From Brent:
Whenever I wonder what I can do to please the Lord, I think of one verse that is a sure fire bet:
James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
[Note: people ask me why I think THE MESSAGE is such a terrible Bible version. James 1:27 is a perfect example, changing "widows and orphans" to "homeless and loveless", completely destroying the target of SPECIFIC need God intended to point out (widows and orphans) to a politically-correct, feel-good, nebulous social construct (homeless and loveless). While we do indeed need to help the homeless and loveless, this is an egregrious butchering of the original meaning which was specifically targeted to those who have NO possible means of support to a welfare-type meaning congruent with current social mentalities. This is just one of countless ways THE MESSAGE destroys the veracity of the original Scriptures.]
You know of our love and support for orphans because that is more of a public community effort we have joined (a community of families and bloggers). What you don't know about is our ministry to our widow and elderly neighbors.
I only tell you now because I have a specific need. We live in a small town, and like most small towns, much of the population is elderly. We have elderly and widows as neighbors on both sides of us who we "look after", including mowing, handyman stuff and caring for them in different ways.
It's also common in small towns for the home lots to be bigger. Our neighbors have on average about one acre lots. MOWING THE GRASS is a very meaningful and tangible ministry that they have expressed continued heartfelt gratitude for. Either they have to try and do it themselves, or their yards simply get over grown and uncared for.
So here's the need: my current little (about as little as the come) riding mower cannot handle the workload and is falling apart. To continue this ministry, and expand it, I want to either raise the money for new zero-turn mower, or find one for sale at an extraordinarily discounted price.
Smaller zero-turn models for this amount of work start at about $3000 new. I have no idea what someone would sell a used one for, or if a used one is worth the added uncertainty of it's condition.
Because of Abby's medical bills, we simply cannot afford this by ourselves. So I figured I would put the word out to our blog friends and community to see if I can raise the money, get a mower donated, or find a used one for a great price.
I'm willing to continue the work. Anyone out there with the means (or a zero-turn mower they aren't using) interested in investing in this good work?
"Mowing" doesn't sound real spiritual but you would simply be amazed at how meaningful and "love filled" it is for these elderly folks and widows.
Email me if you have any suggestions or if the Lord leads you to help me in this.
Brent
UPDATE: I've had several people suggestion and ask for a way to donate to the "mowing for widows and elderly" ministry effort. A couple of folks also mentioned they had church ministries and funds set up to help widows and would inquire about their church considering a donation. You can let your church leaders know about our blogs (
http://www.seriousfaith.com/ and
http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/) so they can see it is a legit effort (along with your recommendation of course.
So here's a donate button, and you have my word that every single penny will be used to purchase the mower, and nothing else. Please know that these dear folks that will be ministered are overwhelmed and grateful for the love shown through the simple act of helping them with something they cannot do themselves. It is truly pure and undefiled religion. Would you ask your friends and blog readers to consider helping?
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Devotionals - Daily Devotional by Brent Riggs