Just taking a quick moment to say I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. If you look for God's goodness, you will find it. It is there in the dishes you are washing. See it in the faces of your loved ones? He is making Himself known to you as you deal with hard circumstances. They are designed to make you stronger and cause you to go to Him. The earth is the Lord's. Give Him the praise and honor due Him....and have a good weekend!
Hebrews 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
There is your reason for praises!!!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The Samaritan Woman
The woman at the well. We do not know her name. She came to the well at noon while others waited for a cooler part of the day. She was scarlet. Her reputation was known and perhaps she was shunned by proper society. She had been married five times and was not married to the man she lived with now.
Though her ancestry was part Israelite, it was mixed with Assyrian blood. God had told the Israelites not to intermarry with other peoples. The Israelites were very good at disobeying what God had told them to do. (Hmmm. I see my own unfaithful heart in my mirror.)
Jesus had told His disciples that He must go through Samaria on His way to Galilee. It was a divine encounter. There was a woman that needed healing. As Jesus approached her, he asked for a drink. She reminded him that Jews did not speak to Samaritans. He told her that she should be asking Him for living water that she would never thirst again. Confused, she asked Jesus where this water came from and mentioned Jacob, her ancestor and his well. (Wait. Jacob, an Israelite. She was claiming boldly that Jacob was in her heritage. So...she spoke about Old Testament Scripture and was learned about her lineage, but the lineage she came from abhorred her and looked upon her with disdain. A product of sin and disobedience. Aren't we all?) Jesus, with compassion told the truth about who she was and what her lifestyle had been. He offered her hope.
He told her that the Father is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. She, in turn told Him that she was waiting for the Messiah. He said, "I who speak to you am He." (Can you imagine?)
The disciples had returned to Him with food and did not even acknowledge her presence, but asked Jesus why He would speak to her.
(Have you every wondered that? Would you be guilty of such a comment if He were here today? He would be with the people that society rejects. You know that. He loved them. Think about it.)
She ran to town and told everyone that she met a man who told her all about herself. And they believed her! She had some credibility with the townfolk because they came to see Him. Then they saw for themselves and believed not because of her testimony, but because of Jesus.
You will only find the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in the book of John, chapter 4. I am so very glad John included it in his gospel. It is about me and my adulterous heart, my disobedience, my heritage - Adam. Oh, Jesus. You love the unlovely. Thank You that where I came from does not determine Your love for me.
John 4:23-24 "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Though her ancestry was part Israelite, it was mixed with Assyrian blood. God had told the Israelites not to intermarry with other peoples. The Israelites were very good at disobeying what God had told them to do. (Hmmm. I see my own unfaithful heart in my mirror.)
Jesus had told His disciples that He must go through Samaria on His way to Galilee. It was a divine encounter. There was a woman that needed healing. As Jesus approached her, he asked for a drink. She reminded him that Jews did not speak to Samaritans. He told her that she should be asking Him for living water that she would never thirst again. Confused, she asked Jesus where this water came from and mentioned Jacob, her ancestor and his well. (Wait. Jacob, an Israelite. She was claiming boldly that Jacob was in her heritage. So...she spoke about Old Testament Scripture and was learned about her lineage, but the lineage she came from abhorred her and looked upon her with disdain. A product of sin and disobedience. Aren't we all?) Jesus, with compassion told the truth about who she was and what her lifestyle had been. He offered her hope.
He told her that the Father is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. She, in turn told Him that she was waiting for the Messiah. He said, "I who speak to you am He." (Can you imagine?)
The disciples had returned to Him with food and did not even acknowledge her presence, but asked Jesus why He would speak to her.
(Have you every wondered that? Would you be guilty of such a comment if He were here today? He would be with the people that society rejects. You know that. He loved them. Think about it.)
She ran to town and told everyone that she met a man who told her all about herself. And they believed her! She had some credibility with the townfolk because they came to see Him. Then they saw for themselves and believed not because of her testimony, but because of Jesus.
You will only find the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in the book of John, chapter 4. I am so very glad John included it in his gospel. It is about me and my adulterous heart, my disobedience, my heritage - Adam. Oh, Jesus. You love the unlovely. Thank You that where I came from does not determine Your love for me.
John 4:23-24 "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Friday, September 20, 2013
To You and the Robots - It Is Never Too Late
My blog is read some, but by how many REAL people, I do not know. I started a little over a year ago and I have had about 3400 looks. That is not very many just FYI. My son Luke tells me that it is robots just doing their jobs for some statistician and I believe he is right (though I felt deflated inside when he said it. Sigh.) I have always said that I blog for me, as a journal of sorts. Putting thoughts and memories on paper has always been a joy. Of course you will never see in print the events I want to forget. Perhaps they are like a song stuck in my head and once I sing it, the repeated melody will go away. If only. No, you will most likely NOT see the tempestuous storms I have raged through unvictoriously. There are many.
I say all of this to make this point. God is showing me some things and I want to share them, but it may mean divulging a name or two. Since my audience is you - my flesh and blood reader, and many robots as well - I do not think anyone will knock on my door with a legal document and an impending lawsuit. Dare I write more? Yes, because God works in the most unusual ways and He is very specific. Running from Him is no option.
Tommy and I have felt for some time that we should have some ministry to our neighbors. We have lived here for 30 years. (Ok, THIS is an unvictorious storm) Do you think it is too late? It is an embarrassment that we have not been more involved with those around us. Yes, we know them by name and yes, they know we go to church each week but no, we have not shared our most Precious Treasure with them. We did pray with a neighbor when she was ill....but it was she who approached us. There have been occasional conversations here and there, but as much as my door revolves, it is seldom a neighbor on the other side of it.
I am leading to a point. There is a young man I spoke of in my last entry who walks his dog in front of our house every day. He brought me the keys Tommy left hanging in my back car door. God had been impressing on my heart to talk to him...and I had not done it. So, He brought him to my door. Today I went out to meet him as he passed by. I wondered how the conversation would go and I introduced myself. He did as well. His name is Christian. (Wow, God. Great name.) While I did not share the gospel with him then, I did share that his name would be easy for me to remember as we were Christians. I promised him some cookies for his kindness and I look forward to another encounter.
This afternoon I was visiting with a young girl from church in my kitchen. Tommy came home from work two hours early with a neighbor from down the street. Mary does not believe. A conversation is taking place in my living room at present.
The world is full of people that need a Savior. My faith is useless if it isn't shared. I want our house to be a beacon of hope and a place for fellowship where Christ is glorified. When I do not know how to begin, He begins for me....and no, it is never too late.
I say all of this to make this point. God is showing me some things and I want to share them, but it may mean divulging a name or two. Since my audience is you - my flesh and blood reader, and many robots as well - I do not think anyone will knock on my door with a legal document and an impending lawsuit. Dare I write more? Yes, because God works in the most unusual ways and He is very specific. Running from Him is no option.
Tommy and I have felt for some time that we should have some ministry to our neighbors. We have lived here for 30 years. (Ok, THIS is an unvictorious storm) Do you think it is too late? It is an embarrassment that we have not been more involved with those around us. Yes, we know them by name and yes, they know we go to church each week but no, we have not shared our most Precious Treasure with them. We did pray with a neighbor when she was ill....but it was she who approached us. There have been occasional conversations here and there, but as much as my door revolves, it is seldom a neighbor on the other side of it.
I am leading to a point. There is a young man I spoke of in my last entry who walks his dog in front of our house every day. He brought me the keys Tommy left hanging in my back car door. God had been impressing on my heart to talk to him...and I had not done it. So, He brought him to my door. Today I went out to meet him as he passed by. I wondered how the conversation would go and I introduced myself. He did as well. His name is Christian. (Wow, God. Great name.) While I did not share the gospel with him then, I did share that his name would be easy for me to remember as we were Christians. I promised him some cookies for his kindness and I look forward to another encounter.
This afternoon I was visiting with a young girl from church in my kitchen. Tommy came home from work two hours early with a neighbor from down the street. Mary does not believe. A conversation is taking place in my living room at present.
The world is full of people that need a Savior. My faith is useless if it isn't shared. I want our house to be a beacon of hope and a place for fellowship where Christ is glorified. When I do not know how to begin, He begins for me....and no, it is never too late.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
An Incredibly Unusual Day
This has been a most unusual day. When more than one odd thing happens in a day, I begin to check the sky for a full moon. Full moons do cause things to happen, you know. My first oddity encounter occurred when I raised the shades on the french doors. Tiny orange bugs were in clusters on the outside glass. They crawled slowly, but never really went anywhere. I think they were aphids, but still not sure. By midday they had travelled to the top of the door and disappeared.
Oddity number two. My doorbell rings and it isn't even 9a.m. yet. A neighbor from down the street - a young man in his early twenties who walks his dog every day at this time - I mean EVERY day at the SAME time - is standing on my porch. "Did you mean to leave your keys in the back door of your car?" he asks. I just smiled and said, "No." He said he would get them for me and when he returned and handed them to me, I simply stated the facts. "My husband."
Third oddity. My 40 year old sister Mona texted me. She has four children; the oldest in college and the youngest in junior high and she tells me she is pregnant....again...and very happy about it. Wahoo, sister!
Fourth tremor. NBC interviewed my husband today. It seems there is a commune of young people - I am reluctant to use the word cult because it conjures up the worst images - in Texas near Lufkin and one of their ex-members attends our church. Apparently there has been some recent upsets that reached NBC's ear in Tyler, Texas. For whatever reason, Tommy and the young man who left this group are being interviewed on camera at our church this evening. So yes, this has been an odd day. And it isn't over yet....
When Tommy called and told me that an NBC reporter had been in his office all day, my first response was, "What did you wear to work today?" He answered, "My red Northwestern College golf shirt from Orange City, Iowa." Very cool. The segment will air tomorrow locally in Tyler on NBC.
Third oddity. My 40 year old sister Mona texted me. She has four children; the oldest in college and the youngest in junior high and she tells me she is pregnant....again...and very happy about it. Wahoo, sister!
Fourth tremor. NBC interviewed my husband today. It seems there is a commune of young people - I am reluctant to use the word cult because it conjures up the worst images - in Texas near Lufkin and one of their ex-members attends our church. Apparently there has been some recent upsets that reached NBC's ear in Tyler, Texas. For whatever reason, Tommy and the young man who left this group are being interviewed on camera at our church this evening. So yes, this has been an odd day. And it isn't over yet....
When Tommy called and told me that an NBC reporter had been in his office all day, my first response was, "What did you wear to work today?" He answered, "My red Northwestern College golf shirt from Orange City, Iowa." Very cool. The segment will air tomorrow locally in Tyler on NBC.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Because When You Own Something....
You have heard the saying, "Be careful when you own something, that it doesn't own you" or something like that. You get the idea. It is true. When we own things we must care for them, and depending on what it is, some things need more care than others. Cars need maintenance. Houses need maintenance. Clothes need washing. Families need feeding...and washing...and maintenance as well.
Matthew 6:28-34 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I met a missionary from China who was home on furlough. She is serving alone over there. While here, she is dependent on others for a place to stay, food to eat, transportation, etc. She told me that she did not own much because the more she owned, the more she would have to care for. While there, she has a ministry on a campus. That is really all I should say. So, when you think of China, pray for her. God knows just who she is.
And about 'today'... it has enough of its own troubles. Why worry about tomorrow? Though each day has its problems, it also comes with new mercies.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I want to own THAT.
Matthew 6:28-34 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I met a missionary from China who was home on furlough. She is serving alone over there. While here, she is dependent on others for a place to stay, food to eat, transportation, etc. She told me that she did not own much because the more she owned, the more she would have to care for. While there, she has a ministry on a campus. That is really all I should say. So, when you think of China, pray for her. God knows just who she is.
And about 'today'... it has enough of its own troubles. Why worry about tomorrow? Though each day has its problems, it also comes with new mercies.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I want to own THAT.
Monday, September 9, 2013
I Am Pumbaa
Sometimes nicknames just stick...even if they are silly and maybe even unintentionally insulting....or intentionally, I guess. I have had several in my lifetime. My grandmother called me "Princess", my grandfather called me "Sugar Girl", my dad called me "Junie", and my oldest brother Ray called me "Critter." Tommy calls me "Hoonie." It is a name that has stuck since high school. He NEVER calls me anything else, though when talking to others, he refers to me as "June". There is a story behind that name, but we will save that for another day. I have a friend that calls me "June Bug" and one that simply calls me "The Bug."
I used to babysit my niece, Molly when she was very young. She is eleven now, but has always maintained a very good imagination. When she was two, she pretended that she was Simba from Lion King (a movie I had never seen), and she gave everyone around her a name from the movie. Jana was Nala, Mimi was Zazu, Wilbur (Molly's dad) was Mufasa, Kasie was Sarabi (her mother), Nanny was Scar. Tommy was Timon and I was Pumbaa. Now, out of all of those names, which one do you think stuck? Well, I will tell you.
Everywhere we went, she no longer called me Aunt June. I was Pumbaa. Remember - I had never seen the movie...(and still haven't.) One day when we were shopping, she called me Pumbaa and a clerk asked me if I knew what that character was. I, of course replied, "No." She proceeded to tell me that Pumbaa is a warthog. Really, Molly? Couldn't I be a more endearing, cute creature...like a bunny or a squirrel? Ok, so there are no bunnies and squirrels in the jungle. What about a sweet little frog or a zebra? But no. I was a warthog with a personal problem that I refuse to go into.
Well, I decided to embrace being "Pumbaa" with my whole heart. People stop and ask me, "What did she call you?" all the time. I mean ALL the time. And of course when younger brother Owen and sister Aubrey came along, they too addressed me that way. I really do love it.
When I decided to write this post, I thought I would investigate Pumbaa a little more.
Pumbaa - it means "simpleton, stupid, carefree, foolish, silly, weak-minded" (need I say more?) in Swahili.
Timon however, means "respect." Really? It also means "wise-cracking and self absorbed." Okay, I feel better. It is Greek.
Recently I kept my great niece, Cherith. She has decided that Pumbaa is my name, but it comes out "Pumbee." I wonder what that means in Swahili.
 |
| Molly |
Everywhere we went, she no longer called me Aunt June. I was Pumbaa. Remember - I had never seen the movie...(and still haven't.) One day when we were shopping, she called me Pumbaa and a clerk asked me if I knew what that character was. I, of course replied, "No." She proceeded to tell me that Pumbaa is a warthog. Really, Molly? Couldn't I be a more endearing, cute creature...like a bunny or a squirrel? Ok, so there are no bunnies and squirrels in the jungle. What about a sweet little frog or a zebra? But no. I was a warthog with a personal problem that I refuse to go into.
Well, I decided to embrace being "Pumbaa" with my whole heart. People stop and ask me, "What did she call you?" all the time. I mean ALL the time. And of course when younger brother Owen and sister Aubrey came along, they too addressed me that way. I really do love it.
When I decided to write this post, I thought I would investigate Pumbaa a little more.
Pumbaa - it means "simpleton, stupid, carefree, foolish, silly, weak-minded" (need I say more?) in Swahili.
Timon however, means "respect." Really? It also means "wise-cracking and self absorbed." Okay, I feel better. It is Greek.
Recently I kept my great niece, Cherith. She has decided that Pumbaa is my name, but it comes out "Pumbee." I wonder what that means in Swahili.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Less of Me, More of Him
This is an ongoing statement because I never completely disappear...not even close. John the Baptist knew that he would be forerunner to One who would be greater - the Messiah, the Savior. When the Greater arrived to begin His ministry, the lesser yielded, as we all must.
John 3:29-30 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
I must decrease. He must increase. This is the opposite of what our natural instincts tell us. We are such a race of 'me's'. How do we then "kill ourselves?" Dying is the dilemma. The more of myself I agree to get rid of, the more I will gain. The 'deader' I am, the 'aliver' am. (yes, yes, I know. Terrible grammar, but glorious truth.)
John's disciples became Jesus' disciples. They followed Him in ministry and learned from His teachings. Today His words are still teaching those who will listen and follow and die to 'me'. We must decrease, He must increase. And He has - and is seated at the right hand of His Father, making intercession for you and for me. Thank You , Lord Jesus. Please help us die to self and live for You alone.
Hebrews 7:22-25 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
John 3:29-30 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
I must decrease. He must increase. This is the opposite of what our natural instincts tell us. We are such a race of 'me's'. How do we then "kill ourselves?" Dying is the dilemma. The more of myself I agree to get rid of, the more I will gain. The 'deader' I am, the 'aliver' am. (yes, yes, I know. Terrible grammar, but glorious truth.)
John's disciples became Jesus' disciples. They followed Him in ministry and learned from His teachings. Today His words are still teaching those who will listen and follow and die to 'me'. We must decrease, He must increase. And He has - and is seated at the right hand of His Father, making intercession for you and for me. Thank You , Lord Jesus. Please help us die to self and live for You alone.
Hebrews 7:22-25 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
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