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Love Your 'Near Dweller'
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Jesus: Matt 22:37-39 -NIV)
Ever wonder about this verse, how 'neighbor' takes on such dynamic meaning? I have, since it is Jesus Himself saying, "loving our neighbor is equally important as loving God with all our hearts, soul, and mind." Going to the dictionary for some insight, I was a bit disappointed to find the basic definition for 'neighbor' is: 'Near dweller, especially a farmer.' Could that mean that we're to love others unconditionally, but only those 'neighbors' whom dwell near us, and only if their farmers. I don't think so.
I began to ponder how we humans, for a very brief moment, occupy a tiny, spinning blue marble called earth. This tiny planet orbiting the fringe area of one of a billion star systems, within a spiral galaxy that is only one of billions of such galaxies, orbiting within in a vast cosmos, in which if one could journey at the speed of light (176,000 miles per second) would travel thousands upon thousands of light years without witnessing even a hint of its ending.
Considering then the immeasurable vastness of the space around us, and the comparable 'tiny ness' of our spinning earthly habitat, I concluded that God surely must view each of us singularly: 'near dwellers': 'neighbors', to one-another-no matter where on this tiny planet we hang our hat.
Of course, I then immediately thought of our 'neighbors' in Kenya, and how they live in a nation the size of Texas with a population of over 30 million: a nation where over 850 die each day (35 every hour, 1 every 1.5 minutes) from the horrific effects of AIDS alone, and how the resulting orphan influx is-tragically, immeasurable.
"Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9 -NIV)
How many are the sufferers who have fallen amongst misfortunes along the wayside of life! "By chance" we come that way; chance, accident, Providence, has thrown them in our way; we see them from a distance, like the Priest, or we come upon them suddenly like the Levite; our business, our pleasure, is interrupted by the sight, is troubled by the delay; what are our feelings, what our actions towards them? "Who is 'thy neighbor'?" it is the sufferer, wherever, whoever, whatsoever he be. Wherever thou hearest the cry of distress, wherever thou seest anyone brought across thy path by the chances and changes of life (that is by the Providence of God), him, whom it is in thy power to help-stranger or enemy though he be-he is thy neighbor. - ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY
"For God so loves, that He gives." (John 3:16 -NIV [Editing-JBShaw])
The construction of the Grace Christian Mission Hospital in Nakuru, Kenya has recently begun and is continuing even as you read this. Establishing a humanitarian center for hope and help and healing of the spirit, soul, and body in the center of Kenya is no doubt a tremendous God-given vision, and a task, which God expects no man to accomplish by himself. Others have been 'called', and are now an important part of what is happening in Kenya.
Life is short. The time is now. To emphasize this, place your forefinger and your thumb as close together as you possibly can without allowing them to touch each other. Less than even that tiny fraction of space between them-is the length of a life span, even if one lives 100 years or more, compared to the vastness of the space in the cosmos around us. God's word, time and again, insists that what we do here in this brief moment on this spec of a planet will, in fact, determine our eternal destiny. Won't you too, if you haven't already done so, prayerfully consider joining us? Luke 1:37
"Be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts."(Haggai 2:4)
CASH FOR KENYA, LIVE IN JOHNSTOWN, PA
1991 Johnny Cash Show Benefit performed in Johnstown, PA
Jack Shaw Ministries, Intl. expects to receive an early shipment of the Johnny Cash Show DVD, for which Universal Music Enterprises (UME) has set a release date of October 21. These will be made available to our ministry friends and supporters.
If you are interested in purchasing the DVD please E-mail your contact information including, name, address, phone number and E-mail address to cashforkenya@aol.com, or call 814-269-3377 / 800-537-1714 weekdays between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm EST.
DVD pricing has not yet been determined.
Upon receiving an update from UME as to when the DVDs will be available, price, etc. we will again contact you.
Jack Shaw Ministries, Intl.
Luke 1:37 |
