Clinic With A Heart is a free medical clinic staffed entirely by volunteers. Southwood partners with CWAH by staffing the clinic on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 3910 N. 27th Street and the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1225 F Street.
Today, Clinic with a Heart and Southwood's volunteers were featured in an article in the Lincoln Journal Star. To read the article click here!
This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. Its the story of a two kids and their boring Grandpa. Grandpa never says anything other than "could be worse." But one day Grandpa says something else, he says "guess what?" Then he proceeds to tell a harrowing tale of being captured by a giant bird, dropped in the mountains, being caught in the claw of a gigantic lobster, and finally riding to safety on a giant paper airplane. After hearing the story, the kids cheeky response to their grandpa is: "Could be worse."
This book has become a favorite of my three nephews as well. They especially love to hear their own grandpa read it to them.
I'm not really sure I "got" the importance of the book's message when I was a kid. Lately, it seems I have to remind myself every day, no hourly, how much in my life actually "could be worse."
Take this morning for instance. Before I left for work I had tried on three different outfits. I looked in the mirror after trying on each one and decided I didn't like the way that one made me look. I finally settled on one that I deemed to be adequate for the day ahead. I was complaining this morning about a leak in my basement toilet. I have an ice cream bucket sitting behind it that I have to remember to dump out every so often so there isn't water all over my floor. (Yes, I'm choosing to ignore the irony of the empty ice cream bucket being indicative of why I don't like the way my clothes look on me.) Then, I complained all the way to work about the pot holes in the street. This was all before 9 a.m.
Then I saw this picture ... (This picture comes from The Big Picture, a great site to see news stories in pictures.)
... and all I can do is confess my sins. I know there are people in this world who have lost everything. I know that one bottle of Gatorade could make the difference in someone's life. I know that roads are broken, buildings have fallen, people have died and are dying. I know that for thousands of people it could not be worse. So, why do I continue to complain about clothing and pot holes?
Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. Psalm 51:16-17 (MSG)
My pride has been swallowed. I have been forgiven. Could be worse.
There is so much more to be said and learned than "could be worse." So as I continue to examine this life of mine that daily falters on the selfish side, today my prayer is that God could find some way (big or small) to use my life to make someone's life "less worse."
Pastor Sara
This Sunday is Global Mission Sunday at Southwood. We will spend the morning celebrating the relationship God has given us with our brothers and sisters in Tanzania and Honduras. We've been connected with these global family members for years now, but this year we found out that they are connected to each other too.
Check out this great story! It comes from Invo Makayo, the Headmaster of Uroki Secondary School in the Uswaa Parish in Tanzania. He has never met anyone from Honduras, yet he faithfully prays for them as his own brothers and sisters. To the right is a picture of Invo with Kristi Larson, one of the members of Southwood's Tanzania team. You can read another story about Invo and Kristi here.
On August 3rd, Invo sent us this email:
After prayers (by Staff and Students of Uroki) for our sisters and brothers in Honduras, I decided to research a bit about this Country. On one website I faced the following alert:
Travel Alert: The security situation in Honduras remains fragile following recent political instability. Travelers should stay away from any demonstrations and monitor the media for any developments.
I was moved by tears. I heard the echo of Pastor Sara's words when preaching at Uswaa. I heard her telling us about our young sister (Honduras). She said we are three sisters (Uswaa, Southwood, and Honduras). I really felt as my own kinsmen are in great anguish. What then could I do to help them ? Nothing, nothing at all, the distance is a limiting factor, BUT even if I could be there who Am I to calm the situation? Nothing.
On the other side of the coin ... We have lots we could do. PRAYERS !!!!!!!!!!! yes by faith we have powers to stop everything that is disturbing our brethren. And this is what I'm calling upon to every body that known to have brothers and Sisters in Honduras Let keep our hands tied together till security is restored
In his service,
Invo
Sometimes I think we can go to Honduras and Tanzania and think we are the big brother or even the parent in this global relationship. Thinking we have everything to give and teach and nothing to gain. Oh how wrong that is - we have so much to learn and so much to be taught about faith by these faithful people who care so passionately for ALL of God's children.
Come and join the Global Celebration this Sunday!
Pastor Sara
My sister caught her son, my 3 year old nephew, having a "pretend" conversation with me on his toy phone the other night. She overheard him telling me to "shut-up." I'm glad it was a pretend conversation, because I don't know what I would have done to warrant that kind of response. After this, he and my sister had a very real conversation about this unfortunate word choice and soon he was making a second pretend call to Aunt Sara to say "I'm sorry."
Certainly, if I had been there I would have followed with an "I forgive you." But I'm sure that in the land of make-believe he heard those important words, and I"m sure in that moment they were very real to him.
Its been an interesting week of "I'm sorry's" in the National news. A congressman, a tennis player, and a hip-hop artist are all making pleas to the public for forgiveness. I saw Serena Williams' insulting behavior happening live. I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. I thought to myself: She's a role model, she has no business acting like that.
My brother sent me this article today from The New York Times, "Teaching Children to Apologize" - he and his wife are raising a three year old as well - so I'm sure in the search for practical advice, the title of this one caught his eyes. I especially love the last paragraph:
In other words, you can clean up spilled milk — not by crying over it, but by sincerely wanting to do something about it. The lessons of apology are really lessons about empathy — truly understanding that your words and actions have the power to insult and wound. It is a vital lesson, and I suppose we should be grateful to all the boorish politicians, potty-mouthed tennis players and inappropriate musicians for providing an opportunity to teach.
It all comes back to compassion. It seems to be an American trait to want to point the blame at someone else. But if we do that, an "I'm sorry" or an "I forgive you" is never even possible. As adults, one of the best things we can do for children is to admit we are wrong sometimes and ask for forgiveness. This shows far more compassion and grace than proving we were right in the first place ever could.
Here are some wise words about using words wisely from Proverbs 15:
- 1 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
- 4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
- 8 God can't stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.
- 12 Know-it-alls don't like being told what to do; they avoid the company of wise men and women. 18 Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
- 23 Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!
- 25 God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing.
What conversations are you having with your kids about mistakes? Forgiveness? or saying "I'm sorry"?
Pastor Sara
Right here in Lincoln there is great need.
On Mondays I work with two 3rd grade boys at Saratoga Elementary, on Thursdays I work with one 3rd grade girl at Elliot Elementary. Each of these children on one occasion or another, has lamented days off from school. One child was not looking forward to winter break, another was so upset about the possibility of a snow day, and another was disconcerted about just a regular weekend. The optimistic side of me wanted to think that these kids just really love school.
Take about 20 minutes and listen to Dr. Marilyn Moore’s Amazing Grace sermon that she shared with the St. Mark’s congregation a few weeks ago. Marilyn is the Associate Superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, she paints a picture of what it is like to be a child in need right here in Lincoln Nebraska.
As I listened to this message I realized that the stark reality is that the kids I work with probably don’t have much stability at home over the weekends and breaks and what’s more, they probably don’t have much to eat. Why would they look forward to days off from a school that feeds them two good meals a day?
Come on Easter Sunday and hear about an exciting new way that you can provide hope to children just like this. We have a big goal and we need your help. The story of Jesus resurrection is one that gives us great hope; let’s turn that hope into a miracle for children in need right here in Lincoln.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Sara
Did you read the article in last S unday's Journal Star that talked about a family that had made a decision to get out of debt? What an inspiration! With all the dreary and scary talk about the economy, it makes sense to honor God with our finances by being a good steward of what he has given us.
Southwood would like to help! Duane and Kandy Wade teach a great class here at Southwood called the Good $ense class. They will be teaching it again in January. It's a 2-session class offered on January 18 & 25 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. This class will teach Biblical financial principles and you will leave with a financial plan that will help you honor God in your finances. It focuses on helping you be a:
Watch for sign-up sheets for this class in early January!
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