fs & Margarita

The world is big. Actually, real big and the more I’m blessed to travel it does seem small. Since childhood, I was a dreamer. It has been said: Vision + Values = Victory!

Helen Keller said: “What is tragic is not being born blind but being able to see yet have no vision.” When I think of a visionary I’m reminded of Walt Disney whom was initially fired by a newspaper editor because his boss thought he had no good ideas and he doodled too much! Disney died in 1966, and was not alive to be present at the grand opening of Disney World in Orlando, FL. Media from around the globe were assembled on opening day and one reporter stuck a microphone to the mouth of Mrs Disney. He said with the whole world watching: “Mrs Disney, it is a shame that your husband, Walt couldn’t be alive to see this.” Without missing a beat she said: “I beg your pardon, but my husband SAW this day a long, long time ago!” Earlier this summer, my wife, Ruth was asked while attending the Southern Baptist Convention if she wanted to spend a day at Disney? She laughed and replied: “Why go see Mickey when I live with Goofy!”  🙂

Yes, the world is a big place and I am a firm believer in swinging for the fence, aim high, enlarging the tents and the sky is the limit. Some folks however can get so hamstrung worrying about the vastness of our world that they don’t dare to do anything.  One thing that is near and dear to my heart is reaching the world with the love of God and pointing people far from Him to experience an eternal encounter with the Living Lord. Evangelism is certainly my heartbeat. Another passion of mine is helping the less fortunate, downtrodden, unlovely and unpopular. Jesus said: “If you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it unto Me.”

It is my privilege to be a spokesperson for COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL. If you missed my blog back in March entitled “My Road to the Final Four” you can read it here  https://www.frankshelton.com/2010/03/march-madness/  Some of you have said to me in emails that it was one of the blogs that ministered to you the most. Praise God! Compassion flew me and a few other friends to Guatemala in March 2010, and I got to see first hand some of the poorest yet more precious people on the planet. Ruth and I, have the high honor to sponsor an eight year old girl named Margarita. She is precious, priceless and a princess.

Most of us have a deep desire to make a mark, lend a hand, encourage the discouraged and leave the world a better place. The fact is sometimes the world seems so BIG and the needs so great that we accidentally or subconsciously hold back opposed to stepping up and reaching out. No, we may not be able to save the world, rescue everyone but by God’s grace we each one can reach one. Today, before another day passes I would encourage you, your loved ones and perhaps your school, job or church to make a powerful difference in the life of a child.

NOTICE to the right of my blog in the bottom corner of my website you will see a COMPASSION logo and click on that and for $38 per month you can invest in the life of a child. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food, school supplies, medicine, love and encouragement. Ruth and I correspond frequently with Margarita and one of the joys of our lives is hearing how she is doing, what she is up to and what she is learning in school and life. She tells us about her friends and family and she is a real girl with dreams, goals and a vision. Last year, Compassion witnessed over 100,000 people come to faith in Christ and presently over 1 Million folks are being touched by this great group. Praise the Lord but with 6 Billion people on the planet and half the world in need of food, faith and friendship we are a tad short.

An inscription on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey notes: “When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change – So I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country, but it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first, then by example I might have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have been able to better my country, And who knows, I might have even changed the world.”

The Bible says: “Jesus had COMPASSION on the multitudes.” Yes, the world is big, needs are great and lives need help. By touching a life we actually touch the world. Some daydream of making a mark on such a large scale that they elect to play it safe, sit life out and retire to the sidelines opposed to get in the game for God’s Glory. However, when we bless another we touch the world. The stranded starfish story is a classic. It’s true that we cannot reach and rescue every starfish stranded on society’s sin-sick shore tossing them back into the sea but the one’s we can save will make all the difference. Each one, can reach one. MJ’s song “HEAL THE WORLD” says it best: “Heal the world, Make it a better place For you and for me and the entire human race There are people dying If you care enough for the living Make a better place for You and for me.”

Ruth and I are honored to be a blessing to Margarita. Prayerfully, consider blessing someone else today. You can pick a boy or girl (or both) and even select their age and region of the world or allow Compassion to select one in desperate need of help. Over the years, I have learned when we give we gain, serve we find satisfaction and by blessing others we end up enriching ourselves. Click on this link to learn more http://www.compassion.com/Sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=105506 and you cannot lose when you love on others in the Name of our Lord. If you’re a pastor I would welcome the chance to share a missions program on behalf of Compassion at one of your upcoming services on how your great group can be a blessing both locally and globally.

Don’t delay. Pray about blessing someone today because by helping one of the “least of these” you touch God’s heart and help CHANGE THE WORLD.