Category: Kindness

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Preparing for the Future

Fall has come. The leaves are turning and the gardens which were planted in the Spring and Summer have been harvested. Now, the soil is being turned over and will lay dormant over the winter. But a good farmer or good gardener is already preparing for the future.

We should be of that same mindset.

This morning while reading in Proverbs I saw the instruction to the farmer who was tending his goats and his sheep.

“ …the harvest is over, 26 you can sell lambs and goats to buy clothes and land. 27 From the milk of the goats, you can make enough cheese  to feed your family and all your servants.” Proverbs 27:25-17 CEV

His diligence during the summer provided for his family later in the season. From there, I began reading in the book of James and the words jumped from the page as I read about our uncontrolled conversations and critical words.

“My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn’t right…”

We should be preparing for the future by the words we speak. Critical words, harsh words, words spoken in jealousy have no place in the life of a believer. In fact, these very words can and will destroy the crop of God’s blessings in our life.

“Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. 18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.” James 3:16-18 CEV

The words we sow in our lives can bring life or death. The power rests in our tongues.

“Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.” Proverbs 18:21 CEV

We should be like a farmer – plow up the field of harmful words and begin sowing seeds of kindness, life, encouragement.

“Again Jesus said: God’s kingdom is like what happens when a farmer scatters seed in a field. 27 The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn’t understand how. 28 It is the ground that makes the seeds sprout and grow into plants that produce grain. 29 Then when harvest season comes and the grain is ripe, the farmer cuts it with a sickle.” Mark 4:26-29 CEV

We will eat well when we sow words of life. Start now preparing for the future!

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The Little Things

Last week, as I was trying to find a way to get the blog posted, I woke up discouraged. I couldn’t figure out why I was not being successful in my efforts to log in to my site.

I was talking with my Father, expressing my frustration and disappointment. I felt discouraged. I wasn’t being able to reach out to all of you.

Then I looked up to see the little portable heater sitting on the floor across from me. I stared at it for a moment and there I found encouragement.

No, I’m not crazy!

But I do find the Lord ministers to me in the simplest ways and that morning it came from focusing on my heater. The LED display most often gives a temperature reading but this morning the reading said “Hi”.

Hi? I know hi meant the opposite of the fan being on low but that little “hi” was a warm greeting to my heart.

Hi, being the shortened form of hello was just the morning greeting I needed.

It’s the little things that often touch our hearts and bring encouragement. A hug, the touch of a hand, a smile, a kind word (saying thank you), all of these can make a big difference in someone’s day.

“Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. 2 Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. 3 Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Care about them as much as you care about yourselves” Philippians 2:1-4 CEV

As Christ encourages us, we should also be encouraging others. Look for the little things you can do today to brighten someone’s outlook.

It may be something as simple as saying “hi”.

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Building Friendships

I missed sharing with you yesterday morning. It was one of those “no signal” days and as hard as I tried throughout the day I was still unable to get any internet connection. But even though I was unable to put words to screen I prayed for you all to have an amazing day, recognizing the Lord’s presence.

Two days ago, we were having one of those socked-in raining afternoons. It isn’t like that very often, so Dave and I found one of our favorite cowboy movies, a two-part, three-hour feature and made an afternoon of it. This movie is all about friendship, “Buffalo Girls”.

The eight main characters have years of friendship. Sometimes, they fight with one another, actually come to blows; sometimes, years go by and they never see one another but each reunion is sweet and filled with joy. There are rousing confrontations when faults are exposed. Friendship is built on honesty and trust. You find that in the lives of these characters.

There is heart ache and sadness. These friends help one another deal with the pain. At the end, two of our main characters die and they share their grief.

As I watched my eyes filled with tears. My thoughts were of friends we hold dear. Some we haven’t seen in years. We miss them dearly and love them deeply. Their lives have intertwined with ours for years and years.

The key to good friendship is not finding people you agree with in every situation. The key is to love without judging, allowing them to be who God made them to be and not who we want them to be. Friendship comes from living life together, sometimes its messy, and being committed to bringing out the best and not dwelling on the worst.

“You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. 4 How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don’t see the log in your own eye? 5 You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 CEV

It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict of wrong doing. We, as true friends, speak the truth in love and know that we are just as susceptible to fault as they are.

Jesus said the world would come to know Him because of the way we love one another. Let’s make that our goal.

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends, if you obey me. 15 Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.

16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. 17 So I command you to love each other.” John 15:12-17 CEV

Be a Jesus-kind of friend!

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In The Dark

One of our fellow campground staff brought me these mushrooms yesterday. They are really big and he said they are best when sliced and sauted in butter.

Yum!

I don’t know much about mushrooms but I do know they grow best in moist places without much light. Not an ideal situation for human growth but I guess it’s ok for fungus.

Do you remember years back when scientist and medical professionals started talking about light deprivation and lack of vitamin D? This produced a condition known as SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. One of the main symptoms was depression.

I love the sunshine. Most of my life has been in the desert with plenty of sunshine. Even though our winter days in Montana were bitterly cold we still had lots of sunshine.

If we aren’t careful we can experience SAD in our spiritual lives. The Lord doesn’t want us living in the dark. In fact, one Old Testament prophet proclaimed that “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge”. They were living in spiritual darkness. They had forgotten, or had not been taught, all that the Lord told Moses about God’s blessings being poured out on each generation of the Jewish people.

John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, instructed us to “walk in the light as He was in the light”. Jesus said of himself that He came to be the Light of the World. When we walk in the light of God’s word we grow. We develop strength, joy, goodness, peace and love. That’s the fruit that God’s light produces in us. These traits are completely opposite of SAD.

When we are walking in the SONshine our lives reflect His light. Jesus said that we are to be lights in the world. Just like the moon reflects the light of the sun and shines when the sun is absent, we can and will reflect the light of God’s Son and shine in the world when the Son isn’t in the earth.

“People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 ERV

May I encourage you today to open God’s word and let the Son shine on you. Don’t be a mushroom!

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Behind Closed Gates

The last few days have been filled with much activity. Moving from one campground to the next. Breaking camp and setting up again, all the while wondering how long this temporary relocation will be.

We are here with the hosts of nine different campgrounds. We are safe and that is what is important. There have been many words of encouragement, hugs and conversations regarding our current circumstances.

Do you remember the old western movies when people traveled by wagon train from St. Louis to “the West”? We are neighbors depending on neighbors, assisting where we can – providing extra muscle in lifting heavy bar-b-ques or ice chests, providing an extra stick of butter for a cake or just offering a chair under the awning for a chance to visit.

We are not certain of what each day will bring but we are here together. 

“…But God is your teacher, and he will not continue to hide from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. 21 If you wander from the right path, either to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “You should go this way. Here is the right way.” Isaiah 30:20-21 ERV

Dave has helped me and we believe we have found a place, not far from our campground, where we can drive and get a signal that allows me to post this blog each morning. It has definitely been a trial and error process.  But if this morning is successful then we should be able to continue with this plan for as long as needed.

I want to encourage each one of us to always be ready to share the love of Jesus in each day’s circumstance. It is important that we are prepared to give an account for the peace and assurance that we have in Jesus.

“Tell everyone God’s message. Be ready at all times to do whatever is needed. Tell peple what they need to do, tell them when they are doing wrong, and encourage them. Do this with great patience and careful teaching.” II Timothy 4:2 ERV

It is a joy to share with you all each morning. I’ve missed it the last couple of days!

I am praying for all of you and trust that your faith and trust in the Lord is growing each day.

“ You accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live following him. 7 You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” Colossians 2:6-7 ERV

This is a day filled with many opportunities. Follow the Lord’s leading and be a blessing.

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Tenderhearted & Forgiving

Some of you have probably figured out that Dave and I are on a summer adventure. We left home recently in our traveling bunkhouse, our 5th wheel trailer. We are in the mountains of Arizona. Yes, Arizona has mountains, beautiful, cool mountains.

These trips away from our home are always times of growth. The Lord stretches me and shows me things in my life that I need to work on. I guess I just see them clearer when I am out of my daily routine. I’m happy to say that some of the things I have seen come to light show me that I have grown more in my faith and my compassion than I had realized. Others, the Lord has shown me I still have a ways to go.

Last night was one of those “I have grown more than I thought” situations. I woke up several times to the sound of a generator. Now for those of you unfamiliar with camping or RV park rules there are always quiet hours when no loud music or generators are allowed to operate.

But instead of getting angry because someone was obviously not following the rules my mind went to kind thoughts. Maybe they’re new to camping and don’t know the rules, maybe they have a new baby and didn’t realize it would be this cold and needed the generator to operate their heater, maybe…just maybe…

Each time I woke I heard the word tenderhearted. Being sympathetic and empathetic are actions of a tender heart. Looking at the cause instead of the action is a tenderhearted perspective. If my heart can be tender toward someone in the campground who I don’t even know shouldn’t I be more tenderhearted when relating to those in my own family and among my close friends and fellow Christians?

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

Christ paid the price for our sins long before we ever repented. His forgiveness and compassion aren’t based on our repentance, they come because of His unconditional love. Waiting for someone to say they are sorry before we forgive is selfish and not the way God forgives at all. We need to conform to His way of forgiving.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

Exercise kindness, tenderness, forgiveness this summer. By doing these things, we will be an imitator of our Father and an example of His love to the world.

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Good For All Time

Every day I ask the Lord to show me something new. I never want to quit learning. I want increase in knowledge of natural things and in spiritual things.

Yesterday, I was reading the list of items the Lord told Moses would be needed in building the Tent of Meeting. This would be the portable place of worship where the priests would offer sacrifices for the people and would also offer prayers of repentance and thanksgiving.

There were all the things you would expect to find when for erecting such a structure – gold, silver, wood for the tables, bronze, oil, spices, precious stones, linen for the priests’ garments but there was one item I did not expect to find, seal skins.

Seal skins? That was odd.

Dave and I talked about it, and I went to the maps in the back of my Bible to see where they might have gotten seal skins. The Israelites were still traveling in the wilderness and weren’t close to any seaports that I could tell so I’m not sure how this was a thing. I learned something new.

I also learn something new about my husband’s camping experiences when he was a kid. He asked me what I remember about being in the mountains with my family and then told me things he did with his cousins and the fun they had. When we love someone, we should want to know all we can about them.

Our walk with the Lord should never be something we take for granted, consider passe` or old fashioned. It should be more contemporary than the newest software, technology advancement or medical breakthrough.

Our love for Him should have us asking questions and learning new things in our relationship with the Father. God is practical but complex. He is the God of all generations.

“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. 2 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. 3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. 4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. 5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles…For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.”
Psalm 145:1-4, 13 NLT

God’s kingdom will last forever. He will rule in every generation. He is good for all time.

I encourage you to ask the Father to show you something new today or to remind you of something you have forgotten. You may be surprised by what He teaches you when your heart is opened to learn.  

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Don’t Go to the Party

There are some parties that we should never attend. Specifically, the pity party.

The guest list is disasatrous: loneliness, condemnation, self-loathing, imperfection, and low self-esteem.

If you’ve ever attended a party like that or you might be today’s guest of honor, I have Good News!

“We sinned against him, but he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved. 11 His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The LORD is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children. 14 He knows all about us. He knows we are made from dust. 15 He knows our lives are shor… 17 But the LORD has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever! He will be good to all their descendants, 18 to those who are faithful to his agreement and who remember to obey his commands.” Psalm 103:10-18 ERV

Don’t go to the party!

It seems we fall prey to that destructive kind of thinking at one time or another. Do you know why?

We forget what God says about us. What’s the first thing that jumps from the page when you read the verses above? For me, it’s “he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved.”

Jesus died for my sins so I don’t have too. He knew I was incapable of living a sinless life so the Father placed the responsibility for my sin on Jesus! The Father showers me with love and kindness – my sin has been blotted out. My failure has been expunged! The handwriting against me has been cancelled!!

No pity party here – send the guests back to hell, that’s where they came from!

Each day we can walk free of condemning thoughts, low self-esteem, by reminding ourselves what God has done for us through Christ Jesus.

“So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. 2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Roman 12:1-2 ERV

The more we focus on God’s love, the less we will focus on our short comings.

“But God’s free gift is not like Adam’s sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But the grace that people received from God was much greater. Many received God’s gift of life by the grace of this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 After Adam sinned once, he was judged guilty. But the gift of God is different. His free gift came after many sins, and it makes people right with him.” Romans 5:15 ERV

Tear up the invitation; don’t go to the party! Remember, “the LORD has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!”

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Praying Not Preying

This morning I saw a picture of a praying mantis. You know the insect that looks like its’ front legs are bent in a position of prayer.

I had to stop and think for a moment – why do they call it praying and not preying? This insect eats, devours, other bugs.

There is a reality there. If we aren’t praying for others and over our circumstances we will be preying on them or we will become their prey. I’ll wait a minute while you think about that.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Pray about EVERYTHING. That’s everything. I learned years ago to pray over my grocery list and the amount of money I had in my wallet. That may seem like a small thing but the list was bigger than my cash. Most week’s I would find that the items I needed were on “special”. I came home with all that I needed to make good meals for our family and then there would be the bonus. Farmers Dave worked with would have extra veggies and fruit to give away, a dairyman would have cheese, a friend who be in the neighborhood with a couple extra bags of groceries and we would have more than enough!

Prayer and thankful hearts go together. Complaining does nothing except make you vulnerable prey for bitterness and worry.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” Matthew 5:43-45 NLT

These are the words of Jesus. If anyone had just cause to harbor a grudge against their enemies it would be Jesus. A perfect man, with perfect motives, was constantly harrassed by his enemies. But He chose to pray for those who wanted Him to be discredited and who called for His death.

Pray or prey.

Quite often I will get a phone call, text or email asking me to pray. I consider that a high honor. I take time to pray right then, I don’t put it off for a more convenient time. After that, each time I am reminded of the situation I thank the Lord that He is working everything out and bringing peace to the hearts of those who need it.

“I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind and merciful to you. May they bless you with peace!” I Timothy 1:2 CEV

I hope this is a word for you today. Pray, not prey, and be filled with thankfulness and peace.

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Fragrance of Love

Take a deep breath. What do you smell? Is it sweet and inviting? Hopefully, it isn’t harsh and offensive. Sweet and inviting is better, much much better.

Years ago, my mother moved to Dillon, MT where Dave and I lived. Right outside the back door of her duplex was a tall lilac bush. Each time she opened the door to walk out she would be greeted with the smell of lilac. She told me that she remembered being a small girl and smelling lilacs at her home. That smell, that sweet odor, reminded her of home!

Have you ever walked through a rose garden when it’s in bloom or sat on a bench surrounded by gardenias? Our sense of smell is very strong. It can warn us of danger, like a skunk or fire, or it can bring us comfort and consolation.

In the Old Testament, offerings of thanksgiving to God were to be a mixture of fine flour, olive oil and incense. When they were burned by the priest, the offering had a sweet odor that was pleasing to the Lord.

The Apostle Paul tells us we are to offer our bodies, our lives, to the Lord as a living sacrifice. So this begs the question, what fragrance does my life emit?

“Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. 2 Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans 12:1-2 CEV

Is my life pure and pleasing? Is it one with the sweet smell of thanksgiving? Do I spend more time thanking God for His goodness and His love than I do complaining about how things could/should/would be better “if only”?

As Christians – Christ like ones – our lives should be an offering that pleases the Father.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. 2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 CEV

We are to be like Christ and our lives should be like His, a sacrifice that pleases God. Just as the priests presented the sacrifices to the Lord and it pleased Him, we should offer our lives as a pleasing sacrifice.

It’s not only the Father who notices that the fragrance of our lives, those around us will notice too.

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume. 15 In fact, God thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone. ” II Corinthians 2:14-15 CEV

During this week of Easter I desire that my life smells sweet with praise and thanksgiving to the Father and forgiveness and love to those I meet. I desire to release the sweet fragrance of love.

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