J’ville 4-H club
December ‘97
Last week’s Christmas party…………….Hand grenades Been entertaining at 4-H for a long time… our heifers
Every Christmas, my Sunday School teacher would show me this. WATER GLASS
Still the richest nation in the world. An entire Indian village could live a year on tonight’s meal for a month.
Chicago Tribune Shaquile O’Neil.. suspended from one game for slapping a player with the Utah Jazz …… before the game started.. One game? $156,000
Avg yearly income of one-third of the world’s poorest countries $232 Also Avg American cat
You may have heard this before… If the world were a village of 100 people, 70 unable to read 1 would have a college education 50 would suffer malnutrition 80 would live in substandard housing 6 would be Americans. Those 6 would have half of the total income of the village. Those 6 would consume one-fifth of the village’s resources.
So……. Why don’t we give more?
Sometimes it’s not us who keeps us from giving more… it’s our fear of what others would say.. My bathroom… The joke of the Bradbury family.
Was a disaster when I bought the house 15 years ago. And I’ve done nothing to fix it. Built during depression and it shows it. I have a depressed bathroom. dad & brother, the bankers… very careful with money. Built a prayer room. Asked Dad to help. “Why not bathroom?” “Are you saying that going to the bathroom is more important than prayer?” “It depends on the time of day.” When my family visits, they make sure they go before they come. Years ago, I told the Lord… speaking…Green Pastures. Dad calls… “What’re you doing tonight?” “Speaking somewhere.” “Would make a good bathroom.” “Bye, dad.” Some day in heaven, you’ll all gonna come over to my mansion just to use the bathroom. If you think it’s awful to have a disastrous bathroom, try holding it through eternity.
Sometimes we fear to give ourselves away because of what others would say. Loretta LaRoche in her JOY OF STRESS...says we all go around with this committee in our head..the infamous “they”...they who are always watching us... in our head. “What would they think?” Put that committee on a bus and take it for a ride tomorrow morning.. Tell them “I’m drivin’ and we’re goin’ for a ride.”
We’ve got to loosen up a little before we can become great investors of our giving. Loosen up not just in the pocketbook but in the mind.
Sometimes it simply involves just being a little silly.
...My friend: Myron Strubbe...sings full-voice to the songs playing in Walmart.
...Jeff W: Always backed through the Drive up at McDonnalds.
…My dad.. banker.. Christmas tree on head.
Let me tell you a wonderful story about the empty glass. Fidel Cashero
A lady named Helen: MS. I’ll call her with prayer request: “Oh, Praise God!” “Jesus Loves you and I do, too.” Helen’s response to a life of tragedy is “What an opportunity!” She literally bakes cookies for the Farmers Market to get her granddaughters through college. Spare time? Goes to India to build schools. Goes to the Illinois prisons on a regular basis to speak. Helen’s glass is always full because she continues to empty it.
Tell you about Ketchikan preacher.
And don’t worry if you’re not thanked….Conway Twitty
When we give to others, it always backfires on us. We always get more in return.
Giving changes us forever Compass boy My Brother’s family.. Colorado… David… J’ville Soup Kitchen Ed Koper’s Story. Daughter. White Mountain Bike. $58. ………Joanna Caldwell has a vision for the children of North Jacksonville. Let’s make it come true. ……..Habitat for Humanity is making a difference in J’ville, one family at a time. They need you to get those houses built. ……..Every civic club in this town needs help… and not just from its own membership. …….. Every one of us works or goes to school with people who need our help. ……… And if you are completely blind to the needs in your neighborhood, just pray about it tonight and watch what happens tomorrow.
Just when you’re most tired of giving, that’s the time to give more. Secretary Sue “Say No.” “Say No.”
Bryan.. nursing home.. Christmas clowns.
I’m no great example. I live in more house than I need. I drive more car than I need. I definitely eat more food than I need. But I’m trying. I’m trying. On this Christmas, please try with me. On this Christmas, stop worrying about what present you’re going to give to who. Just empty out your water glass and give yourself and wrap it up with a smile. Merry Christmas.
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