Giving Archives - NowTHINK!AboutIt

What Does Be-There Really Mean?

August 19, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Don’t Be Unaware
Be There

The time to be-there is usually the most uncomfortable, most dangerous, most inconvenient time to be present. It can be expensive too.

It’s easier to watch from a distance. If you consider yourself a real friend, though, don’t stare . . . be there. The rule is simple:

You can’t listen if you’re not in audible range.

You can’t express compassion without showing your face.

You can’t hold a hand or dry a tear unless you’re within arms reach.

You can’t change the atmosphere unless you’re in it.

But do be careful. In-your-face is a little too close at any time.

THINK!AboutIt

5 Reasons Mom Has More Appeal Than Dad

May 9, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Relationally
Moms Travel 180°

No one comes into this world without both a mother and a father, but Mom clearly has a head start in the race for relationship. Not only does she carry the biggest load, no pun intended, but in the category of supporting role, she has a clear advantage over Dad and usually receives most of the votes.

Mom’s influence is universally so pervading and wholesome we have a long list of pithy sayings expressing how generally wonderful and clever she is.

Mother knows best!
A Mother’s love never ends!
Mothers hold their child’s hand for a moment and their heart for a lifetime!

And examples of Mother’s influence abound.

Arianna Huffington named her mother as the most influential role model in her life.

Bill Gate’s philanthropy was influenced by his mother’s example and words.

Kat Cole transitioned from Babe status at Hooters to business mogul at Cinnabon because her mother said:

You can do anything and I expect you to do everything.

We can’t say enough about Mom. She is probably one of the most affectionately thought of individuals in the world, wedging Dad out by a long shot. Dad is loved also but the question remains: “Why does Mom seemingly maintain such a big lead in the race?” I came up with five quick answers. There may be more. [Read more…] about 5 Reasons Mom Has More Appeal Than Dad

Book Review: The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

January 5, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Designed For Children
Written For Everyone

The Green Ember is a great story written well. Rabbits are the heroes, wolves and hawks the villains.

The story is full of intrigue, adventure, action, mystery, surprise and struggle, but with a good mix of humor and playfulness. Written for children but in a way adults will enjoy.

The characters (the good guys) depict personal growth, sacrifice, humility, loyalty, trust, wisdom and dedication. The bad guys do what we expect bad guys to do. The story encourages us to visualize, believe in and work toward a future we cannot see.

Problems are created and resolved. Empathy is felt for those being wronged and disgust for those causing it. You’ll easily recognize and identify with the characters: the strong, the weak, the frustrated and the struggling.

Get a FREE Kindle Reading App for any device (PC, Mac, Smartphones, Tablets) at Amazon.com

A few phrases I loved: [Read more…] about Book Review: The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

World’s Largest Quilt Done For Charity

November 18, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Quilters Turn Scraps
Into Winter Time Gold

A little over a year ago (October 2013) my wife heard about an interesting project involving quilts.

She loves all things quilts so her natural response was to look further and find out what was going on.

As it turns out the project is spearheaded by Sheila van Dyk and is quite ambitious. Sheila aims to recruit as many quilters as possible to build the world’s largest quilt verified, of course, by The Guinness Book of Records.

Ultimately the project is for charity, not fame. The large quilt will be constructed by sewing 11,000 single bed sized quilts together, which will then be separated and donated to charity. [Read more…] about World’s Largest Quilt Done For Charity

6 Barriers Good Friends Cross For Us

October 20, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Unequal Friendship
Includes Charity
But Is Much Much More

There are two types of healthy friendships: Equal and unequal. Equal we understand and easily accept. It’s what we expect.

Unequal we don’t get so much. We consider it unacceptable when one person does most of the giving and the other does most of the taking.

That’s how we usually see it but is that always true? Can a friendship be good when equality is distorted? I think it can. In fact, the greatest friendships are unequal. Let me explain.

Equal Friends

Equal friends are peers. Their lives run in parallel. They aren’t exactly the same but they have equal levels of development. Generally:

They share similar levels of health, education and opportunities for employment. Neither is handicapped or maybe both are handicapped but they are equal.
They speak the same language and maintain the same standard of living.
They share common opportunities for recreation, lifestyle habits and so on.
They may not make the same choices but they share common options.
They may not have the same job position but they work in the same strata of society.

It isn’t uncommon for people on an equal footing to meet and become connected at the friendship level. It isn’t forced. Neither is uncomfortable with the other. There is no condescension either way.

They are able to give as much as they receive.

But there is a second angle on friendship that tells a different story.

Unequal Friends

This kind of friendship is marked by either division or disparity, or sometimes both. If it’s division, the friends represent differing sides. If it’s disparity, the friends are on different social levels, more vertical than horizontal. One looking down, the other looking up.

Unequal friendships require a great effort, at least on the part of one, for the connection to be made. One side is sacrificing the other benefits.

This doesn’t seem fair and according to Jesus it isn’t, but it is not what you think. The giver, He said, is much more blessed than the receiver.

When beliefs are involved compromise is assumed but, again, not so. Giving a person what they need on a personal level doesn’t require alignment of beliefs. You’ll see just now. [Read more…] about 6 Barriers Good Friends Cross For Us