Put Down Your Stones

Believe it or not (and you should believe it), I struggle. I used to struggle with a great variety of issues - some spiritual and some social. Then, I realized just how linked they were. One of the most difficult issues I encountered was judging people. My problem with judging others wasn't that I did it too often, rather that I didn't understand what it was.

John 8:3-7 says:

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

This is where I was tripped up!

You see, the way I understood judging meant that since I wasn't perfect, I had no right to bring up ANYTHING wrong with anyone else. My imperfections should not only limit but stifle my attempts to speak out about the behavior of others. I really missed the mark on this one! I was right in the sense that judgment was a task that I was not qualified for. Like the Pharisees in this passage, when we cast a net of judgment, we often become ensnared by it ourselves.

I was wrong because like them, my heart sat on a throne of hypocrisy as I cast down my judgments. Worse even still, I was dreadfully confused. In my lack of understanding, I had swapped a divine role with my earthly responsibility. Judging was not my job, but correction in the appropriate manner was!

James 5:19-20 says this:

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

My place is not to judge, but I do have a responsibility to correct. How can I say I love my brother if I leave him in his sin (2 Tim. 3:16-17)?  How can I say to my daughter that I love her, yet neglect to correct her (Proverbs 13:24)? I couldn't. It wouldn't be possible. As I continue to understand these truths, I would ask that you journey with me. While you do, remember that the key to this equation isn't the correction. The key to this equation is the love.

Written by Lt. Darell Houseton
Newark Ironbound Corps

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The Salvation Army Responds to Apartment Fire in Edgewater, NJ

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Team Responds to Devastating Fire

The Salvation Army New Jersey Division Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team is responding to yesterday’s fire in Edgewater, NJ that has left hundreds of residents homeless.

The Salvation Army EDS team will be on hand with a canteen to provide lunch and dinner for first responders. The canteen is able to provide 1500 meals per day and will be set up near the apartment complex on Undercliff Avenue and Winterburn Place.

 “During this time, we want people to know that we are here for the community and will continue relief efforts for as long as we are needed,” says Michael Clayton, Director of Emergency Disaster Services.

In addition to the feeding, Salvation Army Officers and volunteers will be available to offer emotional and spiritual support for those who need someone to listen.

For additional information on The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services work or ways to help, please visit SalvationArmyNJ.org/eds. Donations can be made by clicking here.

Donations can be made by clicking here.

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Be a Better Servant

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions, but I've made one this year, and it's to be a better servant. Not just of the Lord but also of those around me - at work, at home, anywhere I go. In preparation, I asked myself, "What does it look like to be a good servant?"

To answer this question, it's natural that we look to Jesus himself, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 NIV)

We know the greatness of Jesus' character and how He extends Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. And I hope we know how deep His love is for us, so deep that He took it to the cross. But do we know some practical ways that Jesus served others? We can't die on a cross to save souls, but what are some tangible examples that we can apply to our own lives today?

1. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14 NIV)

We, too, can serve strangers when it's inconvenient, when we don't want to or didn't plan to. Jesus sought some well-deserved alone time and was interrupted by scores of people. Not only did He heal the sick, but He also hung around to help feed five thousand! When interruptions happen in our lives, rather than huffing and puffing (which I admit I do), we can be open to servanthood opportunities.

2. Jesus served women by respecting them and not being condescending when others were - like the story in John 8 of the woman caught in adultery. We, too, can serve both women and men by treating all honorably, regardless of what they've done.

3. Jesus washed His disciples feet in John 13, a filthy task that no one wanted to do. Can you think of a task at work or at home that no one wants to do? Do it!

I think, next holiday season, instead of organizing Secret Santas, we should plot to be Secret Servants. Think of how much fun that would be! Like a game of "Who can do the most good?" A game that can bring victory in our relationship with the Lord.

When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. (Matthew 6:4 MSG)

When we serve, we not only grow closer to God, we grow to be more like Him!

Servanthood is leadership. When someone serves me, they give me an example of how I can serve others. That example, if I'm turned into it, can lead me to serve.

And what can come of that?

Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 MSG)

The cycle of servanthood to leadership to servanthood changes minds, changes hearts and can change the world.

You might have a new year's resolution of your own, and you don't have to adopt mine, but I would encourage you to consider - How do the people in your life serve you? How can you serve them? How can you serve people whom you've never met?

Written by Elyse Jankowski
Community Relations Associate

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