Last night our family enjoyed one of our favorite meals - spaghetti!  Our daughter picked out which kind of pasta we would use (mini penne), and our five-year-old son ate a mound of pasta bigger than his head!

One of the highlights of the meal were fresh baked rolls, given to us by our next door neighbors.  They were delicious!  And as I reflect on our neighbor's generosity (not to mention the fact that they have daughters who are interested in babysitting for us - woohoo!), I am reminded of a story from the start> Becoming a Good Samaritan Participant's Guide.  The story of Mary Margaret Bartley:

Ten years ago Mary Margaret Bartley and her husband, Stewart, intentionally relocated to the neighborhood of Austin in Chicago, Illinois.  Soon after their arrival, they realized that they were surrounded by neighbors who wanted, like them, to honor both God and other people by being better stewards of the world in which they lived.

Before long, the Bartleys and their neighbors had made an informal arrangement to be generous with the everyday resources of life.  "It wasn't so much the practical part that compelled us," she explains, "but the overall idea that everything belongs to God, and we are simply called to steward well the things we find in our midst.  So far we have a shared vacuum, a shared table saw, a shared weed-whacker, a shared ladder, a shared lawn mower, and on and on it goes."  When asked who foots the bill when the lawn mower has an attitude, she didn't miss a beat.  "We pool our money and have it fixed."

The family across the street has two children and one car.  They take public transportation as much as possible, but when schedules are especially demanding, neighbors loan them a car.  "There are literally dozens of cars that sit unused all day long in this neighborhood.  My husband and I both work from home, for example, so there are plenty of times when we don't need ours.  We're glad to have friends who can use our resources when we aren't using them, and we treasure that type of cooperation in return."

Mary Margaret acknowledges that an urban setting makes an easier backdrop against which to live out this "shared" lifestyle.  But she's quick to remind suburbanites that there are small steps they can take.  "Sometimes progress is as simple as walking down the street," she says.  "If you have  a front porch, sit on it!  Host a block party at a local park or in your own backyard - do whatever you need to do to share a meal and a conversation with the people who live nearby.  Create room for relationships to be formed, and then just watch what God will do."

"We want to live with open hands," she says, "being good stewards of the resources and the relationships that God has entrusted to us."  What a gift to their community - and their God - that decision must be. (Based on author interview with Mary Margaret Bartley, 2009.  Used with permission.)

As you reflect upon this story, consider the following question:

1.  What is one way that you can encourage your neighborhood to model her approach?

Last night Jen and I watched the 44th Annual CMA Awards.  For two country music fans, "Country Music's Biggest Night" is something we look forward to every year.  Jen grew up listening to country music, and I think she knows the lyrics to every hit from the 80's.  Her June Carter Cash impression is unmatched (yep, even better than Reese Witherspoon!).  I grew up listening to everything but, and so my love for country music is much newer.  Johnny Cash and Ernest Tubb are two personal favorites.

In honor of the event, I would like to present the award for The start> Project's first annual: 

"Good Samaritan Song of the Year!"

Ready?

Drumroll please...

And the winner is:

With lyrics such as "...and you just want to help not sure where to start..." it was an obvious choice!

Question:

What song, past or present, would you like to nominate for "Good Samaritan Song of the Year?"

On a recent brisk October day I read a great book called "Receiving David" by Faye Knol.  It is a story about the struggles of disability, and the healing power of grace and joy.  I recommend it highly.

Here is a description from the author's website:

"David Knol was born dangerously premature in 1982 and wasn't expected to live more than a few hours.  Remarkably, he not only survived but also went on to live a life full of joy and blessing, despite severe physical and intellectual disabilities.

Now, years later, David's mother tells his story.  Through touching anecdotes and poignant recollections, Faye Knol shares the lessons that David taught those around him during his twenty-two years, reminding all of us that one person - even facing great obstacles - can profoundly impact a family and a community.  Warmth, laughter, pain, and passion shine through this mother's inspiring memoir about her son."

Here is a link to a recent article about the book:

You may order a copy from Eerdman's Publishing Company. 

If you are interested in learning more about helping people with disabilities and their families, please visit the Joni and Friends International Disability Center website.

Let me tell you something about my wife Jennifer.  She is an accounting rock star!  As we are getting settled in to our new house, Jen is carefully preparing a budget that will not only help us climb out of the hole of debt we find ourselves in, but will wisely ensure that we can maximize every dollar.  In fact, I just reviewed the budget she prepared for November, and I have to say…she is awesome!

But with all of our talk about money and common "cents" (sorry...couldn't resist!), and whether or not we will have cash for a $5 pizza night, our desire to live like the Good Samaritan causes us to consider some other things when doing our budget.

For instance, there are approximately 6.9 billion people in the world today, and more than 3 billion of them – close to half – live on less than two dollars a day.  And trust me, although we are not millionaires, my family lives on much more than two dollars a day.

It’s an overwhelming statistic, and it is reflective of an overwhelming problem – too many people are forced to survive on too few resources. 

And here is the part that Jen and I think and talk about…

Jesus’ idea when he sends out his disciples, including you and me, is to reach the world with his message of grace which includes putting off our selfish concerns and sinful desires and putting on compassion for a broken and needy world.

Following him means following the example that he set: 

…feeding hungry people

…clothing people who crave warmth

…providing resources to people who are poor

The stakes are high as Jesus issues this plea today. 

“From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

You, like me, have likely been entrusted with much.  And a need-laden world is waiting to see if we will be Christ to them.  Poverty is real, and its devastating effects are seen on all sides.

Which forces Jen and I to view our budget differently, and to ask ourselves the following question:

How will we choose to start>?

And I will challenge you with the same question:

How will you choose to start>?