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Living It Out on the Street - 9/30/2008 4:06:28 PM
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Lynn_J
Posts: 67
Joined: 9/3/2008
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I glide through the revolving door of the glass tower and step out into the sunshine and lunch-hour crowd. Glancing from left to right, I ponder my choices: burgers and fries, Chinese take-out, or should I venture down to Second Avenue to the real restaurants. Nashville at noon resembles a giant anthill; the small insects are busily scurrying about in search of food. Today, I am one of those ants as I run toward the intersection so that I don't miss the "walk" sign.
A man in a wheelchair holds out a flyer and mumbles something that I don't hear in my hurried dash across the street. I hold my hand up, shaking my head, as I reply, "No, thanks." I make it safely to the curb and continue my jaunt down the street. I glance over my shoulder and spy the man sitting at the intersection, head down, fumbling through his leaflets. I should have stopped to at least find out what he was handing out. I have an entire hour for lunch; what's the big hurry? I turn around and make my way back to him.
"Sir," I begin. "I want to apologize for not being more polite to you. I was in a hurry, but now I don't remember why. What do you have for me?" He hands me a flyer with some Scripture verses and sign language symbols, and he holds out a note which explains that he is a member of a deaf ministry. I smile at him as he gives me the flyer, and I hand him a five dollar bill. He smiles back, carefully places the money in his donation box, and then shakes my hand. I wave goodbye to him and continue down the street, no longer hungry. I just walk . . . and think.
The Bible teaches us to love others, and give to those in need. What seems to be easy to practice while in church on a Sunday morning becomes a challenge when out among everyday passersby. I feel a nudge in my spirit as I realize that I had just failed to live out my Christianity when presented with a real-life opportunity to do so. I ask God to forgive me and to open my eyes so that I don't miss any other occasions where I can live it out on the street. ~
"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another" (1 John 3:11, NIV).
" He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses" (Proverbs 28:27, NIV).
Lynn Jacobs
Syndicated column "Practical Spirituality:
Christian spirituality from a practical perspective"
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www.lynnjacobs-christianlifecoach.com
www.christianlifecoachingblog.blogspot.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/lynn-jacobs
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RE: Living It Out on the Street - 10/6/2008 5:19:10 PM
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nannu
Posts: 20
Joined: 9/4/2008
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I really liked this piece.It says so much in just a short time .
Thank you, Nannu
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RE: Living It Out on the Street - 10/8/2008 6:10:36 PM
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Locke
Posts: 353
Joined: 6/10/2005
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Good word! It sure can be hard... especially when we're bombarded by stimuli constantly. You grow immune to it.
One little note - you may want to change your period to a question mark here:
quote:
or should I venture down to Second Avenue to the real restaurants?
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View my blog and find links to my writing, graphic design, an online game and more! Click here!!
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RE: Living It Out on the Street - 10/8/2008 6:17:36 PM
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Lynn_J
Posts: 67
Joined: 9/3/2008
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Hi Locke,
Thanks for your kind words and feedback.
Lynn
P.S. Question marks can be tricky. According to most style guides, if it is an indirect question or more of a rhetorical question, it is appropriate to use a period instead of a question mark.
_____________________________
www.lynnjacobs-christianlifecoach.com
www.christianlifecoachingblog.blogspot.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/lynn-jacobs
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