NowTHINK!AboutIt

Avoiding Hackneyed...Making Sense

Pedaling For The Less Privileged

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Amashova 08 - My First

Amashova 08 - My First

On 18 Oct 2009, just a couple months away, I will be riding in a bicycle race, Amashova National Classic Durban, but I am riding for more than just the exercise.

I need the exercise, to be sure, but it seems a little self-centered to ride only for my physical well being, especially since I live in the presence of hundreds of thousands who have so little and need so much. Therefore, I am adding another dimension to this event, orphans. I decided to use the occasion to raise awareness of the problem in general and to promote one project in particular: The South African Children’s Resiliency Project.

The SACRP (locally known as CRP) is spear headed by a good friend and colleague, Dr. Bob Graham. I first met Bob in 1990 and since that time he has made numerous trips to South Africa and worked with us on many short term projects. Bob, however, doesn’t do things in a small way. His vision and dream involved helping the underprivileged on a long term basis and, therefore, the CRP was born. Bob is now living in South Africa developing orphan homes for those affected by AIDS.

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Did Jesus Heal To Show His Power Or Be Helpful?

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Jesus performed thousands of miracles.  He was constantly healing endless numbers of people. Some He raised from the dead.

He was sensitive to the needy and never avoided or resisted an opportunity to give His support. He even responded to basic human needs that were far from life threatening. He fed thousands who were neither poor nor malnourished on at least two occasions, possibly more. John did say Jesus performed many other miracles that were not reported.

But, the questions are:

  • Was Jesus being helpful or miraculous?
  • Was He being supportive or sensational?
  • Was He demonstrating usefulness or power?

These are important questions. They establish motive and we can never qualify as “followers” of Jesus if we don’t understand and adopt His motives.

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Without “Good Deeds” You Are Barren

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Of the nine fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, “Goodness” is sixth on the list and the list is quite impressive. You could say it is the “what’s what” for character qualifies. It includes love, faithfulness and self-control to mention just a few. Despite the association, however, Christians do not discuss in detail or demonstrate often the quality of goodness as Jesus exhibited it. Christians, particularly of the fundamental version, are very concerned about being right but have little interest in being good. [Read more…] about Without “Good Deeds” You Are Barren

The Difference Between “Being” and “Doing” Good

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The best way to be good is to do good.

We Were Created
For Good Works

From the minute we are born we are told what is good, shown how to perform it, commanded to live it, and disciplined if we don’t. Consequently, each of us grows up with a sense of what is good and, more importantly, how we measure up. Usually, our self-assessment is heavily influenced by several factors:

Attitudes Of Authority Figures

If our parents/teachers respond with understanding toward our failures or firm but accepting discipline toward our wayward tendencies, we feel fairly good about ourselves even if we shouldn’t. 

Positive responses encourage a “warm fuzzy” that fosters a sense of confidence about how good we are. We feel normal and safe. There’s nothing to worry about.

If authority figures are constantly critical, however, we develop a sense of hopelessness. “Can I ever be good enough?”

We all feed off the responses of others to our behavior and that’s partly how we develop a sense of how good or bad we are. The assessment may be inaccurate. [Read more…] about The Difference Between “Being” and “Doing” Good

Why You Should Donate Blood Plasma

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Blood donors have clot.

Become A Part Of The Solution.
Donate!

I originally started out donating only blood and, that, only occasionally. My last donation was toward the end of 2008 and the tests following that extraction revealed antibodies from my recent bout with shingles.

With that knowledge in hand the blood bank called me right away, spoke very kindly and almost begged me to donate plasma. They needed my shingles antibodies and giving plasma was the way to share them.

Always one to help, I agreed. I started with a bit of apprehension but soon learned there was nothing to be afraid of. Since my first draw I have donated plasma several times and learned quite a bit about this very valuable substance and the many life saving or enhancing things it is used to do. [Read more…] about Why You Should Donate Blood Plasma