Central Baptist Church of Westerly
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
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Give God Your Best
September 13, 2017
Dear Friends,
It made me laugh. Then it made me angry. I kept seeing the scene replayed
in my head as Lee relayed it to us at the Board of Directors meeting. The
image of a minivan driving away, its back door open, with stuff falling out,
was made for a Hollywood comedy.
It wasn't funny though. The woman had come to the Jonnycake Center to
donate several items to the thrift store. The problem was that most of the
stuff was either broken, filthy dirty or just plain unsellable. I think she was
simply avoiding the fee for a dump run.
After looking at her donations, the volunteer told her they couldn't accept
them. She became belligerent and began heaving the stuff on the ground by
the loading dock. Lee came out. Before he could say anything, she took off
leaving the trail of junk in her wake.
Sadly enough, this sort of thing happens too often. Junk is dropped off in
the dead of night. These helping agencies depend on donations so they can
feed and serve those in need. Yet some people don't bring their best
offerings. That's a shame.
I've been told that it's not unusual to see outdated cans donated to food
pantries. Torn and tattered clothing are given to homeless shelters.
Unfortunately it costs the agencies money to dispose of this flotsam and
jetsam. This cost takes away from the good they can do.
I have to confess that I am guilty. I never really thought about it before the
other day. The truth is that making a donation to one of these groups is a
wonderful way to pass on God's blessings. Yet God calls us to be thoughtful
and to give our very best when doing so.
I love what it says in Matthew 25. Jesus says, "when you have done it to the
least of these, you've done it to me." In other words, when we have done
something to help the poor, the homeless, our neighbors who are hurting,
we are actually doing it for Jesus.
So thank you if you have ever donated food, goods or made a financial
contribution to one of the many helping agencies in our towns and cities.
They are blessed by your generosity. I pray that the good you do will
come back to you in unexpected ways.
God bless! See you in church.
Cal
September 13, 2017
Dear Friends,
It made me laugh. Then it made me angry. I kept seeing the scene replayed
in my head as Lee relayed it to us at the Board of Directors meeting. The
image of a minivan driving away, its back door open, with stuff falling out,
was made for a Hollywood comedy.
It wasn't funny though. The woman had come to the Jonnycake Center to
donate several items to the thrift store. The problem was that most of the
stuff was either broken, filthy dirty or just plain unsellable. I think she was
simply avoiding the fee for a dump run.
After looking at her donations, the volunteer told her they couldn't accept
them. She became belligerent and began heaving the stuff on the ground by
the loading dock. Lee came out. Before he could say anything, she took off
leaving the trail of junk in her wake.
Sadly enough, this sort of thing happens too often. Junk is dropped off in
the dead of night. These helping agencies depend on donations so they can
feed and serve those in need. Yet some people don't bring their best
offerings. That's a shame.
I've been told that it's not unusual to see outdated cans donated to food
pantries. Torn and tattered clothing are given to homeless shelters.
Unfortunately it costs the agencies money to dispose of this flotsam and
jetsam. This cost takes away from the good they can do.
I have to confess that I am guilty. I never really thought about it before the
other day. The truth is that making a donation to one of these groups is a
wonderful way to pass on God's blessings. Yet God calls us to be thoughtful
and to give our very best when doing so.
I love what it says in Matthew 25. Jesus says, "when you have done it to the
least of these, you've done it to me." In other words, when we have done
something to help the poor, the homeless, our neighbors who are hurting,
we are actually doing it for Jesus.
So thank you if you have ever donated food, goods or made a financial
contribution to one of the many helping agencies in our towns and cities.
They are blessed by your generosity. I pray that the good you do will
come back to you in unexpected ways.
God bless! See you in church.
Cal
| Pastor Cal Lord's Weekly Epistle |
| Pastor Cal's Weekly Epistle Every week Pastor Cal writes a weekly column for the Spirit Page of the Norwich Bulletin. He also sends it out to members and friends of the church via e-mail. E-mail him at calstigers@gmail.com if you want to be added to the weekly list. |
| Pastor Cal's Archived Epistles |