. . .For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written:
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
I thought of these words today when my office received the phone call that a patient who had been newly diagnosed with multiple brain tumors died. I was in complete shock because he had only gone onto Hospice care yesterday. Silently to myself, I prayed to the Lord and knew that only Jesus truly knew this patient's heart but I feared for him and what it was like in those moments that he stood before the Lord giving an account for his actions and his life.
I knew Al well since he came by the office often with candy and chocolate for me and the other girls. Often times he would just stuff $100 bills in my hand so no one else would know. I never wanted to take his money, for one it's against the law for a healthcare worker to accept money from a patient and secondly I do my job out of love. But somehow when I wasn't looking after I had graciously gave him his money back, he had found a way to sneak it back to me without my knowledge. The man was exceptionally rich. Him and my boss got along like not only for their taste in politics but because they were in a class above the rest. Truthfully, you'd never know it to look at him, but I love getting to know everyone who walks into my office. Al had a master's in engineering and spoke 4 languages. He flew his own plane and worked mostly in Switzerland or Germany most of his life.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36
In recent months I've become very outspoken about my faith at work and often times Al would pop in during lunch breaks and interrupt intense conversations I was having with my co-workers. Sometimes he would go so far as to tell me to 'be quiet' and that 'God isn't real." Often times I felt incredibly threatened by him, until one day I just got angry that he was so insulting and dismissive. He had so much head knowledge but no heart knowledge...reciting entire Bible stories to me and then laughing at the end claiming it's a bunch of made up b.s.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. -Luke 6:45
My heart ached for him, because I knew he was dying and I knew it would be without the truth. I tried as best as I felt as I was able to speak back to him that he was wrong to once again be scoffed at. So, I eventually did stop. But I did not stop my physical acts of kindness to him nor let the light of Jesus stop shining through me with the hope that he would see even when words failed.
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” - St. Francis of Assisi
I had several conversations with my co-worker about him and how he shut me and my views on God out. She kept justifying things he said about the Gospel which just made me more upset. "Oh he doesn't mean what he says, he knows the truth, he's just acting tough." I was appalled as those words came out of Linda's mouth, my sister in Christ yet somehow she didn't want to accept that he was flat out denying. I told her over and over again, "Linda, but if he truly believed like we believed he wouldn't say those words! They just wouldn't come out of his mouth. Real believers aren't ashamed of their Savior no matter how 'tough' they are!" She shook her head and disagreed. He had a 'reputation' to keep.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15
So my heart hangs heavy today as I think of the wrath of Christ who judges those who do not come to know and trust in Him as Redeemer and Savior. "There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day." John 12:48 In the end I do not know the outcome of Al's heart and if he sought out Jesus in those final minutes. I can only hope that he did. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9 This is why it's so important to speak truth to everyone! We are called to be the LIGHT of the WORLD. Sometimes yes, it's more difficult to be that Light and speak those Truths... and sometimes people will turn away. But we must never feel defeated and never give up! Life is so precious and James told us we must never count on tomorrow. "...What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."-James 4:14 I pray that you will live for Christ today, doing His will today, capturing souls for His kingdom today.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The YMCA changes its name.
I'm sure when you hear YMCA you immediately think of the popular song with the hand movements, but do you really know what the YMCA stands for? I, myself, only recently learned that it means "Young Men's Christian Association."
In a statement released on July 12, 2010 the YMCA has decided to change it's name and it's company logo. Here is an excerpt from that statement for you to read.
"A Brand New Day: The YMCA Unveils New Brand Strategy to Further Community Impact"
For the first time in 43 years, the YMCA has unveiled a new brand strategy to increase understanding of the impact the nonprofit makes in communities ... the result of more than two years of analysis and research ...The YMCA unveiled a new, more forward-looking logo that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the organization, and a framework that focuses resources on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
In another major change, the nonprofit will be called “the Y” to align with how people most commonly refer to the organization. The national resource office, YMCA of the USA, has already begun the transition to the new brand. Ys across the country will transition fully within five years."
Read the statement in full here.
This new change could be looked at in both positive and negative lights. Even with changing the name to "The Y", which is the already common street slang for the YMCA it will still provoke the questions: What does it stand for? "The Young"? Or is still short for YMCA?
The Young Men's Christian Association is a charity known far and wide by its initials. While the American Family Association expressed disappointment, local Y members said they see the change as a logical move because people frequently call it "the Y" already.
I feel the even more important question to ask now is what does the YMCA stand for? The organization was founded on a Christian backbone known primarily for its Bible studies. To me it seems they had already walked far away from their strong Christian roots since most people went there and were unaware of the message behind the organization.
The YMCA was founded in England 166 yrs ago on Christian principals which included loving your neighbor with kindness, goodness, and gentleness. It has meant providing both assistance and a place of refuge for the lost and lonely. Ultimately it means becoming an extension of Christ himself on earth so that other people can know and understand the love and mercy of God.
"The YMCA was founded because the founder, George Williams, realized boys need Christ to become grown men. By removing Christ or Christianity from their title, they're just taking another step away from their original mission," Fischer said.
Not only is the name changing but the logo is changing as well. The first logo developed for the YMCA was in 1881, in the shape of a discus with the names of the continents "Africa", "America", "Asia", "Europa", and "Oceania" encircling the perimeter. Within the logo is an open book upon which is written "John XVII 21" - which would imply the Bible scripture John 17:21 which is a prayer of Jesus which starts in the previous verse.
Check out all the logo the YMCA used here.
My prayer for their organization is that even though the name and logo may change, they don't forget the biblical base they were founded on.
In a statement released on July 12, 2010 the YMCA has decided to change it's name and it's company logo. Here is an excerpt from that statement for you to read.
"A Brand New Day: The YMCA Unveils New Brand Strategy to Further Community Impact"
For the first time in 43 years, the YMCA has unveiled a new brand strategy to increase understanding of the impact the nonprofit makes in communities ... the result of more than two years of analysis and research ...The YMCA unveiled a new, more forward-looking logo that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the organization, and a framework that focuses resources on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
In another major change, the nonprofit will be called “the Y” to align with how people most commonly refer to the organization. The national resource office, YMCA of the USA, has already begun the transition to the new brand. Ys across the country will transition fully within five years."
Read the statement in full here.
This new change could be looked at in both positive and negative lights. Even with changing the name to "The Y", which is the already common street slang for the YMCA it will still provoke the questions: What does it stand for? "The Young"? Or is still short for YMCA?
The Young Men's Christian Association is a charity known far and wide by its initials. While the American Family Association expressed disappointment, local Y members said they see the change as a logical move because people frequently call it "the Y" already.
I feel the even more important question to ask now is what does the YMCA stand for? The organization was founded on a Christian backbone known primarily for its Bible studies. To me it seems they had already walked far away from their strong Christian roots since most people went there and were unaware of the message behind the organization.
The YMCA was founded in England 166 yrs ago on Christian principals which included loving your neighbor with kindness, goodness, and gentleness. It has meant providing both assistance and a place of refuge for the lost and lonely. Ultimately it means becoming an extension of Christ himself on earth so that other people can know and understand the love and mercy of God.
"The YMCA was founded because the founder, George Williams, realized boys need Christ to become grown men. By removing Christ or Christianity from their title, they're just taking another step away from their original mission," Fischer said.
Not only is the name changing but the logo is changing as well. The first logo developed for the YMCA was in 1881, in the shape of a discus with the names of the continents "Africa", "America", "Asia", "Europa", and "Oceania" encircling the perimeter. Within the logo is an open book upon which is written "John XVII 21" - which would imply the Bible scripture John 17:21 which is a prayer of Jesus which starts in the previous verse.
Check out all the logo the YMCA used here.
My prayer for their organization is that even though the name and logo may change, they don't forget the biblical base they were founded on.
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