of the String Quartet No. 12 by Antonin Dvorak. The musicians played for about 6 minutes. A ringing cell phone joined the music at one point, but at the conclusion, the presentation ended with applause and calls for an encore.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Orchestra delayed on airplane performs 'pop-up' concert, http://www.today.com/entertainment/orchestra-delayed-airplane-performs-pop-concert-6C10240743, Accessed June 7, 2013.

Galatians 5:13 (CEV) My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera says he plans to retire at the end of the baseball season, and then he will begin a new life planting a church in the community of New Rochelle. Rivera and his wife will lead the church which is known as Refuge of Hope. The building is under construction, and the church says they are committed to the revitalization of its community and will provide projects and special programs delivered as a genuine demonstration of God’s love. Rivera’s wife says part of their ministry focus will be young people. The church started in the Rivera’s home in 2009, and has continued to grow. The couple met in Panama years ago and faith has always been a key part of their lives together. They have faced some difficult times together, and they say that same faith will sustain them in this new endeavor. Rivera has already funded church starts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, California, and Florida. When asked about the new church, Rivera said, “We’ll have all kinds. It don’t matter. As long as you love Christ, we in it. And if you don’t love him, we will work with you so we put you on the right path.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Yankees Pitcher Mariano Rivera to Retire, Start Pentecostal Church,
http://www.christianpost.com/news/yankees-pitcher-mariano-rivera-will-retire-to-start-a-pentecostal-church-98476, Accessed June 21, 2013.

Exodus 9:16 (CEV) (16) But he has kept you alive, just to show you his power and to bring honor to himself everywhere in the world.

The concept of “paying it forward” has become a new trend in many parts of the world despite the fact that the book and motion picture that spawned the phrase are several years old. “Paying it forward refers to doing good deeds, without expecting anything in return, in the hope that the action will make a difference in the life of another person. Experts say the trend is transforming communities and it seems to be growing because it brings pleasure to everyone involved. Debbie Tenzer has written a book entitled, Do One Nice Thing, which deals with the topic of acts of kindness. Tenser says a random act of kindness has the potential to help many people and bring a smile to people’s faces. People naturally feel pleasure when they are generous, so it feels good to something nice with the possibility of return. When multiple people do it together, the effect is magnified and a common bond develops between people. Tenser says, “These days a lot of people feel powerless. We’re worried about the economy, crime, terrorism, and even the weather. We can’t fix the big problems, but we can still fix some small ones.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

PEOPLE, COMPANIES SPUR RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS, BY MICHAEL ROPPOLO, HTTP://WWW.FOXNEWS.COM/US/2013/07/19/PEOPLE-COMPANIES-SPUR-RANDOM-ACTS-KINDNESS, ACCESSED JULY 20, 2013

Proverbs 3:27-28 (CEV) (27) Do all you can for everyone who deserves your help. (28) Don't tell your neighbor to come back tomorrow, if you can help today.

A 64-year-old woman in New Zealand has it figured out to control her tongue. When she called the New Zealand equivalent of 911, she mumbled and groaned throughout the call and operators sent police to her home. There they discovered the mute woman had mistaken her lip ointment with a tube of super glue and glued her lips shut.

James 3:6 HCSB “And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell”

When a priest mysteriously showed up at an accident scene in Missouri, his prayers seemed to change life-threatening events, many people thought the mystery man might have been an angel. Emergency workers were not able to find the priest in any of the pictures taken at the accident scene. Later the priest saw a newspaper article and acknowledged that he was the man who prayed with 19-year-old Katie Lentz at the scene. Father Patrick Dowling offered a humble assessment of the situation, explaining that he saw many people praying for Katie. He thought he might have been an answer to some of those prayers, when he stopped by the scene, but refused to take much credit for anything else. He said he anointed the young woman and prayed that her leg would not hurt. Even though the mystery was solved, New London Missouri Fire chief Raymond reed said he thought it was still a miracle. Reed said, “I would say whether it was an angel that was sent to us in the form of a priest or a priest that became our angel, I don’t know. Either way, I’m good with it.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Father Patrick Dowling Is Mystery Angel Priest From Missouri Car Crash, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/12/father-patrick-dowling-angel-priest-_n_3746077.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009, Accessed August 13, 2013.

Ephesians 3:7 (CEV) God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the good news.

At a time when cutting budgets is fashionable, Mike marsh is a federal employee who would like to help the reduction process. Marsh wrote to Congress and asked them to fire him and everyone he works with. Marsh told lawmakers that his agency is an experiment that didn’t work out, and he recommended they put their money somewhere more profitable. Marsh is the Inspector-General for the Denali Commission, an economic development agency based in Alaska. Only two other people have ever tried to have their funding cut off and both failed. Marsh is not likely to be successful either, but when asked about the plan, his coworkers were upset because Marsh had not told them about his letters. Although Marsh presented a compelling case for why the agency should be abolished, several of his coworkers complained that he was limiting their ability to help the people they were supposed to serve.
—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Federal employee Mike Marsh’s mission: Getting himself fired, and his agency closed, by David Fahrenthold, http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-employee-mike-marshs-mission-getting-
himself-fired-and-his-agency-closed/2013/09/26/1277fc48-2149-11e3-966c-9c4293c47ebe_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop, Accessed September 26, 2013.

Titus 3:8-9 (NASB) This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. (9) But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Ron Elliott, 67, was a caregiver at a nursing home in London, when won a $12.8 million jackpot in the lottery. Today Ron Elliott is a rich caregiver at a nursing home in London. The day after winning he returned to work and plans to keep working as long as he can.

“My clients have dementia and suffer from memory loss,” he said. “They don’t care that I’ve won the lottery, and they still need care.” In addition Elliott plans to spend some of his winnings on a Christmas party for his nursing home residents.

When a person has a gift of service, that gift shines through no matter the circumstances. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Romans 15:1-2 (NKJV) We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

After the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in 2013, Coach Andy Reid told players to celebrate but to do it wisely. After the game Chief’s defensive player Tambia Hali took 15 friends to a local restaurant for a huge all-you-can eat-meal. The bill totaled $1,800 and the restaurant automatically added and tip of $300. When Hali saw the bill, he was surprised that the tip was so small. He stunned employees when he added an additional gratuity of $1,000. The employees say Hali is a regular customer and a gracious tipper, but the size of this tip surprised them. One server said it really made their day. Hali says he only wanted to help others like he has been helped. In an interview later, Hali added, “I have been helped all my life to this point. However, I can give back. I try to do that. I do this all the time when I go out because these people work hard. I’m just fortunate to be in this position.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Tamba Hali leaves extra $1,000 tip at Plaza restaurant, http://www.kctv5.com/story/23763511/tamba-hali-leaves-extra-1000-tip-at-plaza-restaurant?hpt=us_bn9, Accessed October 24, 2013.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Josh Kerns is a sanitation worker in Ohio, and he sees a lot of garbage every day. One of the people on his route is happy that Kerns pays attention to his work. While emptying the trash in the truck, Kerns found a card that looked important among the garbage from Lucy Hamer’s house. He saved the card, and dumped the rest of the contents. When he opened the card at the end of the route, Kerns found $50 inside and realized the family would want it back. He and a supervisor went to Hamer’s home and gave her the card and the money. Hamer said it was from her sister-in-law, but she didn’t know about the card. It apparently had been sent inside of box of presents for her son, and she never saw it. Kerns said he was glad he saved the card. He said, ”In this day and age, $50 is a lot of money. It’s a tank of gas. We had to take it back.” Hamer was glad too. She said her sister-in-law would have been wondering why she didn’t a thank you for the card and it could have created an awkward situation.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Sanitation Worker Delivers Discarded Birthday Gift, By Genevieve Shaw Brown, http://gma.yahoo.com/sanitation-worker-delivers-discarded-birthday-gift-193706063.html, Accessed February 27, 2014.

Matthew 5:16 (HCSB) In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

An article published by Lifeway Research states that fewer people may be calling themselves Christians in the future, and the trend may be a good thing. After reading the article written by Ed Stetzer, Greg Jao said he agrees with the prediction and says this is not bad because more people will be more honest about their faith and the meaning of “Christian” will be more defined which would create new opportunities to share the Gospel. Both Stetzer and Jao say the number of people with a real faith in Jesus will not diminish, but rather fewer people who identify themselves, as Christian due to the culture will decrease. Jao says the trend will also be good for the church because they will tend to become more united and better focused. He says the overall effect will be to actually make people think about spiritual things and when they actively think through their faith they have a better chance of encountering the truth of the Gospel.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Decrease in cultural Christians, By Julie Oosterhouse,
http://www.mnnonline.org/news/decrease-cultural-christians, Accessed June 6, 2014.

John 13:34–35 (HCSB) “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”.

56-year-old Benny Gonzales loves to serve his community and help. Gonzales suffered a brain injury when he was a child but still is able to spend his days removing trash along the roadways of his city. Gonzales puts the trash in a black plastic bag, but takes the time to return items like lost purses or wallets. Once he found a purse on the roadside and though it took him eleven months, Gonzales managed to find the owner and return it to them. Gonzales says returning these lost items make him happy because he wants to return things to their rightful owner. When asked why he gives so much time cleaning along the roads in his city Gonzales said, “People have been good to me, so I pass it on.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

NJ Man Cleans Roadside, Reunites Owners With Lost Items, By Anthony Johnson, http://7online.com/hobbies/nj-man-cleans-roadside-reunites-owners-with-lost-items/314876, Accessed September 18, 2014.

1 Peter 4:10 (HCSB) Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.

Sixteen-year-old Noah Cornuet had planned a very ambitious project to complete the work for his Eagle Scout Badge. He had just gotten started on the project to make improvements to sites at his church and in his community, when he died suddenly due to a rare noncancerous heart tumor. Though part of the project was finished, a lot still needed to be done, and members of the community decide to honor the young Scout by finishing the work he began. About seventy people from the community joined forces to finish the work in one day. They worked on the church parking lot, built an access ramp, and finished Cornuet’s planned work at the local cemetery. Cornuet’s parents said they were happy to see so many people turn out. Many of those who came said they wanted to honor Cornuet’s memory and continue his tradition of helping people. The Scoutmaster of the troop said he expects Cornuet will receive his Eagle Scout Award posthumously after the review board meets with those who worked on the project.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Friends carry on Lower Burrell Scout Cornuet's work toward Eagle badge after his death, By Jodi Weigard, http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourallekiskivalley/yourallekiskivalleymore/6737872-74/cornuet-burrell-scout#axzz3CdhKI2I2, Accessed September 7, 2014.

Galatians 5:13 (HCSB) For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

In 2015, there was an increase in the number of sea lion pups found on the Southern California beaches. The National Marine Fisheries Service is overwhelmed by the number and do not have the resources to rescue all of them, one official said, “It’s like a paramedic not having a hospital to bring a patient.” –Jim L. Wilson & Kelvin A. Aikens

There is a great need today for people to work on a rescue mission for souls. We must pray that God with send His workers into the fields to rescue those who will perish without the gospel.

http://news.yahoo.com/sea-lion-standings--why-are-so-many-pups-starving-to-death-on-the-shores-of-california-204653019.html

Luke 10:2 (TLB) These were his instructions to them: "Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers so few.

When 15-year-old Yasir Moore went into a Target store to buy a clip on tie for a job interview, he was surprised by the response of the store staff. When he asked one of the employees, they told him they didn’t carry clip-ons. Rather than let the young man leave, Dennis Roberts helped him find a tie and tied it for him, and then he and two other employees gave him some advice about how to interview, shake hands, and look the interviewer in the eye. Then, when Moore got the job, the same people were on hand to congratulate him. Though the story made national news, Moore’s mother Najirah was impressed. She said, “They could have just sold my son a tie. But they took the time, helped him tie the tie and talked to him. They treated my son with dignity, respect.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Target Teen Gone Viral Gets Huge Surprise From Chick-fil-A, By Steve Osunsami, Faryn Shiro, and Justin Weaver, https://gma.yahoo.com/target-teen-gone-viral-gets-huge-surprise-chick-133422261--abc-news-personal-finance.html, Accessed February 13, 2015.

Galatians 5:13 (TLB) For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.

Sometimes the duty to protect and serve means going the extra mile. A police officer in Illinois stopped a pizza delivery man for cutting through a parking lot to avoid a red light and found that the driver had drug paraphernalia in the car. After arresting the delivery man and a passenger in the car, the officer noticed a pizza in the passenger seat. He then decided to go a few extra yards and make the delivery because the customer only lived a few blocks from the police station. The customer was surprised when a police car pulled up and relieved to find that the officer was only bringing them their dinner. Police Chief Jeff Burgner said, “We try to do all we can to help our residents, but I think this is the first time we’ve delivered a pizza.” --Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

Illinois police officer completes pizza delivery after arresting delivery man, http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/02/02/illinois-police-officer-completes-pizza-delivery-after-arresting-delivery-man, Accessed February 2, 2015.

In a difficult neighborhood of Los Angeles, the Central City Community Church of the Nazarene hosts a karaoke night for the homeless and nearly homeless in the neighborhood. They come, about 200 per week, and shut out the depressing street life to sing and dance and share refreshments.

Pastor Tony, who has been doing this for 17 years, shows the men and women of his church neighborhood that he cares. He takes the gifts given to him by the Holy Spirit and uses them in serving others.

One night a homeless man approached Pastor Tony Stallworth and gave him $3. He said, “I was on the way to the dope house one night when I heard the music and walked in, and now I come here every week, and I just want to help out.”
-- Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

http://blog.apimages.com/2015/05/12/skid-row-karaoke/
referenced in The Week, May 22, 2015, p.2

1 Peter 4:10 (HCSB) Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.

Peggy Uhle was already on a flight from Chicago to Columbus waiting to take off when the plane turned back to the gate and a flight attendant asked her to get off. She thought maybe she had gotten on the wrong plane and she complied. The gate agent asked her to check in at the desk, and the desk told her to call her husband. When she checked with her family, Uhle found out that her son, who lives in Denver was in a coma after suffering a head injury. She also learned that the airline had rebooked her on a flight to Denver with no additional services, so she could go to be with her son. Uhle was surprised by the special service. She said, “They offered a private waiting area, rerouted my luggage, allowed me to board first, and packed a lunch for when I got off the plane in Denver.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Southwest Airlines Did Something AMAZING for This Mom’s Son Who Slipped Into a Coma, By Michael Cantrell, http://www.youngcons.com/southwest-airlines-did-something-amazing-for-this-moms-son-who-slipped-into-a-coma, Accessed June 2, 2015.

2 Corinthians 9:12 (HCSB) (12) For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.

Eighteen-year-old Sam Ray says his cell phone’s voice recognition feature lead rescuers to him after his truck slipped off the jack and fell on him. Ray said he was pinned under the truck in a location where he couldn’t be seen or heard easily. He was trying to get free when he heard Siri activate. He said, “Call 911, and the phone contacted the emergency dispatcher. The dispatcher said she thought it was a mistaken dial until she heard Ray calling for help and sent crews. The phone gave a general idea of Ray’s location, but he was able to yell the address to help rescuers find him. Authorities say Ray was fortunate to have only suffered some broken ribs and a few other minor injuries. Ray said he was thankful to be alive and added, “I guess I’m stuck with an iPhone for the rest of my life. I owe them that.”—Jim L. Wilson and by Jim Sandell

'Call 911': Man says Siri made the call that saved his life
http://news.yahoo.com/call-911-man-says-siri-made-call-saved-173135817.html, Accessed August 17, 2015.

Psalm 121:2 (NASB) “My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”

Kaylee Goemans found herself in a pickle. Her 6-week-old son, Dominic, was in a lot of pain from intestinal problems. Kaylee packed him up in the car and rushed him to the emergency room. Once there she realized that she had let her car parked in a metered spot and hadn’t put in enough change. Because Dominic was in such distress she didn’t feel she could leave to add change to the meter. Instead she posted to her “Mothers Facebook group” and told of her problem. “Women just started pouring in, asking where I was parked to put change in for me.” She said. At least five women filled the meter. Kaylee said, “It made my situation so much less stressful. I was able to focus on my son’s needs.” —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

This is the way we want to serve one another in the church. Are you a member of a small group where you can be helped if you are in need? Are you in a group where you could be called on for assistance? These things don’t just happen. We have to build the kind of relationships that help us in crisis.

The Week August 7, 2015, p. 4

Acts 20:35 (NASB) "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Service

Mr Densley, an 87-year-old man in Lincoln, California, passed out while mowing his lawn. When the neighbors saw it, they immediately dialed 911. No one could have predicted what would happen next.

Not only did the Emergency Medical Technicians help him medically, but after he was stabilized, one of them, Chris Spires, finished mowing his lawn for him.—Jim L. Wilson

Matthew 5:41 (HCSB)“And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”

Elena Griffing has worked at the same San Francisco hospital for 70 years, and says she has no plans to retire. Griffing, who just celebrated her 90th birthday, says she still loves working at the hospital. Though she has held several positions over the years, she says every day on the job is a celebration. In the 70 years she has worked at the hospital, Griffing has only taken four sick days off of work. She says if she has her way, she will work “Until they throw me out or they carry me out in a box.” She added, ”I enjoy anything I can do to be of service. Truly, it’s the patient that counts. If it’s helping someone, it’s my bag.”–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

90-year-old has no plans to leave job she's had for 70 years, By Kristin Bender;

https://www.yahoo.com/news/california-woman-marks-70-years-working-same-hospital-160151993.html?nhp=1, Accessed April 11, 2016.

1 Corinthians 9:19 (HCSB) “Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.”

Service

Carl Babik got the surprise of his life when Police officer Joe Sparks knocked on his front door holding a pizza box. As it turned out, Babik was not in any trouble. Officer Sparks delivered the pizza after responding to an accident call of an injured pizza delivery driver. Sparks said, "Just figured it was the right thing to do" since "someone on the other end was waiting for their food."

Matthew 5:38–42 (HCSB)“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. ³⁹ But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Katie Davis, a young girl from Tennessee, moved to Uganda immediately after graduating high school to serve others. She spends her days helping orphans, teaching school, and feeding street children.

Not long after arriving in Uganda, Katie was amazed at how difficult it was for families to send their children to school. It was expensive and required great sacrifice. “School fees far exceed, by about four times, the cost of water or electricity, which most families do without anyway. These realities apply to children who have parents; many children don’t, so going to school is not even a possibility for them.”

This reality left Katie broken over what she saw and experienced. In America, children can attend school free, go on lavish shopping trips to buy school clothes, and do so with little sacrifice. Even school life in America is lavish compared to life in many parts of the world. It left her thinking, “why aren’t people who live these lives doing more to help others?” –Jim L. Wilson and Eric Gibbs

Acts 2:44–45 (HCSB) “Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. ⁴⁵ They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.”

While on his way to lunch, Bo Graf saw a young man helping an elderly woman cross the parking lot at the market. He spoke to the man who was an employee of the store. He told the man that his deed had far-reaching consequences and had helped more than just one woman. In a social media post describing what he saw, Graf said, “God put me at this place, this moment in time for a reason. Maybe it’s simply to capture this moment, maybe to change the way I look at the world today and kids of tomorrow, or perhaps how I could change the way I live each day; there are so many reasons that put me in this brief moment.”—Submitted Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Grocery store worker helps elderly woman walk across parking lot, By Rebekah Lowin, http://www.today.com/news/grocery-store-worker-helps-elderly-woman-walk-across-parking-lot-t98641, Accessed June 15, 2016.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB) “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

Mesa Arizona police officer Kent Green had been driving by a dumpster and saw a man inside collecting cans and bottles. He stopped the man and asked him to get out, due to safety concerns. As he turned to leave, he noticed the man needed some shoes, and asked if he would like to try a pair on. Green is a runner, and carries his old running shoes with him to give to people on the streets who need shoes. A neighbor witnessed his act of kindness and posted Green’s picture on Face Book. Green says many officers do similar things, he just happens to give away shoes. After the social media attention, Green has heard from many people who want to help by giving him more shoes to give away. He pointed out that his car is only so big then added, “It’s been overwhelmingly positive, humbling, and just awesome. I just hope (this) brings a little positivity to police and what they do behind the scenes every day, every night.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Caught on camera: Officer's act of kindness, http://www.klove.com/news/2016/08/01/officers-act-of-kindness.aspx, Accessed August 1, 2106.

Matthew 10:42 (HCSB) “And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple —I assure you: He will never lose his reward!”

A Missouri police officer is getting a lot of attention for an act of service, but he says he was just doing his job. Officer Jason Hill found a man in a wheelchair that was having trouble with the battery at the bottom of a steep hill. Officer Hill helped push the man three blocks back to his home. While he was pushing, a bystander took a picture of the kind deed and posted it online. The picture got hundreds of likes and shares, but Officer Hill says he did not do it for attention. He said, “A lot of officers that I work with, they do the same thing pretty routinely. It’s just that there’s usually not somebody there that snaps a picture and doesn’t go viral or anything like that so it’s just another day on the job.”–By Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

St. Joe officer steps in to help after man’s wheelchair battery dies three blocks from home, http://fox4kc.com/2016/10/28/st-joe-officer-helps-after-mans-wheelchair-battery-dies-three-blocks-from-home, Accessed October 28, 2016.

1 Peter 4:10 (HCSB)“Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.”

During the 2016 summer Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin and America’s Abbey D’agostino competed against one another in the 5000 meter race. Neither won the race, but they both participated into one of the most memorial events in Olympic history. Midway through the race, Nikki Hamblin stumbled and fell, tripping D’agostino on her way down. Both women found themselves laying on the track when suddenly D’agostino rose up, and instead of continuing to run her race, urged Hamblin to “get up! Get up! We have to finish!” Hamblin, not realizing that she was severely injured, got up and with the help of D’agostino, finished the race. —Jim L. Wilson and Douglas Diggs

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB) “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

In November 2016, officials disqualified Liana Blomgren, an athlete running the final race of her high school career, for helping a fellow athlete cross the finish line.

As she neared the end of the race, Blomgren noticed Gracie Bucher, struggling to reach the finish line. Despite attempting to make her way the final 100 feet to the finish line,

Without giving it a second thought, Blomgren ran up to Bucher, helped her to her feet, and supported her as they both crossed the finish line together. “[Blomgren] said she knew she was going to be disqualified from the race, which was her last before she’d graduated high school. She said she just had to help.”

There are times in our lives when doing the right thing will cost us. However, I have no doubt that Blomgren will never regret stopping that cold November afternoon to help someone in need, even when it wasn’t in her own best interest. —Jim L. Wilson & Eric Mann

Philippians 2:3–4 (HCSB)“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

The philosophy of the Waffle House restaurant chain has always been, “We are not in the food business, we are in the people business.” Founder Joe Rogers insisted that in addition to good basic food his staff offer Southern-style hospitality. His son, Joe Jr., says it is that approach that helped the business thrive. He says, “Our job is to make people feel better because they ate with us.”

Every church should have the same attitude. “We are in the people business. We want people to have a better life because they participate with us.” The way that happens is when the church, from the pastor to the nursery worker, and everyone in between seek to be a servant to those they meet. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

2 Corinthians 4:5 (HCSB)“For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.”

22-year-old Pedro Viloria was working at the McDonalds drive-thru in Doral, FL when he noticed that his customer—an off-duty policewoman with her two children in the backseat—had passed out at the wheel. When the car slowly rolled away with the children screaming, Viloria leapt through his window and reached the car just as hit the curb. With the help of a coworker he administered CPR until emergency help arrived. When asked about his heroism he replied, “If I would have had to die to save that woman, I would have. My brain was on hero mode.”

What are the lengths we would go through to serve others? –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

John 15:13 (CSB)“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.”

Youth from a local church undertake a unique challenge each year. In the Fall, they drive around their town, find yards filled with leaves, and rack the lawn without the homeowner noticing. The youth leader Dave Sigworth, said the young people are practicing random acts of kindness. He says they were not paid or even hired, but they did not mind being caught being kind to their neighbors. The annual project is called “Rake and Run.” Sigworth said, “This is all part of the Methodist charge of doing good works.”–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Colossians 3:23–24 (CSB)“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”

Sarah and Terry Benson lost their home in a wildfire near Gatlinburg Tennessee in 2016. A volunteer organization called, “God’s Pit Crew” stepped in and helped the Bensons rebuild their home as part of their ministry to restore home to families that have lost everything. The donation-based organization has built seven homes in the last two years; often providing an added blessing by writing messages of faith and hope on nearly every beam in the home. Sarah said, “It’s just unbelievable. It just shows if you have faith in God that He will come through.” She added, “They say he makes beauty out of ashes and that’s what He is doing.” —Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Prayers answered for Gatlinburg couple as faith-based team rebuilds,

http://www.wbir.com/news/special-reports/and-finally/prayers-answered-for-gatlinburg-couple-faith-based-team-rebuilds-home/446057604, Accessed June 5, 2017.

1 Peter 4:10 (CSB) “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”

After 80 years of playing the piano for her church, Shirley Kendrick decided to retire. Kendrick started playing the piano in the church basement when she was nine, and first played for worship services at age eleven when the other pianist moved away. Over the years, Kendrick taught many students how to play, and one of those students became her assistant. Kendrick said her age and declining health convinced her that it was time to retire. From now on she will sit on the pews with the rest of the congregation. Her pastor, Stephen Hudspath, said playing the piano for 80 years is an amazing feat. He said, “I don't think I can ever say that I've known somebody that's served one church for 80 years.” —Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

Church pianist retires after 80 years, By Collin Dorsey,

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35536084/church-pianist-retires-after-80-years, Accessed May 28, 2017.

2 Corinthians 9:12 (CSB) “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”

The US postal service creed says, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” but it doesn’t say anything about turkeys. Mail carriers in Ohio said a rafter of wild turkeys kept them from getting the mail to more than two dozen homes in a Cleveland suburb. Residents on a number of streets in the Rocky River area had to pick up their mail at the post office because the turkeys made it unsafe to deliver mail at home. The mayor of Rocky River, Pam Bobst said the problem persisted for at least three weeks. She said city ordinances would not permit the turkeys to be eradicated, but she asked people to stop putting out food so the birds would go somewhere else. A Postal Service spokesman said a few carriers were paced, but none were injured.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.yahoo.com/news/postal-carriers-aggressive-turkeys-stopping-mail-200458776.html

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Some passengers on KLM airline flights within the Netherlands have recognized that it was not just any co-pilot giving them the weather and estimated arrival on their flight, but they were hearing the voice of their king. King Willem-Alexander told the national newspaper that he is ending his role as a regular “guest pilot” after 21 years with KLM. The paper said the King is a qualified pilot and flies about twice a month. He may actually continue to train to fly a new aircraft the airline is introducing. Even though the King is a pilot, he always takes the role of co-pilot on the flights he works. He said flying is a hobby that allows him to leave his royal duties on the ground and focus on something else. The king said, “You can’t take your problems from the ground into the skies. You have an aircraft, passengers, and crew. You have responsibility for them.” When asked how many passengers recognized his voice, King Willem-Alexander said,

Come fly with me: Dutch king was guest pilot for 21 years, By Mike Corder, https://www.yahoo.com/news/come-fly-dutch-king-guest-pilot-21-years-040104700.html, Accessed May 17, 2017.

Sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all.”

When a medical emergency arose on a flight he was on, the U.S. Surgeon General stepped in to help. Dr. Jerome Adams, an anesthesiologist, Dr. Adams and two nurses responded to a person who lost consciousness when the plane was on the ground on Florida. When the patient woke up, Dr. Adams determined it was best for the plane to return to the gate so the patient could be taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Dr. Adams was on his way to Mississippi to be part of a panel discussion on opiod abuse. He later tweeted that the patient was doing well and that he was happy to have assisted.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him?

Bruce Lorenz is believed to the North Dakota’s oldest mayor, and has been reelected to another term by a unanimous vote. Lorenz is 86 years old, and estimates that he has been mayor of the small town of Ruso for about 30 years. He admitted that he forgot about Election Day until his daughter reminded him. His platform is working to get rural water service for Ruso, even though Lorenz knows it would be very expensive for just a couple of people. He plans to serve out his term, even though he said, “My health went to pot this spring. I can’t walk anymore without a walker. Life gives us some strange roads. We’ll see what takes place.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.yahoo.com/news/north-dakota-mayor-elected-3-towns-votes-141809480.html

Melissa and Gene Work were rushing to finish required yard work to avoid a fine from their homeowner’s association when Gene had a heart attack and collapsed. His wife called paramedics who rushed him t the hospital for care. On the way, the man kept asking his wife to keep the grass from dying and the rescue team took action. After they dropped him off, they left the couple at the hospital and returned to finish the yard work for them. After the couple thanked the department, a spokesperson said the people of the department “believe in helping the community whenever we are needed.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

If you’ve ever thrown a party you know that few guests stick around to clean up afterward. That’s what makes the Senegal and Japan fans at the 2018 World Cup so unusual. Both teams were underdogs, and both won their matches. As you can imagine, their fans were in no hurry to leave so they could celebrate. Some of them even stayed after the celebration to clean up after themselves.—Jim L. Wilson

For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

Hundreds of residents of New Bern, North Carolina needed help after Hurricane Florence flooded their community with torrential downpours. One of those helping was retired Marine Jason Weinmann. After he left the Corps, Weinmann purchased a large military transport vehicle at a government auction with the intent of using it to help people. The storm gave him the opportunity to reach people in need of rescue. Since the vehicle was so high he was able to drive into many flooded neighborhoods and deliver residents to the safety of local shelters. When asked why he decided to join the effort, Weinmann said, “That’s why I got this thing, to use in times like this.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Pennsylvania Police officer Bridgette Wilson noticed Sharon Markle’s flushed face and pulled her squad car over and offered to saw take over her lawn mowing duties. Markle, who suffers from arthritis, was grateful, and allowed the officer to finish the lawn.

However, that is not the end of the story. Ryan Brunner, an employee at a nearby barbershop saw what the officer was doing and was inspired by her selfless act to organize his friends at the barber shop to take turns mowing her lawn for the summer.—Jim L. Wilson

Zechariah 7:9–10 (CSB)“The Lord of Armies says this: ‘Make fair decisions. Show faithful love and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the resident alien or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’”

Howard Mullen graduated from high school in 1946 and has dedicated his life to serving the community of Pomeroy, Ohio. In 1952 he received his EMT certification and joined the local fire department and then became a sheriff’s deputy in the county. He continued to serve for decades and has never really retired. Mullen spends his winters in Florida, but still volunteers with the Fort Myers Fire Department when he is away from home. A spokesman for the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office said Mullen was an important part of a recent investigation and he participates in all the local parades. When he was honored for 67 years of service by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Mullen said he would rather serve than waste his life watching TV. He added, “It’s just something that you like. Just something about it. It’s in your blood.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

A lot of people will go the extra mile to help a person in need, but few have gone as far Airzona Police officer Jeff Turney. Turney was called to the home of a 94 year-old man, after the man’s son told police he was concerned because his father had loaded a trailer was preparing to drive himself to Florida to live in an assisted living facility. Turney was asked to talk to the man and try to convince him to fly to Florida and ship his belongs to his new home. When Turney talked to the man, Howard Benson, he realized that man was not going to change his mind. Rather than leave the situation there, Turney asked Benson to let him drive him, and took vacation time to make the trip. After four days on the road, Turney decided to stay a few more days to make sure Benson settled in to his new home. Benson said he was fine, thanks to the officer who went out of his way to help. When asked about his actions, Turney said, "As a person, though, you've gotta step up,"—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Miami bus driver Laronda Marshall believes that part of her job as a bus driver involves helping people in need. In November, 2017 she saw a pedestrian lying in the road after he was hit by a car. A month later, she saw a young girl in the road by herself, and brought her onto the bus to keep her safe. Recently, Marshall noticed a passenger on the bus slumped over his seat. She immediately stopped the bus, and administered CPR until police and paramedics arrived. Doctors credited Marshall’s quick action with saving the man’s life. In a television interview, Marshall said it was her heart to help others. She added, “We (bus drivers) wear my hats. We’re counselors, we’re doctors, we’re teachers, even CPR, you gotta learn it, it helps.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

A relaxing Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Equinox was interrupted when Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas. The ship detoured to Grand Bahama Island and became a floating aid station. The ship’s kitchen staff prepared some 10,000 meals for storm-struck Bahamians. The 3000 passengers whose vacations were suddenly changed helped to serve the meals. They also, along with the crew donated clothes for victims.

The attitude displayed by the crew and passengers is the kind of service Christians should display in their lives and churches. We should be open to the times when our lives are interrupted to perform ministry in Jesus’ Name. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Chinese businessperson Tan Youhui had a business rival he decided to get rid of. He hired an assassin, Xi Guangan to “take out” his rival. He gave him $282,000 for the task. Xi subcontracted the job to another for half the amount. The subcontractor gave the job to another assassin who gave it to even another. Eventually the fifth would be assassin met the intended target and the two of them agreed that the target would just fake his death. The end? All five hitmen and Tan were convicted of attempted murder. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

A horse in South Korea has become a YouTube sensation by perfecting the art of playing dead whenever someone approaches to ride him. Jingang—dubbed “the world’s most melodramatic horse”—buckles his legs, theatrically collapses, and closes his eyes at the mere sight of a prospective rider. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

16-year-old TJ Kim has spent a lot of time hoping to make a difference in Virginia and Maryland by collecting and flying personal protective equipment to rural hospitals. Kim donated 4,300 pieces of PPE to August Health in Virginia. Over the three months prior to that, Kim made close to a dozen flights to collect supplies and get them to hospitals. The teenager is also working on his private pilot’s license and all the flights he made helped him earn his required flight hours. Medical professionals said they believe people like Kim are an inspiration and show how a pandemic can bring out the best in people. Kim said the feeling he gets from serving others is the best feeling in the world he added, “The love for flying and the love for helping out others makes doing every single one of these missions just really fun.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

When Michelle Brenner was furloughed from her job as a sales manager, she decided to use her time to help other people. While Brenner was shopping, she felt inspired to make homemade lasagna for those who could not get out during the pandemic. She started with a social media post offering to cook and deliver homemade, 6-pound pans of lasagna. Better long Brenner was known as “Lasagna Lady” and had prepared more than a thousand pans of lasagna. She made the dish for medical providers, fire departments, prisons, the elderly, and anyone else who asked her. Brenner said she has found her purpose in life through providing love and comfort through home cooked meals. She said she goes to bed each night, content and happy to live a life better than the best she’s ever known. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

About 171,000 visitors trekked through Nepal in 2019, hiking, eating in cafes, staying in inns and buying mountaineering equipment. With the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, hardly anyone came to the country. This meant that thousands of mountain guides had no work or way to feed their families. Ang Phumba Sherpa decided to help the struggling guides by buying sacks of rice lentils, and cooking oil and other staples and delivering them to families in Kathmandu. Sherpa has also been delivering supplies to a shelter caring for 57 disabled children. Sherpa said he wanted to give to the community so guides who are idled can get the help they need. He added, “The guides are facing lots of trouble and they are in pain and I can fee, the suffering. I am in a difficult situation but I want to help fellow guides and hope they too will come out to help each other.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

When the pandemic began in March 2020, Aaron Reichert, owner of Krank’s Cycle had some tough decisions to make. His business made money renting bicycles to tourists staying in local hotels. When the hotels were empty, Reichert decided to begin going door to door to repair bicycles. His crew also began pulling bikes from the weeds, and out of the riverbed. They took 17 bikes and made 13 working bicycles that they gave away to kids in need. Reichert said since they began, the mission has donated or repaired more than 500 bicycles at no cost. Reichert said the reason he began working with bicycles was to help people find joy and freedom through riding. He intends to keep the mission going as long as he can. Reichert added, “Whatever our skill is, whatever our heart’s desire is, you can take that and give it to other people.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/09/18/maui-bicycle-shop-spreads-joy-amid-pandemic-one-free-repair-time/?fbclid=IwAR1kB_53Vq4Zbj5M0trKqcOpJTjsIZTmPn2TrBwy-0hK1fhaYBY1mGoZ9No

With record numbers of people crossing into the United States, agents are spending 40% of their time caring for people already in custody and handling other administrative tasks, rather than conducting patrols and uncovering smuggling activity. To help with these problems, the agency has begun adding what they call “processing coordinators.” These civilian employees are meeting needs such as making sure microwaved burritos are served properly, checking holding cells, and handling the time-consuming work of collecting information for court paperwork. The Border Patrol said that although these positions require less training and pay less than standard positions, they hope the program will serve as an overall recruiting tool to bring people into the agency. Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a labor union representing many of the 20,000 agents said, “This is a very, very good program. It is a very necessary program. It’s a program that will allow us to get more agents in the field.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.klove.com/news/u-s-and-world/u-s-border-patrol-hires-civilians-to-free-up-agents-for-field-25779

Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

12-year-old Boy Scout David King and his mother were on their way home from a 15-mile hike near his home, when they met a couple lost on the trail and trying to help their dog, Smokey. King asked if they needed anything, and the couple explained they were out of water, their phones were dead, and Smokey’s paws had been cut up on the trail and couldn’t walk. The couple was trying to carry the 100-pound dog to the trail head. King used his Scouting skills and created a stretcher to carry the dog. After sharing his water, the group worked together to get back to the parking area. King said he followed up later and found that everyone including Smokey had fully recovered. King said, “To help someone using my Boy Scout skills makes me feel accomplished because it shows I’ve learned something and it wasn’t all in one ear and out the other”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.