The 3 W's

Today is another rainy day...
It’s easy to feel discouraged when it’s cool damp and rainy - day upon day.
But how easy I, and I imagine you, have it.
I didn’t wake up this morning in a prison cell, wondering if I would endure torture for my faith.
I didn’t go hungry.
I’m not naked, nor without proper shelter.
I haven’t been toiling for years in rocky soil or thorn-filled land without any fruit.
In order to be on fire for the LORD, we need to be willing to obey His call....

Whenever.

Wherever.

Whatever.

For some of us, it may be offering a kind word to an unfriendly neighbor. Maybe it’s giving up eating out and using the money to support a struggling missionary. Perhaps God has called you to give up your nightly television program and spend the time in prayer. Or maybe you have been called to actually “go”.
The real question is not what. Rather:

Are you willing?

Why not take a moment right now, bow your head and ask GOD...
the LORD of your life,
the LORD of your possessions,
the LORD of your time...
what He desires of you...
right now.

Then do it.

Whatever.

Wherever.

Whenever.

May the God of all creation be glorified in His Children today, and every day!

Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea,
day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
saying: “Christian, follow Me.”

Jesus calls us, from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us
saying: “Christian, love Me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still He calls, in cares and pleasures:
“Christian, love Me more than these.”

Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
give our hearts to Thy obedience,
serve and love Thee best of all.
~ Jesus Calls Us, Mrs. C.F. Alexander


33"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple. ~ Luke 14:33 The Message

A snarly mess...

One of our daughters has extremely tight, curly hair. Her dark locks are lovely, but require daily tending to prevent unmanageable and extremely painful snarls. She is at a point in her development where she is capable of tending her own tresses. However, the other day, I noticed a matted portion at the nape of her neck.

The shortened version of the hairy situation is thus: there was a snarl, she didn’t want to hassle with said snarl. She knew it may be painful to comb out said snarl. Maybe said snarl would just go away on its own.

The offending snarl did not dissipate as she so desired and dreamed. Instead, it grew into a monstrous matted mess.

After washing and conditioning and loosening strands, and some tears and some snipping, the snarly mess did eventually go away.

I am happy to share, she learned her lesson and this morning Mommy was delighted to help loosen a few problem areas. But how this can be like our lives. Sometimes, I feel a little prick within my soul - but I don’t want to take the time to deal with it. I know dealing with said sin may require giving up something. My spirit and flesh struggle within over said sin. Other times, I know it’s something I need help with, but I shiver at the thought of humbling myself to ask for help.

I’m not pulling the wool over God’s eyes. Just like the matted mess stood out, so do the inconsistencies and sins in my own life.

I pray next time, just as my daughter sought my help, we will take the time to deal with our own “snarls” right away.

May we each seek the LORD today, desiring to be refined - all dross removed - that we may reflect the glory of the LORD!

Proverbs 28:13 (New King James Version)
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

1 John 1:9 (New King James Version)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Iced tea or hot?

We love tea at our house. In the summer, various glass containers can be found strategically placed on our back deck...our own smorgasboard of sun teas. The homebrewed conncoctions are then added to tall glasses of ice creating a cold and refreshing beverage. In the winter, or even in these New England springs, nothing beats a hot cup of tea. Chilly fingers wrapped around a warm ceramic mug with steam cherrily rising from the warming liquid!

Imgaine a dreary, cold day. You snuggle onto the davenport, tugging an afgan up around your neck, curling your toes in thick fleece socks, reaching for your favorite book and then a aromatic cup of steaming tea. However, when you take a sip, it isn't hot, it isn't cold, it's that nasty flavor-killing, bland, room-temperature tea!

Or perhpas it's warm where you are living. You've been outside in the intense sunlight watching children splash in the pool, frolic through sprinklers, or perhaps pulling weeds from a row of crisnom red tomatoes - almost ready for harvesting. Your work done, your hands dirty, brow dripping with sweat, you walk towards your covered porch and gingerly ease your tired back into a white wicker rocking chair. Sitting next you is a tall glass of iced tea. The cooling drops of water condensed on the glass are rewarding to your fingertips. You move the coveted beverage towards your parched lips immensely anticipating the first taste. The glass reaches your mouth, you tip it back and your mouth is filled with warm, watered-down tea.

A lady you may be, but with such a disappointment to the tastebuds, even the most highly refined debutante might find herself immediately spewing the offending liquid from her mouth, over the porch railing and into the lilac bush!

All pleasing antecdotes aside, I hope this little quip brings to mind a very important verse from Revelations 3, Amplified Bible:

14And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusty and faithful and true Witness, the Origin and Beginning and Author of God's creation:(E)
15I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!
16So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!

Just as our iced tea was disposed of because it was not as it appeared, we are warned that Christians we be dealt with in a similar manner.

So what does it mean to be lukewarm as a Christian? I believe it is as simple as being on fire for God or not. Do not misunderstand, I"m not preaching perfection, but a desire of the heart. Just like the glass had the appearance of being cold on the outside, the actual contents revealed something entirely different. People may look on the outward - are we going to church, are we tithing, do we use Christian jargon, and advertise our Christianity with bumper stickers and t-shirts - but God looks into our hearts, our motives.

Think of the last thought you had, the last thing you spent money on, the last words you spoke to your children or husband. What do they reveal about your thoughts - your motives. Do they speak that you are hot or cold....or worse yet - Lukewarm?

May God in heaven guide us as we seek to glorify HIM!

Welcome

Hello to all!

I hope to use this blog to share stories to inspire, challenge, equip, inform, and hopefully edify.

Our title represents our family....
living in the mountains
chasing butterflies
some of us born in Russia
some born in Ethiopia

All striving to serve the LORD!