Helping a Brother

Around here, a man needs a gun! Especially if he wants to hunt. He can't go around for the rest of his life borrowing everyone else's guns. Lately, Jason has had it on his heart to help out a friend of ours that has been wanting and needing a gun of his very own. So while, Jon and Sheila were in Pennsylvania this last week, he went around to a number of Jon's friends and asked if they would be willing to donate to this worthy cause. We were pleasantly surprised at how many people were willing to chip in $25, $50 or $100. I'll bet there were at least 15 people or couples that helped out. So this last weekend, we went to Billings with our friends Quin and Tracy, for a chance for the guys to go look at guns. With all the money we raised, they could get a really nice .270 Savage. Exactly what Jon was wanting. We were also able to get a case, scope, scope covers, a sling, ammo, targets, and a gun cleaning kit and oil. Jason and Quin had a great time thinking up things that Jon would need to make hunting easier and to care for the gun.

So last night, a few people from the list of donors, were able to make it to our place to present Jon with his new toy. We also thought that it was pretty fitting of a gift for pastor appreciation month. Yes, Jon is a pastor of a small congregation here in Powell. Jason and Jerry, an elder in Jon's church, came up with the story that since Jon had been away, questions and possible problems may have arisen in the church. So they had called a meeting to discuss with Jon, brother to brother, about what has happened. Jerry fed him a straight faced LIE, but Jon was hook, line and sinker. His heart was in his throat and his mind was racing as to what he could have done. Jerry turned it over to Jason to let Jon know what the problem was. Jason told him that since it was Pastor Appreciation month, we had all gotten together and bought him a few things. This was his reaction.



Jon was taking to long opening the gun cleaning kit, so I cut the film. I so wish I could have gotten Jerry's story on it, but I didn't get to it fast enough.

So here is the second part of the "presentation." Jon has been borrowing our pastor's .243 caliber rifle, but we got him a .270. So we bought him the ammo that he would need for his new gun, but tried to make him believe that we got it wrong. We were somewhat convincing.



Lately, Jason and I and our Wednesday night homegroup have been talking about giving. Probverbs 11:24-25 says, "One man give freely, yet gains even more; another witholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." I'm so proud of the way Jason wanted to do this for Jon and that he also got other involved. Not only is Jon blessed, but you just get a good feeling giving to people when they need help with things. It was also an example to me of getting a bunch of people together and it doesn't take much to get something done. Sure it took maybe 15 people to raise the amount for a gun, but it didn't cost eachone a lot. Thankgoodness that God's economy doesn't run on the worlds. He blesses us when we give of ourselves. There doesn't always have to be a dollar sign. Okay, I'll get off my soap box.

I hope you enjoy your new gun Jon, but we'll make sure we stand behind you when you take it out :)