Faith without practice becomes lifeless, empty, and hardly life-giving. Carrying our cross can be difficult if we complain, but joyous if we realize that there is always a miracle waiting for us.
Listen to this week’s insightful message of hope and clarity accompanied by original piano music.
Secretary/Treasurer
Janice is not only meticulous in reviewing records and requests for Scriptures, but her eyes well-up with joyful tears when you ask her about all the letters she has received from the thousands of Bible recipients over the years. She loves gardening and listening to the earth; her life is like a long stroll through an intriguing and engaging nature center.
Board Member
Grateful for an amazing group of friends and a life that has been blessed and enriched by so many, Andrea brings a deep joy and dedication to the mission of CityOfAgape. She is detail-oriented and uses her experience and foresight to proactively address the needs of those around her. When you speak with Andrea, you feel like you’re the only one in the room.
Secretary/Treasurer
Every day, for nine months, an intermittent light rain falls in Seattle, Washington. Those days are brightened by the warm smile and hopeful outlook on life that Angelyn brings to every encounter. Her financial expertise and engaging conversation has ensured great things ahead for CityOfAgape. Her life is filled with a constant welcome that is focused and friendly.
President
Jacqueline’s life epitomizes hard work, creative service and complete dedication, not only to CityOfAgape, but also to her husband, Joshua, and her beautiful children. Her smile, even when things are difficult, is refreshing and comforting. In most currently used English dictionaries, under the word “energy,” you will find Jacqueline’s picture.
Board Member
Everyone needs to have a Ray “Redfish” for a friend or at least to meet one like him before you leave the planet. He has never been known to interrupt a single person, say an unkind thing, although he did come close during the last Dallas Cowboy game, or leave any food on his plate. Ray wants to live in a world where Jesus is Lord, life is sacred, and blessings never end.
Board Member
Father David comes from the land of Iowa where you can get sunburn and frostbite all in the same week. He has the mind of an architect and the soul of a musician. Father David has given his heart to Jesus and truly lives in the Kingdom. An accomplished guitarist, drummer, phenomenal preacher, he has the voice of a baritone angel. His prayers are powerful and his humor, well… it’s Iowan.
Board Member
Father James’ priestly service has taken him to four different countries, many parish settings, and in contact with more friends that rivals most politicians. One of his favorite quotes is by G.K. Chesterton, “Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.” If there are sounds of a lively discussion, mixed with hearty laughter and the aroma of a good cigar, Father James can’t be too far way.
Founder and President Emeritus
The minute John walks through the door, your IQ goes up. He embodies the remarkable talent of grasping the bigger picture while juggling multiple points of view, in a world where many are very one-sided. Always happy, even when he is sad, John is ready to challenge and comfort all in the same breath. Where some only see problems, John sees the bright promise of tomorrow. His inspiration and memory will outlast his years on earth. John always says, “there are always miracles where there is great love.”
I know Jesus and I have, unknowingly to me, crossed paths several times. I’ll never forget one particular day I had to go to the CCISD administration building on Leopard Street. I’m one that always talks to Jesus…out loud. As I’m leaving the admin. bldg. and driving back on Leopard Street I said “Lord, I know you are here among the poor. Show me your face.” I looked at one man and he hung his head as I drove by. I looked at another man a few blocks away. He looked at me and I looked at him. As I drove past I kept looking at him in my rear view mirror. He continued to look, never taking His Eyes off me till I couldn’t see Him any more. This great feeling came over me and I simply said “Thank You Jesus.”
This is remarkable, Julie! Jesus does indeed cross our paths more often than we can ever imagine. There are moments when God feels vividly present. Maybe when someone does something nice for us, or we witness something outrageously kind or see a beautiful sunset or hear a beautiful passage of music. Jesus is there. Let this be our prayer: To see Jesus’ presence always. To be constantly aware of His abiding love. Remember that lovely prayer that was put to music in the musical Godspel:
“Day by day, oh dear Lord, three things I pray. To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day by day.”
That’s our prayer.
I once saw a rather gruff grandmother in a pizza restaurant with her two preschool grandchildren, a boy about 5 and his sister looked to be about 3. I was a bit put out with her impatience with the children. She instructed the little boy to make her a salad from the salad bar. I watched the little boy carefully putting a salad together for his grandmother and he took it to her sitting at the table. He looked so proud of his salad and a smile beamed on his his face. That is until his grandmother snapped at him asking “where are the tomatoes?” The boy’s smile disappeared and his little sister looked sad and apprehensive. I felt like allowing negativity to run untempered in my mind. Then I thought, wait, God created her and she has Christ within her. So I deliberately thought to look for the Christ within her. Then it just seemed Jesus showed up. The little boy came back to the table (with tomatoes) and his grandmother gave him a big hug and kissed the top of his head. She praised the good job he did with the salad and the little sister got cheerful and happy. The grandmother went from gruff and unpleasant, to warm and kind. It made think to look for Jesus in others and he’ll show up.
I truly enjoyed your response, Tony, and could literally see in my mind’s eye the situation that you described, scene by scene. I could see the salad, the pizza place, and the wretched tomatoes! lol I keep wondering why she reacted the way she did when they forgot how to amass the quintessential salad and thought that maybe it was because that was the way she raised her own kids, perhaps, the parents of these children. Happily, the event ended with tenderness and reassurance after the storm of rejection and disappointment. And you wrote, “It made think to look for Jesus in others and he’ll show up,” I had to wonder if maybe, just maybe, that grandmother saw you glance over at the unfolding drama and literally changed her tune. Perhaps she thought you were the Lord! Something definitely to think about! Have a blessed week ahead. Read you next time!
My friend Julie passed away this week. In talking to many of her friends and family, I found out how amazing she truly was to so many people, beyond what I knew of her from our friendship. While reflecting on her life and all the good things she had done for so many, I decided I need to do more to help people. I need to show God’s love every single day like my friend did. This story really helped to remind me to see Jesus in every person. “When you give something to another person, you’re really giving it to Jesus.” It’s not enough to have great faith. We need to back it up with action. When you do everything for Jesus, boy does that make it so much easier! God bless you and thank you!
First and foremost, please accept our heartfelt condolences upon the death of your friend Julie. I have no doubt that she witnessed to Christ as often as she had the glowing opportunity. Recently, Crosswalk.com described 10 Ways to Let Others See Christ in Your Life. It may help us all to review these a bit and reflect on them with the help of the Holy Spirit:
1. Love the Unlovely,
2. Freely Forgive,
3. Display Joy,
4. Show Grace, Not a Critical Spirit,
5. Be Willing to be at the Bottom,
6. Keep Your Cool,
7. Watch Your Words,
8. Be Holy, Not Hurried,
9. Don’t Worry, and
10. Be Zealous for God’s Glory.
Thank you, again, Mary Ann, for the time and courage to share with our readers today. May your week be incredibly blessed. I believe it already has been.
What a sweet story. It reminds me to look for Jesus in everyone I meet. And to remember to BE Jesus to those around me. I praise and thank God for the beautiful images I see when listening to the story. I am filled with peace which allows me to share that peace of Jesus and hopefully that peace will be “shared forward” throughout our world. Thanks for being an instigator of heavenly peace.
Thank you, Margie. Great hearing from you again. When we rush through life we tend to see sin in others, not our Savior Jesus. If we first look for someone’s imperfections, we jettison the joy of immediately loving them like they were the Lord. Jesus explains in His parable, the counterintuitive claim of feeding, clothing, visiting the sick and those in prison, are all a reflection of caring for Christ, “You did it for me”. What a loving lens! Prayerfully, we are able to see others like Jesus—beautiful, precious, and worthy of our love. Thank you and God bless you always!
“Life is truly and adventure, go find yours with Jesus.” I love this story because it shows that we never know when Jesus is present. A simple gesture of giving can open up the heart and the path Jesus wants us to follow..
Excellent observation, Abel, and thank you for taking the time today to reflect with all of our readers. You were so spot-on when you wrote that any simple gesture, even that of a listening ear to someone who needs to be heard can make all the difference in the world. Go out this week a make a difference in Jesus’ name. AMEN.