"Help Somebody"

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I happened to be watching Covenant Daughters Television Network this morning and one of Victoria Olsteen’s short inspiring word videos came on. It was on the subject of extravagant giving and how you can always have something to give when you call on Jesus Christ. She offered several examples of powerful giving, the beggar at the gate beautiful seeking alms from Peter and John(Acts3:1-9). They supplied his need with God’s word. They had no silver or gold but they gave the inspiring and powerful word of god, commanding him by faith in the name of Jesus to get up and walk.(Acts 3:8) She touched on how Jesus was able to give loaves of bread and fish that fed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21).The point is you always have something to give and you are never empty handed if you have faith in God’s measure of giving which is not only the giving of money, but also time, talent and other intangible resources that may be at your disposal as well.

I am topping this Facebook post from five(5) years ago today. Helping folks in need is always on time...

Scripture-Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This post was recently modified with a link to a Wikipedia post on  "Help Somebody", a song on Neo Soul artist Maxwell's 2009 CD release Black Summer's Night.
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Help your neighbor. If you have it to give why not help others? Of course our country is known for being the most generous in the world. Our giving strength should be reflected more in our cities and job offerings. If everyone has what they need, their heart's desire and dream what is the problem? No utopia,but at least it's a start in good gaining leverage in the world. Of course,not everyone wants to be a billionaire or millionaire. No one I believe chooses to live in poverty either.

I think the President set a good example in this recently by committing a percentage of his salary in a demonstration of solidarity with furloughed Federal workers. On a broader scale he has engendered a spirit of fairness and justice in his commitment to workers and their jobs by auto bailout. He has pushed successfully for affordable health care which gives everybody a fair shot at coverage. He pushes for urban empowerment by establishing millions in grants and appointed liaisons in six hard hit cities across the country including Detroit one of the hardest hit.

An Inspiration Fund... Providing A Window of Hope and Sustenance for Friends in Need in 8 Parts

Alicia Keys: 'I Love New York/For The Love of Money'

In continuing with the 8 part "An Inspiration Fund" blog in seeking pledges, I thought I'd lift up an earlier blog written almost two years ago--Global Day of Action Against Poverty . It isn't "Global Action Day Against Poverty" today but today's blog lifts up some of the same ideas and sentiments. So, when you're done reading it, have at one from the archives. A bonus is that I provided a link to a video in which Alicia Keys performs that classic O'jay's tune "For the Love of Money", which is posted at the top of this blog article as a "blast from the past". Enjoy!
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Part III-"For the Love of Money"

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For whatever reason, a good portion of government aid for the ordinary citizen seems to have clogged up in one political bottleneck or the other. It just does not seem to be pouring out fast enough to meet people's immediate needs. And, let's not forget another layer of delay and set back, financial predators who profit and gain from schemes and plans designed to benefit only themselves at the expense of others. They don't care about others as long as they get theirs, taking under the pretext of helping--with their own Madoff-esque twist.

Unfortunately, this kind of mentality has contributed significantly to the current economic crisis. Simply put, greed just got out of hand. One prime example and glaring reminder is the foreclosure crisis. It sent this country into a financial tizzy that will take it a while to recover from. The domino effect has sent financial giants to the bankruptcy courts and thousands have been laid off or terminated from their jobs. Many of us know friends and family members who have been impacted. to be continued

An Inspiration Fund...Providing A Window of Hope and Sustenance for Friends in Need in 8 Parts

Part II-The Nagging Question-"What Can I do to Help?"

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Over the past two years, and rather intensively this past year and a half, that question has become somewhat of a mantra, as I have witnessed close friends lose their homes, businesses and/ or jobs, having to cut back on spending, resulting in leaner lifestyles. Some have even been wavering on the brink of poverty. These are smart, industrious people who cringe at the thought of having to ask for a government hand out or ask friends or family for a loan. They have always been able to make it by, one way or the other. But, today's economy has presented a different set of challenges. Challenges which need to be met head on with progressive and innovative solutions. To be continued...

An Inspiration Fund...Providing A Window of Hope and Sustenance for Friends in Need in 8 Parts

Part I- "Give and it Will Be Given You"

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This is the first in a a series of 8 short thought-provoking messages which kicks off Minister Cynthia Wilson's economic "helps ministry", a humanitarian effort to help friends who are in need of financial assistance. It also includes exclusive links to stories and "profiles in giving", inspirational vignettes of special friends who have helped her through financial crises while providing insight along the way-- a bonus for fund donors.


Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

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After a recent conversation with a good friend, my thought was how easy it is to sometimes forget those who have generously given to us at some point in our lives. If they have not given directly to us, they may have given to the church, a friend or family member, or someone else in our neighborhood or community. They have given, in either time or treasure and may have now fallen on hard times, leaving burning in our psyche the nagging question (to be continued)...,