Small yet a Ripple Of Change in many lives

On a cold freezing winter evening, someone left an eight-week old male kitten in the outside book drop at the Spencer Public Library. The poor little kitten was being shoved inside the box on the wall with all the other books. The staff found the badly frostbitten and filthy kitten and they thought he was grey. But, after a good wash under the filth, he was a beautiful orange kitten. The library director Vicki Myron decided to take care of this kitten who was then eight week old. The story of Dewey Readmore Books was birthed on November 18, 1987. 

The act of Vicki Myron who took care of the Dewey for a good 18 years is something to be applauded. It begins with a birthed of desire to take care of this kitten. Little Dewey grew as a cat and a public affection to people in Spencer and Iowa and Beyond. His story of being shoved in a the book drop box and how he was determined to live on after that. Vicki Myron had fought for this little kitty to live in the public library. He became the permanent resident of the Spencer Public Library. 

Dewey: The Small-Town Library
Cat Who Touched the World

The title of the book tells it all. How did it happen? He began by winning hearts of the people in Spencer. He began SMALL. 

After reading his story written by Vicki Myron, this is my thoughts.
(if can, you should read the story for yourself)

Dewey in comparable to a human being is small and may not have been able to accomplish "success" in the measure of human beings. In our measurement, he is just like any cat that laze around and demands our attention. Dewey is a different cat, although by just reading from a third party point of view. His story gives light on what matters most is the LOVE FOR OTHERS. Both Vicki and Dewey shared the most intimate relationship of loving one another. Through the toughest time in life for both, they stood by one another. They have shown a LOVE that is not self seeking or self serving. Through the lens of a cat who do have the intellect of a human can love humans to its best. Through the lens of Vicki, she sacrificially give and shared life with Dewey. That MINUTE ACT of LOVE stands out strong which made Dewey endearing to many who have met him or have not met him.

This cat changed the town Spencer in Iowa. Its story reached across the globe: all the way to Japan. What did it do? Love others and living to its purpose by being a cat. That is an inspiration. A small cat who can be lost in the sight of many made a change. 

Bringing it back to our human senses. What then does this all mean? Sometimes, being human, we feel that way, which is being engulfed in the sight of many and feeling small. We feel like nothing in the things we do. It is YOU and I can make a DIFFERENCE by being faithful in the little things. The little things are to love others and living out our purpose.

It may be small and unnoticed but believe me, like Dewey it creates a ripple of change in many lives. Friends, begin small today by loving others and dream big in our PURPOSE in life. 

Reflection on 1 Kings 17-19

So, this has been on my mind lately... What does it means to live life for God who fulfill every words that was said?

I read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19. What caught my attention in this passages is Elijah's encounter with the widow and the son that did not have enough to survive for the weeks (1 Kings 17: 7-24). The widow just decided to use what is left and make bread to eat and wait for death with the son. But, here comes Elijah that met her, not anyone else, and asked her to make him BREAD first with the little she have.

He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so that I may have a drink?"
And as she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
"As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread - only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it - and die. 
Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 
For this is what the LORD, the GOD of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land."

AND SHE DID.

She made a small bread for Elijah. Just as the LORD had said in verse 9: Go at once to Zaraphath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food. The LORD kept His words. But what happened after that, the widow's son DIED. (Read it for yourself)

What a tragic incident? Put yourself in the widow's shoes.

First, is the lost of hope to live because there are only so little to survive on. Then, a hope came and Elijah gave the words from the LORD that the jar of flour and oil will never run dry until the LORD gives rain.
Did the widow find hope in the days to come?

They did have more than enough. Not only for her and her son, but for her family. Then, comes the testing when her son died. The widow's reactions changes abruptly. Instead of believing that the LORD that had provided more than enough and being in the midst of miracle in this season of drought, her faith fell. She couldn't believe no more.

The LORD was gracious. Elijah brought the boy to the LORD. The LORD healed him completely.

Now, the widow said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of GOD and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."

Look at her reactions, even through the first miracle that she can see it with her naked eyes, she couldn't bring herself to believe. But, with the second miracle that happened in her household, she finally realised how powerful the GOD that Elijah served. The widow lived a life based on what she sees. Believe only by the things she sees.

Back to my question, what does it means to live life for God? It means to live a life that goes beyond what our vision bring us to. It's more than what we can understand with our puny minds.

Through the lens of the widow, she saw life was comfortable just as long as her necessities do not run dry. When tragic happened, her faith is shaken. She could no longer believe in this God who provided for her family. Another miracle to happen to reaffirm the faith of this widow. And this time round you and I know for sure as we read about her response to Elijah, she is not turning back anymore.

Because her son that died is resurrected and lived as a living testimony in front of her eyes everyday. 

Now, you will asked me, does that has to happen to me to FINALLY be like the widow to believe?

I don't think so. Because that is why the account of an UNKNOWN lady, plus a widow (simply to wrap it up, she is a nobody) that the account of her faith is documented in the Bible.

Personally, the LORD is asking me, "Who is at command?". The Lord is saying to me, "To trust and fix my eyes upon Him no matter what happen."

Do read the text for yourself. Understand what the widow goes through and see through her lens.

Will we have faith that goes beyond vision and our understanding?

Will we be able to believe a God who holds to His every word? 

What is the LORD asking of you? 

Strictly for CHRISTIANS: Mega EVENTS, good?

Taken from http://www.churchleaders.com/files/article_images/worship_crowd_802061783.jpg

I've seen many mega Christians events that brings many people regardless whether you are a believer or not together in one seating. This is a good initiative to gather people from different ethnicity and different believes.

Is this a good effort? Yes, I definitely agree!

My concern is since there are so many big Christian events that can invite our friends, are we taking the backseat not to share the gospel with our friends directly? What I seen is that many think that it is not my forte to share the gospel because;

1. I am not capable.
2. I am not so holy like my pastor or teachers.
3. I did not read the whole Bible yet. 
4. I do not have an awesome story to tell how God change my lives.

What many fail to understand is that we are missionary in school or in campus or at WORK. We are the ones who will be the LINK to share the gospel with. We are the ones who will allow friends to see what Christ had done in their lives. We are the ones at the front sharing about Christ.

Matthew 28: 19-20

"Therefore go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Therefore go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS: This is a command for all who called on God the Father and God the Son and believes in the work of the Holy Spirit. Not solely a command for those who are in the work of ministry.
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Baptizing is a public declaration of your faith to the community of believers that you believe in the God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. To baptize 'them', means that they too had received God and publicly declaring their faith. 
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you: To teach them what you have learned that your faith is firm in God.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age: and don't worry. He is with you ALWAYS, when you shared your faith to your friends through words and actions. Even if your friends are not ready to receive, continue to pray and be a friend to your friends.

The four "I AM and I did not" that I can think of, God is saying you don't need to be extravagant in sharing your lives.

1. I am not capable. (God is in a business of using willing hearts to share lives with many)
2. I am not so holy like my pastor or teachers. (God did not put that as the FIRST RULE to share His story)
3. I did not read the whole Bible yet. (Also, this is not the rule to do so, but God gave you the Bible to read to firm your faith in Him)
4. I do not have an awesome story to tell how God change my lives. (The fact you receive God and God is in your life because of what He has done is already an AWESOME story)


So, what about the mega Christian events? Mega Christian events are good to introduce Christ to your friends. The crucial work comes after. That is to share with them what is it like when God comes into your life. However, mega events only come two months once approximately. Where as to be a friend means that we can share lives together starting from now.

Start with what you already have.

means now you have friends, build deep friendships with them. 

Pray for them. 

One day, in hope they will come to know Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.