Are you a neighbour?

I shared a story on my Facebook status the other day.  I'll repeat it here.

I was in a store.  Getting a Christmas gift.  Waiting my turn. No rush.  I noticed a young couple behind me with two small children, really a toddler and a babe in arms.  I told the store manager who was serving me he could take care of them first.  They said thank you.  A number of times. But it was the store manager that was most interesting.  He said that one gesture of kindness restored his faith in humanity.  In human kindness for no reward.  Really?  Really.

It got me thinking...and then the next morning my son's devotional covered the story of Jesus teaching about being a neighbour.  Who is our neighbour and why.  You know this story, right?  Find it here if you are drawing a blank.

Today was Black Friday, the US version of Boxing Day in Canada. Or perhaps we are trying to catch up and with some stores having their own version we, too, have a Black Friday.  Just without the stampedes but I digress.

My point, and question is this: how have you been a neighbour lately? 

Note I didn't ask if you were being a good neighbour but a neighbour. Showing the fruits of the spirit to those around you.  You remember those, right?

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

So, using Galatians as our check list we can ask ourselves the questions...

• Have I shown my neighbour love, joy, peace, kindness?
• Have I exercised forebearance, goodness, faithfullness?
• Have I lived a spirit of gentleness and self-control?

I know it seems unfair to ask it but if we cannot show it then how can we expect people to see it?

If my one small act of kindness to a stranger showed them a bit of God's love and encouraged them to be kind, to show love, to work on patience then I have been a neighbour.

I don't need to be a nosy neighbour checking in to see if my actions are bearing fruit in your life.  That is between you and God.

I don't need to stay in my own neighbourhood which can be where I live, shop, go to church.  I can be a neighbour to anyone.  To the least of these.  When we are in the middle of being the least of them.

This Christmas season, let us begin by remembering to be good neighbours.

Share your ideas on being a good neighbour in comments, would love to have you bless us with your sharing!

Resting in Battle

Exodus 14:14

¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

In a duel between swordsmen there are rules.  In battle there are supposed to be rules of engagement.  

The devil does not recognize or respect these things.  There is no 'sword down to rest' signal when you are in battle with him.  And as Christians we believe the lie of the world that says, "In the middle of battle don't rest. Don't stop."

It is a lie.  A huge lie.  Why?  Because God will battle for us.  Indeed He commands us to be still and He will fight for us.  Many times in the Bible the battle is won for us by God.  Not by us for God.

Think of it this way - when we are in a struggle, in a battle, when we are under attack, it seems like the worst time to catch our breath.  We think there is no one to step between us and our attacker the devil.  We are wrong.  God promises to battle for us.  

I was speaking to a dear friend today who is in the middle of some serious spiritual attacks.  She is literally, and figuratively, in a downpour.  She knows she needs to rest. To catch her breath. To pray. 

She is not quitting.  She is not giving up.  She is letting God fight for her while she stands still.  While she rests.

This blog, and my others, has been silent for a while.  I've been catching my breath.  I've been resting.  I've been battling and God has been battling for me.

For the first time in months, literally months, I feel I can write again. I can share with you all.  It feels good to be back.

Be still.  Mouths. Feet. Hands. Minds. Spirits.  Be still.
Pray.  Let God fight for you.  Fight in your place.
Let God fight and let Him renew your body, spirit and mind.

When someone is embattled, encourage them. Pray for them. Be there for them. Let them rest.  Don't let them quit, but don't deny them rest either.  The more we feel the need to fight, the more we need to obey God and rest.

Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

We can be prepared. We can be girded.  But the victory belongs to God.  He wins it for us.  Victory rests with the Lord.  Always.  Always.

Are you in a battle today?  Is tonight the night when you feel you can't go on?  Then brother rest. Sister rest.  God will not abandon you.  He will fight for you.

No room for lions

John 13:34-35
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Keep that verse firmly in mind.  Love one another.  As we, beloved children of God, are loved.  Loved enough to die for.  Loved enough to bear our sins for.  THAT much.

But are we not warned, 

1 Peter 5:8
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

But is he really?  I think, rather, that he is sitting back watching us devour each other.  He doesn't need to be roaring, he can whisper.  He can lie.  He can let us do his bidding through our misplaced rightness.  Not righteousness.  Rightness.

Can you imagine if the body of Christ, His beloved Church, could stop for one day and love one another.  Just one day.  But we can't do it, can we?

Or is that we won't?

I'm more ________________ than you.  My _______________is deeper than yours.  You are a _______________and must be protested against, hated, fear mongered or shunned.  

I asked the question, simply, why we can't love one another as commanded.  I was told in no uncertain terms I was judging people unfairly..  I misunderstood.  I was wrong.

There are wiser scholars out there, I'm sure who can debate this more theologically than I.  And I don't wish to debate.  

I wish to challenge you, brothers and sisters in Christ.  If we are, indeed, all part of the same body, why are we spending all of our time tearing it apart?

Why aren't we making the devil work for his hate?  Instead we do his work for him.  We sow seeds of hate, we sow seeds of fear.  We create disention and mistrust.  We use the Bible to bludgeon people, to drive them away from God all the while screaming, "JESUS WHERE ARE YOU?"

In a world of hate, Jesus is the homeless person being urinated upon outside a shopping mall.  In a world of fear mongering, Jesus is the person who doesn't look like the 'rest' and is shunned.  In a world of pain and violence, Jesus is the confused, the lost, the needy, the 'different' and the 'wrong'.  

Remember:

Matthew 25:39-41

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

³⁹ When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ ⁴¹ Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!

The least of these.  That gay couple you shouted at.  That homeless man. That crack Mama who was a crack baby herself first.  That drunk.  That wife beater and the wife who can't leave.  Those sk8ers and dropouts.  THEM.  US. EACH OTHER.

How can we proclaim the Good News with parentheses of hate?  How can we invite people to drink from the well that quenches all thirsts with a screening gate by the courtyard?  (Sorry - you can't come in.  Nope you either.  You look sorta okay, but what is your answer to the trick question?) How can we, redeemed by holy blood, presume to take God's place in judgement over one another?

When I asked the question, what about the greatest commandment that we love one another, I really was asking, "Is this the best we can do for our Saviour who died for all our sins?"  The answer to me was, "GET OUT!"  So I did.  I shook the dust from my sandals and I left.

The devil has enough of his own helpers without us, don't you think?  If we are doing the hating, the dissenting and the hurting he has more time to do harm to others.  Why are we doing this?

So you are gay.  So you are fat. So you are Baptist. So you are a pacifist. So you are a soldier. So you are a criminal. So you are ___________.  Did Jesus tell us to withhold love, compassion and good news from anyone?  HE DID NOT!  Not once have I found in the Bible where any personage of the Trinity says, "Ah nope no salvation for them, or them or them."  

Instead, we are taught that God seeks reconciliation with all to Him in heaven.  Heaven rejoices over lost sheep more than obedient flock followers.  Why aren't we seeking His lost sheep to bring them home?  Instead we chase them into the wilderness.  How the devil must smile.  How God must sorrow.

I challenge you, brothers and sisters, to love.  Yes just like Jesus did.  Love past the dirt, the addictions, the choices.  Love past your prejudices and pain.  Love past denominational and regional differences.  Love past the politics.  How can we stand before God on judgement day and say we saved His love for only those we thought were worth it?  He thought we were worth it.  No one else would have thought that of me.  Especially NOT me!

Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Note:  I did not want to write about this, but God woke me up early and spoke very closely tom my heart.  I believe the issues that separate us as Believers are mechanisms to keep God's children apart, and powerless.  If we can get past them we can really show the world God's love in a living and dynamic way.  But we have to stop using each other for cannon fodder, and we have to stop pulling the Body of Christ apart from the inside.  There are enough devils who want a turn, why are we fighting each other instead of them?  Can't we use what God has blessed us with to build His Kingdom?  I think we can.  But it can't be a Kingdom WE imagine, it must be HIS.  I look forward to your thoughts, however I will invoke my right as blog owner to moderate comments and discussion as required. 

Friends Online

Someone asked about 'real friends' and then launched into a coffee shop opinion piece about how only real friends are face-to-face friends.  I disagree.  Even in the Bible, and before, there were intensely strong friendships that existed with infrequent visits, occasional letters and living in love and prayer.

There is a trap we can fall into thinking that 'fellowship' and 'friendship' need be a face-to-face construct when it can happen in any way God deems best.  One of my best friends, the one person who says, "Oh I get that!" instead of muttering "What?" lives in Australia.  We may never hug or see each other's faces until God calls us home.  Do we have a real friendship?  Indeed we do!

Another friend, your host of this link up, Duane, is someone I've emailed and built a small friendship with.  We read each other's posts and emails, and we totally know where the other is coming from, we get it.  One day perhaps we'll meet.  It does happen.

I met my husband online, over 10 years ago, and we have not only an amazing friendship and marriage but a beautiful life.  Those months of talking and sharing long distance were relationship builders that help us now facing other challenges in our lives.  He is as real as a man can get, as a Dad can get, and yet we met in such an impermanent way.  God is so good!

Do you connect with friends from long ago?  Do you pray for people you just met?  God can use your time in the social online realms as much as He can in your daily errand running, job doing, living life days.  Where else can we log on and find a prayer partner no matter the day or night?

God wants us to love one another.  He wants us t encourage one another.  He doesn't say where or how, frequency or distance. He says just do it.  Just love as He loved.  Encourage has He encouraged.

When I open my Facebook in the morning I see the eight faces in my friends pile.  I look at each and I pray for them.  Right then, just a holding them up to God prayer.  Something so small, and yet if we did it all think of all the people who would be covered in prayer every day?  Say a prayer for the next person who texts you, who emails you.  We'd do it at a stop light or in the grocery line, wouldn't we?  I try to. Even when I don't feel like it, I know it is a great honour for us, as Children of God, to pray for one another.

Friends are real, no matter what their form.  God brought them into our lives and even for a short time, we need to remember for Him it is all about sharing the Good News, loving and encouraging.  God does not care if it is via email, text, on a social networking site or in Church, at the park or parking lot.  Why do we?

Remember to visit the others who are sharing at Scribing The Journey and link up your thoughts as well!

What the heart wants

Strange compass.  It doesn't point north. Indeed, it can spin around randomly. Seemingly randomly.  Captain Jack Sparrow's compass doesn't point north.  It points to what the holder's heart desires most.

Doesn't life feel this way sometimes?  Spinning around and around. Wondering where we'll point next.  Following what the world says we should, what the human desires tempt us to.  But God is our True North.  He is ever faithful and steady.  He never wavers or falters.  Even when we do.

Jack's compass reminds me of this verse: 

Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Think about this.  That wild crazy compass was leading the holder to the treasures that the heart sought.  God knows all about our hearts.  He knows what we treasure most owns our heart.  

The bumps of life, the deep pits and trials.    The joys and the celebrations.  The point of the compass can bounce around, it can be wildly crazy and never settled on one thing.  But even in the movies there is wisdom.  When Jack can focus on what he wants most, the needle becomes stead and true.  

When we settle our hearts on seeking God, the treasures heavenly and the blessings on earth, our compass remains steady and true.  It is pointing to God. To love. To grace.  To the treasure our hearts seek most.  Him.

One scene in Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl comes to mind.  Norrington is doing an inventory of the 'worst pirate I've ever seen'.  Gun with a single shot, no reloads.  Compass that doesn't point north. Useless.  He pulls the sword out of the sheath and remarks sarcastically, "I was almost expecting it to be made of wood."

Life is like that.  Our compass seems to wobble. No one thinks we have more than one shot, and even our sword is assumed to be less then useless.  Wooden.  A toy.  And yet, like that fictional commodore, the world is wrong.

We only need One shot. Jesus took that for us.  We don't need a compass pointing to the world's idea of north.  God gave us a heart that moves to all points seeking Him.  Our sword, unexpectedly, is both sharp and powerful.  Sword of the spirit.  God armed us. He charges His angels to protect us.

We don't need more than that friends.

Don't fret that your compass seems to be broken to the world.  Fret only if your compass doesn't hold to the true destination of our hearts - God.

The Battle That Comes - Poetry

Once again we are joined by Rev. James with a moving poem about the battles we wage.  Won't you share your thoughts, and link up your own poetry to share? Bless you!

The Battle That Comes

There is a Battle ahead,

It is not waged with guns or bombs on some distant battlefield.

Instead it is waged in the hearts of us all.

The weapons used are apathy, lusts and despair.

The enemy is old and cunning,

He does not attack us with fierce offences.

But rather he gives us what we think we want.

For his fangs inject deep and the poison takes years before it destroys.

Our General and Lord doesn't shout commands or orders,

Nor does He hide behind lines of helpless victims or solders.

Rather He calls us to gather together.

Then He goes and fights the war.

There are no worries or concerns of His defeat,

For written in the long history back we see that He has already won the war.

So wake up all you soldiers of Christ.

For the battle that comes is waged by the same Christ, that is within you.

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Wednesday Poetry Praise

Let's try something different this week, I'm going to share a photo with you.  Let it inspire you, and share your poetry here!

Looking forward to seeing your poetry, link up is live and below!


Bright blessings!

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

1.

www.quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/20...

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Rain Cloud Promises

Seeds go to ground.  Some on good ground, others not.  Jesus used this lesson to teach sowing the gospel.

Rain falls from leaden skies.  Sometimes just enough. Sometimes too much, others not enough.  When the fires rage it is never enough, when the land is saturated even one more drop can be too much.

It is a delicate balance with drought on one end and flood on the other.  Yet, no matter how many times it seems like we are facing one extreme or another, God mercifully brings us back to the middle, back into balance.  If we let Him.

If we can let the seeds grow without digging them up to see what they are doing.

If we can let the rain fall without cursing the sky.

If we can trust the seeds and the storms to God's ultimately capable and holy hands.

Joel 2:21
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

and when I feel small, smaller than the rain. 

Unheard.  Even ignored.  I remember this:

Matthew 10:31
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

More than sparrows.  Me?  Me!  You? Yes, YOU!

So I sow seeds in prayer, water them in tears.  Waiting for God to grow something amazing!  Waiting.  Waiting.  Why?  Because He never breaks His word, not a single word.  Ever.

Enjoy the lightning, smile even! Could be God is taking your photo, and He adores you!

Dance in the rain.  Plant seeds.  Rest.  

Even when it hurts.  Especially when it hurts.

Linking up with my blogging brother in Christ, Duane Scott for Unwrapping God's Promises.

Wish I Could

Today, brothers and sisters, we have a very special treat for our faith poetry link up. My friend, Rev. James (Aswin Clyde to some) has graciously agreed to share, for the first time, some of his poetry. Be inspired! Be gracious! Be willing to share yours as well! Link up is live, and at the bottom of this post.

  I Wish

I wish that I could do more,

Yet all around me people say to slow down, pace yourself, enjoy yourself, Do less!

All the while I see the pain and need, I just wish my body would do more.

Is this so odd or strange, don’t we all want to do more?

I wish that I knew more,

Yet all around me people say foolish things and are lapsing in a coma of ignorance!

All the while I see my mind is racing to understand, why children cry and society dies.

Is this so odd or strange, don’t we all want to know more?

I wish that I could pray more,

Yet all around me people say “get up, for your knees are getting dirty and starting to bleed!

All the while I see that there is no voice to call out in heaven for them and the pain keeps getting worse.

Is this so odd or strange, don’t we all want to feel salvation and know the feeling of joy more?

I wish that I could empower more,

Yet all around me people say they are happy and content with mediocrity!

All the while I see that it is easier to play the fool than soar as an eagle.

Is this so odd or strange, don’t we all want to uplift and encourage more?

I wish that I could be more,

Yet all around me people say “why try”, give up for greater is he that is out there then he that is in you!

All the while I see that this is wrong for it is just my inability to give up, show humility, to be more.

Is this so odd or strange, don’t we all want to be transformed and ever, “be more”?

Link your poetry here, be sure to visit the other poets who have shared, and leave some love in the comments below for our guest Rev. James.

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

1.

bhindthesmile.blogspot.com/2012/06/tear-drops-f...

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Don't Trust Auto Post Poetry

There is a story, if it has tires or....anyway the punch line is you'll have trouble with it.  Auto post does that to me.  Not often but always when I need it.

Sorry we are late today, will make the linkup last a day longer...

Feel free to share poetry, new or old, celebrating our faith!

Although this is a dedication plaque for a Mennonite Heritage Village,
I love the verse and dedicate it to all Christian women. All over the world.

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

1.

beneaththesurface-dawn.blogspot.com/2012/06/he-...

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

It is NOT what it is

It is what it is.


Have I mentioned I don't like that saying?  I don't. But I didn't know why until this morning.


It is true.  That dog, it is what it is, a dog.  But it is more!  


It is true.  That plant, it is what it is, a plant.  But it is MORE!


It is true.  That person, it is what it is, a person.  BUT WE ARE MORE!


By limiting ourselves, by accepting that something by saying, usually with a shrug and a bit of defeat, it is what it is.  We are limiting ourselves and we are limiting our God.


He is a farmer, fisherman, homeless guy, tax collector, thief. 


She is a worry wart, perfectionist, prostitute, widow.


God teaches us everything, every single thing, is more than what it appears.  Nothing, not one single thing falls under the heading: 


IT IS WHAT IT IS


Unless we are willing to discount our God, be defeated in our faith and reduced to five words.  And we aren`t willing are we?  I am not!  God is not.  You should not.


“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 HCSB

Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered them, “You are deceived, because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.


If it was true, this saying, then that grain of wheat would not grow hundreds more.


If this was true, then they would have stayed fishermen, John would have stayed in the wilderness and Mary would have been stoned to death.  But God is always more!  We are always more!


Reducing things to those five words is a dangerous habit.  It does not require us to act in faith, it does not push us forward in serving others.  It is a sideline seat to watch the world, and life, go by without getting into the action.


It is trouble with a job.  It is an opportunity for grace.  It is a nudge to pray.  


It is an old house.  It is a home.  It is where God wants you to be right now.


It is a hurt, a fear, a heart break.  It is a place to start praying.  It is room for forgiveness.


It is what we are willing to let God make it.  Can we set aside our desire for control to let Him work a wonderful grace filled miracle in our lives?


Get a flower, or a pencil or even a playing card and when you are temped to say, IT IS WHAT IT IS, remember how much more they really are.  Then think about God, and how much more YOU are through Him.

Sailing Lessons

A while back I wrote a poem called Get Out of The Boat on my poetry blog.

I am still working on it, this getting out of the boat and walking with Jesus on the water.

It isn't easy.  The boat is filled with well meaning people who offer all sorts of seemingly sound advice.  They may even offer their prayers.  But what they are not offering is a hand to walk out in faith,.

Why?  Why?


WHY?


I wish I knew.  Maybe their own doubts hold them back and that encourages them to hold everyone else back?  Maybe their desire to be safe is greater than their fear of the water?

What God has been impressing upon my heart lately though is this:

Get Out Of The Boat!


You know the story, right?  If not, refresh yourself here at Matthew 14:22-33

A friend of mine wrote a book, against a lot of advice from people in her church, advice that would have denied a lot of people access to God's wisdom spoken through her.

A number of acquaintances are seeking to find truth in strange places while they stay safe on the boat.  You can, for example, read all the Amish books you want.  You can simplify your life.  It will not make you Amish.    They too, are people seeking God.  In their own way.  But God`s way for them may not be God`s way for you.


You may try to appear in a certain way.  Speaking in a certain fashion, perhaps.  This helps you appear wise.  Calm.  Godly.  Passionless.  Dead.  


SAFE on the BOAT!


Lukewarm on the boat.  In the middle rows.  Not at the helm, not working the mast.  Not on the rudder or rowing. Sitting and watching some fool stepping over the side. 

Brothers and sisters...can I ask you for something...

When someone gets out of the boat, even starts talking about it, cheer them on!


Shout some prayers of encouragement!


Remind them to focus on the face of Jesus across the waves.


It isn`t our job to keep them in the boat when God calls them out of it!

I would love to hear your stories of getting out of the boat...share them with us in the comments.

Sunny Day Poetry Link Up

Friends! The rain here has stopped, the birds are singing and it is sunny, and I dare say warm! After the frost warning, and freeze, last night I am so thankful for a warm, sunny day. What are you thankful for? Share your poetry here, giving thanks or offering prayer, it is open to all faith poetry! Bright blessings!

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

1.	lindylou-abbott.blogspot.com/2012/05/depression...
2.	beneaththesurface-dawn.blogspot.com/2012/05/war...
3.	BhindTheSmile.blogspot.com/2012/05/Vulnerable...

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Poetry: Here Comes The Rain

We have rain, blessed rain, which means we have storms.  Sometimes scary storms. Powerful storms.  Storms that God brings us to, and God brings us through.

How are your storms this spring?

Link up your poetry of faith here...and be blessed!

Don't forget to stop by and visit those who shared, and leave them some love. Everyone needs love!

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

1.	abhrapal.in/en/archives/200
2.	beneaththesurface-dawn.blogspot.com/2012/05/gol...
3.	mylifeasanadventure.com/2010/12/15/tailor-of-my...
4.	lindylou-abbott.blogspot.com/2012/05/depression...

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Wednesday Poetry Link Up

Are you ready to share some poetry friends?  Mother's Day just passed us by, the long weekend is coming up.  Let us celebrate with some poetry, old or new!

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Washed or Dipped?

2 Kings 5:10-15


¹⁰ Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.”


and what did he do?


¹³ But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” ¹⁴ So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored and became like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean.

Do you see the difference?  Maybe take a moment and read the passages in between these quoted.  


Naaman was an important man.  He had expectations of how people would act around him. He even had expectations of God's actions in healing him.  He wanted a holy show!  He didn't want a quiet, prosaic healing.  He didn't want a BATH!  He wanted something people could watch and see and talk about.  


Not because he longed to glorify God but because he expected it.  When Elisha gave him his orders, WASH in the Jordan seven times he grew angry.  


He pouted.


A spoiled child.


His loyal followers, who knew the good behind the ego, encouraged him to at least try it.  What did he have to lose but some dirt?  


God is so good!  He chose to heal this man, which did glorify Him because even in his half-hearted and deliberate choice not to follow the orders of Elisha he was still healed.


God is good. So very good.


Elisha said, wash.


Naaman decided, with sarcasm or disbelief, to dip.


God still healed him.  God was faithful to Elisha.  God was good to Naaman.  God was glorified to those who knew Naaman.  A servant girl's faith brought the husband of her mistress to Elisha, and God was faithful.


What about you?  How many times has God, through the Holy Spirit, told you to wash in an area where you only dipped?  Was He still faithful even when our own faith wavered?


Naaman probably thought it was 'common' or 'poor' to be seen actually scrubbing down and washing in the river.  So instead, pride and ego intact, he dipped instead.  Not whole heartedly. Not even half-heartedly.  But there was that grain of sand of faith.  And God honoured that faith.  Smaller than a mustard seed. Smaller than a spark.  


God knew Naaman's heart, and the hearts of his people.  God showed through him that he does not require a big show to provide healing, a miracle.  He could do it when He wanted, regardless of the size of our faith.


When God says, Help that person!
We wait to see what is needed.


When God says, encourage her!
We wait to see how.


When God says, Step out in faith!
We look hard to see where the path goes.


God is still faithful, even when we are dipping instead of getting all the way in the water!


The other thing about dipping, it doesn't get down past the surface layers.  Washing does.  It gets down to the skin. It requires us to get the clothes off and scrub.  Dipping can be done with clothes or without.


It is the same with spiritual dipping and spiritual washing.  One touches the surface, one goes deeper.  God, however, can move in our lives regardless of our choice!


Can I get an AMEN?

Mom's Poetry LinkUP

Mother's Day is coming!

Do you have some poetry to share about Mom's?

Post your links below in comments.

Old poetry or new is welcome .

Giving from now!

Luke 21:1-3, "As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others."

God asks us to give.  Give from the abundance He gives us right now.  He doesn't want us to wait for another day, He doesn't want us to wait for what the world would call abundance.  He calls for us to be like that widow in the right now.


Can you imagine: losing one of the two jobs your house holds, having to budget tighter and feeling like you are doing okay.  That God has blessed you.  Then to get a small windfall.  Slotted for the savings account.  Slotted for the grocery budget.


Can you imagine: meeting someone who has an aching need.  A heart breaking choice to make.  And you hear Jesus reading Luke 21:1-3.  And you know He is asking you not to share what you EARNED but what He BLESSED you with.


Can you imagine: letting someone avoid the pawn shop and still get groceries?  Hearing their story and seeing Jesus shine in their faces.  To feel Jesus in your heart in a real way.  In the dirty, messy, fixing up the ruins way.


The widow has more story than these lines tell us.


She gave from her need, not her abundance.  God had provided her with what she needed, and she still gave back.  I would bet you she shared her food too. She helped others.  Her pennies at the temple were in contrast to the gold pouring from rich fingers but it is her life we can treasure!


No spouse, no word of family to care for her. Possibly on the margin of the marginalized and yet she gave from her need. 


We have what we have because of the Grace of God.  Our stewardship of it should be dictated by that same grace.  


Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”


To be sure, we are not going to know when or how but we can trust that God will keep this promise.  You can count on it.  


Where is your area of need?  Where do you feel least abundant?  Give from there!  If it is time, give some.  If it is money, give some.  The widow outdid the richest people there with her pennies.  It is not the amount but the heart.  It is not the minutes or hours but the heart.  It is not the face value but the heart.


When you see a situation and think, "Someone should do something!" pause a moment.  Perhaps God already has sent someone, perhaps that someone is you!


Jesus gave to us from the cross in a way we can never, ever, ever repay.  And He didn't do it cheaply.  He did not skimp on time, words, tears or blood.  He saved us when He didn't have to and when we weren't even close to worthy.  He wore all our sins and went to battle with their weight upon His body.  He won for us. Forever!


Give from your now.  From your need, your shortage.  You have ten minutes to spare, share five or three.  You have a grocery budget, get something for the food bank.  Are you driving past someone who needs a ride?  Do you know someone who needs prayer or a friend or some intentional encouragement?  Pray, and if the Holy Spirit moves you, follow that lead and move!  You will not believe the blessings you'll find just a few steps away!

Poetry Link Up Wet Wednesday

Tears fall down, hearts break.
Hands reach out, find empty.

Souls cry for relief, He hears.
Hearts broken, He heals.

Promises broken, too human.
Harsh words said, so sorry.

Washed clean by His blood.
Heaven bound by His sacrifice.

Human but crafted to be holy.
Broken but beautifully so.

Sparrows not forgotten.
We, forgotten neither.

Welcome to the poetry link up for today!  I hope you have something to share.  Would love to see your faith poetry here, new or old!  Visit the posting poets, leave them some love and write on, brothers and sisters, write on!

Share your links for faith poetry.  Be sure to visit those who shared here and leave them some love.

 

1.

sunflowershan.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/get-out-...

Shanyn (Sunflower Shan)

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)