An Apple a Day,....Could Save a Child's Life

This morning, like every morning, I had my two slices of toast and an apple for breakfast.  My favorite apple in the whole world is Honey Crisp.  It is exactly what its name describes - crispy, juicy, and sweet.  Honey Crisp apples have become very popular; and when something in North America becomes popular, it becomes more expensive.  They are a fairly large apple, and priced according to their weight.  So a good size Honey Crisp is over $2.00 each.

As I was savouring each bite of my apple this morning my mind was on poor starving children in the Horn of Africa.  I got to thinking: if I was willing to give up my Honey Crisp apple, (and maybe buy a cheaper apple to eat each morning), and give its equivalent to support a starving child, I would actually give around $60.00 a month.  Wow!  Sacrificing one little luxury can accomplish so much!

I read somewhere that it is by far more difficult to give out of one's wealth than it is to give out of one's poverty.  I think that thought finds its meaning in the story of the rich man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life; and after some discussion Jesus said, "Go and sell all that you have and give the proceeds to the poor."  Of course, the rich ruler could not do it because he could only see his possessions in terms of wealth.  He could not however see the real poverty of his own life.

Wealth in North America is an evil master which has no sympathy for the suffering of the world.  It gives one a false sense of security (or insecurity) that makes you obsessive about what you believe to be rightfully yours: money and things.  As a nation and a continent we will actually go to war and fight other nations to protect our wealthy ways of life.  It is sad to say that this is often at the expense of the poor and starving of the world.

How can a $2.00 apple be more important than a child's empty stomach?  The sacrifice seems so small, and could potentially accomplish so much.

The greatest gift ever given was given on the very first Christmas.  That gift of course is Jesus Christ.  He is literally the gift of life.  We can be the gift of life as well.  How far are you willing to go to make a sacrifice that could potentially save a child's life?

Blessings,

-Leo

Christmas is a Time to Give

You never know what will happen and when it will happen.  Just when you think every venue for solving a problem has been exhausted, a solution pops up and brings relief.  Some of us can give testimonies to that fact; because this is what it is like to live in our North American, affluent society.  Solutions to most problems are fairly easy to come by if you are faithful to wait upon the Lord.

As a matter-of-fact, not only are solutions fairly easily found through God for most problems of life in the richer countries of the world; God has empowered us to be the solutions to problems in other parts of the world where answers cannot be easily found.  When people in Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and other poor countries of the world, look up to God and pray for help to come their way, they are in essence hoping that God can get through to the richer countries of the world (you and me) to share their wealth.

Jesus happened upon the world in an unsuspecting time and in an unsuspecting way.  It actually took some miracle-work of God to make humanity aware that something spectacular actually happened: the heavenly host of angels appeared to the shepherds; and the astronomers followed the bright and shining star to the little town of Bethlehem.  Jesus was born in a lowly stable to a carpentar and his wife - Mary and Joseph.  This surely was not headline news in the Bethlehem Gazzett.  God certainly was not looking for any type of loud applause from humanity, or he would have given his Son a more splashy entrance into the world.  It was as if God himself was being somewhat anonymous in presenting His gift to humankind.  This would allow humanity to fully embrace Jesus as a true gift from God.

Christmas is a time to give, if we follow the examples of God and Jesus.  We too, as children of God, can be unsuspecting and anonymous gifts into this world where great needs exist.  Instead of spending large amounts of money on presents for loved ones and each other that are here today and forgotten tomorrow, why not give the gift of life to someone in need.  Today over 6,000 children around the world will die unless those from wealthier countries will give a gift for them.  You too can help others to embrace God's love through your giving to their needs.

Christmas is a time to give,........"For God so loved the world that He gave His Son,.......Jesus gave His life for the whole world,.........what are you willing to give for others?

Blessings,

-Leo