Tea Time
According to the wire service reports, there is a place in Australia that has become a favorite spot for those who want to commit suicide. It is a rocky cliff near Sydney Harbor called The Gap. For nearly 50 years, a man named Don Ritchie has lived across the street from The Gap. Don sees it as his responsibility to try to keep people from jumping over. It is estimated he has saved more than 160 lives by offering conversation, coffee or tea. In some way, he tries to bring them hope. Don keeps a constant vigil toward the cliff with binoculars. On at least one occasion, a person almost dragged Don over the cliff. He has been described as an angel. The reporter chronicling his story reports that Don has said, "You can't just sit there and watch them. You gotta try and save them. It's pretty simple."
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. (Lamentations 3:22 NIV)
Conversation, coffee, or tea; a revelation was given to me as I read this article. Anyone can do this! The only things you need are compassion, coffee, tea, at least
two cups, and the sense that it is your responsibility to address the hopelessness that is all around us. As a pastor, I am constantly in search of material, books and training that will inspire, educate and bless the body of Christ. I worry about the lack of commitment to our community and our temptation to find our ease in the comfort of the walls of the church. It is safe here in the Sanctuary, most everyone looks, acts and believes like Me. No defense, no explanations are necessary, all I have to do is engage and drop a little dough-re-me in the purple bag and head for the nearest buffet at the end of the service. It is just a difficult thing to merge our commitment to Christ into a "life" calling. Don Ritchie has come to the rescue. Don sees it as his responsibility to try. That's it! No charts or graphs are needed to execute his responsibility. No meetings or training sessions, just a keen awareness of the trouble that drives people to take their lives by jumping over a cliff.
We have truth that spurs us on to follow the example of Don Ritchie; the Lord's great love and compassion. The Enemy is determined to see you consumed with fear, hopelessness and failure. Our God is able to deliver to the uttermost so that we will never be consumed. His compassion never fails. Think of that, never fails. Now all you need is some tea and coffee, it's pretty simple.
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According to the wire service reports, there is a place in Australia that has become a favorite spot for those who want to commit suicide. It is a rocky cliff near Sydney Harbor called The Gap. For nearly 50 years, a man named Don Ritchie has lived across the street from The Gap. Don sees it as his responsibility to try to keep people from jumping over. It is estimated he has saved more than 160 lives by offering conversation, coffee or tea. In some way, he tries to bring them hope. Don keeps a constant vigil toward the cliff with binoculars. On at least one occasion, a person almost dragged Don over the cliff. He has been described as an angel. The reporter chronicling his story reports that Don has said, "You can't just sit there and watch them. You gotta try and save them. It's pretty simple."
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. (Lamentations 3:22 NIV)
Conversation, coffee, or tea; a revelation was given to me as I read this article. Anyone can do this! The only things you need are compassion, coffee, tea, at least
two cups, and the sense that it is your responsibility to address the hopelessness that is all around us. As a pastor, I am constantly in search of material, books and training that will inspire, educate and bless the body of Christ. I worry about the lack of commitment to our community and our temptation to find our ease in the comfort of the walls of the church. It is safe here in the Sanctuary, most everyone looks, acts and believes like Me. No defense, no explanations are necessary, all I have to do is engage and drop a little dough-re-me in the purple bag and head for the nearest buffet at the end of the service. It is just a difficult thing to merge our commitment to Christ into a "life" calling. Don Ritchie has come to the rescue. Don sees it as his responsibility to try. That's it! No charts or graphs are needed to execute his responsibility. No meetings or training sessions, just a keen awareness of the trouble that drives people to take their lives by jumping over a cliff.We have truth that spurs us on to follow the example of Don Ritchie; the Lord's great love and compassion. The Enemy is determined to see you consumed with fear, hopelessness and failure. Our God is able to deliver to the uttermost so that we will never be consumed. His compassion never fails. Think of that, never fails. Now all you need is some tea and coffee, it's pretty simple.