Ick! I'm lukewarm.

I have the privilege of working with some young girls on Wednesday nights who have joined in whole-heartedly ministering to those who are impoverished. This "Child 2 Child" ministry of New Hope is making a difference.

At present they're making very cool craft items which are offered for sale to church members. The monies last month went to kids in Haiti while this month the proceeds of the sales will go to buy milk for babies in Guatemala. Now, these aren't kid type crafts, but have been very nice items. We put a "suggested donation" price on them and New Hope has been awesome about supporting the ministry.

JoAnn, Mary, and I are working hard to make sure the kids realize not only the impact their work will have on the lives of children living in poverty, but also on their own lives. We spent time tonight trying to explain one aspect of why and what the difference is between good works done through community/school organizations and good works done in Jesus' name.

I really felt like it was enough, and maybe for these young girls, it is - at least for now. But, while reading Crazy Love tonight I came across this:

Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christian, not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of His followers.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

"Anyone, the, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17)

I could easily turn this into "we" or "New Hope" because I'm sure it would be just as truthful, but this is really about me. Egad! I've said jokingly so many times, "And, we all know it's all about me" when I was being facitious. This time I have to admit, it is all about me, because I'm not doing what I should. I'm not taking those hard steps of obedience.

I recognized myself as being one of those lukewarm people. It's past time for me to "do" instead of "listen" to the words of Christ. There are no excuses that are valid.