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This past Sunday, we were reminded that the story of the widow giving her two copper coins (Mark 12), was not simply a message on giving. It wasn’t simply an illustration on the fact that “little can be much”, and every amount we give is important, etc.

It offers a much more life-transforming message to us today, in our time and culture.

The widow, because she didn’t have much to give, was able to give her ALL. “All that she had to live on.” How much more difficult is it, for someone with much, to give their “ALL”. Sure, we who have a lot may give what we believe we can financially afford. What we can sacrifice and still get by on. But our “all”??

And not just finances. Socially. Relationally. How much mercy/Forgiveness/Love we live out. Our time. Other resources. Are we truly offering our “all” to God?

Generally it isn’t until Christmas is near that we begin to hear about donating to good charities, etc. About purposefully choosing to live and give simply, so that more resources can be given to places of staggering need. I know it’s hard, and learn more about how hard it is….as with 3 daughters….we and all of our family/friends LOVE to give our daughters gifts/toys/etc. Their smile is worth any price…or so it would seem.

Take a moment to watch this video. Seriously…before Black Friday, before the lists have been submitted to Santa, before the race begins. Take 4.5 minutes, and watch this video.

$8 hot dogs aren’t evil. Enjoying the chocolates of life can be a very God-filled thing. But may we be more conscious and aware of purposefully living more simply…..because Jesus taught us that will make it easier for us to “give our all”….and what better time of the year to model that to the children watching all of us…than Christmas? 🙂

Right now many of you golfers may be longing for greener pastures. Literally. You’ve put your clubs away and submitted to natures suggestion that you wait until next Spring to try again. But there’s a long time between now and then, and you probably don’t play hockey.

Here’s what you do:

1. Grab your 7 iron. Heck, go to Salvation Army and grab a few 7 irons. Then go by a used sporting goods store, and get yourself a few tennis balls.

2. Select a course. A large public area, like a park, college campus, or even a (safe) neighborhood.

4. Create the course. 9 hole or 18 hole, depending on the area you’ve chosen. Most neighborhood courses should probably be limited to 9. Before you invite anyone else, map out the area. Select where the tees are, and where the holes will be. A hole can be anything you want the ball to make contact with. When choosing a hole, be sure not to use humans, animals, or easily damageable objects. Once you’ve created a hole, play it to see what you think Par should be. Write it down.

5. Now that you have your course map, and Par list, invite some friends to play (me especially). Offer them a 7 iron you got for cheap, and they’ll be your best friend for a day.

6. Remember that as a Gennis player, there are certain standards we have to uphold. Keep this in mind when playing through roads, yards, and around people who might be actually using the park as a…..park.

There’s a history of Gennis somewhere online….you can thank the good people of BURPO for proselytizing the beautiful idea, and if you’re a student at ONU, just ask a BURPO for the course information.

If you live in or near Decatur, IL…we’ve created a GENNIS course for Moundford Free Methodist Church…talk to Pastor Wick for a copy!!!