:-) HI!

It's been a bit of a weird day, with people stopping by just to say "hi!" That doesn't happen often in the programming world, and even less often now, when everyone is so stressed about job security.

The oddness of it causes me to pause and acknowledge each "HI" as a Heavenly Interruption and to wink at the Beloved, whispering a little "howdy" in return!

This HI was brought to you by One Who adores you. We now return you to your regularly scheduled work day.

Tammim

Did you all catch it in today's reading?

Paul was telling Timothy to be tammim!
1 Tim 4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Timothy was a bit timid and a newer believer stepping into some BIG shoes! Just the same Paul acknowledged who he was and encouraged him to move in the power and grace of God

Recalling the frog who knew his purpose and gave glory to God in "doing" what he was purposed to do I can't help but wonder- What if we could all learn from the frog's example and be content and "do" what He has purposed us to do? Why do we struggle to accept that He made us in His image (big, small, leaders, followers, rich, poor)? Each of us are able to do all He created us to do NOW no matter where we are in our faith walk. Today I'm going to thank Him for making me ME and for bringing me this far. I will practice being tammim today! Ribbit!

Deja Vu

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
1Cr 1:3

Haven't I been here before?

What makes me think that just because I have already waited that I shouldn't have to wait more?

Today I'm reminded that waiting forces us to slow down so that we might see things we missed before. Like that bunch of wildflowers in the median... and like our study in 1 Cor 1 last night.

Slowing down, we camped out on the word "grace." What does it mean to say "grace to you" ...especially when you are getting ready to correct someone? Is it a wish for that one to grow in grace? Is it a way of softening the blow? Is it just a formula Paul used in his letters without much thought? Kinda like a signature block that says "kindest regards" with every email that goes out?

Something to ponder. But traffic's moving so I'd better get back to the business of commuting...

Tammim

"Let love be without hypocrisy..." Romans 12:9

Does anyone (in their right mind) fault a baby for crying when hungry or tired or needing a change? Does anyone expect a toddler to be able to drive a car?

Echo is a young child, but two weeks ago she was given the task of hearing from God in Romans 12:9-21, and coming back this Sunday to share what God said.

I admit to a bit of anxiety... I was even tempted to write a back-up sermon, you know, just in case! But I was assured that He would speak and that, regardless of how much or how little this Body heard Him, this was the right path. If we sit and stare at each other for 20 minutes, well, so be it...

Well... shame on me for being (as Sharon put it) "of little faith." He did speak... and He spoke... and spoke... and spoke...

• "Children have a hard time understanding the idea of hypocrisy... how can someone's inside be different from their outside? Instead of us teaching them about hypocrisy, we can learn alot from them about integrity."


• "To love what is good, turn your mind to those things that are good... don't dwell on evil!"


• "When others are celebrating, don't wonder 'why him and not me?' instead be glad He is still in the blessing business! And remember, salvation is the greatest blessing of all..."


• "Being of the same mind with each other is less about agreeing on doctrine, and more about humbly preferring each other. In this way, we have 'the mind of Christ!'"


• "To be at peace with others, be a place of peace, don't add to others' anxiety..."


• "When others mistreat you... you have the opportunity to teach them goodness by not retaliating, but instead blessing them. In this way, you overcome evil with good!"

That last one came from the quiet 12-yr-old boy with the big smile... And there was so much more... You'll just have to listen in to get it all...

Sitting here at Panera on Monday morning, I'm overwhelmed by what just happened. I was prepared for young Echo to stumble along in this exercise, being the toddler that she is, but I daresay we have a prodigy on our hands...

Shabbat Shalom!

A Gifted Body

This week we studied rainbows... sorta.

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Romans 12 :4-5

Just as white light consists of multiple colors, so the pure Light of Christ shines when our multiple gifts work together in a body. The gifts He gives a body are for the body, and as we considered the gifts God's given Echo we saw that He's blessed us with discernment, service, administration, wisdom, prophecy, healing, knowledge, encouragement, faith... and even leadership!

Of course, we must take care to think with "sound judgment" (Rom 12:3). The word for "sound" here means "sane" or in one's right mind. What is our "right mind"? Why, of course, that would be the mind of Christ, Who gave all that He might gain all! (Check out Phil 2:5-11!)

Finally, we are encouraged to think in accordance with faith... not too highly, but also not too lowly. Each gift may be offered with God-confidence when it's given to edify the Body.

YHWH, may Your light shine through us as You form us into Your Body,
and Lord, teach us how to love...
Amen.

I Love Traffic

I love traffic. Today I really mean it! Being forced to wait this morning yielded just the lesson needed by impatient little echoes everywhere:
"Wait on YHWH. Be encouraged and He will strengthen you. O wait on YHWH!"
Good ol' Ps 27.
We wait on You Father...for today's bread (may we glorify You in the eating of it) and for tomorrow's revelation of the sons of God and O! for the Return of the King.
[sigh]
Sweet dreams!

Thy Word is a Lamp

"Thy Word is a lamp..."
Thank You Lord for lighting the Way.