Day 30: June 3Scripture: Luke 14: 12-14 Recently I read an editorial expressing that people outside the church see the church as “Feed Me…Stuff Me…Entertain Me.” This article prompted me to ask, “Unless we show them a better way, how shall they know”! How does our church become one that shows people a better way or help those who need to learn simple ways of preparing meals? As a “food for thought,” if a church has property where they plant potatoes for the sole purpose of giving these away to people who are in need of food, why not invite them to a “show and tell” event? Show them how to make three meals using potatoes. Let them taste each dish and then give them a gift (large box of potatoes along with ingredients and a recipe of each sampled food). A witness program entitled “how to” could become a yearly event using other means of showing them how to make something. A Chinese Proverb says it even better: “give them a fish for a day, or show them how to fish!” In turn, the very ones who needed help would learn how to help others. If each lay and clergy member from each local church attending Annual Conference would bring an idea showing how their church was LIVING the scripture through ACTION we could have over 3,000 real-life stories! This would be something worth celebrating as ALL THINGS NEW! Prayer: Lord, as you have been gracious by showing us how to live and know a better way of life, so may we be gracious to those less fortunate. Amen! Sandra W. Baker |