This was perfect for me…..money in hand, ready to disburse.  I was like a Jesus ATM. 

I feel I’m pretty good and hearing/seeing need.  What stops me is one of two things.  Either I’m worried about having enough money for myself or worried that the person in need really isn’t, and won’t be spending the money on what I assume they will.

How I used it?  I got into a 65 minute talk with some hockey buddies about religion, and Christianity in particular.  They were both complaining about run-ins with “born again Christians” and clearly with some negative residue.  One was upset that his parents did let him go to science class as a kid when they spoke about evolution.  The other couldn’t believe his brother’s wife wouldn’t let him go to a RUSH concert with him.  They they asked for my opinions.  Great talk…...I was espcecially stoked when before their questioning, they addressed me as “a man of faith.”  It made my heart grin.

For the most part…their beef was with the hypocrisy of Christians.  I had to agree with them, but also reminded them that we are HUMAN and as HUMANS we are, and forever will be, flawed.  And then I thought of a great book, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller and decided I must buy it for them.  And the next day I bought them each a copy.  And they’re reading it right now…...I can’t wait to discuss it with them.

A week later, I was in LA.  I hate LA, but that’s besides the point.  A man come up to me and says, “I’m not a beggar, but…...”  Yea right…..heard this one before.  He said he was an electrician and would trade me tools for money, in order to get gas.  My wife immediately grabbed the envelope.  The man had his wife and friend with him.  He was pretty disheveled and ratty looking.  I got $20 and gave it to him.  I told him to keep his tools.  I didn’t need them, but I did tell him to do something nice for someone else in need.  Pass it on…..He said “God bless you….,” as did his wife and friend, and they were off.  After he left I thought that I should have checked his gas gauge…..and that made me mad at myself.  Or I should have seen if he had tools in the back…...Ugghhh…..I can’t worry about that…..

He’s God’s to judge and God is just, and that put me at ease.