Givers and Takers

Simply enough, I believe that there are two kinds of people in the world: (If this were a joke, it would be that there are three kinds of people in the world--those who can count and those who can't... but I digress...;-)) The two kinds of people are givers and takers.

As I think back over the last few weeks of Operation Barnabas and the Mo West conference that CE National put on, I see people who give and invest of themselves and their resources for the benefit of others.

Ed Lewis probably leads the way as he thinks of himself last. He probably should think of himself first once in a while as he agrees to help just about anybody who needs it.

Tim and Janine Lansing make OB orientation a delight at Norwalk GBC. And they help get our family of four into Disneyland by their contacts and then meet us for dinner--and pay for it--the stinkers.

Nina and Stella--cooked for 110 people for over a week--during their vacation.

My grandmother Eve--hears that the OB fuel fund is hurting this summer as $4.99 a gallon for diesel has impacted the budget. She wasn't asked to give a financial gift. But she heard about the need and prayed what amount she should give. And then she did what the Spirit of God told her to do and wrote a check to help meet the need.

One particular church heard about this same need. I won't embarrass Western Reserve Grace Brethren Church in Ohio by telling you who it was--but they gave a generous financial gift to help too.

Our OB and OBI leaders are incredible. I wish more people would get to know these servants who are not chaperones. We don't need those as our OB teens are solid young men and women. But they do need good adult LEADERS and this set is unbelievable. They are GIVERS and could never be thanked enough by parents, teens, and churches.

Amy Kendrick is one of those OB leaders again this summer. Doing another great job. Her car is not being used when she is on tour--so she is allowing our family and CE National to use her car in So Cal at no cost while she is away.

Givers. Takers.

I have a statement I use all of the time: "The mark of a mature believer in Christ is that they have a thankful spirit." It is because it is about Jesus first, others second and then themselves last. I guess that is just another way of giving.