Category: Serving

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Remember & Honor

I know this Scripture is used frequently when I talk about our servicemen and women and the sacrifices they make. It, however, remains true.

“This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 The greatest love people can show is to die for their friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do. ” John 15:12-14 ERV

Make time to pray for the families of those who gave all for us to live free. I’m remembering those who fought and died during the Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, San Juan Hill, WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and our times of peace keeping that required the ultimate sacrifice for some.

We are free this morning, waking up without fear of someone breaking through our doors, confiscating our belongings or persecuting us because of an opposing political belief.

First, we thank God for His protection over our lives and then we must be thankful for those who gave their lives for us and our country. Remember and honor them.

God Bless America!

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Loud & Boisterous

Yesterday was so busy that I almost forgot to look for the Lord’s blessings, that is until this big guy came bouncing across the prairie grass on the side of our RV.

I don’t normally take much interest in the crows, they’re just not an attractive or interesting bird but he caught my attention. He was headed for the mouth of the underground spring at the back of our campsite.

He wasn’t cautious at all. The little birds that come to drink are timid and will light on a branch for only a few seconds, look around and take off again but not him. He strolls in boldly knowing that all others will clear out when he arrives.

Oh my, he’s noisy but he was created by God for a purpose!

This is what Wikipedia says about the crow: “Crows appear to show appreciation to humans by presenting them with gifts.”.

Nothing appears to be said about crows in the Bible but they are very much akin to the raven who is spoken of.

My favorite story involving ravens is found in I Kings 17. Elijah, the prophet, had just told King Ahab that the Lord was going to withhold rain for the next several years. It would only rain again when Elijah said. After that proclamation, the Lord told Elijah to head to a ravine where there was water.

Enter the raven…

“Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Leave this place and go east. Hide near Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan River. 4 You can get your water from that stream, and I have commanded ravens to bring food to you there.” 5 So Elijah did what the Lord told him to do. He went to live near Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan River. 6 Ravens brought Elijah food every morning and every evening, and he drank water from the stream.” I King 17:2-6 ERV

I wonder what kind of food they brought him.

The crows in our campground are always finding morsels and tidbits of food in the trash dumpsters. I don’t think I would be too open to be partaking of the food they would bring. However, if the Lord said he sent them, I probably wouldn’t argue.

My takeaway from watching this feathered friend was this. The Lord is willing to use anyone who makes themselves available. It’s not just those who are petite, beautiful (brightly colored), and sing with a sweet melodious voice. He will also use those who are big, unattractive, loud and boisterous.

If I had to give human characteristics to the crow/raven I would say that the Apostle Peter would be a crow – loud, impetuous, foot-in-mouth kind of guy and the Apostle John would be more like the meadowlark with a sweet song and attractive appearance.

The Father uses all kinds of people and birds. Let’s learn to truly appreciate all those God brings into our lives.

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Making A Difference

I love my mountain home!

The campers have already started arriving. This weekend our campground and the others on the mountain will be filled with those who have fled the heat of the city for the cooler climates in the mountains.

I hated to be the bearer of bad news but there will be no campfires this year. The grasses are so dry – we need rain. But that really didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of each vehicle’s occupants.

Dads looked tired from the drive to the top of the mountain, they expressed their joy for being here and their anticipations for a relaxing next three days.

“This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 The greatest love people can show is to die for their friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do.” John 15:12-14 ERV

What an example Jesus gave us!

We can and should give our lives daily. Going the extra mile, denying our own comforts to serve others. In this way, we are examples of Christ.

“I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I finish my work. I want to finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 ERV

“This is a true statement. And I want you to be sure that the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.” Titus 3:8 ERV

There will be a time, maybe years from now, when someone will remember the kindnesses we have shown, the going beyond the norm, and they will express thanks for the little sacrifices. And maybe, just maybe, they will realize those acts were expressions of God’s love.

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Cleaning Toilets

Yesterday I had a friend email me after reading the blog about my refrigerator. She said she would be praying everything got taken care of today. That meant a lot and then she reminded me of a story from many years ago.

I was part of our church’s ministry team and had recently started a morning Bible Study for our women. Those teachings were very similar to the ones I share with you each morning. This particular morning, I was sharing that if we keep our hearts and our spiritual ears open the Lord will minister to us any time or any place.

Earlier in that week, while I had been doing my regular housecleaning, the Holy Spirit prompted me to keep my attitude pure in all that I did. See if you can relate. We had a large ranch-style home, three children (12, 10, 6mos), a dog, horses, and I worked full time. I was grumbling as I was cleaning toilets.

The verse that came to mind, I believe, was this:

“And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 AMPC

After Bible Study was over that morning one of the ladies, a new Christian and a new bride, came up to talk with me. She said she had never thought of me having to do all the things that wives and mothers do. Her next words made me chuckle, she said she just thought I sat home all day, reading my Bible and praying. She didn’t think that I would have to do the normal stuff.

That’s when I realized how important it is to share the way the Lord works in our everyday lives.

Jesus never came to separate Himself from us, He came to join us. He came to bring His power and provision to the mundane. He came to add his “super” to our “natural”.

“Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.” Mark 10:45 ERV

Christ came to serve others, to serve us. Yes, He got tired. Who else could fall asleep during a storm at sea? But His heart was always centered on serving. He knew that whatever He did should bring honor and glory to the Father.

Cleaning toilets, rocking a baby, wiping up spilled cereal, folding laundry, washing dirty faces, kissing little faces good night. Mowing the yard, spraying weeds, washing the car, board meetings, shoveling snow, changing the oil in the car.

Waiting for a new refrigerator.

Whatever we do in word or deed, do it all with an attitude of giving thanks to God!

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Wash Day

Do you remember the kitchen towels that had different chores for each day of the week? Maybe your Mom had them or maybe you remember them fondly from your grandmother’s kitchen.

I found them in both those homes and in fact, those towels provided me with my first lessons in embroidery. According to the towels, Monday is wash day but since we were moving back from the racetrack on Monday, Wednesday became laundry day and so will today.

Too many loads to handle in one day so I divided it up.

A week or so ago I was telling Dave one of my memories from our early years of marriage. We were poor and money for groceries was often scarce. I told him I talked to the Lord about this and knew in my heart that one day I would no longer have to shop with my calculator in one hand and my grocery list in the other. Every purchase had to be considered because I only had so much that I could spend.

But…I didn’t tell him the rest of the story. The other part of my conversation with the Lord was about our clothing. It was necessary to do laundry several times a week so that we would have clean clothes to wear. To say our wardrobe was limited would be an understatement.

For years now, I thank the Father for prospering us. I no longer take a calculator to the grocery store and the only reason I have to do laundry more than once a week is because the hamper it full.

The Lord has taught me many lessons on wash day.

Hanging clothes on the line in those early days were some of my favorite times with the Lord. He taught me the meaning of so many Scriptures as I would reach in the basket of wet laundry and take the clothes pins from the bag. Yesterday’s lesson was a different one with no clothes line, this time there’s a dryer, but there was still a teaching to be learned.

“After Jesus said this, he spit on the dirt, made some mud and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 Jesus told him, “Go and wash in Siloam pool.” (Siloam means “Sent.”) So the man went to the pool, washed and came back. He was now able to see.” John 9:6-7 ERV

Washing was important in the Bible. It was an action of promise. For the blind man it was an act of faith and obedience that gave him his sight.

For a man named Naaman II Kings 5), obediently washing brought cleansing from leprosy. But the washing that stands out most in my mind was when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

“When Jesus finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and went back to the table. He asked, “Do you understand what I did for you?…14 I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. 15 I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you.” John 13:12-15 ERV

Washing was an act of serving, an act of love. I hope this gives you a whole new outlook for Wash Day.

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Love in Practice

Oh my! When I opened my Bible this morning the words literally jumped off the page!

Love in Practice! Amazing thought, godly teaching.

“If you see a cow or sheep wandering around lost, take the animal back to its owner. 2 If the owner lives too far away, or if you don’t know who the owner is, take the animal home with you and take care of it. The owner will come looking for the animal, and then you can give it back. 3 That’s what you should do if you find anything that belongs to someone else. Do whatever you can to help, whether you find a cow or sheep or donkey or some clothing.” Deuteronomy 22:1-3 CEV

Now granted, in our day and age we don’t see too many cows or sheep wandering around lost so before you say these verses really don’t apply to me let’s look at the concept. The instruction that Moses was giving to the nation of Israel was to look out for one another, even if you don’t know that person.

God desires that we would act like Him, remember?

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. Let love be your guide.” Ephesians 5:1 CEV

Living rurally as we have there have been a number of times, we would come down the road to find a cow or a calf on the wrong side of the fence. A time or two we would wrangle them back through the gate that had been left open and secure it. But at others we would stop at the ranch house we would simply alert them that the cattle were out so they could get them penned up again. Not something you normally find in the city.

However, I have to tell a story on us. We had a neighbor who never took care of her yard. When we got ready to sell the house it concerned us that this would be a detriment to any potential buyers. We griped and complained to each other, alot, and even voiced our complaint to a few neighbors and family members. Then one day we were convicted about our complaining and when we listened to the Lord’s heart, we knew that we had to do. Dave went and talked to the neighbor and said he wanted to hire someone to clean up her yards.

He found a local handy man and sent him over to look at the job. We were through complaining and ready to put Love In Practice.

While we were in the mountains this summer it was common practice to ask the other campground workers if there was anything they needed when we headed to town. Most of the time there wasn’t but occasionally we would be asked to bring back a couple bags of ice, milk, coffee, fresh veggies and even a bag of birdseed.

We could switch this morning’s title around to say “Practice Love”. We don’t always get it right the first time, so we need to keep practicing.

Do the neighbors need a helping hand, a babysitter, a lawn mowed or groceries delivered? Do they need someone to take in their trash cans when their gone or water their plants? Practice love!

So, the next time you see a cow or a sheep walking down the road, (or someone in need) take the time to stop and put Love in Practice!

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These Two Things

Over the last few months I have experienced the Lord stretching my heart.

Being exposed to hundreds, even thousands, of people from all different walks of life, different areas of society, has definitely expanded the depth and the breadth of my love. In order to have our love grow passed our comfort zone, we have to do just that – get passed our comfort zone. We have to invest ourselves in the lives of people, people who are hurting.

Remember the story of the good Samaritan. There was a man who had been traveling and he was attacked, beaten and left for dead. A religious man walked that same road, saw the man and passed him by. The same thing happened when someone who worked at the church saw him. Then a Samaritan, someone from a different culture and background saw him. This man treated his wounds and took him to safety.

All three men had an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and do the right thing but only one man did.

“‘”An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to have eternal life?”

26 Jesus answered, “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”

27 The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’”

28 Jesus said, “You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life.”

29 But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, “Who are my neighbors?”

30 Jesus replied: As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32 Later a temple helper came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side.

33 A man from Samaria then came traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him 34 and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, “Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return.”

36 Then Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?”

37 The teacher answered, “The one who showed pity.”

Jesus said, “Go and do the same!”'” Luke 10:25-37 CEV

Two things – Love the Father and love our neighbor. When we love the Father He will show us how to love our neighbor. Let’s share His love outside our comfort zone!

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Running Short on Time

I remember one of the first blogs I wrote from the mountains at the beginning of summer. I was recounting how early each morning the sun came up. The birds would start singing at approximately 4:15am to welcome the day. Here we are, four months later and the day doesn’t start to dawn until 5:45am, an hour and a half later.

The days are getting shorter.

Yesterday, we had quite a few campers check-in and they all remarked, one way or another, that they were here for their last camping trip of the season. We were asked repeatedly, how much longer will you be here. Our answer, just one more week.

We are running short on time.

It’s hard to think about not being in this beautiful place each day. We have loved our time in the mountains and we are praying, and expecting, to return again next year. But as I wrote in my journal this morning not only are the days getting visibly shorter in regard to length of daylight, and our time on the calendar has a definite end date, the days we have left on this earth are also getting shorter.

We need to make the most of the time we have before us.

While we’re here at this campground, we need to be diligent about the tasks that we’ve been given. The facilities need to be winterized. Things need to be packed away and building needs to be prepared to protect against the damage that the harsh weather could bring. We are busy examining each individual campsite, making notes of needed repairs before the next season. And we only have so many hours of daylight in which to accomplish these tasks..

The same applies to the circumstances of our life. We need to redeem the time, make the most of each day, so that our lives are lived well and we give glory to the Lord.

“You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light 9 and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, 10 as you try to please the Lord. 11 Don’t take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are…15 Act like people with good sense and not like fools. 16 These are evil times, so make every minute count. 17 Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:7-17 CEV

I’ve heard it said that time is our most precious commodity. It’s the only thing we can’t get more of. We all are allotted the same 24 hours, the key is to use them wisely. Show love and kindness to those around us; be appreciative; let the world see Jesus in what we do.

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples. He knew something that we don’t; He knew his life would be short, He knew the number of his days.

“As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light for the world.” John 9:4-5 CEV

Jesus’ instruction was that we make the most of each day. He came to bring light to the lives of mankind and when He left, He gave us the same instruction. Bring light and God’s glory to those around us.

Let’s make every day count because we’re running short on time!

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A Plentiful Harvest

For a number of years Dave and I spent our summers in Iowa when the farmland was bursting with corn stalks. Did you know that an ear of corn has an average of 800 kernels per ear and that one corn stalk only has an average of two to three ears per stalk? Think about that. One kernel of planted corn seed produces, on average, 2400 new kernels to replace itself.

Amazing!

God has placed seed within everything He has made. All of nature is created to be productive…

The Apostle Paul taught about harvest when he wrote a letter to the Christians who were living in Corinth. He was talking to them about sowing seeds of finances to help another group of Christians who were facing a rough time. Look at what He said:

      “Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop… God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. 8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon…This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.” II Corinthians 9:6-11 MSG

Everything in our lives comes by planting seeds. This need required a seed of financial help and Paul said that it would be returned to them according to their heart’s intent. He instructed them not to give because they were coerced, instead he wanted them to give cheerfully and generously. When we give with this attitude God replenishes the seed and gives us more.

Whatever it is we sow or give should be done with a  generous attitude. We can plant any number of seeds. I particularly like to plant seeds of joy, encouragement, understanding, helpfulness, tolerance, peace, and love. As these seeds grow, I bring in a harvest and can share it generously with those around me and that brings glory to the Father.

The seeds that Jesus sowed everywhere He went were the seeds of reconciliation or renewed relationship with the Father.

      “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues, and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:35-38 NLT

We get to help with the harvest of reconciliation. The seeds of forgiveness and new life are sown by God’s word and we are chosen to bring in those whose lives are changed.

      “… And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!” II Corinthians 5:18-20 NLT

Farmers do not receive medals like the soldiers or the victor’s crown that athletes are awarded, their reward for diligence is the harvest. When we assist Christ in the harvest, we receive a crown and so do those who grow to relationship with Christ because of the seeds sown.

Join me in planting seeds of reconciliation and forgiveness, joy, love and understanding. The harvest is amazing!

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Not About Me

Every morning for the last nine plus years I have traded emails with a friend who lives in the Northwest. We share our morning “coffee”. She tells me all about her previous day and I tell her about mine.

There are days when one or the other of us start our email by saying “I need this to be all about me”. That’s what friends do!

We listen, without condemning. We don’t have to make things better or give advice sometimes we just need to listen. Many times at the end of one of those pour-your-heart-out exchanges we will say “thank you, I knew you would know what I should do” because once we’ve talked through things, although it’s in an email, and unburdened ourselves we know what to do.

Self-centeredness is never good for a relationship. True friendship, true love is selfless.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.” John 3:16 NLV

God loved so much He sent His Son. When Jesus came to earth it wasn’t about Him it was about rescuing us.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

When the angels filled the heavens two thousand years ago proclaiming the birth of Jesus, they gave “Glory to God in the Highest”. The message wasn’t about them – they were only the messengers.

We also have the opportunity to be messengers of God’s goodness and love. It’s not about me, it’s about what Jesus has done in our lives.

“You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” II Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT

We have a great treasure bottled up within us. It’s the light of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. It’s not about me, it’s about His light shinging through me. I just want to be the vessel that brings His light to the world.

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