“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop -- a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.’” Matthew 13:3-8

During the summer, I spoke at a camp at which I have been both a camper and a staff member. Upon arrival, I was greeted by some old faces, one of which was a squirrelly 6^th grader who was now going to be a sophomore in high school. One afternoon, a group of us were reminiscing about past years at camp when this young man mentioned that he remembered something I had said at a seminar four years prior. Expecting him to say something sarcastic, I asked him what it was. “You told a story about getting cut from a team and someone told you, ‘It is not how far you fall, but how high you bounce back up that matters.’ I’ll never forget that,” he said.

Rarely in our lives do we get an opportunity to know how we have affected another. I felt so encouraged to know that someone was actually paying attention four years before! But mostly, it was a reminder to me. Each one of us has the ability to plant seeds. We have the ability to plant positive seeds that can bear fruit for the kingdom and negative seeds that can crush spirits. There are times that I am sure I have missed opportunities, but this was a great reminder that you never know who is really listening.

Each one of us is an example to others around us and, as such, we must be conscious of what type of seeds we are planting. More often than not, you will not know whether you have affected someone positively or negatively or at all. We should never do anything looking for awards, praise or accolades. But as Tim encouraged me, I know it is my place now to encourage someone else: The person who originally shared that quote with me ten years ago.

Today, remember those people who have made a difference in your life. If possible, thank them for the legacy they have handed down to you.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Be thoughtful. What kinds of seeds are you planting in people’s lives at work? At home? On a day-to-day basis?

2. Is there someone in your life who helped you during a tough time or molded your life? Have you said “thank you”? Now may be the time.

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35

The Beggar and the Bread
by Max Lucado

A beggar came and sat before me. “I want bread,” he said.

“How wise you are,” I assured him. “Bread is what you need. And you have come to the right bakery.” So I pulled my cookbook down from my shelf and began to tell him all I knew about bread.

I spoke of flour and wheat, of grain and barley. My knowledge impressed even me as I cited the measurements and recipe. When I looked up, I was surprised to see he wasn’t smiling. “I just want bread,” he said.

“How wise you are.” I applauded his choice. “Follow me, and I’ll show you our bakery.” Down the hallowed halls I guided him, pausing to point out the rooms where the dough is prepared and the ovens where the bread is baked.

“No one has such facilities. We have bread for every need. But here is the best part,” I proclaimed as I pushed open two swinging doors. “This is our room of inspiration.” I knew he was moved as we stepped into the auditorium full of stained-glass windows.

The beggar didn’t speak. I understood his silence. With my arm around his shoulder, I whispered, “It overwhelms me as well.” I then leaped to the podium and struck my favorite pose behind the lectern. “People come from miles to hear me speak. Once a week my workers gather, and I read to them the recipe from the cookbook of life.”

By now the beggar had taken a seat on the front row. I knew what he wanted. “Would you like to hear me?”

“No,” he said, “but I would like some bread.”

“How wise you are,” I replied. And I led him to the front door of the bakery. “What I have to say next is very important,” I told him as we stood outside. “Up and down this street you will find many bakeries. But take heed; they don’t serve the true bread. I know of one who adds two spoons of salt rather than one. I know of another whose oven is three degrees too hot. They may call it bread,” I warned, “but it’s not according to the book.”

The beggar turned and began walking away. “Don’t you want bread?” I asked him.

He stopped, looked back at me, and shrugged, “I guess I lost my appetite.”

I shook my head and returned to my office. “What a shame,” I said to myself. “The world just isn’t hungry for true bread anymore.”

I don’t know what is more incredible: that God packages the bread of life in the wrapper of a country carpenter or that he gives us the keys to the delivery truck. Both moves seem pretty risky. The carpenter did his part, however. And who knows — we may just learn to do ours.

HopeKids Volunteers Hangout

Quarterly hangout for all hopekids volunteers/leaders.

This is also open to all who are interested to find out more about the children’s ministry

"Come to be refreshed and hear God’s vision for children"

Date : 24 September (Sunday)
Venue : Nexus Auditorium
Time : 2pm – 3:30pm

More info visit http://www.hopesingapore.org.sg/hopekids/

Be able to answer, “So what?”
Understand that the deepest question the world has about Christianity is, “So what?” Decide that you will use your intellect to help answer that question for people who are seeking the truth. Don’t simply explore ideas and arguments for your own sake; instead, prepare yourself to defend the faith, present reasons to believe, and motivate people to consider why the Bible’s message is important and should matter to them. Ask God to give you courage to use your mind to reach other minds for Christ.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

"yea i used to have class blogs and friends' blogs which started out with a great bang but they all died down after a while.. but i'm sure this one will not be the same!"