Shabbat flowers! Flopped for a nap, i look up & there are the flowers toni gave me. Dont they look nice, even from this angle?
Flowers fade and die quickly, and our lives are but a breath, but each brief life may be a container for something of God. These flowers spent who knows how long growing and then being processed and packaged and chosen and purchased and repackaged. Once received they rode with me to work and sat on my desk then back out to the car for a drive to detroit then waterford then finally fenton where they will spend the next few days on my windowsill before they are thrown away.
A meaningless existence, short, without value? no! They contain God's beauty not only in visual glory but even more in love expressed received & enjoyed. And now they also teach us a little about the value of appreciating the temporary and fragile NOW, for in THIS moment He speaks and it is with THIS breath i praise Him even as i close my eyes for a sweet sabbath-afternoon nap. C u 2mro Echo!

Still my heart will say
Blessed be Your Name!

May your joy and peace be found in the Lord. He is your light...may He be your Sabbath rest. May He find you content to lie down with Him in His pasture, secure and at perfect peace as your mind is fixed on Him!

Shabbat shalom Echo!

Darkness is light to You, YHWH. Instead of straining our eyes to see something--ANYTHING--we close them for a bit. We lay our head on Your chest, gaining rest and strength from the sound of Your heartbeat.
Gnite Echo. His heart is expansive toward you and you are loved.

"...hidden in Christ..."
It is what it is. Some days you are ok just going incognito.

May it be His glory to conceal us, and our glory to reveal Him to others!

Shabbat shalom!

Communication

Lately, I've been thinking about how we communicate. Two hundred years ago, if you moved far away from your family, all you had were handwritten letters. Today, we can call, text, e-mail, blog, send letters, and probably a few other things I haven't thought of. But for all the ways we have to communicate, the face-to-face conversations can be the hardest.

"Hi, how are you?"
"Good, how are you?"
"Good."

Do you even think about your response before you just say "good"? I admit that I don't - this is more like exchanging pleasantries than anything else. What is the point of this exchange? I admit that when people ask, even if there IS something worth saying, I probably won't respond with anything other than "good", and I don't really expect anyone else to do so either. Is it because we don't care, or don't think others care? I'm not sure...I haven't really thought of the psychology behind it. :)

We spend so much time and money communicating, but our most basic exchanges fail completely! For some of us, we'll never actually 'communicate' more than knowing that we're both "good" every week. It's all too easy to do the same with God, maybe even easier since we don't run into Him at the water cooler or have to stand awkwardly next to Him in an elevator. It can be so easy to fall into routines and a lack of true communication with each other and with God. We need to keep it fresh and keep communicating. After all, what's a body that doesn't know if the foot is hurting or broken, or can't feel the hand sitting on the burner?

So I'm challenging you to think about your communication skills. Consider how you start your conversations with people - are you *honestly* good? Do you actually want to know how the other person is? Go deeper! You don't have to share your life story, but maybe say why you're good, or bad, or excellent! We are so fortunate to have such a diverse body, which only means that we should have that much more to share.

Go forth and communicate!

Dry Enough For Ya?

"...behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.'" Ezek 37:11

"Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick. And I looked for sympathy, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. " Ps 69:20

Yep, I'm a-hearing ya, brother Dave...

Ahh, but it's at this point that He can do something...

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Ps 51:17

Broken and contrite hearts, we offer to You, O God!

"Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me." Ps 27:7

About three months ago, I heard something while in the Spirit:
"It's going to get very dry here."

Well, you may look around and say, that's silly, we've had buckets and buckets of rain lately!

Look instead into the eyes of your brothers and sisters. Do you see living water, or lives pressed and squeezed dry?

Where does our Help come from?

God, O God, we cry out to You with our voices...

"Breathe on these slain!" Ezek 37:9

Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z

It's been a looooong week! (I know you're all nodding) Thank the Lord it's Sabbath! Take a load off and rest. The Shepherd's got your back, it's all good. He knows His little sheep are tuckered out. Shabbat Shalom fellow flock members of ECF!

...He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul...

Good Sabbath ECF

May you each rest in His presence as you cast aside all the business and worries of this week. He's waiting, go, take rest and comfort in Him and in this set apart holy time. Shabbat Shalom ECF.

Persevering...

From Amy this morning:

...Jeff is feeling better and more encouraged, they are due to arrive in Baton Rouge in the next few hours. They have talked to several tree companies to try to get hooked up and each company has told them to come there because there is plenty of work. One company told them that they had received 279 calls from people just yesterday! So they are hopeful that they will be busy! He did get your text, and I explained your email and they all loved it and said thanks for the words of encouragement!

Perseverance

Here's a little email trail regarding one of our echoes and his trip south to help with hurricane recovery efforts...

9/3 from Rochelle:

Hey church! Jeff is headed south today to try to find work in the areas affected by Hurricane Gustav. Please be praying for him and his family... and in the spirit of spurring one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), I'd like to challenge all of us to consider ways we can help support Amy and kids while Jeff is gone!! GET CREATIVE! I look forward to hearing from you soon...Love Rochelle

[So far, several have responded, and offers of help have included shopping, watching kids, cooking for potluck, dinners, visiting, cleaning... ]

9/3 from Cheryl:

Can Amy make any suggestions for us?

9/4 from Amy:

Hi everyone! Thanks again for all your willingness to come hang out and help me! I truly appreciate it! Even more so than that, Jeff and the guys need prayer! They left yesterday afternoon thinking that they would make it there by this morning and all that could go wrong has gone wrong! So, I told him to keep pressing on and into God and maybe just maybe if they persevere, God has something (like lots of work and money) in store for them when they get there! When I spoke with him last night for the last time around 11:30, they had only gotten to the south corner of Michigan… :( Something broke on the truck they had to stop and fix, Ventura (driving the dump truck behind them) got lost 1/2 hour or more out of the way, they blew up the air mattress at a gas station and as soon as they laid it in the back of the van, something was on the floor of the van that popped it! Needless to say they were very discouraged. This morning I talked to him again around 7 and they were on the road again from sleeping for a few hours sitting up in the trucks but they still had not made it very far…only into Indiana. His words were, " I don't know what's going on, it's like we can't get any where. It is literally taking forever!" You know those moments when you feel like you are doing what God wants you to do and then Satan does everything in his power to persuade you to give up… I think that is what they were feeling! So prayers would be great! And if you get a word for them or if you would like to send a text of encouragement that would be wonderful.
Thanks again to all of you! Amy

9/4 from Rochelle:

Wow I just got off the phone with Pastor Manny, who shared a word with me for Echo. "Perseverance" Hah! I texted it to Jeff... more is at stake than even the provision for your family... Jeff is pouring out of nothing (think Elisha and the widow's oil) so that God may be glorified in the midst of many who are in darkness. "Go Jeff!"

9/4 from Amy:

Love it love it love it! God is so good! that is a great word for all of us! You are right more is at stake than just working and getting paid! Thanks!

9/4 from Rochelle:

oh isn't that funny... i just realized i said "those who are in darkness" 1000's are literally in darkness because the power is out!

9/4 text from Jeff:

Rochelle, amy just told me how sweet our church is. I thank you all, it made me and amy cry when she told me. we prayed god would provide money for tim to be able to take care of his bills. the man he has been working for doubled tims normal draw which took care of his need. he also gave him a hat. do you see what it says?

(if you can't see it, it says "ECHO"!!!)

Happy "back to work" day!

Future's So Bright...

Sure, if even dark is light to Him...imagine what it will be like, dwelling with Him!

[Sigh] To quote a dear friend of mine, "He's dreamy." Mhm. He sure is...

Good nite Echo. May Jeff's message 'echo' in your ears... God knows u intimately, and still loves u! Instead of trying to hide in the dark, may u welcome His light which brings life!

Love u all...

Side-line encouragement

I am still bumming about it...

missing the message Jeff will be sharing this week.

Sure I'll be able to listen later but it's different than being there.

Being there physically has a two-fold purpose...

1.) I am able to hear and learn about the word God has prepared Jeff to speak.

2.) I can let Jeff know that I care about him by being there to support him.

Being in the presence of and surrounded by those who support and love you means a lot. This was the main topic of discussion at Bible study last night. How we require the body to be there with us, standing along side of us encouraging us. There are so many reasons we discovered last night why we need to be in fellowship with the Lord and with the body of believers.

GIMME A J-E-F-F!

Brother I'm sorry I won't be there but I've been assured I can listen in on weekend cell phone minutes. I can even respond if you mic Rochelle's phone. No only kidding!! I considered making life size cardboard cutouts of myself and my family. Especially of Bob n his buddies with J-E-F-F painted across their chest, you know to encourage you and spur you on. Somehow I doubt that will be necessary either.

Know that I will be with you and the rest of those assembled at Echo in prayer this Sunday morning. I may even break into a little cheer for you somewhere along the prayer. Be encouraged most of all by knowing that you are among family who love and support you. Know that He has given you a place to grow in love as you grow in Him and become more like He is. Know also that it's not you but the Glory of God in you that will be evident. Thank you for being a model of obedience and faithfulness Jeff.

May the words of my brother's mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, our rock and our Redeemer Psalm 19:14

Too Wonderful for Me

"You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it." Psalm 139:5

Wonderful... from "pala" which is to be inaccessible, beyond one's capabilities (TWOT). Without Him, the heavens are unreachable, unsearchable, inaccessible...

With Daddy's help, though...

...we can climb a little bit...

May you find comfort in His hand on you... His rod and staff, His correction and His direction. His Helper. May you delight in His Law, and in His Sabbath.

Shabbat Shalom!

Love Feasts

It has been tugging at my heart and definitely a part of my prayer time. Should we change our services to a communal meal? Are we being called to practice physical Love Feasts?

Every time we look at a new house I wonder if it will be a home fit to gather the body in. I get little visions of you all standing at the kitchen counter, or in the dining room. It's as if it's a criteria that He's given me as we house shop. Will we all be able to assemble and eat together? I never see it as a formal dinner it's casual, family style. We are all comfortable and ourselves. No stuffy fake stuff.


This morning again as we prayed about it He brought to mind what I have always imagined the scene to look like when Jesus is seated at Simon's table and the sinful woman enters and cleanses His feet. He's lounged on a big cushion seated at a table dining. They are chatting and it's a casual meal. I don't know what it actually looked like it's just how I picture it.

We've all "done church" before. How much relationships really occurs in the pews? How well can you get to know someone in that setting? How close do you sit to the rest of the body in our orange pews?

Now think about how much relationship occurs at the family dinner table! We exchange so much at the dinner table. News, schedules, ups and downs of our day, love for one another, anger towards each other ... I could go on. It's one place where we just relate. It's also one place where we are truly our self. I think I've learned more sitting at the dinner table about my family than anywhere else.

Studies show that families who regularly eat meals together have better relationships, are healthier, have less stress, have children with better behavior...

Pray about it. Ask Him. He hasn't given me an answer yet. But, every time I mention it to Him I feel good about the idea of it. I think "how can it be a bad idea"?

Look at the early church...they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42).

I don't know if we will change, it's not up to me. But I want to hear what the Father has to say about it. I've been asking him since mid June (according to entries in my journal). Maybe he has given you a "feel good experience" when you mention it to Him. Maybe you become anxious about the idea or see it as an inconvenience. Whatever your response is I would ask that you share it with the body.

We must be of one mind in this decision. Share whatever He speaks to you whether it be yes, no or silence.

Shabbat Shalom

Peace... and rest... and awareness of His loving presence.

I'm delighted to be yoked to Him, with you, as we wait together!

Shabbat Shalom, Echo.

Hurry up and Wait!

I have been waiting since last Thursday. I am a lousy "waiter". Every morning when I wake I log in to check to see if grades have been posted. I am repeatedly greeted with disappointment and a blank box where my grades will eventually be posted. My classmate emails me regularly to share her mutual frustration. She reminds me that the professor said he'd post our grades on Monday. She too is a lousy "waiter". Well, we have not choice but to wait it's out of our hands.

Finally this morning I logged in and sure enough there they are! Oh, but it's not what I had hoped for! I'm crushed, disappointed. The anxiousness and excitement I experienced in waiting was driven by the expectation of receiving an "A". All that waiting and at the end I didn't even receive what I thought I would! Rats!

Then I see my blue cord. You know, the one that symbolizes Echo waiting together for what the Father has promised, our baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). I also think of waiting for His return. He said he would come again and take us to the place He is preparing for us (John 14:1-3).

I know that when the waiting is over He won't disappoint. May I wake each day anxious to see Him. I want to be excited every morning just thinking about what He has in store for us.

I am a lousy "waiter". I need to practice it a lot more! You would think that after six years of the Marine Corps' "hurry up and wait" I'd be an old pro by now.

I love that the Hebrew word for wait qavah has to do with twisting together, becoming one accord. I love that the Greek word for wait perimeno has to do with waiting for the fulfillment of a promise. I have a body to wait with, my weakness in waiting will be strengthened as we become twisted together and grow as one accord. When the waiting is over He will have fulfilled His promises. There will be no disappointment.

There's no logging in every morning while waiting on Him. Instead I can talk to Him directly and He answers me if I know where to look for Him and how to hear Him. He gives comfort and encouragement to me while I wait. He gives me others to wait with. He gives me direction on how to spend this day of waiting. He gives me correction when I get it wrong. The rewards for waiting on Him are far greater than a 4.0 GPA I no longer possess.

Are you excited and anxiously waiting on Him? Echo may we be strengthened in our waiting. We see only in part of what lies at the end of the waiting. He has wonderful rewards and gifts in store for us when we have waited for His perfect timing. All for the purpose of adding to His Glory. Until then may we wait together and grow in love and faith and hope (those things that Paul says are eternal, 1 Cor 13:13) .

He will deliver and there will be NO DISAPPOINTMENT.

Hurry up and Wait!

Is it much farther? Are We there yet?

Aha! Gotcha, Sheep!

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?"' Ezekiel 34:2

"I will deliver My flock, and they will no longer be a prey; and I will judge between one sheep and another. Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd." Ezekiel 34:22-23

No matter how "shepherdy" a pastor can be, none of our own work has any lasting value... only that which the One Shepherd does through us, with His Name on our heads. In this way, the shepherds after His heart and the One Shepherd are one in the same. When we act in our own strength, under our own banners, we might as well class ourselves with those who received such stern rebukes from the Lord.

I pulled over this morning and chatted with my new friend Jim for about 1/2 hour. This pasture isn't fenced, so he sits with the woolies while they eat breakfast, making sure they don't go out to the road. Last week he had what looked like a fishing line; I asked him about it, and he said it was a horse whip. The sound of it scares the sheep away from the road. "I don't bring it out when I have the chair, because they're just as afraid of the sound of the chair when I rattle it!"

Jim's a lifelong shepherd, working the farm his grandpa used to own. May we never get so itchy for adventure "out there" that we miss the adventure in our own back yards.

Oops, speaking of being itchy for adventure... there they go, trying to sneak past Jim while he's busy talking to me! I got back into my car while Jim strolled over to have a few words with his wayward "congregants."

Bless

When I think of blessing, I imagine the repentant sinner on his knees before the priest, who places his hand on the man's head and says, "Bless you, my child."
The Hebrew word for "Bless" is Barak. It means to bend the knee, to kneel down, to bless, to invoke. The image I have of the priest needs to be reversed. It's the priest who does the kneeling. When you bless someone, you're not standing over them. You're bringing yourself down to their level, an act of humility.

If that isn't enough to chew on, consider this: there are numerous instances in which God blesses man. In Genesis 1:22, God blesses the whole world. He didn't create the world, wave His arm over it and let that be that. He came down to our level, because He's our heavenly Father. He did it again when He came down to us as Jesus. Wow. He must really care about us.

I hope this is enough to make you pause the next time you see the word "bless". I've come to notice just how often it's used. At least for me, it makes the thought of "blessing" people a more thoughtful process, knowing that it requires some kneeling on my part and not just a flick of the hand.

Have a good day.

"Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech haOlam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav..."
Blessed are You Lord our God King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat.

Shabbat shalom, Father. Shabbat shalom, Echo.
Rest well and may you find your delight in the Lord of Shabbat.
See you on Sunday!

It's Gone!

It's gone! My scraggly blue cord that is. I'm sure I remember seeing it this morning. I haven't any idea when or where it went AWOL. Hmm now what?

Ask...

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind."
Jam 1:5-6

It felt like the most natural thing in the world to pause as a Body on Sunday and ask Him to direct us in a (seemingly) small matter... "Do we, Lord, allow a family (unknown to the body) to use this property for a yard sale?" I don't know how long we waited in silence, maybe one minute (it always seems like more when you're in the middle of it!)

No one seemed surprised when He answered clearly and without hesitation. It was a solid, unanimous "YES" in spite of any natural misgivings held by those in the Body.

Perhaps this little exercise will strengthen our faith to trust Him with more of our decisions, individually and as a Body.

"Ask," He says, "and it will be given..."

"...open the door, where are the sheeple?"

[no picture]

Every morning I drive by this sheep farm on Grange Hall Rd. It's on the south side of the road before you get to I-75, coming from Holly.

So anyway for years now, I've been taking notice of these sheep as I drive by, and each time I see them I tell myself I'm going to get a picture of them. It's a busy road, though, especially at the time I go through, wanting to catch them at their dewy breakfast.

Well, this morning as I got into the car I had this strange resolve to snap a pic TODAY regardless of traffic. I had noticed that lately they've been pastured in the first field, and since I always forget where it is exactly until I'm RIGHT THERE, I knew I was going to have to be ready to stop as soon as I saw them. As I neared the farm I got myself ready, slowing down a little... but what I saw made me suddenly very stupid and very shy.

There, in the field with the munching sheep, stood the SHEPHERD!

Understand that in all these years I have never seen the shepherd, only the sheep. This fact has been tucked away in my mind as an illustration of the Church being the visible representation of the ever-present but seldom-perceived Shepherd of our souls.

Well, with that image embedded in my mind, seeing this shepherd was just too much for me. He turned and watched as my car went by. Did he see my dumb stare? I don't know. One thing I do know: I'd better not be so shy when the Beloved appears!!

Ah, Papa, go ahead and laugh... You know I love You. And yes, I will feed the sheep, until either their Shepherd comes or I go to Him.

Stay tuned folks... I WILL get that picture yet!

Fit To Be Tied

This morning half way through my shower I realized I no longer had a blue cord on my wrist. My first thought was..."awesome, that thing was getting scraggly looking and I'm glad to be rid of it!" As if almost within the very same thought I grieved over the loss of my scraggly blue cord! I realized that I would be different than the rest of the body. I would no longer bare the mark that the blue cord represented...


That of a group waiting together. A select group with a specific focus. Waiting together on Him.

It reminded me of a moment in Kid's Church yesterday. We reviewed our ever growing Hebrew vocabulary with our visitor "Little Zack". Specifically the word "B'RIT". In Eli's words "it means circle" (he's so smart)! He's so correct also. It means circle or cut if I remember correctly (Rochelle taught that word). Think of a circle, cut, or covenant as a way of selecting something. He has selected us ECF!


After my shower I searched my bed for that scraggly blue cord and was relieved to find it hidden in the bedding. The next time I look at it I won't think of it as an eye sore but as a reminder of ECF's task to wait on Him together. I'll be reminded to practice perseverance and to trust in Him together with you all as people selected (circled) scraggly or not. Once more it echo's in my soul: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary Gal 6:9


I'll continue to wait comforted in the knowledge that He's given me a family to wait with!

Big Boy Coffee

A sermon in the making... Glamorous isn't it? What used to be known (in these parts) as "Elias Bros" ain't quite Panera, but it serves well enough as my "solitary place" today; particularly fitting, considering I'm studying "Elias" (the Greek transliteration of "Elijah")...

Delighting in Him, and looking forward to hearing from Him with you tomorrow.

Shabbat shalom!

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead... it's (sometimes) what prophets do.

This week, take a look ahead by reading Elijah's story in 1 Kings 18. We're going to be here throughout the month of August as we learn about loving God with a prophet's...

• Heart (Aug 10)
• Soul (Aug 17)
• Strength (Aug 24)

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.

Pro 29:18

Mmmmmmmoooooooooo!

Or was it Baaaa! I forget. Happy Friday everyone... and Good Sabbath to y'all! May you delight in her...

"If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your {own} pleasure on My holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy {day} of the LORD honorable, and honor it, desisting from your {own} ways, from seeking your {own} pleasure and speaking {your own} word, then you will take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; and I will feed you {with} the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Isa 58:13-14

:-) 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.