$20

About a month ago, when I was back at home, I attended church service at my parents' church, Bread of Life Christian Church in Knoxville. My dad was giving the sermon and it was an interesting one to say the least. The sermon itself was about kindness and showing God's love to the people around us (or something along those lines) and at the end, my dad issued a challenge. He gave every one in the congregation (which, right now, is about 10-15 people - including himself, my mom, and I) a $20 bill withdrawn from the church treasury. And he told us to basically do something with it and to testify to what you did with it after a month. Apparently, our mother church, the River of Life Christian Church in San Jose, CA, did a similar thing a few months earlier except the pastor gave out $50 to each member of the church. That church has a couple thousand members.

Ever since then, I prayed about what God wanted to use that $20 for. And the more time passed, the more that $20 was burning a hole in my wallet and in my mind. I felt convicted and a bit depressed.

But then, something happened yesterday. And it was clear (and it continues to be clear) what I needed to do with that $20 bill. My cousin posted an article about Ted Haggard and the new documentary that he has coming out called, "The Trials of Ted Haggard". I remembered reading about him last summer which sparked a blog post that I wrote in June (you can read it here if you want). And then this morning, my church started their Carter Lectureship series and the speaker, Dr. Darrell Bock from Dallas Seminary, spoke about A glimpse of Jesus and forgiveness (how sinners are viewed in the church). Coincidence? Perhaps...

"When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they don't." - Sir William Temple

And in this process God has reaffirmed me and my current role for His kingdom. I needed that affirmation from Him. Also, He has set before me specifically 2 areas of my life that I need to work on and multiple spiritual discipline challenges that I know will grow me. And for that, I am excited and grateful for His mercy and grace. I am a great sinner and my God is a great savior. Hallelujah!