All posts tagged: spirituality

The Paradox of Giving

October 29, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Indiana

An Indy policeman giving so much of himself for others

In Acts 20:35, Apostle Paul wrote – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Many things had transpired in the past few days:

4 food pantries
4 Kindness Days
Ride along with IMPD Police Officer at one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Indy
- I’ve seen people put in jail, smoking marijuana while driving, small children in a car without car seats, theft, domestic violence, hunger, homelessness, etc.
I have shared MORE DETAILS here

Just in 10 days of seeing the hurts and the needs surrounding us, the verse above spoke to me in a deeper level. I thought of asking you rhetorical questions. Feel free to make Comments on this Blog as well.

Which one would you rather be:
- a person who has the ability to donate food and time or a person who rely on others for the next meal?
- a legally blind person living by yourself or a person who has good sets of eyes and able to help a blind person?
- a person who can help someone to do strenuous physical activities or someone who is hindered physically?
- a person who give his/her time, talent & treasure because God had graced you or a person with different circumstances who receives from you?

Keep in mind that it could be reversed. For example, by helping those who are “weak”, you realized you are strong. By giving of yourself to others without expecting anything in return, you suddenly receive blessings in unexpected ways.

I’m actually writing this to remind myself of the paradox of giving. Sometimes, I question myself, “Why am I doing all these?” It’s easy for us complain and make excuses rather than see the blessings in disguise. And, in many instances, transcendence happens in the act of giving one’s self.

In the next few weeks, ask yourself:

“Who can I bless today?”
“Where is God calling me to gather resources for others?”
“How can I see the blessing in disguise?”

God bless you!

Merlin

NOW, NOW, NOW

October 11, 2013 Merlin Gonzales KIOM, Message, Ministry, Testimony

On early Sunday morning 10/6, I was awaken by a short but vivid dream. I was looking at a piece of white bond paper. On the top of it (the Title) was written 2 words.

(I can’t remember the first word) but the second word is NOW.

There were 2 subtitles, each with a descriptive paragraph. Both of the subtitles were a single word that has NOW in the middle of it. They look like this:

____NOW____

I didn’t remember the exact words but here’s the example – ackNOWledge.

So, my dream contained 3 NOW words and all capitalized. I’m not a dream interpreter but when a same thing appeared 3 times, it means it’s happening now!

For those of you who are parents, you can appreciate this – parents want to speak to their children all the time. However, when children grow up, they are normally too busy to talk or to listen to their parents. As adults, we have crammed so much in our 24-day. Many times, we miss some intimate and sacred moments with God.

Biblically, God speaks to us in many ways, one way is through dreams. I believe that God is reminding us that the Kingdom of God is in our midst (Luke 17:21) – NOW. Where ever you are, if you are a Christian, the Kingdom is within you…NOW.

Similar to the 2 words that encapsulated the word NOW, our lives could be busy or we are just not paying attention to what God is saying to us. If you look closely in life circumstances, within a seemingly chaotic event, God is there with you. You might be traveling, doing business transaction, happy or sad…God is saying to us, “look again!”

Apply this principle with your family and friends who are in a difficult situation. Encourage them; you can actually speak life in their lives that can change their perspectives and give them hope. A simple word change a person’s eternal destiny.

Last Sunday, at a church, I shared my dream with 3 people whom I thought would be receptive to the word NOW. Although each of them are in different stage of their lives, I saw immediate change in their posture and demeanor. They were very thankful and it gave them courage and confidence that God is always there for them.

If we ackNOWledge God, we will experience more of His Kingdom manifesting in our lives. Even if you think NOWay or you are sNOWed under. He is there with you. Look again!

I know, there’s more to the dream, so I encourage you to give me feedback or let me know what you think. God bless you! Believe me He is with you right NOW.

Hunger and Crime in Our Midst

October 4, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Food Pantry, FHL Indiana, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy

An example of a Missional Community

I came to the US in 1984 to work for a cruise ship based in Miami. After a year, I moved to Indianapolis with a huge dream and a pocket with just a few dollars in it. I thought I can have anything I want if I just work hard, after all, I will be a citizen in the Land of Opportunity. After 3 years, I found myself working 3 jobs and hardly sleeps. In less than 12 years, I found myself broke and depressed.

Many of us have big dreams but then, life happens. When you walk in the streets of a super power country – the United States, you will meet the new poor and a multitude of hungry people, both physically and spiritually hungry.

According to the latest US Census Bureau, the number of children living in poverty in Marion County is up 81% since 2000. This means an estimated 62,287 children under the age of 18 are living in poverty, that’s 1 out of 4 children in the county . Two of Indianapolis neighborhoods are listed in the top 25 Most Dangerous neighborhoods in the US. Yes, poverty and crime are closer than you think. You don’t need to cross the oceans to be in a mission field. They’re here!

What if we start looking together for resources right here in our own backyard. What if we can connect those in need and those who have more than enough? What if our food pantries become a place where food comes second only to relationships?

In less than 3 years, Faith Hope and Love helped start and incubate 14 food pantries. The idea for these pantries are to be self-sustained in 6 months. This means that each of them should have developed a strong community that watch after each other’s back. They should have developed relationships in and around their neighborhoods so they will have a volunteer base willing to help at least once a month, build connections and active support from different organizations such as businesses, churches and other non-profits and, they have engaged their neighborhoods so they can reach out to those in need and receive assistance from those who have more than enough.

This will be the focus of FHL in the coming years, to build missional communities that work together not only to address physical hunger but also the spiritual hunger. We believe in the grassroots movement instead of the top down approach. We believe that missional communities are possible if we embrace relationship over programs. We believe that the answer to hunger and crime is not food and guns, but relationships.

In authentic relationships, you find acceptance, you will find people that work with their hearts, not with their hands and you will see a community similar to that of the Book of Acts. That’s why the volunteers at FHL are very excited to share with you the energized mission at the breakfast at Maggiano’s on 11/6 7:30a. You will find more info Here.

Authentic relationships with God and with others (The Greatest Commandment) will solve the hunger and the crime in our midst.

Find your passion, and then do it well

September 19, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Food Pantry, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy

Taken at #ET13 conference

My wife and I were so blessed this past few days attending a technology conference #ET13 sponsored by ExactTarget. More than 6000 thousand people from around the world attended it. I did not know what to expect but it was first class all the way. It was held at a 5-Star hotel in Indianapolis, high-tech presentations and cutting edge break out sessions, good food, great Speakers and over the top entertainment at the end of each day.

The Keynote Speaker for the ending of the event was the Former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. She reminded us of the old phrase that goes similar to this, “Find your passion and then do it well.” You probably have heard this phrase in other versions but the meaning is still the same. And, you probably have read or heard that this is not a good advice.

At the end of the conference, we were provided lunch. I happen to sit next to an older man. I started a conversation with him and shared with him that I agree with Condoleezza Rice to find your passion and then do it well. I told him that I found my passion in my ministry, I just need to be better in leading it to continue the exponential impact we have in our communities.

My passion is to help those who are less fortunate, to encourage those who have not yet find their passion and then train others to do the same. I founded Faith Hope and Love not by design but because of the circumstances that presented themselves while doing what I am passionate about. However, like many entrepreneurs, I did not abandon my job immediately. I worked in the same place for the next 2 years after founding the ministry to support my family financially. Then after much prayers and discussions with my family and trusted friends, I quit my job and decided to pursue my passion.

I think human beings live a more exciting life if they are engaged with what they love to do. As I am writing this, I was reminded of another great phrase, this one from the movie Braveheart, “Every man dies, but not every man really lives.”

Let me ask you a few questions that hopefully, would stimulate your thinking. What really matters at the end of your life here on earth? Did you live fully or just half-way because you chose not to pursue your passion? Did you live a very safe life and took the safe road? When you look back in your life, would there be a lot of “I should have followed my passion”?

I love what I do now but it is never easy. However, I welcome challenges in my life, they make grow and make my life more exciting. I know it’s not going to be a walk in the park when you follow your passion but I know that you got to walk on clouds while doing what you love to do.

Back in early 2005, I did not see myself as the founder of a ministry that reaches to thousands of people every year. Maybe you are at the same situation right now as I was 9 years ago. It seem almost impossible to pursue your passion. But maybe, you just need to step on it and see the deeper reality of what you were called for.

You will live fully when you follow your passion. Just aim to be better at doing it and you will realize a fulfilling life. So, I challenge you to find your passion, and then do it well.

Neighborhood Innovation

September 13, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Indiana, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy

Innovation applied to our neighborhoods

You probably have heard by now that iPhone just unveiled 5C and 5S both with iOS 7 and the later with fingerprint sensor and 64-bit processor. Even with all the innovations, some tech experts are saying that they are losing the ground in the smartphone war.

No, I’m not going to lead you to follow this trend, but let me ask you a question, “What If we put as much emphasis on missional community innovation as we do with smartphones?”

Here’s an example: One of the self-sustained food pantries that FHL planted is having a Baked Sale on Sat. 9/14 to raise funds for their pantry. What’s innovative about it? It’s an old concept that was upgraded. The local residents are coming together to sustain their food pantry. Last month, a family did a garage sale and used the money to buy food for the pantry. These methods maybe archaic but they are morphing into neighborhood transformation.

This is grassroots movement in steroids! The local neighborhood has a sense of ownership of their pantry. They now come together not just for food but for camaraderie and relationships.

Unlike technology innovation, grassroots movement is powered from ground up instead of from top down. This approach can create a legacy not a legend. This approach can transform a neighborhood, a city and a country. These neighborhoods will win over hunger, homelessness and crime. Instead of losing ground, they will conquer the land with ever increasing innovation to solve challenges together.