Pastor’s Message: Jennifer-example of faith

As a pastor and counselor I am naturally more aware of what people say and their attitude about life. It seems that some people are just more pessimistic and speak negatively. When a client comes to see me for counseling, I actively listen to their words. It usually tells much about their attitude and character. Some people have been dealt a bad hand in life, but let’s take a fresh look at our attitude and what is coming out of our mouths.

Jennifer Scaggs is an eight year old bright little girl that has forever impacted my life. She has a serious crippling disease that keeps her from walking and developing as other children. She has went through several surgeries, She has endured great pain, just to hold her own. Remarkably, she is not sad, she remains happy. It is because of her attitude and her focus. Her attitude of enjoying life, simply as a little girl. (that has gained wisdom that some adults never will). Her focus is on Christ and the church.

Jennifer is a member of our church. We believe in physical healing (Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24) at our church and have seen God heal many times. Several times she has asked her parents to bring her up so myself or other believers (Mark 16:17-18) can pray the prayer of faith for her healing.(James 5:12-20) She may be small in body, but her faith is great. She believes in healing. Jennifer still cannot walk with the other kids, only God knows why. This week some of our youth from church, including Jennifer, went bowling. Different people from our group carried her to the edge of the bowling lane and she pushed the ball down the lane excitedly. She had fun.

We love Jennifer as one of our own. Her body may be small but her heart is the size of a Mount Everest. When I greet people at church she lifts her small hand, and always has a smile. She loves Sunday School. She even encourages her daddy who is one of our preachers, to keep on fire for God. She is more than special, She is what we all should be, she is a true child of God.

Jennifer at age eight has found the joy of serving God. She does not look at her misfortunes. She looks at the positives. Sure she has bad days. Don’t we all! But she consistently refuses to let her present circumstances depress her. She is precious. I would willingly, as most that know her would, lay down our lives for this lovely little girl that has an attitude of enjoying life no matter what has been dealt. She will never give up. She patiently waits on God. (Isaiah 40:31)

I am a better person for knowing Jennifer. Unknowingly, she has become an example to myself and others of what "walking by faith" really is.(2 Corinthians 5:7) It is looking beyond your limitations and grasping onto the positive attitudes of success. It is believing in God and the promises of God even though you don’t see immediate results. (Hebrews 11:1-6) It is enduring!

We can begin a new attitude journey by listening to the words that come out of our mouths. Then start speaking positive, no matter the problems you may be facing. Not an easy task but it is doable, with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:13) Keep a positive attitude by being a positive person of positive words.

By Rudy Reed, M.A.

Pastor’s message: Our world needs more kindness!

Some quotes on kindness. Plato: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.

John Wesley Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.

Washington Irving: A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity into smiles.

Albert Einstein: The ideas that have lighted my way have been kindness, beauty and truth.

Aesop: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Sophocles(495-406 B.C., ancient Greek playwright): Kindness gives birth to kindness.

Christians are to cloth themselves with kindness. (Colossians 3:12) Kindness is one of the Bible virtues we all should practice. (2 Peter 1:7) Kindness, along with the other virtues in each of our daily lives produces fruit (2 Peter 1:8), aids in remembering our salvation (2 Peter 1:9), and keeps us from falling (2 Peter 1:10). Kindness is an important part of the biblical definition of love we all should produce. (1 Corinthians 13:4) It is a command of God. (Ephesians 4:32)

In the movie "Schindler's List" we see a true story of a greedy German business man Oskar Schindler as he endeavors to exploit Polish Jews. But as he changes inside it is a story of outward kindness to others. He witnesses, firsthand, the horrific Nazi regime’s cruel extermination of Jews. Schindler managed to save about 1100 Jews from being death at the gas chambers of the Auschwitz concentration camp. He died penniless but his memory and deeds live on.

Kindness is an area where we all can get involved. Kindness can be as easy of being friendly to others. (Proverbs 18:24) Small acts of kindness make great differences in lives. Just like most things we reap what we sow. (Gal. 6:7) Small seeds of goodness (Galatians 5:22) grow trees of hope.

The Good Samaritan story is an example of love and kindness. A certain lawyer asked Jesus about the way to have eternal life. Jesus tells of the story of a man robbed and laying half dead by the side of the road. People pass by, even a priest, but all nonchalantly walk by avoiding the dying man. Then a Samaritan (a person that is part Jew and part Gentile (an average person)), sees him and immediately stops and helps. He didn’t have to think about the situation, he saw a need and automatically wanted to help. He takes time out of his busy day and does a great deed of kindness. He medicates and bandages the severe wound and takes the man to a local inn to recover. The Samaritan puts his life on hold to make a difference in someone’s life. Are we willing to do the same?

The story does not end there. The Samaritan continues to take care of him that day, and the next day her gives the inn keeper two silver coins and says if that is not enough I will make up the difference when I return. (Luke 10:25-37) It is a wonderful story of sacrificial giving. Sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone and be a Good Samaritan showing kindness to others.

The movie "Pay It Forward" is another story about a seventh grade boy that makes a difference. He comes up with a social studies project, the idea is to give something of value to three other people. The only condition is that they give something of value or deeds to three other people. This is not a new concept, the Bible tells us to give to others. (Luke 6:38; Matthew 25:35-46; Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 18:22) Can we give more to others in need?

By Rudy Reed, M.A.