Inspired to provide for the poor as the cornerstone of our business plan.

I have witnessed that all government programs are designed to make people dependent on the government rather than independent. When I was CEO at City Club Development Corporation in Burnaby, BC Canada we privately funded public housing. Many government officials patted me on the back, but were not interested in our comprehensive funding program. I also found out that Housing Authorities, Developers and those enriched by our public spending were also very much opposed to this type of program succeeding or spreading. We funded the majority of the cost of public housing upfront and defining a program that does not depend on taxpayer funded programs or the bureaucracy set up to administer the various programs. There is no dignity for people that are enrolled in publicly funded programs.

The Bible has a simple plan for each of us to provide for the poor and strangers. It is the model that we incorporated at City Club Development Corp.. The scripture is found in Leviticus 19:9&10 'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather [every] grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I [am] the LORD your God.'

May God's word inspire you to provide for the poor and stranger in provocative ways that will inspire others to do the same.

To let or not to let, that is the question.

I have struggled with the concept of letting for some time until recently where I have come to understand that letting does not happen on its own. Letting requires action, right of way or submission on my part.
In the Bible we are instructed to: Colossians 3:16&17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And [whatever] you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." and in verses 22-24 "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." chapter 4, verse 1 "Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven"

We are created for action; to do, let, serve and obey. The peace that comes from letting God surpasses understanding! "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,Philippians 2:5"

Remember

Remember when: life seemed so easy, trouble was far from you and even a cloudy day seemed sunny? Yesterday and most days are like that to me. Some say that I am eternally optimistic even to the point of unrealistic. Well, if you dare to see past the clouds you know it's always sunny, trouble is far even when you can feel its breath and life's burdens are easy and it's weight is light.

I grab on to the promises made by God in His word. I have found Him to be faithful and observe that He is who His word says He is. Remembering God's promises like the one in Gen 9:16, And the bow shall be in the cloud(rainbow); and I(GOD) will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth. Whether you're digging in the earth, exploring the ocean floor, walking at ground level, exploring the highest mountains, flying 35,000 feet in the air or looking back at earth from a satellite's view the evidence of a worldwide flood surrounds us. Yet many chose to believe the contrary. The heavens and the earth cry out of God's greatness. Stop ignoring the obvious, remember His still small voice that whispered your name and seek Him today. The choice is ours; I chose to believe.

Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day.

Who's it up to?

A dear friend of mine who is a sales trainer for a national company often asks the question to his sales trainees, "Who's it up to?" He answers emphatically; "It's up to me!" Terry, addresses the core principles behind the need for each of us to take personal responsibility and ownership for our thoughts and actions.

I see headlines every day that incite people to anger rather than action. Maybe the missing element in dealing with most of the problems or difficulties we face daily, is the lack of personal responsibility followed by a personal action to offer a remedy the situation.

While someone else may be partially or fully responsible for the mess we are in, we may also attribute some of the blame or responsibility back on us. The big IF is often: "What IF I do something and no one follows?" My question is; What IF I do nothing or just talk about it and take no action? We all lose!

A forest fire starts with a tiny spark, followed by a smoldering nearby brush, then on to burning a great deal of unsuspecting kindling until it it extinguished. By taking action we can be like that tiny spark. Our actions will inspire others to action.

The Scriptures in Leviticus 26:3&4 says "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit."

So when I hear of challenges, problems or difficulties rather than complain or think that it is up to someone else I will remember Terry's words: "who's it up to?" My response, "It is up to me."