All posts tagged: paradox

Be aware, be prepared

We are living in critical hours and our neighborhoods are in turmoil. Mark 13:7-8, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” (NIV) Here are some examples of recent events relating to the verses above.

  • The most recent famine was in North Korea when the government implemented the “Military First” policy, which placed the needs of the military above common people. Then heavy flooding occurred in the country and within the 4-year period (1994-1998), about 3 million people died. (http://listverse.com/)
  • The year 2011 had the most disasters in recorded history. (Ex. from Global Post):
    • The massive 8.9 earthquake was one of the strongest ever recorded in history but the tsunami and the nuclear meltdown that followed had the most lasting damage.
    • The drought in East Africa resulted in more than 30,000 children died
    • The flood in Thailand that started to rise in July and continued through December killed about 800 people.
  • A massive tornado in Oklahoma in May, 2013 packed with 200 miles/hr wind and 12 miles path killed 24 people.
  • The strongest recorded typhoon, Haiyan in central Philippines in November, 2013 packed 235 miles per hour wind killing nearly 6,000 and displaced 3.5 million people. (World Vision, worst natural disasters of 2013)
  • In the past several weeks in the oil-rich nation of Venezuela, the people are rallying to resolve problems ranging from the rising crime to the unprecedented 56% unemployment. (NYDailyNews.com)
  • After several protest against the government of Ukraine, almost 100 people had died already. They are now trying to control the crowd from vandalism, banditry and a coup d’etat. (BBC News)

“I can’t believe this would happen in my neighborhood”

On the night of Feb. 20th and early Feb 21st this year (2014) eight people were murdered in metro Indy. Many of our neighborhoods are under attack from the kingdom of this world. Some of our neighborhoods are in disaster, in crisis, even emergencies. We do not need to go somewhere else because our own backyards need us.

Which kingdom do you belong?

In the midst of all of these, we need to be reminded which kingdom we belong. We are from the kingdom that is unshakable. Hebrews 12:26-27, “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Isaiah 2:2, “In the last days,

the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it
.”

The government of heaven will rule over all the earth. Christians are commissioned to expand heaven on earth. God has given us delegated authority to influence the world with kingdom principles. In these critical hours, our neighborhoods are waiting and watching for the Bible to become alive in the lives of the Christians.

Feeding the hungry is not enough

According to Feeding America, 1 in 6 Americans struggle with hunger. Many charitable organizations, churches and ministries are mobilizing people and resources to feed the hungry.

In John 6, many supernatural events were told. Thousands of people followed Jesus because they see miraculous signs He had performed. Then, they witnessed something that they have never seen before! Jesus and His disciples fed 5000 men and the rest of the crowd by multiplying 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish that came from a little boy – through the hands of the disciples! They were rejoicing about the miracles and they were fed. Later, the disciples went in a boat to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. That night, Jesus walked on water.

The crowd followed Jesus to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As soon as they found Jesus, they asked Him how He got there since there was only one boat available the night before. Interestingly, Jesus did not answer their question but told them: “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”  – John 6:26 (NIV)

Jesus revealed the real motive of people; they wanted just groceries! Then, Jesus taught them that He is the bread that came down from heaven. He told them they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus was telling the people to hunger and thirst for Christ. Once we hunger and thirst for Christ, we will be satisfied physically and spiritually. We must be set apart for Him and, He is all we need. Then the thousands left Him except the twelve.

Jesus knew that the multitude did not understand His message and His teachings even though they had been following Him. They are following Him because of the groceries! This is an example that feeding people and giving groceries should not be the focus of food pantries. Jesus is saying that giving away food at food pantries is not enough and, if that becomes the focus of food pantries, we are missing the point. It’s all about Jesus.

Food pantries that are intimate and personal are focused on people rather than food. It values relationship over physical resources. The end result is: more people are being discipled, the Gospel is being shared and the community is being engaged to participate. Similar to the early Christians, we gather together in smaller groups to worship, to pray and to share our resources. People would want to get involved. – Acts 11:27-30

In the next several years, there will be more micro gatherings since people want to be personal and want to know each other. We have the most opportune time to share the Gospel with our neighborhoods. History tells that there is an increase of grace during crisis. You can also see that people in crisis are more open to hear about God and about their eternal destiny. The light is brighter where there is more darkness. We have opportunities to reach out to the community in these critical times through simple food pantries. We can raise up more disciples by inviting our congregations and our clients to be a part of solutions. And, as we become more aware of heaven here on earth, we can be prepared before the next shaking happens in our neighborhoods.

 

God bless you!

Merlin Gonzales

Merlin GonzalesBe aware, be prepared
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5 things schools don’t (normally) tell you about starting a non-profit

Till the land, plant the seeds and take care of it regualrly.

Till the land, plant the seeds and take care of it regularly.

Starting a new ministry or a charitable non-profit organization is very rewarding and yet very challenging.

You may be one of many people who can relate to this. First, a person or a group of passionate people comes up with an idea to solve a problem or to address an issue or to help those in need. Then, this person or this group of people started talking to others about their passion and start working on it. They are so enthusiastic that they were able to bring a few more people onboard.

Is this sound familiar? Your passion is contagious! You are helping a lot of people and are being recognized by the community.

I was there in the late 2004. I thought why not find a solution to the ever growing division in the churches. I thought I would be a conduit to the unity in the Body of Christ. Although I was not thinking of starting an organization, I found myself starting a non-profit organization through the encouragement of peers and those who benefit from the cause.

So, I was put in a strange place where I have not been before. I have never been a board member in the past and now, I have to put a board together, create By Laws, Statement of Faith and file Articles of Incorporation. However, I was convinced that my idea was exceptional. I continued to plow the ground. Then, reality hit and I found myself driving a vehicle with no instruction or manual how to sustain it and to keep my dream alive.

Things I learned that were not (normally) taught schools and universities:

  1. It is not too hard to do a one time event but extremely hard to sustain it. Many people can do a large event just one time. The challenge is how can you sustain and get it going? For example, many non profits start food pantry but after a few months, it fizzle out.
  2. Having a non-profit requires money (unless you have millionaire parents or have lots of money in the bank); it’s not easy to raise funding. Doing good is commendable but sustaining it is very difficult without funds in the bank. My first big outreach resulted in a deficit of $400 and I have to pay it myself.
  3. Founders of organizations sometime find themselves lonely and alone. After a big outreach and the accolade, then the hard work of clean up, follow and reporting come. At times, the leader is left with tons of work to do all the stuff by himself/herself.
  4. After giving all you got, the founder often gets all the criticism and accused of bad management and leadership. As a leader, you need to have broad shoulders, willing to tolerate small things and brush off the negative comments.
  5. One of the things to tolerate are those people whom you helped and you felt you delivered more than what was promised. However, those whom you helped talk bad about you because they expected a lot more than what they asked for. What do you do with this situation? Don’t get stuck on a pity party, move on.

There many more things that are not talked about in the non-profit world but are very real once you are in the arena of charitable organizations. Once you weather all of these, you may be able to create a legacy that will continue on long after you’re gone. It’s like a garden, you cultivate the soil, plant the seeds and take of the plants on a regular basis. So after all the hard work and endurance, you may find yourself sitting at a beach looking at the horizon asking God what else you can do in the future.

 

Merlin Gonzales is an Author, a Church/Ministry consultant, a teacher, a preacher and conference speaker who developed the concept of “Mission Trip in Your Own Backyard” and “Incubating Self-Sustained Food Pantries.” Contact him at [email protected] for assessment of your ministry.

 

 

Merlin Gonzales5 things schools don’t (normally) tell you about starting a non-profit
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The final separation

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” – Matthew 25:32

This verse resonated when I recently read 2 articles about large organizations focused on boys and girls. The first one was about a teenager receiving the highest award for coming out of the closet and the later for voting on a person for a national award but is a pro choice.

Just today, a friend of mine said that he was surprised to find out that an executive of a nation wide organization that was founded as a Christian organization is not a Christian! In addition, this same person was transferred to another region as an executive of the same organization.

When the Kingdom of God reached its fullness here on earth, there will be final separation. There will be no more lukewarm, wishy-washy and gray line. He will part the goats from the sheep, the tares from the wheat and the passionates from the lukewarm.

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” – Matthew 7:22-23

 

If you like this article, please share. Feel free to make a Comment or suggestions. Let me know what topics you would like to read in the future. God bless you! Merlin

 

 

Merlin GonzalesThe final separation
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Thanksgiving and sound of melody

Happy Thanksgiving!

Please take a few moments to ponder what you are thankful for. Then, take another minute to think about the instances in your life that you should be thankful for. Consider this except from the FHL Blog:

I thought of asking you rhetorical questions. Feel free to make Comments on this Blog as well.

  • Which one would you rather be:
    • a person who has the ability to donate food and time or a person who rely on others for the next meal?
    • a person who can help someone to do strenuous physical activities or someone who is hindered physically?
    • a person who give his/her time, talent & treasure because God had graced you or a person with different circumstances who receives from you?

Keep in mind that it could be reversed. For example, by helping those who are “weak”, you realized you are strong. By giving of yourself to others without expecting anything in return, you suddenly receive blessings in unexpected ways.

What if we take a few moments to meditate on the passages of Isaiah 51:3,

“Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion;
He will comfort all her waste places.
And her wilderness He will make like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the Lord;
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.”

Whatever situation you found yourself in, you can release the joy and gladness and thanksgiving to provide a melodious aura in the atmosphere.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Merlin GonzalesThanksgiving and sound of melody
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It’s not a coincidence

On September 01, 2013, my wife and several other people who are involved in the ministry of FHL, decided to set a table at a large Flea Market south of Greenwood, IN. This flea market attracts hundreds of people from 7a to noon. We were not going to rent a space in the flea market but rather we thought of walking around the flea market to pray and to give cold bottled water to people. Somehow, we ended up renting a space to put our table (Free Prayers & Water).

I was surprised to see how open people are for prayers at a market place such as this flea market. Our team got busy giving away free bottled water and praying for people.

At the end of our outreach, I found out from our prayer team that a couple whom they prayed for paid for the rent of our space. I was touched by their gesture and the story stuck to my mind for a couple of weeks.

On September 28th, our friends from out of town visited Indiana and invite my wife and I to have lunch with them and their Hoosier friends. We visited Carmel Art Festival and later ate at a famous burger joint in Carmel, IN. While eating, we exchanged stories our new friends. Later in the conversation, the husband said that he and his wife visited the flea market in the south side  just a few weeks ago. He said that a bunch of people at the flea market prayed for him and his wife. As soon as I heard his story, I almost fell out of my chair!

They were the same couple that our group prayed for on September 1st. Keep in mind that it was the first time that we did this kind of outreach-in a flea market.  There are hundreds of flea market in Indiana and there were hundreds of people in this particular flea market. All of us were amazed at the story and we became instant friends. We glorified God for connecting us once again.

Up to this moment, I still get goose bumps whenever I remember how God orchestrated the series of events. No one could have planned the occasion. God used our friends from out of state to have lunch with them and their new friends. Their friends who live in Central Indiana, happen to visit the flea market we visited on Sept. 1st. They were the ones we prayed for at the flea market.

There is more to the story but this is all I can reveal until the proper time. And No, It’s not a series of coincidence. God is on the throne and He is in control.

 

Merlin GonzalesIt’s not a coincidence
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