Week 4: Small Group Emails

(Below is an email I sent out to my small group on February 2, 2009.)

"If you think about something too much, often you will not do it. It's called paralysis by analysis." - Dr. Peter Fernandez

All right guys...

I know we didn't have small groups this Sunday. Instead, we watched the Steelers win the victory over the Cardinals. (Sorry I cannot muster the proper amount of enthusiam... not a football fan, lol.) However, I've still been thinking about our small groups, and the book that we've been reading, and yesterday I heard something that made my heart soar.

I'm sure you have all heard by now about the small group that is raising money to purchase an RV for the Christian Riders Ministry. That is fantastic, and I love them for stepping out and taking on a task like that right off the bat. Bravo! *applauds* But there are other, seemingly less important, but no less significant, ways of doing hard things.

I had the privilege to hear the story of a young man from one of our small groups who went out to McDonalds for lunch with a friend. As they were eating, a homeless man walked in to use the restroom. As soon as he entered, this young man felt a tug at his heart. It would have been so easy to ignore the homeless man and return to his meal. So easy...

Instead, he elbowed his buddy and said, "Hey, do you have a couple of bucks? Let's buy that guy some hamburgers." So they approached the man and asked him if he'd like some lunch; he accepted. A stranger, overhearing what they were about to do, gave up his place in line and pressed some money into the young man's hand. "Here," he said. "Buy that guy some lunch for me."

These two teenage boys bought the man some hamburgers, fries and a drink, and then sat and talked with him while they ate. Before they left the restaurant, they asked if they could pray with the man. Again, he accepted. They left the McDonalds. Chances are, their paths will never cross again.

It seems like such a simple thing, really, when you read about it. But seemingly insignificant things by earthly standards have an eternal impact. Who knows what may result because of the kindness and generosity of those two boys... and one stranger? It was striking example of living, active faith, and also worthy of praise. Bravo! *applauds*

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

-James 2:14-17

I cannot wait to see what else God does with the young men and women of these small groups. God bless you this week, my friends.