tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post4457089463789204374..comments2023-12-17T16:13:06.670-05:00Comments on In a Godward direction: Nothing from NothingTobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-16939944106281644432012-08-07T17:27:38.230-05:002012-08-07T17:27:38.230-05:00And the human contact may be more important than t...And the human contact may be more important than the money... bless you, GM.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-46349320506995511092012-08-07T17:23:20.308-05:002012-08-07T17:23:20.308-05:00I give a small amount and try to remember to make ...I give a small amount and try to remember to make a point look the person in the eye and say something like, "Here you are."June Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723016934182800437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-74693758312640591892012-08-07T16:51:40.320-05:002012-08-07T16:51:40.320-05:00Thanks, Allen. I take a similar approach when it c...Thanks, Allen. I take a similar approach when it comes to being asked for money. As someone who normally travels in clericals, I'm often asked for something on the street, though more often than not it is for a prayer rather than money. Most of the funds requests come to the church office door. Unless I know someone is lying, I try to be generous. I've only a few times had to say, No, and that usually when I know the person isn't being direct with me about what they need and what it is for. As my church is not wealthy I have a responsibility to see that funds go to those who are truly most needful. I wish I had more at my disposal, esp. in these hard times....Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-12287376558131583762012-08-07T15:19:56.402-05:002012-08-07T15:19:56.402-05:00Mimi said The preacher talked about homeless peopl...Mimi said <i>The preacher talked about homeless people on the street who ask for money - do you give or not and that it's perhaps best not to give but rather work to change the system that leaves homeless persons on the street.</i><br /><br />I once heard Calvin Butts say we should give money to the person who asks. I took it to heart. Living as I do in Manhattan, I often see people on the street asking for money and I make a point of carrying easily accessible dollar bills in an outside pocket. I can tell that most of these people are in genuine need. Giving money to the needy does not preclude working for change. <br /><br />P.S. Great sermon.Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04082981127553205332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-50347741174316258172012-07-30T09:01:06.555-05:002012-07-30T09:01:06.555-05:00You're welcome, all!You're welcome, all!Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-10331500371553805172012-07-30T08:40:53.889-05:002012-07-30T08:40:53.889-05:00A very powerful sermon. Thank you.A very powerful sermon. Thank you.Deacon Charlie Perrinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-25155127342026559152012-07-29T20:46:16.849-05:002012-07-29T20:46:16.849-05:00Thanks for the great story, Tobias, but when I saw...Thanks for the great story, Tobias, but when I saw "A miracle on the North Side of Pittsburgh" at first I thought it was going to be about how the Pirates are doing this season :<)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-47210251001621011442012-07-29T19:24:45.051-05:002012-07-29T19:24:45.051-05:00What a wonderful, wonderful witness Tobias! and on...What a wonderful, wonderful witness Tobias! and one that I can certainly testify to from my own experience, although I too often take God's abundant grace for granted. Thanks also for sharing wonderful memory of Gene, who I remember from way, way back.Br. Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-56821402115142420302012-07-29T17:41:08.065-05:002012-07-29T17:41:08.065-05:00THanks, Mimi. That other OT reading is from the ot...THanks, Mimi. That other OT reading is from the other "track" of the Revised Common Lectionary" where the readings don't go with what you are hearing on a given day, but with what went last week and next -- sometimes. (I'm not making this up.)Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-18810449029735169192012-07-29T16:43:49.963-05:002012-07-29T16:43:49.963-05:00Today we had the OT passage from 2 Samuel in which...Today we had the OT passage from 2 Samuel in which David arranges to have Uriah in the front lines of battle so he will be killed so David can take Bathsheba for his wife. It seems to me the reading doesn't match well with John's Gospel of the feeding of the thousands.<br /><br />Our priest was a visitor who preached a good message, but he went too long. In between the parts if the message, he roamed and rambled, and he followed his footsteps. He didn't quite make it to the sparkling sands of the diamond desert, but by the time he'd get back to the message, I was mostly off in daydream land, try as I might to pay attention. The song kept running through my mind throughout the sermon. The man across the aisle from me was sleeping, which should have sent a message.<br /><br />But I digress. Your friend's story of the poor family sharing what little they had is beautiful and moving. I like your message that if each of us offers what we have, small though it is, there will be enough and even an abundance to serve God's purposes.<br /><br />The preacher talked about homeless people on the street who ask for money - do you give or not and that it's perhaps best not to give but rather work to change the system that leaves homeless persons on the street.June Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723016934182800437noreply@blogger.com