Caroline Matilda Stansbury Kirkland: A diffusive blessing and a reviving ray

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Caroline Matilda Stansbury Kirkland: A diffusive blessing and a reviving ray

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:7

“Like many other virtues, hospitality is practiced in its perfection by the poor. If the rich did their share, how would the woes of this world be lightened! How would the diffusive blessing irradiate a wider and a wider circle, until the vast confines of society would bask in the reviving ray! If every forlorn widow whose heart bleeds over the recollection of past happiness made bitter by contrast with present poverty and sorrow, found a comfortable home in the ample establishment of her rich kinsman; if the lovely girls, shrinking and delicate, whom we see every day toiling timidly for a mere pittance to sustain frail life and guard the sacred remnant of gentility, were taken by the hand, invited and encouraged, by ladies who pass them by with a cold nod—but where shall we stop in enumerating the cases in which true, genial hospitality practiced by the rich ungrudgingly, with out a selfish drawback—in short, practiced as the poor practice it—it would prove a fountain of blessedness, almost an antidote to half the keener miseries under which society groans!”

Caroline Matilda Stansbury Kirkland (1808-1864) in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 388.

I took Grace St. Catherine to gun dog school yesterday morning and snapped the new header photo. She’s only 7 months old and still figuring out what bird hunting is all about. The same is true for generosity. We get better with practice.

Speaking of practice, let’s think about what it might look like to practice hospitality this week not as giving a hand out that creates a dependency but a hand up that builds up a disciple. We’d prove to be “fountains of blessedness.”

Kirkland’s picture of “diffusive blessing” is envisioned by Isaiah the prophet. Essentially, the message to God’s people is this: our purpose on earth  is to share with other people who are hurting or in need in a way that builds them up.

Kirkland draws out the cultural trappings of the rich. They look down on the poor, while the poor do not judge but aid others as they know what it is like to suffer. With this thought she’s alerting us to check the attitude of our hearts.

This means we must share with others and practice hospitality ungrudgingly without cold nods or selfish drawback, knowing with peace that God will care for us. When we do we come into view as a “diffusive blessing” and a “reviving ray.”

When I think of a “diffusive blessing” I think of my mom, Patsy Hoag. She’s always sharing whatever she has with those around her. Pray for her please. She’s in the hospital in Florida with Covid and Afib. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Are you a reviving ray? This is the honor I extend to my wife, Jenni, today. The light and love of Christ reflect off her and warm the hearts of all she touches and literally revives them in lifegiving way. Happy Mother’s Day, Jenni.

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Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: Mistakes

Examine yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5a

“Mistakes are great educators when one is honest enough to admit them and willing to learn from them.”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) in Cancer Ward (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015).

This Russian novelist, Soviet dissident, and outspoken Christiain critic of communism helped to raise global awareness of political repression in the Soviet Union.

He was good at examining the social and political structures. He was also understood the human person.

Elsewhere he said, “The meaning of earthly existence lies not, as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul.”

The lesson today linked to generosity is this: examine yourself with an honest and willing heart

Paul and Aleksandr would say, focus not so much on perfection or prosperity but on your mistakes and mindfulness to attend to the growth of your soul.

Mistakes are great educators that generously shape us and the world around us in ways that money can’t buy.

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Sophia Soymonof Swetchine: Melody

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

“Melody is thoroughly moral, and consequently free; it is the heart’s utterance, and follows and renders its emotions faithfully; when brilliant, it recalls our joys; when sweet and lingering, it portrays our rare and delicious intervals of repose; it sighs for our disquietudes, and sways beneath our sorrows, like a friend who shares them.”

Sophia Soymonof Swetchine a.k.a. Madame Swetchine (1782-1857) in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 558.

I love this statement about melody from an influential Russian writer who spent her prime in Paris. It describes the life of generous people who share the burdens and sorrows of others. Their life is a melody. Reminds me of Lifesong by Casting Crowns. But for many of us, our lives may be more like a clashing symbol.

Notice three aspects of this description. Melody “renders emotions faithfully.” I wish I could do that. I am learning. It “portrays our rare and delicious intervals of repose” or those sweet moments of peace in life. And it “sighs for our disquietudes, and sways beneath our sorrows, like a friend who shares them.”

In that sense melody ministers to us by understanding us, granting us peace, and carrying our burdens. What difference did her life make? Many say that she shaped the church in France through her influence and writings. Not by power though, she made sweet melody and, you could say, people sang along.

Does your generous living appears as blaring music or a sweet melody?

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Bruce Tallman: Meta

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? 1 Kings 3:9

“What the world needs now is a return to virtue.

Capitalism and communism have both failed us. With capitalism we are heading towards consuming ourselves out of existence. As has been said many times — if everyone in the world consumed the way the First World countries do, we would need four planets to survive.

And pure communism — the rule by the people for the people — has always ironically ended in dictatorship of one form or another — as demonstrated by Stalin and Mao. The present Communist Party of China is promoting a strange blend of atheistic communism and capitalism that may succeed materially but may also kill the souls of a billion Chinese.

What is necessary is to locate happiness for it’s own sake. We pursue riches and fame because we are told they will make us happy. However, how many so-called “stars” struggle with relationship difficulties, addiction, or mental health challenges?

As a holy man said: “Do not pray for wealth and power and success, pray for wisdom and patience and hope when you are poor, weak and failing.”

We need a kind of meta-religion of happiness, a realization that it is virtues like wisdom and compassion that bring happiness. ‘Meta’ means ‘higher,’ so what we need is a higher religion. Jesus was teaching this meta or higher religion in the Beatitudes: beyond any religion we are only blessed (happy) when we are humble, pure in heart, peaceful, and just.”

Bruce Tallman in God’s Ecstatic Love: Transform your Life with a Spiritual Masterpiece (Apocryphile Press, 2021) 13.

Today’s post comes from my spiritual director and his great book, God’s Ecstatic Love, that expounds on the themes from Francis de Sales classic work, Introduction to the Devout Life.

Having just returned from a formerly communist country to a capitalistic country, I appreciated this call from both totalitarian control and from consumerism, riches, and fame to wisdom, patience, and hope.

It seems that if we want to foster generosity, we need to grow in humility, compassion, purity in heart, and justice. In so doing, God will make us generous as we will reflect His nature.

Let us abandon capitalism and communism and instead choose Christianity. It’s the meta system that won’t consume us or those around us. And it will position us for generous and happy living.

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Johann Amos Comenius: Easily dispense

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8

“Lord, my God, now I understand that You alone are all in all.” I exclaimed, “he who has You can easily dispense with the whole world, for in You he possesses more than he can ask for.

Now I understand that I had gone astray while loitering through the world, seeking rest in created things. From this hour, I desire no other delight but You, and surrender myself wholly to You.

Strengthen me, lest I fall away from You to created things, committing again the folly of which the world is full. May your grace protect me, for I rely on it alone.”

Johann Amos Comenius (1592-1670) in The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart (National Union of Czechoslak Protestants, 1942) 132.

Comenius was a Czech philosopher and theologian who often described as the father of modern education. After reading his quote, it seemed that he was echoing Paul and Augustine.

For Paul it was easy to dispense of anything in the world, to consider it garbage, next to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. And remember in Augustine’s Confessions, he states, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”

Where are you today? Are you loitering through the world seeking rest in created things? Or are you surrendered wholly to Him possessing more than you could ask for and able to easily dispense with the whole world? 

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Horace Smith: Our best contribution

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

“How incalculably would the tone of conversation be improved, if we would make it a rule
never to speak of a man’s virtues to his face, nor of his faults behind his back; the observance of which would at once banish flattery and defamation from the earth. Conversation being a joint and common property, everyone should take a share in it; and yet there may be societies in which silence will be our best contribution.”

Horace Smith (1779–1849) a British humorist often known by his pen name, Paul Chatfield, in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 133.

When I was in Czech Republic last week, I learned one of their rich sayings. “To speak is silver; to be silent is gold.” How often do we offer silver when gold could be richly dispensed?

It requires great discipline. The Psalmwriter cries out to the Lord to put a watch and guard on his lips. What if each of us did this? Today, let’s consider how silence might be our best contribution.

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Jeremy Taylor: Happiest and Happiness

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

“Men [and women] of the noblest dispositions think themselves happiest when others share their happiness with them.”

Jeremy Taylor in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 195.

I am learning the power of empathy, compassion, and sharing happiness. God blesses us to be a blessing, but some of us are better at this than others. And very few in my estimation “think themselves happiest” when sharing happiness with others.

The Polish participants at the Prague Summit last week touched me deeply associated with their passion to welcome the millions of refuges flooding across their border. They appeared as the happiest to share their happiness, thanks to Jesus, of course.

You may not have a Ukrainian knocking on your door, but if you are happy, find someone around you whom you might lift up in the name of Jesus. In so doing, “sharing happiness” might become the happiest aspect of your generosity today. Who knows? It might even become a habit.

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William Wotton: Mottos

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28

“A vain man’s motto is: Win gold and wear it. A generous man’s: Win gold and share it. A miser’s: Win gold and spare it. A profligate’s: Win gold and spend it. A broker’s: Win gold and lend it. A fool’s: Win gold and end it. A gambler’s: Win gold and lose it. A wise man’s: Win gold and use it.”

William Wotton in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 330.

I am departing from Prague shortly. I’ve learned a lot on this trip. Also how mottos or ways of thinking shape societies.

For example, I learned this one this trip. “Under Communism: What’s yours is mine. And with Christianity: what’s mine is yours.”

One young man also told me that the system taught them to steal which is why generosity with accountability is so hard.

He said, Gary, in our home growing up we said, “If we do not steal from the government, we steal from our family.”

At the European Great Commission Collaboration Summit 92 people from 11 countries came together to proclaim a new motto.

Together we want to encourage collaborative generosity and accelerate ministry sustainability. If that sounds to deep, let me say it this way.

We want to try to multiply faithful people and shape the future of culture by not being overcome by the brokenness but by overcoming it with good as the collective Church.

Just like Paul had to teach the Ephesians, this generation wants to write a new story about gold that glorifies God.

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John of Nepomuk: Charity

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Titus 1:8

Donald R. McClarey writes this about John of Nepomuk:

“The more he shunned the esteem of men the more it followed him. He however accepted soon after the office of almoner of the court, which could only give him an authority and assistance the better to perform his duty as preacher to the court, and enable him in a private capacity to assist the poor, and to gain souls to God. Nor had this charge either the distractions, or the riches or honours, which had so much affrighted him in the dignities before mentioned.

Thus humility fixed him in the court whither ambition leads others. He appeared there the same man he had been in his private life. His apartment was the rendezvous of all that were in affliction or distress. He declared himself their general advocate, and the father of the poor, and of all who suffered by unjust oppressions.

His charity was also sagacious in finding out, and secretly reconciling all dissensions which arose in the court or city: of many whereof authentic monuments are still preserved, in which the patience of this great man, his penetration and judgment, and the equity of his decisions are equally admired. He found time for everything, because the saints, who in temporal concerns forget themselves, find more leisure than other men for the service of their neighbours.”

John of Nepomuk (1345-1393) pictured above on the Charles Bridge in the heart of Prague.

I mention John of Nepomuk today as it is the last day of my meetings on my first visit to Prague before departing tomorrow, and because I participated in a widely known activity.

“It’s a long-held tradition among tourists that touching the Statue of John of Nepomuk, the oldest and only bronze figure on the Charles Bridge, is said to bring good fortune and a swift return to Prague.”

I hope to return to Prague as this visit sparked work linked to GTP worth noting tomorrow. But today, let us gain at least three insights from the charity of this saint for our generosity.

Firstly, “His apartment was the rendezvous of all that were in affliction or distress.” This inspires us to have a ministry of hospitality. To make our home a space filled with grace.

At dinner last night, I learned a negative perception that some have of Americans links to the pattern that foreigners are rarely invited into their home for dinner.

Secondly, John was a “general advocate, and the father of the poor, and of all who suffered by unjust oppressions.” By his interaction he was “secretly reconciling all dissensions.”

So, John not only opened his home, but he made himself available to others. What comes into view is the practice of hospitality associated with his dwelling and his service.

Thirdly, as saints “in temporal concerns forget themselves” he seemed to live in a manner that trusted God to sort his needs while he emptied himself in service to his neighbors.

As I depart Prague tomorrow, this saint inspires me (and I hope you too) to practice hospitality, to make room in our hearts and schedules for others, and to forget ourselves.

In so doing, God will take care of us. Others may throw us of a bridge for such living (as John was martyred). But our charity may live on, like John of Nepomuk, to inspire others.

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Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf: Apostolic Community

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:32-35

“Another vision of Count Zinzendorf’s was that of the restoration of Apostolic community. He labored to establish a community of saints that loved and supported one another through prayer, encouragement and accountability. To a great extent Zinzendorf’s vision became a reality in the small village of Herrnhut. A deep sense of community was maintained through small groups based on common needs and interests, original and unifying hymns and continual prayer meetings. In 1738 John Wesley visited “this happy place” and was so impressed that he commented in his journal. “I would gladly have spent my life here . . . Oh, when shall this Christianity cover the earth as water covers the sea?”

Excerpt from “Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians: Prayer Makes History.”

As I was reading about saints from the region today known as Czech Republic, Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf comes into view as a key player.

This section struck me as the recipe for apostolic community: prayer, encouragement, and accountability. The prayer part implies it’s only possible with God’s help.

The encouragement and accountability pieces help preserve the authenticity and integrity of the community as it grows. And what strikes me is how this links to my visit.

The European Great Commission Collaboration aims to encourage such apostolic community through rallying strategic generosity but a missing piece has been accountability.

This is where GTP can help. Please continue to pray for fruitful meetings with influential national workers from across Europe aiming to follow in the footsteps of Zinzendorf.

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