My husband is an amazing man. He is strong and intelligent, he is brave and a wonderful father. And as of right now he is the only one working. I used to provide childcare in my home but recently lost all of my kids due to the parent’s job losses. I knew the money I brought in doing this was really needed but didn’t realize how much we relied on that income to the point that we were just staying afloat. We have never been wealthy; but we have never considered ourselves poor. Even when our pockets are empty and our bank account has .01 in it to keep it from closing. Struggling; yes. Poor; no. We have always tried to look at what we have as opposed to what we don’t have.
When we showed up the morning of the Cross the Street services it was a very difficult morning. My husband and I were commenting the night before on how hard it was going to be to make it another week with no money.
You know sometimes we say we don’t have something and we really mean we don’t have what we WANT or ENOUGH.
We literally had NO MONEY!
Our car had 1/4 tank of gas in it. We were living off of sandwiches and macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. We knew we were going to have to stay home a lot more but one thing we weren’t going to give up was our Sunday morning family reunion. No matter what we are going through; we always feel at peace when we pull in the drive. There are always smiling faces greeting us (sometimes with the crusty sleepy eye still showing… but hey, we love to see them every Sunday! ) and we get to see our kids’ faces light up with excitement about getting to go to Sunday school. Most rewarding is when we leave and feel peace and hear our kids ministering to us on the way home. Telling us what they have learned without having to prod the information from them! They can’t wait to tell us! There is no greater reward as a parent than to hear their sweet voices telling us of their love for Jesus! This morning of Cross the Street was no different. A little afraid of what Monday would bring (but loving our Sunday) we were so relieved to be at church. We didn’t know HOW our needs would be met, but we did know that our God would provide; we just had to be patient. Toby is amazing. Through the spirit of God he knows exactly when to face my direction and when to say what he says! Toby told us to grab a 50 dollar bill on our way out. I held that bill in my hand and prayed a silent prayer to God. “Tell me who to lead to you, God!” On my way out the doors I wasn’t thinking about how we were going to make it 9 days until payday, I was thinking of what I was going to do with this $50 to multiply it for someone else. I kept saying in my head, ” Who is in need, who is in need?” Instantly, I felt it! I literally felt it. I got warm and the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. Like after getting a really big hug from a loved one who waits for you to let go first. God had answered our prayers and Toby was the vessel. We all sat in the car for a second and as the kids were going on and on about Jesus is awesome this and that; my husband and I looked at each other for a few minutes, not saying anything. We both knew what God had done. He had provided before we even had the problem. We would have gas for the week and a few necessities to get us through. I know that I CAN tell everyone that I DID take money from the collection plate because I know I don’t have to be ashamed. I know I am in the company of family, people who love me; even if they don’t know my husband, or me, or my two kids. I can’t express the gratitude. Being the recipient of such grace shows me that even my tithe every week is doing good for others. I wish so much that I was contributing instead of holding out a hand. I know that I shouldn’t feel ashamed; God has given me peace about that. I just wish so much that I could be on the other end. It takes a lot to swallow your pride and say ” I need help” and although I don’t feel ashamed, it still took a great deal of tears and prayer (more often than not the two combined) to say, “I need help.”For all of you who tithe (the same amount every week, different amounts every week, a few dollars or hundreds) I want to personally thank you! Our rent has also been paid because of your love for Christ. For His kingdom. I can’t help but cry again as I tell you all this. I have been told I am a sissy on several occasions. Maybe my husband is right. (I SAID MAYBE! ABSOLUTELY NO ADMISSION OF ANY KIND JUST TOOK PLACE! :}) Or maybe it is the willingness of my neighbors who don’t know my face from a crowd of 1500 love our family enough to say, WHAT IS YOUR NEED? Thank you!
My husband knew a lady at work who had just moved here to Texas from another state. She had no family, and very few friends. Meanwhile, she had just started a new job that wasn’t paying very much money. She has been having to take the bus back and forth to work because her car is very old and is currently not working. The money that she had been trying to save for a newer vehicle is now going to have to be used to try and fix this older car that’s probably just going to have more problems and become a money pit. My husband and I talked and prayed about it and decided that she was the person we wanted to give the $50.00 to. When my husband gave her the money, he explained to her that this was just a gift that never needed to be paid back because God loves her. She was immediately taken back, and began to cry, and told him that he had no idea how much this would help her out. It’s great to see God’s work and blessings poured out on others right in front of you.
Mother’s Day was an amazing day and proof that God does exist. It was hard for me that morning because I knew I wouldn’t have money to put in the collection plate as I usually do. I had to have emergency surgery a few weeks prior without insurance. It left me missing almost two weeks of work which took a hefty toll on my bank account. That day I sat there ashamed as Kent talked about putting money in the basket and having faith in God that our needs would be met. When he prayed he said something that hit home for me. He prayed for those of us that didn’t have money to put in the plate. I was so touched by this that I put my last $10 in the plate. I knew God would provide for me and my kids that week. I sat through the service about being a mom with a bitter attitude. I myself am a single mom of two kids that works very hard to provide for their basic necessities. Mother’s Day has always been a day about my mom, not me. There are no gifts for me that day or celbrations or relaxation for me. This day is always like any other and that’s taking care of my kids. God and Toby had other things in mind on that Sunday. At the end of service he called all of us single mom’s to the front. I could feel my heart beating in my throat when I was one of the first to make my way up to the front. It was then that I was rewarded 10-fold. I put my last $10 in the collection plate only to receive $100 in cash within minutes! It’s times like this that I wonder how people can honestly think that there is no God and that He doesn’t reward us for being faithful!!!!!!
It is both amazing and humbling to experience a financial blessing. I was in desperate need of surgery that quite frankly I was putting off because of money. I did have some medical insurance but because of “hard times” my place of employment had to discontinue it and only gave us a 30 day notice. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery and prayed that somehow we would be able to come up with the $1000+ that was required up front. With only $500 and our backs against the wall I called the church office. Without hesitation, I was given exactly what was needed to complete our up front cost! The awesome part was that I got the news at work which both amazed and stunned my co-workers. I have since had my surgery and am MUCH better. Praise the Lord!
I must admit it was VERY difficult to ask for help. My husband and I simply hate to bother people with our problems and will go out of our way to avoid asking for help. As I said before, this was very humbling experience and a startling reminder that Father God designed us to live in community with each other – not alone/isolated.
Not too long after our blessing, Toby introduced the SAY YES series. With Holy Spirit led passion, Toby brought our congregation off of the sidelines and into action. Equipped with our $50, my husband and I went a little crazy with all of the people we knew could use the money. After about a week and a sharp decrease in my work hours, we once again found ourselves with dry cereal, no milk, hot dog buns and just a spit over empty in both of our cars. Let’s just say, Satan was licking his lips and wringing his hands together in delight just knowing that we had no choice but to use that $50 for ourselves. Well, I suppose he tends to forget that Father God is a promise keeper and does provide for His children. With that promise stamped in our hearts, we were able to creatively manage with what we had until our paychecks came in. Thank you Lord!
But that $50 was still burning a hole in our pockets. Well, the Lord answered our prayers as to whom that $50 would go to. Just today I was driving back from a couple of errands when I spotted a man standing on the side ofthe road with a sign that said “just plain hungry”. Without hesitation and without care that I was holding up traffic, I opened my driver side door (the window doesn’t roll down) and told him to give me his hand. I then looked him in the eyes and stated that God loves him so much and wants me to give this money to him. He smiled and probably expected a couple of bucks. Then he looked down at that $50 bill and his eyes widened just as his mouth dropped open. “Are you sure?” he asked me. “Of course I’m sure”, I replied. “Please accept this gift knowing that you are not alone and that God loves you.” With tears brimming in his eyes he smiled a partially toothless grin and said “thank you”. I couldn’t have asked for anything better in return!
After hearing a Mother share about her son being out of work for almost a year we placed the $50.00 in an envelope and wrote a few words about how our church was praying for him and we wanted to bless and encourage him with this faith gift. This is his reply to us:
I want to thank you so much for your prayers and your compassion. You can’t possibly know how perfect and unexpected the timing of your gift turned out to be. I was in the midst of deep despair, and the selflessness and simple human kindness of your gift brought me to tears…
Aside from the obvious, there are no words to convey the value of what you gave to me, with not only your cash but the kind words you wrote, and the thoughts and understanding beyond them.
May you be blessed beyond measure.
It has been a long and arduous search for employment here. Never in my life have I been out of work for so long to the point that I no longer feel like a citizen, just a statistic.
Please continue to keep me in your prayers, and know that my thanks and appreciation are boundless. You’ve provided a real boost to my own faith, and I thank you for that as well.
I’m happy to know that there are still people like you.
My most sincere Thanks
Michael
Cross Timbers thank you for allowing us to bless Michael
Chuck and Lisa Gould
My wife and I have been thinking about what to do with the 50 bucks and we really couldn’t come up with something. then one day melissa called me and said a hispanic man and his son came to the door and was wanting to cut our lawn. The man handed her a note card with index lines that were hand written. I had let the lawn go longer than I should have and we looked like a perfect new client.
My wife knew instantly where the 50 dollars was going. She went onine and ordered him business cards and a magnet for the side of his truck. Today I called him and he showed up within a hour eager for work. He told me the price and ran in to get the check and his new cards and brought them out to him. When I brought the box out he looked at me funny. He really doesn’t speak english well and said what is this. I told these are for you. At first I think he thought it was trash that I was asking him to throw away. I told him to hold and look. Still looking very confused he smilled and said ok. When I opened one of the little boxes and showed him it was, he saw his and his sons name on the card he looked and me and said nothing with a tilt of his head. I told him that we loved him and so does Jesus. I flipped the card over and read what it said on the back. Jesus loves you. He smiled so big and look up and said…..JESUS. Then he told me that it is free. I said no free. He said, OK just this week. I said no free and gave him a hug. We parted way and I said I will see you next Friday while I watched him run and put his magnet on the side of his truck. I just want to thank you Toby for showing me what is important and reminding me how much I love my wife. God bless and I can’t wait for more of saying yes!
Two weeks and many prayers have passed asking God to show me where or who to bless the money with. No matter where my thoughts led me I could only hear one name. I thought the name kept coming to mind because of my love and concerns for this young woman of 32 years but God kept whispering her name to me, over and over… so I decided to listen…
My story is of a young woman that was diagnoised with Leukemia at the age of two and her Mother. She nearly died shortly after diagnosis but God had other plans… many nights of prayer was spent asking God to spare her childs life and to heal her but her illness only worsened. Early one morning as the Mother held her dying child close to her she began to pray…. praying that God’s will be done… to heal her or take her to heaven anything to stop her child’s pain… the worries and tears began slipping away as she felt complete peace and fell asleep next to her daughter… when they both woke-up her child began to get better… God’s will was for her to live. Once she stabilized she was placed on experimental chemo drugs and went through extreme amounts of radiation, all during her development years. The protocal she was on was devestating. The disease affected her entire body; her organs, her memory, her ability to learn, her growth (4′9) as well as, prevents her from having children. She learns with reputition, she doesn’t know how to rationalize, her reading and writing skills are limited and she has a hard time comprehending many things. If you were to carry on a conversation with her it wouldn’ take you long to realize she has a childs mind. However, she has a firey spirit, and a very independent nature, and insists on making it on her own. She has survived the cancer 30 plus years, and survived a divided family for nearly as long. Her life and family as she knew it was no more. The family suffered much & instead of growing with God they strayed from the Church & from God. Her single mom took care of her and her siblings working many hours to provide for them. She has struggled with survival and with everyday living her entire life. A child that not only fights to have a healthy day but fights to remain independent. She tries to survive on a $600.00 monthly disability but finds there isn’t enough and has to accept her Mother’s help.
Her independance also causes some concerns; a man convienced her he loved her, showered her with attention and gifts and then he took advantage of her. He talked her into letting him move in with her, separated her from family by distancing her from each one, then started controlling her. He talked her into signing her name on many legal documents, which put her $40K+ into debt. By the time family discovered what had happened it was too late. She has since listened to her family and he is no longer in her life.
After many prayers and many talks with God he led me to say yes and to bless her with his offering… she was touched and thankful by the blessing and knows that God loves her no matter what…. she has committed to getting back into church and making a life with Christ…
thank you Toby for sharing God’s gift and love, for helping us find God again… thank you God for not giving up on us, on me, for making sure that I heard you… I love you so much…
As Toby was talking that Sunday leading up to the anouncement about the $50 I started thinking about a friend of mine. We had just had a conversation about needing money and not wanting to ask for it because she was not in a place to pay it back. She would not have accepted a gift from us without feeling obligated. When I gave her money I simply said this is not from us, its from God. I also left the instruction sheet folded with the money. She shared with me that just the day before she was talking with God and she told Him she wasn’t sure how He was going to provide for her but He always had in the past and she trusted that He would again. I love the timing. Her conversation with God happened about the same time I was thinking about her and Toby was giving me the $50 gift to give. Thank you Toby and Cross Timbers Church for allowing us to be a part of God’s plan.
Robert & Sharon Parker
While driving to church on Sunday I told my 18 yr old son, Ross, that I wanted to pay a bill for his older brother, my 27 yr old son, and his wife, Matt and Brittney. They have lived on a single income for almost a year. Matt has taken odd jobs. Nothing permanent. Nothing paying well. I knew they had more money going out then coming in. I felt this great tug on me to pour out some financial love to him and expect nothing in return. “What God?!? You want me to pay some bill for him when I just skim by myself?” So, while driving to church I said “Yes” and told Ross of my plans.
Then we got to church and Toby announced that $50.00 was being given to families to help someone we know that needs it. OK…. I can give this $50.00 to Matt and not worry about ME going broke……Wait…There goes that tug again. “Yes God…..I will do more.”
Tuesday I came home from work and Matt happen to stop by. I casually asked how he and Brittney were doing with their finances. He said they were behind as always. I told him that I wanted to pay a bill for him to help them out. He said they had not gone to the grocery store in 2 weeks and if I really wanted to help, I could help buy them food. I asked that he and Brittney make me a list that night and I would go to the store on the way home Wednesday. I asked about how their cars were running, how they were on gas. Both cars needed work and both were empty. I left the room and came back with the $50.00 and handed it to him. I told him to use it where he had to use it and that I would stop by his place later to pick up the grocery list.
While at the store Wednesday, Brittney found me shopping for them. I had tripled everything on the list. It was raining so I included an umbrella for her too. She didn’t have one. Then I asked how much gas she had. “Fumes.” I filled the tank. Not even a second thought.
Guess what? I did all of this and am still not worrying about me. “Yes God!”
Maria
Update: I have been really trying to help these kids since that Sunday. I do not have a lot as a single mom. (Yes, I missed mother’s day too! LOL) All of a sudden my job opened up 13 hours/week mandatory overtime for the next 3 weeks. I normally complain about all of the OT. I see it differently right now. I am going to help Brittney get new glasses. (It has been 4 years!) I still can not get them to join us on Sundays. I know this can not go on for a long period of time. I only pray that they will see God’s love shining through.
We had committed to bless someone with the $50.00 provided by the Church within two weeks. As the two weeks came to a close, we had yet to sense the right opportunity. I headed to Denver, our former home of 30 years, for a business trip with the $50.00 still in hand. After a day of working, I headed for the 16th street mall in downtown Denver where I was working and staying, worn out and looking for a quick place to eat and call it a day. The evening was warm, and I found a fast food place with an outdoor seating area fenced off from the mall. When we moved from the Denver area several years ago, the mall, a stretch of 16th street running through the entire length of the downtown, was an urban planners showcase with upscale shops and restaurants. Since then, a sizeable population of homeless and street people had come to call the mall home, and the numbers of evening shoppers and diners had dwindled. I sat down in the outdoor area and immediately noticed someone whom appeared to be an older lady standing just outside the fence staring blankly at the mall, in an apparent mental fog. She was dressed unusually, in sky blue pants with a matching hooded sweater or sweatshirt. Although it was warm, she had the hood fully pulled over her head, and a bag at her side. I was a little uncomfortable and was glad she was staring the other direction. The next time I looked her direction, she was staring directly at me. I pretended to look at the newspaper someone had left at my table, but felt compelled to look again. She had climbed the fence into the seating area and was now sitting at a table with her head hung, as if asleep or in a stupor. As I left the restaurant about 5 minutes later, she was still there, unmoved from her position, and I knew I had to do something for her. I got her some food and the restaurant took it out to her. I told the girl who was delivering the food to tell the lady simply that God loves her. The $50.00 was still in my pocket. Shortly after returning home from Colorado, I learned that one of our former pastors was out of work, and one of his sons, who had a wife and small child, was badly injured in a skiing accident with closed head injuries, unable to work and requiring therapy and rehabilitation. One of the couples in our life group, Dan and Linda Ruehs, had suggested pooling our $50.00 and adding to it to multiply what could be done for someone. As we are told by God’s word, we must not only help strangers in need, we are also to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in their time of need. We put our funds together and were able to help our pastor’s son with his needs. That family was encouraged by the donation at a time when they were facing discouragement. Our gifts to others provide more than just funds. The sharing of God’s love and encouragement can be more valuable than the money received.
My husband and I both kept searching for God’s leading on what to do with our $50. The two-week period Toby set out for us came and went, but we still kept carrying around our $50. Then on Monday, May 25th God spoke and I knew what we’d been waiting for. While traveling home from a family visit in Austin, I stopped at McDonald’s in Waco to let the kids burn off some energy and eat lunch. I was feeling incredibly blessed — happy kids, fun weekend, a nice reliable vehicle, full tummies….After loading up the kids for the last leg of the trip home, I noticed a beater car parked next to us. The windows were rolled down so I could hear the two toddlers in the back seat crying. Dad was scratching a lottery ticket. Mom looked stressed and angry. As I started to back out I heard God say – these are the ones who need the money. So I told my 5-year old “I’m going to give this family some money.” I got out of my car and went up to the passenger window saying “excuse me, but may I buy your lunch?” while handing the $50 bill through the window. Mom took the money with a look of disbelief on her face. She said thank you and handed the money to her husband. I could tell by their expressions that the $50 was a lot of money and they just couldn’t believe it. Before I was able to back out Mom got my attention. I rolled down my window and she smiled and said thank you again. I can’t tell you the transformation I saw on her face from the first time I saw her. I said “God bless you. Just take care of those babies.” She said “I will” very emphatically. My 5- year old then said “Mommy. That was so nice.” I told him “God wanted that family to have the money.” Thank you Cross Timbers for giving me the opportunity to bless this family and to teach my own kids two things (1) the power of giving and (2) the willingness to hear God’s voice.
My husband and I were waiting for a God to show us exactly who we were supposed to give the $50 to and it never came. After discussing it and praying, we decided to do something a bit different. We both have known family and friends who have been in the ICU in the past. Those times when you are in the waiting room are some of the most hopeless feeling. Perhaps those people needed to be reminded that God had not forgotten them.
We went to the dollar store and Wal-Mart and purchased a lot of little things that might be helpful to someone who was spending a lot of time in the waiting room. Some of the things included bottled water, mints, gum, kleenex, pens, pencils, crosswords, thank you notes, memo pads, crayons, coloring books, individually wrapped toothbrushes and chapstick. We filled a basket and took it to the ICU waiting room. Inside was a little note telling people what the church was doing and that God loved them and remembered them in their time of need. We trust that God will do something awesome through a small gesture of love.
A member at Denton Campus wants to share her story…
I wanted to share my story but, I’m not sure who or where to send it.
I took the $50.00 dollars given at church and decided to e-mail two of my (old)team members from Lee Elementary and asked if they had students who needed help. Both responded within minutes. So I gave $50 to one student and then added $50 of my own to pay it forward.
The above attachment explains their situations.
Thanks!!
Kelly Weier :0)
Yes!!!! I have a student whose Dad was just recently diagnosed with cancer. It is a very sad situation due to legal status in this country. I spoke to mom on Friday, and she is beside herself as you can imagine. They are a good parents (I had brother who is now in 3rd grade) have brother in Kinder, and they have a little one at Ann Windle. Hard working people. She said trying to find help due to his immigration status is very difficult, and of course no health insurance. Dad’s brother died 3 years ago also of cancer. She said that in this one month they have already accumulated over $15,000 in medical bills, and they have just started on this journey. I know $25.00 is just a drop in the bucket, but I do feel anything, anything is a blessing from God. Mom works at the Conoco on University (over by Denny’s) and Dad was working at El Guapos (don’t know if he is still able to work). Please ask your congregation to keep Mr. Antonio Carlos and his family in their prayers. We are all God’s children. He doesn’t care about our legal status.
Letty Rivas- Bilingual Kindergarten, Lee Elementary
Yes! I have a student who was taken from his mother and is living with an aunt and uncle. Mom had some kind of “psychotic break”. There are also several other children in the family; I am not sure of the relationship. He calls his aunt “mom” and the other children his “brothers”. He is bright but has some issues. I am sure the family could use the money for everyday expenses: food, clothes, medicine, etc. He speaks excellent English but I have to send all my notes home to the family in Spanish. His name is Juan “Tony” Rico. Let me know what other information you need. Please tell everyone Thank-you! In this day and age, every penny counts, especially for some of our families!
Brenda Thomas- Kindergarten teacher, Lee Elementary
For several months I had seen an indigent man in a wheelchair sitting in the parking lot of a restaurant I pass frequently. As time went by, I felt a tug from God that I needed to help the man with some cash, and even more, to sit and have a conversation with him. So, when we were given $50, I knew I was to add $50 of my own and help this man.
Yet…I still struggle with saying “Yes” to God. On the way home, I began to question. “Surely you don’t mean this $50 is for him.” Or at least, “Surely you don’t mean for ME to sit and talk with him.” I ‘prayed’ that God would tell me who needs this money. The answer was always the same. I called my sister, who is much better at obedience than I, and described the situation. Of course, she confirmed that I knew what I needed to do, and I should get to doing it. (Darn obedient sister!
Finally, I said “Yes” to God. What a relief and pleasure it always is when I give in. Why don’t I learn to do this sooner and save myself the misery?
I began to drive by the restaurant regularly, looking for this man. The two week deadline to give away the $50 came and went, and still I had not seen him. I didn’t know where else to look, so I kept just driving by. Last week, I stopped at the gas station next door to this restaurant to fill up. As I was standing there, a (different) man approached me and began to tell me his story. He had brought his sick wife to Dallas, and now they were trying to get home. They were out of money, with no options. Clearly, he was broken and humbled by the situation. At first, I told him I had no cash. (I sometimes get so focused on the outcome I think is right, I lose sight of the opportunities God places for me on the journey.) As he began to walk away, I thought of the $50. I called out to him, and he came back. I explained that our church members had been given $50 to give to someone in need, and that it was for him.
To my surprise, he began praising God right there at the gas pump. He started crying, and said that he knew it was all God’s to begin with, and that God always provides. We praised together, and he began to thank me profusely. I told him that the only thanks necessary was for him to pass it forward when he was able. He assured me he would.
I believe God put the “indigent” man in that parking lot so I would be in the right place at the right time. As I was leaving Starbucks that night, I saw him for the first time in weeks, in a place I never had before. I was immediately reminded that we are to entertain strangers, because in doing so, we may entertain angels unaware. Or sometimes, they just show us where we need to be waiting for God.
I still owe someone $50 of my own. When God shows me who that is, I will be thankful to immediately say “Yes, God.”
Thanks to God, and to Toby and Cross Timbers for obedience to His command to feed His sheep.
I read all these wonderful stories about how people are using their $50 and wonder WHAT is wrong with me??!! I STILL, YES STILL have my money!! I am frustrated. I have been praying and watching and listening but yet no answer. I know GOD will answer in his own time but I feel like I should have been able to bless someone by now. I don’t want to just give it away, I really want someone who needs it to have it. Is anyone else in the same situation? Maybe Toby’s message yesterday will help me today on my journey to helping someone on the road to THE SOURCE, JESUS CHRIST!!
….. My Neice (just got baptized) which lives in Mineral Wells, was at the gas station out there a few days ago when she heard a man walking around asking people for money. She heard him tell several people that he had left his wallet at home and had already pumped $20.00 into his tank..(I KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE PAY BEFORE YOU PUMP) After asking several people and getting turned down, a man walked up and said “What was that you were saying… you need money?” The man explained his situation and said “You can follow me to my house, its only a mile or 2 down the road, and I’ll pay you back.” With that, the gentleman pulled $20 out of his wallet and handed it to the stranded man. Overwhelmed he said “THANK YOU SO MUCH” but the “giver” stopped him and said “don’t thank me…. thank Him (pointing up), you see there is a church here in North Texas that I saw on TV called Cross timbers that is doing exactly this… giving to people who need it” (That’s where the goosebumps started for me) The stranded man then asks for the “Giver” to follow him to his house so he can repay him. He wouldn’t have anything to do with it, telling him “to pay me back do what he just did and help someone in need.”
Of course by then my neice was over talking to the man (TOTALLY SIKED) telling him all about Cross timbers, how to get to the campus and anything else she could think of.
If this happened in Mineral wells, miles away from CT, think about how many people accross the nation that could be doing this same thing!!!!!! I love this church and feel so honored to be a part of it. KEEP IT UP YALL, 1 DOWN AND MILLIONS TO GO!!
Okay, I did it! I finally gave the $50 away. I’ve been struggling with the money since it was placed in my hands. I worried that I would miss the signs and I did, but I just kind of let go and it happened. My best friend knew I was having a hard time giving the money away, so she suggested I give it away to someone who I locked eyes with and pay for their groceries. She said that God would supply the person, so I should just give it. So I went for my weekly run to the grocery store. I gathered my groceries and proceeded to the checkout. I counted my groceries to see if I could make the 20 items or less and couldn’t so I set for the regular checkout. While looking I happened to lock eyes with a woman. I didn’t think much of it and proceeded to look at the other checkout lines. Something in me turned in down the checkout lane that had the woman who I locked eyes with. I remembered what my best friend said and remember the $50 in my wallet. I decided then and there and said yes to God. I fumbled through my wallet and found the $50. I tapped the woman on the shoulder and gave her the money. I told her that it was from God and He wanted her to have it. She was with her husband and child and looked at them confused as I’m holding out the money to her. She said something to him looking really confused and so I said the same thing to her husband and he accepted the money. They were shocked. He said thank you and I continued on to load my groceries to be checked out. I finally did what God had been asking of me. Relief.
It took us much longer than 2 weeks to decide who to bless with our $50.00. We wanted it to really mean something so we just kept holding onto it and praying. My son’s girlfriend had recently passed away and God had spoken to me about “lost opportunities” over the previous four years when I could have shown her more love, more concern, more of Jesus, more hope, more joy, more compassion, etc. etc. I made Him and myself a promise that I would strive to be more “tuned in” to His “frequency” in the future. Then Memorial Day weekend arrived and my son had gone camping with a long time friend who also had experienced many years of personal hurt and even some serious health problems, yet I had not taken the time to talk about Jesus with him either. I had always been kind and loving, but never really open with him verbally. When they arrived at my home on Tuesday we invited him in, gave him the $50.00, and shared what God had helped me realize about missed opportunites. We told him what Cross Timbers was all about and used the $50.00 as a witnessing tool of how much God loves him and what Jesus did for him at Calvary. He plans to come to church with us and asked if his 4 year old could go to Sunday School. Of course he will fit right in with our 3 year old grandson. God is moving…..He is moving across our hearts, across our city, and I pray, across our nation.
My husband and I are both unemployed and over the years have had some really tough times. Our Life Group has been an amazing blessing to us in so many ways. We have been helped by The Healing Place and now my son and his daughter, who have moved back in with us, are being helped through pastoral care. Even though our house is really too small and in the natural it is not the best of situations, God is touching my son and bringing him back to who God created him to be. We are all trusting God in a way we have never experienced before.
I praise God for our daughter who encouraged us to attend Cross Timbers with her and her family and how much she has allowed God to move through her to bring the family back together and learning to serve the Lord again.
Thank you Pastor Toby for being bold enough and obedient to “tell us like it is”. Even though we always THOUGHT we were looking to Jesus as our source, we really were not. God is tranforming us into the kind of Christians we want to be.
I feel like such a jerk that it has taken me so long to finally say who we gave our $ 50.00 too. My husband and I and three kids moved to Justin Last July, after spending several months of trying to find a church we could call home, we finally came to Cross Timbers in April. After the first service that we attended we knew this would be our new church home. Just a few weeks later we were given the opportunity to take 50 Dollars and give it to someone in need. I must say I felt guilty because we had only been to the church a handful of times, in my mind I am thinking we haven’t put much more than that in the offering plate since we had been there. But my husband said we needed to help put God in motion and he went and got the 50.00. We didn’t even get to the car and my husband hands it to me and says “I picked it up; it is now yours and the kids job to figure who needs it”. At first I really thought it needed to go to my neighbor that had just lost her husband in a car accident that Friday before church. But the more I prayed on it, I really felt like she needed more emotional support as a friend vs. the 50.00. I guess it was the week after that I still was thinking and praying on whom to give the money to when it came to me. I teach at a little church school two days a week in Justin. I teach the three year old class, and at the beginning of the year we had a boy come for a month and then disappear for a while. Well he came back in January. This little boy was hard to handle. He was mean to the other kids and just didn’t want to fit in. One day I was talking to our Director about him and she said something that has changed me. “She said; the ones that are the hardest to love are the ones who need it the most”. From that day forward, I decided that I was going love him and show him love no matter how he acted. Slowly I started to see a change. This little boy and his sister live with their grandparents. The grandmother is a school teacher and the grandfather is disabled. Now being the daughter of a school teacher I knew that money had to be tight. So I decided that I would give it to his grandmother to do something special for him and his sister. I can’t even begin to tell you the light radiating out of his grandmothers face when I gave her the money. I told her it was a gift from God and the Church and to let those kids know that they are loved. But, this part was not something I had counted on, she gave me the biggest hug and told me, that me being his teacher has been the biggest blessing of all. I still cry when I think about it. That money not only blessed them but it did me too. Thank you Cross Timbers.
A co-worker got in a bind with money and was not going to be able to make his insurance payment. So the $50 covered the next month for his family car. It worked out perfectly. We didn’t know exactly who to give it to and the next day he told me about this. It’s funny how God coordinated everything.
As these weeks have passed by I have been waiting & praying for an opportunity to really bless someone and it finally happened! A young lady who has struggled so long with drug addiction has been sober and has “earned” her way to working a job, living off site & recently her children back. I was so happy for her when I found out she was able to live again with her children. I wrote her words of encouragement and sent her the $50 along with the $100 that I received for being a single mom myself. I realized that in no way do I have it has hard as this young woman. I pray she finds peace & happiness in her new beginning. Thank you Toby for this opportunity!
I’m Sorry that it took so long for me to do this. However, when you gave all of us $50 to do Gods work, my wife (Carol Ann) and I knew right away what to do with it.
Carol Ann works at Wal-Mart and one of her co-workers is really having a very hard time making ends meet. You see, she can no longer work as she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is in a lot of pain, and her husband injured his back and he isn’t able to work either now. So, as you can see their need is great.
It took us forever to get her address, but we finally did, and sent it to her, along with the paper that came with the $50. Her name is Diane Thompson, and I just know that it was a Blessing to her. Remember her in your prayers, please. Jesus gets the GLORY!
Thanks for all you do,
Bobby Reiz
I know it has been a few weeks but it has been such a treat to see what the $50 did for my good friend Gary. I He had recently moved in with me brecause he had separated from his wife. That relationship ended up not working and he had alot of pressure on him concidering he has two beautiful kids. About 2 weeks later he lost his job and also lost his childrens medical insurance. When I received the $50, only one face popped into my head. Gary’s. I gave him the $50 knowing his daughter had been sick and he was worrying about the general doctors visit. I also told him that I wanted him to come to Cross Timbers with me one Sunday and just “check” it out. I knew he would be affected spiritually when he heard Toby speak. He continues to come to Cross Timbers. Has his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin coming to Cross Timbers now. Wants to get baptised, and also is putting his kids in teh CT Summer Program and is wanting to volunteer. I love God and Cross Timbers Church. You have made so many amazing things happen in my life but nothing is better than seeing a friend, someone you love, come out of a depression filled life and feel the joy of Jesus Christ. He seems to be so much happier now. I would ask that we still continue to pray for him on his continuing growth. Thanks for everything
Ok can you say procrastinator?? We gave the money away weeks ago and we are just now posting. It did take us 2-3 weeks to figure out whom to bless with the money! But we knew the minute we left church that we wanted to multiply the gift. We actually manufacture candles for a living, so we decided to buy candle supplies with the $50. We made and sold a case of candles and turned that $50 into $150. We decided to help out our daughter’s 5th grade teacher who had just had a house fire and she was quite distraught. It was a wonderful feeling to allow our daughter to give this gift of $150 to her teacher. She was of course overwhelmed with appreciation; we received a thank you card that day! In the card she let us know that she did not have the words to describe what the gift of cash meant to her. She knew god had a reason and a purpose and that he had sent the right people to help, like our family and the church. She expressed that she was sincerely touched and sent her gratefulness to Crosstimbers! It was an awesome experience; our family looks forward to many more “Say Yes to God” moments!
My husband is an amazing man. He is strong and intelligent, he is brave and a wonderful father. And as of right now he is the only one working. I used to provide childcare in my home but recently lost all of my kids due to the parent’s job losses. I knew the money I brought in doing this was really needed but didn’t realize how much we relied on that income to the point that we were just staying afloat. We have never been wealthy; but we have never considered ourselves poor. Even when our pockets are empty and our bank account has .01 in it to keep it from closing. Struggling; yes. Poor; no. We have always tried to look at what we have as opposed to what we don’t have.
) and we get to see our kids’ faces light up with excitement about getting to go to Sunday school. Most rewarding is when we leave and feel peace and hear our kids ministering to us on the way home. Telling us what they have learned without having to prod the information from them! They can’t wait to tell us! There is no greater reward as a parent than to hear their sweet voices telling us of their love for Jesus! This morning of Cross the Street was no different. A little afraid of what Monday would bring (but loving our Sunday) we were so relieved to be at church. We didn’t know HOW our needs would be met, but we did know that our God would provide; we just had to be patient. Toby is amazing. Through the spirit of God he knows exactly when to face my direction and when to say what he says! Toby told us to grab a 50 dollar bill on our way out. I held that bill in my hand and prayed a silent prayer to God. “Tell me who to lead to you, God!” On my way out the doors I wasn’t thinking about how we were going to make it 9 days until payday, I was thinking of what I was going to do with this $50 to multiply it for someone else. I kept saying in my head, ” Who is in need, who is in need?” Instantly, I felt it! I literally felt it. I got warm and the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. Like after getting a really big hug from a loved one who waits for you to let go first. God had answered our prayers and Toby was the vessel. We all sat in the car for a second and as the kids were going on and on about Jesus is awesome this and that; my husband and I looked at each other for a few minutes, not saying anything. We both knew what God had done. He had provided before we even had the problem. We would have gas for the week and a few necessities to get us through. I know that I CAN tell everyone that I DID take money from the collection plate because I know I don’t have to be ashamed. I know I am in the company of family, people who love me; even if they don’t know my husband, or me, or my two kids. I can’t express the gratitude. Being the recipient of such grace shows me that even my tithe every week is doing good for others. I wish so much that I was contributing instead of holding out a hand. I know that I shouldn’t feel ashamed; God has given me peace about that. I just wish so much that I could be on the other end. It takes a lot to swallow your pride and say ” I need help” and although I don’t feel ashamed, it still took a great deal of tears and prayer (more often than not the two combined) to say, “I need help.”For all of you who tithe (the same amount every week, different amounts every week, a few dollars or hundreds) I want to personally thank you! Our rent has also been paid because of your love for Christ. For His kingdom. I can’t help but cry again as I tell you all this. I have been told I am a sissy on several occasions. Maybe my husband is right. (I SAID MAYBE! ABSOLUTELY NO ADMISSION OF ANY KIND JUST TOOK PLACE! :}) Or maybe it is the willingness of my neighbors who don’t know my face from a crowd of 1500 love our family enough to say, WHAT IS YOUR NEED? Thank you!
When we showed up the morning of the Cross the Street services it was a very difficult morning. My husband and I were commenting the night before on how hard it was going to be to make it another week with no money.
You know sometimes we say we don’t have something and we really mean we don’t have what we WANT or ENOUGH.
We literally had NO MONEY!
Our car had 1/4 tank of gas in it. We were living off of sandwiches and macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. We knew we were going to have to stay home a lot more but one thing we weren’t going to give up was our Sunday morning family reunion. No matter what we are going through; we always feel at peace when we pull in the drive. There are always smiling faces greeting us (sometimes with the crusty sleepy eye still showing… but hey, we love to see them every Sunday!
My husband knew a lady at work who had just moved here to Texas from another state. She had no family, and very few friends. Meanwhile, she had just started a new job that wasn’t paying very much money. She has been having to take the bus back and forth to work because her car is very old and is currently not working. The money that she had been trying to save for a newer vehicle is now going to have to be used to try and fix this older car that’s probably just going to have more problems and become a money pit. My husband and I talked and prayed about it and decided that she was the person we wanted to give the $50.00 to. When my husband gave her the money, he explained to her that this was just a gift that never needed to be paid back because God loves her. She was immediately taken back, and began to cry, and told him that he had no idea how much this would help her out. It’s great to see God’s work and blessings poured out on others right in front of you.
Mother’s Day was an amazing day and proof that God does exist. It was hard for me that morning because I knew I wouldn’t have money to put in the collection plate as I usually do. I had to have emergency surgery a few weeks prior without insurance. It left me missing almost two weeks of work which took a hefty toll on my bank account. That day I sat there ashamed as Kent talked about putting money in the basket and having faith in God that our needs would be met. When he prayed he said something that hit home for me. He prayed for those of us that didn’t have money to put in the plate. I was so touched by this that I put my last $10 in the plate. I knew God would provide for me and my kids that week. I sat through the service about being a mom with a bitter attitude. I myself am a single mom of two kids that works very hard to provide for their basic necessities. Mother’s Day has always been a day about my mom, not me. There are no gifts for me that day or celbrations or relaxation for me. This day is always like any other and that’s taking care of my kids. God and Toby had other things in mind on that Sunday. At the end of service he called all of us single mom’s to the front. I could feel my heart beating in my throat when I was one of the first to make my way up to the front. It was then that I was rewarded 10-fold. I put my last $10 in the collection plate only to receive $100 in cash within minutes! It’s times like this that I wonder how people can honestly think that there is no God and that He doesn’t reward us for being faithful!!!!!!
It is both amazing and humbling to experience a financial blessing. I was in desperate need of surgery that quite frankly I was putting off because of money. I did have some medical insurance but because of “hard times” my place of employment had to discontinue it and only gave us a 30 day notice. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery and prayed that somehow we would be able to come up with the $1000+ that was required up front. With only $500 and our backs against the wall I called the church office. Without hesitation, I was given exactly what was needed to complete our up front cost! The awesome part was that I got the news at work which both amazed and stunned my co-workers. I have since had my surgery and am MUCH better. Praise the Lord!
I must admit it was VERY difficult to ask for help. My husband and I simply hate to bother people with our problems and will go out of our way to avoid asking for help. As I said before, this was very humbling experience and a startling reminder that Father God designed us to live in community with each other – not alone/isolated.
Not too long after our blessing, Toby introduced the SAY YES series. With Holy Spirit led passion, Toby brought our congregation off of the sidelines and into action. Equipped with our $50, my husband and I went a little crazy with all of the people we knew could use the money. After about a week and a sharp decrease in my work hours, we once again found ourselves with dry cereal, no milk, hot dog buns and just a spit over empty in both of our cars. Let’s just say, Satan was licking his lips and wringing his hands together in delight just knowing that we had no choice but to use that $50 for ourselves. Well, I suppose he tends to forget that Father God is a promise keeper and does provide for His children. With that promise stamped in our hearts, we were able to creatively manage with what we had until our paychecks came in. Thank you Lord!
But that $50 was still burning a hole in our pockets. Well, the Lord answered our prayers as to whom that $50 would go to. Just today I was driving back from a couple of errands when I spotted a man standing on the side ofthe road with a sign that said “just plain hungry”. Without hesitation and without care that I was holding up traffic, I opened my driver side door (the window doesn’t roll down) and told him to give me his hand. I then looked him in the eyes and stated that God loves him so much and wants me to give this money to him. He smiled and probably expected a couple of bucks. Then he looked down at that $50 bill and his eyes widened just as his mouth dropped open. “Are you sure?” he asked me. “Of course I’m sure”, I replied. “Please accept this gift knowing that you are not alone and that God loves you.” With tears brimming in his eyes he smiled a partially toothless grin and said “thank you”. I couldn’t have asked for anything better in return!
After hearing a Mother share about her son being out of work for almost a year we placed the $50.00 in an envelope and wrote a few words about how our church was praying for him and we wanted to bless and encourage him with this faith gift. This is his reply to us:
I want to thank you so much for your prayers and your compassion. You can’t possibly know how perfect and unexpected the timing of your gift turned out to be. I was in the midst of deep despair, and the selflessness and simple human kindness of your gift brought me to tears…
Aside from the obvious, there are no words to convey the value of what you gave to me, with not only your cash but the kind words you wrote, and the thoughts and understanding beyond them.
May you be blessed beyond measure.
It has been a long and arduous search for employment here. Never in my life have I been out of work for so long to the point that I no longer feel like a citizen, just a statistic.
Please continue to keep me in your prayers, and know that my thanks and appreciation are boundless. You’ve provided a real boost to my own faith, and I thank you for that as well.
I’m happy to know that there are still people like you.
My most sincere Thanks
Michael
Cross Timbers thank you for allowing us to bless Michael
Chuck and Lisa Gould
My wife and I have been thinking about what to do with the 50 bucks and we really couldn’t come up with something. then one day melissa called me and said a hispanic man and his son came to the door and was wanting to cut our lawn. The man handed her a note card with index lines that were hand written. I had let the lawn go longer than I should have and we looked like a perfect new client.
My wife knew instantly where the 50 dollars was going. She went onine and ordered him business cards and a magnet for the side of his truck. Today I called him and he showed up within a hour eager for work. He told me the price and ran in to get the check and his new cards and brought them out to him. When I brought the box out he looked at me funny. He really doesn’t speak english well and said what is this. I told these are for you. At first I think he thought it was trash that I was asking him to throw away. I told him to hold and look. Still looking very confused he smilled and said ok. When I opened one of the little boxes and showed him it was, he saw his and his sons name on the card he looked and me and said nothing with a tilt of his head. I told him that we loved him and so does Jesus. I flipped the card over and read what it said on the back. Jesus loves you. He smiled so big and look up and said…..JESUS. Then he told me that it is free. I said no free. He said, OK just this week. I said no free and gave him a hug. We parted way and I said I will see you next Friday while I watched him run and put his magnet on the side of his truck. I just want to thank you Toby for showing me what is important and reminding me how much I love my wife. God bless and I can’t wait for more of saying yes!
Two weeks and many prayers have passed asking God to show me where or who to bless the money with. No matter where my thoughts led me I could only hear one name. I thought the name kept coming to mind because of my love and concerns for this young woman of 32 years but God kept whispering her name to me, over and over… so I decided to listen…
My story is of a young woman that was diagnoised with Leukemia at the age of two and her Mother. She nearly died shortly after diagnosis but God had other plans… many nights of prayer was spent asking God to spare her childs life and to heal her but her illness only worsened. Early one morning as the Mother held her dying child close to her she began to pray…. praying that God’s will be done… to heal her or take her to heaven anything to stop her child’s pain… the worries and tears began slipping away as she felt complete peace and fell asleep next to her daughter… when they both woke-up her child began to get better… God’s will was for her to live. Once she stabilized she was placed on experimental chemo drugs and went through extreme amounts of radiation, all during her development years. The protocal she was on was devestating. The disease affected her entire body; her organs, her memory, her ability to learn, her growth (4′9) as well as, prevents her from having children. She learns with reputition, she doesn’t know how to rationalize, her reading and writing skills are limited and she has a hard time comprehending many things. If you were to carry on a conversation with her it wouldn’ take you long to realize she has a childs mind. However, she has a firey spirit, and a very independent nature, and insists on making it on her own. She has survived the cancer 30 plus years, and survived a divided family for nearly as long. Her life and family as she knew it was no more. The family suffered much & instead of growing with God they strayed from the Church & from God. Her single mom took care of her and her siblings working many hours to provide for them. She has struggled with survival and with everyday living her entire life. A child that not only fights to have a healthy day but fights to remain independent. She tries to survive on a $600.00 monthly disability but finds there isn’t enough and has to accept her Mother’s help.
Her independance also causes some concerns; a man convienced her he loved her, showered her with attention and gifts and then he took advantage of her. He talked her into letting him move in with her, separated her from family by distancing her from each one, then started controlling her. He talked her into signing her name on many legal documents, which put her $40K+ into debt. By the time family discovered what had happened it was too late. She has since listened to her family and he is no longer in her life.
After many prayers and many talks with God he led me to say yes and to bless her with his offering… she was touched and thankful by the blessing and knows that God loves her no matter what…. she has committed to getting back into church and making a life with Christ…
thank you Toby for sharing God’s gift and love, for helping us find God again… thank you God for not giving up on us, on me, for making sure that I heard you… I love you so much…
As Toby was talking that Sunday leading up to the anouncement about the $50 I started thinking about a friend of mine. We had just had a conversation about needing money and not wanting to ask for it because she was not in a place to pay it back. She would not have accepted a gift from us without feeling obligated. When I gave her money I simply said this is not from us, its from God. I also left the instruction sheet folded with the money. She shared with me that just the day before she was talking with God and she told Him she wasn’t sure how He was going to provide for her but He always had in the past and she trusted that He would again. I love the timing. Her conversation with God happened about the same time I was thinking about her and Toby was giving me the $50 gift to give. Thank you Toby and Cross Timbers Church for allowing us to be a part of God’s plan.
Robert & Sharon Parker
While driving to church on Sunday I told my 18 yr old son, Ross, that I wanted to pay a bill for his older brother, my 27 yr old son, and his wife, Matt and Brittney. They have lived on a single income for almost a year. Matt has taken odd jobs. Nothing permanent. Nothing paying well. I knew they had more money going out then coming in. I felt this great tug on me to pour out some financial love to him and expect nothing in return. “What God?!? You want me to pay some bill for him when I just skim by myself?” So, while driving to church I said “Yes” and told Ross of my plans.
Then we got to church and Toby announced that $50.00 was being given to families to help someone we know that needs it. OK…. I can give this $50.00 to Matt and not worry about ME going broke……Wait…There goes that tug again. “Yes God…..I will do more.”
Tuesday I came home from work and Matt happen to stop by. I casually asked how he and Brittney were doing with their finances. He said they were behind as always. I told him that I wanted to pay a bill for him to help them out. He said they had not gone to the grocery store in 2 weeks and if I really wanted to help, I could help buy them food. I asked that he and Brittney make me a list that night and I would go to the store on the way home Wednesday. I asked about how their cars were running, how they were on gas. Both cars needed work and both were empty. I left the room and came back with the $50.00 and handed it to him. I told him to use it where he had to use it and that I would stop by his place later to pick up the grocery list.
While at the store Wednesday, Brittney found me shopping for them. I had tripled everything on the list. It was raining so I included an umbrella for her too. She didn’t have one. Then I asked how much gas she had. “Fumes.” I filled the tank. Not even a second thought.
Guess what? I did all of this and am still not worrying about me. “Yes God!”
Maria
Update: I have been really trying to help these kids since that Sunday. I do not have a lot as a single mom. (Yes, I missed mother’s day too! LOL) All of a sudden my job opened up 13 hours/week mandatory overtime for the next 3 weeks. I normally complain about all of the OT. I see it differently right now. I am going to help Brittney get new glasses. (It has been 4 years!) I still can not get them to join us on Sundays. I know this can not go on for a long period of time. I only pray that they will see God’s love shining through.
We had committed to bless someone with the $50.00 provided by the Church within two weeks. As the two weeks came to a close, we had yet to sense the right opportunity. I headed to Denver, our former home of 30 years, for a business trip with the $50.00 still in hand. After a day of working, I headed for the 16th street mall in downtown Denver where I was working and staying, worn out and looking for a quick place to eat and call it a day. The evening was warm, and I found a fast food place with an outdoor seating area fenced off from the mall. When we moved from the Denver area several years ago, the mall, a stretch of 16th street running through the entire length of the downtown, was an urban planners showcase with upscale shops and restaurants. Since then, a sizeable population of homeless and street people had come to call the mall home, and the numbers of evening shoppers and diners had dwindled. I sat down in the outdoor area and immediately noticed someone whom appeared to be an older lady standing just outside the fence staring blankly at the mall, in an apparent mental fog. She was dressed unusually, in sky blue pants with a matching hooded sweater or sweatshirt. Although it was warm, she had the hood fully pulled over her head, and a bag at her side. I was a little uncomfortable and was glad she was staring the other direction. The next time I looked her direction, she was staring directly at me. I pretended to look at the newspaper someone had left at my table, but felt compelled to look again. She had climbed the fence into the seating area and was now sitting at a table with her head hung, as if asleep or in a stupor. As I left the restaurant about 5 minutes later, she was still there, unmoved from her position, and I knew I had to do something for her. I got her some food and the restaurant took it out to her. I told the girl who was delivering the food to tell the lady simply that God loves her. The $50.00 was still in my pocket. Shortly after returning home from Colorado, I learned that one of our former pastors was out of work, and one of his sons, who had a wife and small child, was badly injured in a skiing accident with closed head injuries, unable to work and requiring therapy and rehabilitation. One of the couples in our life group, Dan and Linda Ruehs, had suggested pooling our $50.00 and adding to it to multiply what could be done for someone. As we are told by God’s word, we must not only help strangers in need, we are also to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in their time of need. We put our funds together and were able to help our pastor’s son with his needs. That family was encouraged by the donation at a time when they were facing discouragement. Our gifts to others provide more than just funds. The sharing of God’s love and encouragement can be more valuable than the money received.
My husband and I both kept searching for God’s leading on what to do with our $50. The two-week period Toby set out for us came and went, but we still kept carrying around our $50. Then on Monday, May 25th God spoke and I knew what we’d been waiting for. While traveling home from a family visit in Austin, I stopped at McDonald’s in Waco to let the kids burn off some energy and eat lunch. I was feeling incredibly blessed — happy kids, fun weekend, a nice reliable vehicle, full tummies….After loading up the kids for the last leg of the trip home, I noticed a beater car parked next to us. The windows were rolled down so I could hear the two toddlers in the back seat crying. Dad was scratching a lottery ticket. Mom looked stressed and angry. As I started to back out I heard God say – these are the ones who need the money. So I told my 5-year old “I’m going to give this family some money.” I got out of my car and went up to the passenger window saying “excuse me, but may I buy your lunch?” while handing the $50 bill through the window. Mom took the money with a look of disbelief on her face. She said thank you and handed the money to her husband. I could tell by their expressions that the $50 was a lot of money and they just couldn’t believe it. Before I was able to back out Mom got my attention. I rolled down my window and she smiled and said thank you again. I can’t tell you the transformation I saw on her face from the first time I saw her. I said “God bless you. Just take care of those babies.” She said “I will” very emphatically. My 5- year old then said “Mommy. That was so nice.” I told him “God wanted that family to have the money.” Thank you Cross Timbers for giving me the opportunity to bless this family and to teach my own kids two things (1) the power of giving and (2) the willingness to hear God’s voice.
My husband and I were waiting for a God to show us exactly who we were supposed to give the $50 to and it never came. After discussing it and praying, we decided to do something a bit different. We both have known family and friends who have been in the ICU in the past. Those times when you are in the waiting room are some of the most hopeless feeling. Perhaps those people needed to be reminded that God had not forgotten them.
We went to the dollar store and Wal-Mart and purchased a lot of little things that might be helpful to someone who was spending a lot of time in the waiting room. Some of the things included bottled water, mints, gum, kleenex, pens, pencils, crosswords, thank you notes, memo pads, crayons, coloring books, individually wrapped toothbrushes and chapstick. We filled a basket and took it to the ICU waiting room. Inside was a little note telling people what the church was doing and that God loved them and remembered them in their time of need. We trust that God will do something awesome through a small gesture of love.
A member at Denton Campus wants to share her story…
I wanted to share my story but, I’m not sure who or where to send it.
I took the $50.00 dollars given at church and decided to e-mail two of my (old)team members from Lee Elementary and asked if they had students who needed help. Both responded within minutes. So I gave $50 to one student and then added $50 of my own to pay it forward.
The above attachment explains their situations.
Thanks!!
Kelly Weier :0)
Yes!!!! I have a student whose Dad was just recently diagnosed with cancer. It is a very sad situation due to legal status in this country. I spoke to mom on Friday, and she is beside herself as you can imagine. They are a good parents (I had brother who is now in 3rd grade) have brother in Kinder, and they have a little one at Ann Windle. Hard working people. She said trying to find help due to his immigration status is very difficult, and of course no health insurance. Dad’s brother died 3 years ago also of cancer. She said that in this one month they have already accumulated over $15,000 in medical bills, and they have just started on this journey. I know $25.00 is just a drop in the bucket, but I do feel anything, anything is a blessing from God. Mom works at the Conoco on University (over by Denny’s) and Dad was working at El Guapos (don’t know if he is still able to work). Please ask your congregation to keep Mr. Antonio Carlos and his family in their prayers. We are all God’s children. He doesn’t care about our legal status.
Letty Rivas- Bilingual Kindergarten, Lee Elementary
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Yes! I have a student who was taken from his mother and is living with an aunt and uncle. Mom had some kind of “psychotic break”. There are also several other children in the family; I am not sure of the relationship. He calls his aunt “mom” and the other children his “brothers”. He is bright but has some issues. I am sure the family could use the money for everyday expenses: food, clothes, medicine, etc. He speaks excellent English but I have to send all my notes home to the family in Spanish. His name is Juan “Tony” Rico. Let me know what other information you need. Please tell everyone Thank-you! In this day and age, every penny counts, especially for some of our families!
Brenda Thomas- Kindergarten teacher, Lee Elementary
For several months I had seen an indigent man in a wheelchair sitting in the parking lot of a restaurant I pass frequently. As time went by, I felt a tug from God that I needed to help the man with some cash, and even more, to sit and have a conversation with him. So, when we were given $50, I knew I was to add $50 of my own and help this man.
Yet…I still struggle with saying “Yes” to God. On the way home, I began to question. “Surely you don’t mean this $50 is for him.” Or at least, “Surely you don’t mean for ME to sit and talk with him.” I ‘prayed’ that God would tell me who needs this money. The answer was always the same. I called my sister, who is much better at obedience than I, and described the situation. Of course, she confirmed that I knew what I needed to do, and I should get to doing it. (Darn obedient sister!
Finally, I said “Yes” to God. What a relief and pleasure it always is when I give in. Why don’t I learn to do this sooner and save myself the misery?
I began to drive by the restaurant regularly, looking for this man. The two week deadline to give away the $50 came and went, and still I had not seen him. I didn’t know where else to look, so I kept just driving by. Last week, I stopped at the gas station next door to this restaurant to fill up. As I was standing there, a (different) man approached me and began to tell me his story. He had brought his sick wife to Dallas, and now they were trying to get home. They were out of money, with no options. Clearly, he was broken and humbled by the situation. At first, I told him I had no cash. (I sometimes get so focused on the outcome I think is right, I lose sight of the opportunities God places for me on the journey.) As he began to walk away, I thought of the $50. I called out to him, and he came back. I explained that our church members had been given $50 to give to someone in need, and that it was for him.
To my surprise, he began praising God right there at the gas pump. He started crying, and said that he knew it was all God’s to begin with, and that God always provides. We praised together, and he began to thank me profusely. I told him that the only thanks necessary was for him to pass it forward when he was able. He assured me he would.
I believe God put the “indigent” man in that parking lot so I would be in the right place at the right time. As I was leaving Starbucks that night, I saw him for the first time in weeks, in a place I never had before. I was immediately reminded that we are to entertain strangers, because in doing so, we may entertain angels unaware. Or sometimes, they just show us where we need to be waiting for God.
I still owe someone $50 of my own. When God shows me who that is, I will be thankful to immediately say “Yes, God.”
Thanks to God, and to Toby and Cross Timbers for obedience to His command to feed His sheep.
I read all these wonderful stories about how people are using their $50 and wonder WHAT is wrong with me??!! I STILL, YES STILL have my money!! I am frustrated. I have been praying and watching and listening but yet no answer. I know GOD will answer in his own time but I feel like I should have been able to bless someone by now. I don’t want to just give it away, I really want someone who needs it to have it. Is anyone else in the same situation? Maybe Toby’s message yesterday will help me today on my journey to helping someone on the road to THE SOURCE, JESUS CHRIST!!
Just a little feel good for you all
….. My Neice (just got baptized) which lives in Mineral Wells, was at the gas station out there a few days ago when she heard a man walking around asking people for money. She heard him tell several people that he had left his wallet at home and had already pumped $20.00 into his tank..(I KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE PAY BEFORE YOU PUMP) After asking several people and getting turned down, a man walked up and said “What was that you were saying… you need money?” The man explained his situation and said “You can follow me to my house, its only a mile or 2 down the road, and I’ll pay you back.” With that, the gentleman pulled $20 out of his wallet and handed it to the stranded man. Overwhelmed he said “THANK YOU SO MUCH” but the “giver” stopped him and said “don’t thank me…. thank Him (pointing up), you see there is a church here in North Texas that I saw on TV called Cross timbers that is doing exactly this… giving to people who need it” (That’s where the goosebumps started for me) The stranded man then asks for the “Giver” to follow him to his house so he can repay him. He wouldn’t have anything to do with it, telling him “to pay me back do what he just did and help someone in need.”
Of course by then my neice was over talking to the man (TOTALLY SIKED) telling him all about Cross timbers, how to get to the campus and anything else she could think of.
If this happened in Mineral wells, miles away from CT, think about how many people accross the nation that could be doing this same thing!!!!!! I love this church and feel so honored to be a part of it. KEEP IT UP YALL, 1 DOWN AND MILLIONS TO GO!!
Okay, I did it! I finally gave the $50 away. I’ve been struggling with the money since it was placed in my hands. I worried that I would miss the signs and I did, but I just kind of let go and it happened. My best friend knew I was having a hard time giving the money away, so she suggested I give it away to someone who I locked eyes with and pay for their groceries. She said that God would supply the person, so I should just give it. So I went for my weekly run to the grocery store. I gathered my groceries and proceeded to the checkout. I counted my groceries to see if I could make the 20 items or less and couldn’t so I set for the regular checkout. While looking I happened to lock eyes with a woman. I didn’t think much of it and proceeded to look at the other checkout lines. Something in me turned in down the checkout lane that had the woman who I locked eyes with. I remembered what my best friend said and remember the $50 in my wallet. I decided then and there and said yes to God. I fumbled through my wallet and found the $50. I tapped the woman on the shoulder and gave her the money. I told her that it was from God and He wanted her to have it. She was with her husband and child and looked at them confused as I’m holding out the money to her. She said something to him looking really confused and so I said the same thing to her husband and he accepted the money. They were shocked. He said thank you and I continued on to load my groceries to be checked out. I finally did what God had been asking of me. Relief.
It took us much longer than 2 weeks to decide who to bless with our $50.00. We wanted it to really mean something so we just kept holding onto it and praying. My son’s girlfriend had recently passed away and God had spoken to me about “lost opportunities” over the previous four years when I could have shown her more love, more concern, more of Jesus, more hope, more joy, more compassion, etc. etc. I made Him and myself a promise that I would strive to be more “tuned in” to His “frequency” in the future. Then Memorial Day weekend arrived and my son had gone camping with a long time friend who also had experienced many years of personal hurt and even some serious health problems, yet I had not taken the time to talk about Jesus with him either. I had always been kind and loving, but never really open with him verbally. When they arrived at my home on Tuesday we invited him in, gave him the $50.00, and shared what God had helped me realize about missed opportunites. We told him what Cross Timbers was all about and used the $50.00 as a witnessing tool of how much God loves him and what Jesus did for him at Calvary. He plans to come to church with us and asked if his 4 year old could go to Sunday School. Of course he will fit right in with our 3 year old grandson. God is moving…..He is moving across our hearts, across our city, and I pray, across our nation.
My husband and I are both unemployed and over the years have had some really tough times. Our Life Group has been an amazing blessing to us in so many ways. We have been helped by The Healing Place and now my son and his daughter, who have moved back in with us, are being helped through pastoral care. Even though our house is really too small and in the natural it is not the best of situations, God is touching my son and bringing him back to who God created him to be. We are all trusting God in a way we have never experienced before.
I praise God for our daughter who encouraged us to attend Cross Timbers with her and her family and how much she has allowed God to move through her to bring the family back together and learning to serve the Lord again.
Thank you Pastor Toby for being bold enough and obedient to “tell us like it is”. Even though we always THOUGHT we were looking to Jesus as our source, we really were not. God is tranforming us into the kind of Christians we want to be.
I feel like such a jerk that it has taken me so long to finally say who we gave our $ 50.00 too. My husband and I and three kids moved to Justin Last July, after spending several months of trying to find a church we could call home, we finally came to Cross Timbers in April. After the first service that we attended we knew this would be our new church home. Just a few weeks later we were given the opportunity to take 50 Dollars and give it to someone in need. I must say I felt guilty because we had only been to the church a handful of times, in my mind I am thinking we haven’t put much more than that in the offering plate since we had been there. But my husband said we needed to help put God in motion and he went and got the 50.00. We didn’t even get to the car and my husband hands it to me and says “I picked it up; it is now yours and the kids job to figure who needs it”. At first I really thought it needed to go to my neighbor that had just lost her husband in a car accident that Friday before church. But the more I prayed on it, I really felt like she needed more emotional support as a friend vs. the 50.00. I guess it was the week after that I still was thinking and praying on whom to give the money to when it came to me. I teach at a little church school two days a week in Justin. I teach the three year old class, and at the beginning of the year we had a boy come for a month and then disappear for a while. Well he came back in January. This little boy was hard to handle. He was mean to the other kids and just didn’t want to fit in. One day I was talking to our Director about him and she said something that has changed me. “She said; the ones that are the hardest to love are the ones who need it the most”. From that day forward, I decided that I was going love him and show him love no matter how he acted. Slowly I started to see a change. This little boy and his sister live with their grandparents. The grandmother is a school teacher and the grandfather is disabled. Now being the daughter of a school teacher I knew that money had to be tight. So I decided that I would give it to his grandmother to do something special for him and his sister. I can’t even begin to tell you the light radiating out of his grandmothers face when I gave her the money. I told her it was a gift from God and the Church and to let those kids know that they are loved. But, this part was not something I had counted on, she gave me the biggest hug and told me, that me being his teacher has been the biggest blessing of all. I still cry when I think about it. That money not only blessed them but it did me too. Thank you Cross Timbers.
A co-worker got in a bind with money and was not going to be able to make his insurance payment. So the $50 covered the next month for his family car. It worked out perfectly. We didn’t know exactly who to give it to and the next day he told me about this. It’s funny how God coordinated everything.
As these weeks have passed by I have been waiting & praying for an opportunity to really bless someone and it finally happened! A young lady who has struggled so long with drug addiction has been sober and has “earned” her way to working a job, living off site & recently her children back. I was so happy for her when I found out she was able to live again with her children. I wrote her words of encouragement and sent her the $50 along with the $100 that I received for being a single mom myself. I realized that in no way do I have it has hard as this young woman. I pray she finds peace & happiness in her new beginning. Thank you Toby for this opportunity!
I’m Sorry that it took so long for me to do this. However, when you gave all of us $50 to do Gods work, my wife (Carol Ann) and I knew right away what to do with it.
Carol Ann works at Wal-Mart and one of her co-workers is really having a very hard time making ends meet. You see, she can no longer work as she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is in a lot of pain, and her husband injured his back and he isn’t able to work either now. So, as you can see their need is great.
It took us forever to get her address, but we finally did, and sent it to her, along with the paper that came with the $50. Her name is Diane Thompson, and I just know that it was a Blessing to her. Remember her in your prayers, please. Jesus gets the GLORY!
Thanks for all you do,
Bobby Reiz
I know it has been a few weeks but it has been such a treat to see what the $50 did for my good friend Gary. I He had recently moved in with me brecause he had separated from his wife. That relationship ended up not working and he had alot of pressure on him concidering he has two beautiful kids. About 2 weeks later he lost his job and also lost his childrens medical insurance. When I received the $50, only one face popped into my head. Gary’s. I gave him the $50 knowing his daughter had been sick and he was worrying about the general doctors visit. I also told him that I wanted him to come to Cross Timbers with me one Sunday and just “check” it out. I knew he would be affected spiritually when he heard Toby speak. He continues to come to Cross Timbers. Has his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin coming to Cross Timbers now. Wants to get baptised, and also is putting his kids in teh CT Summer Program and is wanting to volunteer. I love God and Cross Timbers Church. You have made so many amazing things happen in my life but nothing is better than seeing a friend, someone you love, come out of a depression filled life and feel the joy of Jesus Christ. He seems to be so much happier now. I would ask that we still continue to pray for him on his continuing growth. Thanks for everything
Ok can you say procrastinator?? We gave the money away weeks ago and we are just now posting. It did take us 2-3 weeks to figure out whom to bless with the money! But we knew the minute we left church that we wanted to multiply the gift. We actually manufacture candles for a living, so we decided to buy candle supplies with the $50. We made and sold a case of candles and turned that $50 into $150. We decided to help out our daughter’s 5th grade teacher who had just had a house fire and she was quite distraught. It was a wonderful feeling to allow our daughter to give this gift of $150 to her teacher. She was of course overwhelmed with appreciation; we received a thank you card that day! In the card she let us know that she did not have the words to describe what the gift of cash meant to her. She knew god had a reason and a purpose and that he had sent the right people to help, like our family and the church. She expressed that she was sincerely touched and sent her gratefulness to Crosstimbers! It was an awesome experience; our family looks forward to many more “Say Yes to God” moments!