helping

“Get Back Out There!”

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I loved that God found me stuff to do on Sunday – I really wasn’t feeling like figuring out my own plan – just happy to trail along His lead… Got a lot done that way too – for both me and for God…

I did half a bag (my last bag) of photo sorting – yeah had to put down a towel to dry the table outside – after a drought, we have had much rain… Half the bag in the morning and then the rest in the early evening when it started to rain again – but I got my sorting done… (some snapshots of the sorting below)…

This sorting was being done while I listened to one church service online – love Pastor Joe’s sermons so educational and spiritual – and he spoke of more of the plagues from God to Pharaoh’s people while Moses was asking “Let my people go…” – Moses wanted the people to go out to worship God – well they ended up wandering for a while – and so do we… It took quite the shake up to get Pharaoh to see God as God…

Then church at church (in the building) was blessed and the message about how we forget to pray and praise – (and think of the manna coming from God – did the people grumble well yeah – and do we grumble and forget our blessings each day – well yeah – and do we forget to pray and praise – this is an understandable thing – but in Moses’s time, God instructed the people to tie the commandments as REMINDERS to many things – your hands – your doings – your doors – your gates – SO THAT WE REMEMBER…  Inside and Out remember God… REMEMBER THE BLESSING HE HAS BESTOWED ON US!!! AND REMEMBER HE TELLS US HOW TO LIVE…

Then after church the local folks came to the church basement for an organizing event for a local street fair – so I stayed as I will man the church table then…  In additon to plans, I heard the personal testimony of a man who said he has died 5 times – living now 2 years after his diagnosis of only 1 year to live (major melanoma cancers etc I don’t know the whole story but he urged us to wear sunscreen)…  As for the last time he was medically gone – but came back – he said he sensed walking up an incline in dark towards light but at the top he saw the gate but he was spun around and sent back “Get back out there!” – YES, he interpreted this as he has more to do on this planet – more to live – more to contribute – more to inspire…  Get back out there – not your time yet… And he preached the right message for the day – ONLY GOD SAYS WHEN YOUR TIME HERE ON EARTH IS UP – just keep living…  each day…

That feels like the truth for a Sunday as well as a Monday and everyday – God has stuff for us to do – people to be with – hope to share…  This gentleman was firm and clear in improving life around us – like we should wave at people in our neighborhood as they drive down the street – we should be neighborly – we should remind folks that our kids all live here – slowdown and don’t be looking at your phone while driving – and pay attention… He also is neighborly in having a packet available of take out menus when he goes to a new neighbor – connecting with them…  I have a feeling that this street fair (with our church on that street) will be something he wants to make memories last – make connections – make a difference… “Get back out there…”

The day continued and I went to help my friend with her mission project of giving out fresh produce at the local church food pantry – donated from local folks – thousands of pounds gifted for free – and I appreciated this sign at the church garage above the bread – “Give us this day our Daily Bread” – Matthew 6:11 – which is really about Jesus – He is OUR daily Bread – He is what we need…  (but yeah bread/manna/Jesus – all in the theme of the day – and remembering that God DID give and gives and will give – and really we should be thankful…

I am thankful – thankful my day continued – I had lunch – went to a friends to help her trim bushes – thankful for the technu and shower to clean any potential poison ivy off – thankful I finished this portion of my “take home” photo project – thankful for gas in the car an a roof overhead – thankful now to get back to job searches – thankful for thankfulness…

So today – let us “Get back out there”…  God keeps us on this spinning planet for reasons – let us find out why…  AND BE THANKFUL – PRAYERFUL – AND PRAISEFUL!

AMEN

PS – here are more photos: = One of my favorite photo finds this day was a funny pic – a cat on the sewing machine! … And I had a lot of photos of family meals – and oh the cookies – I miss those cookies… I miss the people even more but yeah I can taste the cookies and hear the laughter of my family…

PPS I love the Psalm 19 reminder of the praises given to the Lord – connected to Moses and FULFILLED by JESUS – the perfection for our imperfections…

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

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Psalm 19 NKJV
The Perfect Revelation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

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Deuteronomy 8 NKJV
Remember the Lord Your God – Moses said what God needed the people to hear:


“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.

“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.

“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 

The Art of Living – Helping While You are Hoping

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Had two nice sets of encouragements today – both while sorting old photos – one was a great set from my undergraduate days – when for our spring festivities I was dressed as a clown and my aunt attended with my family and she was the one who took my photo. Yeah I was cute – And, so if I could tell my 19-20 year old self something – it would be to “KEEP SMILING” – keep cheering – keep helping… (and oh yeah – don’t sweat the small stuff – life is too jam packed to be worrying about crumbs when there are whole cake-slices of life to be had….)

The other encouragement was reading a letter written to my aunt in the late 90’s from her Canadian Pen Pal – yes someone she corresponded with for like 50 years I think – and well this letter, mixed in with photos, spoke of encouragement after my grandfather died – at a ripe old age of 90 – it was a major hurt in our family’s life, especially to my aunts who lived with him…  It starts with “This letter may not be understood by you at the moment”…  “You may have to mourn the loss of your dad for a while, but after a time he’d probably get on with the art of living and helping someone special.” 

The letter continues, I paraphrase: “My dad said to me (when I had just come from the kitchen where I had just helped my mom), said: ‘Go and help your mother – go help her again’….” – “So I did and haven’t stopped since. I’m her companion and I do the corny things one takes for granted. When she doesn’t want help, I proceed to do clean up duties. It works perfectly. My mom is 93 and doing fine and I as such. If I’m able to be her companion for the time she has left on this earth. I’m happy.”…

SO YES – great advice in the art of living – be a help – and be helpful to someone while you are hoping for the next new thing – be a companion while you can – and always help someone special (your mother – your father – or whomever is in your life)…

As we know we need each other – and so many have helped us – we can help. AND – we will see that the Lord will send the right people at the right time – sometimes someone is sent to you – and sometimes you are sent to others…  That’s the art of living – being helpful – being hopeful – and keeping being OK to live while you are hoping and helping…

AMEN

(And thanks to my own encouragers this week and always – I have had a few and I truly appreciate them!) 

Jesus’ LOVE is Greater than Judging, VBS lesson realized, JESUS even over DOG STUFF

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“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

My VBS prep last night allowed me to look out the nice window where we have the entrance to the church’s fellowship hall. And the gentleman with a very pretty and fluffy dog walked by and I watched the dog do his business on the grass next to the door. Oh. Then they walked off and I thought he doesn’t have a bag, how could he leave it? Oh a thousand thoughts in my head, but I’m standing there, wearing a “BE KIND” t-shirt, having been thinking of Jesus all week, and how He asks us to act, to not judge, apply love and forgiveness, SHOW MERCY… hmmm…  but dog stuff??? 

The VBS day before, I appreciated the science experiment that was demonstrated about how Jesus changes everything for us. It was a story about the Good Samaritan, and normally we are like the other people in the story, who walked by the man who had been robbed and beaten and left for dead, thinking “I’m not getting involved”… yeah… however the Good Samaritan did all the good stuff for the man, his normal enemy even culturally. The science lesson reminded us that we do our good stuff by the power of Jesus- by the LOVE of Jesus. 

He had three cards that said “me”, “others”, and an arrow with a heart. When he said the 3 cards in order, it’s said the arrow and the heart went to love directly to “me”, others was on the outs… and then he put a giant empty glass pitcher in front of just the heart and arrow card and like the act of Jesus being poured into the situation, Jesus as the Living Water, the now water-filled pitcher made a change. Really awesome to see the bending of the light and now the heart and the arrow pointed towards the “others” card instead of towards “me”. Because of the love of Jesus, we can show the love to others.

But dog piles you know what?

Yeah, I found my extra paper and plastic bags and I went to go clean up the dog pile. It was trash night, so it was very easy and I put it in the trash. I never got my hands dirty and yet still thought about how this was truly needing and using Jesus for forgiveness of a confusing situation, when I probably could not give it from myself, at least had a tougher time giving forgiveness than even doing the clean up.  NOT forgiving is a lot worse than any dog pile times a thousand.

Five minutes went by, maybe ten, and I’m back looking out that window. And the gentleman came back with plastic bags. Wow!!! HE CAME BACK, even in a pouring rain storm. So he WASN’T terrible after all,  he WASN’T neglectful. I ran out to explain that I had cleaned it because of the children at camp. I didn’t want them to step in it. And he said that he was looking for both piles the dog had left, it wasn’t even his dog, it was his son’s dog, he was helping and I said, this pile was very soft and he started telling me about the gastro issues the dog was having and I had such compassion. I am SO glad that the Lord showed me, compassion was the right way in the first place…

It is because of JESUS that we LOVE over judging.

It is because of JESUS that we are LOVED greater than we are judged.

Maybe continue to “BE KIND”. SHOW LOVE TO OTHERS.

Amen ​

The Parable of the Good Samaritan – LUKE 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

VBS is a Holy Spirit blessing from the Lord

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I can tell that my mindset is SWITCHING GEARS – to VBS mode!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love getting to this point of the year, the VBS planning meetings. I am SO excited – I was thrilled when I heard about VBS coming back to my old church, the first time since covid era. Trust me I already read the materials well beforehand. I’m SO EXCITED!!! These are great Jesus stories of love, care, hope… Especially that Jesus calls our unique selves to Himself.

And last month I almost started ordering supplies before I even got signed up into my choice of station leader position: Imagination Station, combining science experiments and crafts. But I held myself back, because I am not in charge of this VBS, one of the “seasoned” helpers. Yes I led VBS for 7 years but this time is in a different season with all of us seasoned folks in a new mix with new folks and we need to LET the Lord put it all together HIS WAY. 

Not phoning it in but being “called” to help… Vacation Bible School is the LAST place for any of us to have a “been there done that” attitude. WHY? Because this is a new situation for each person at a new season in their life and especially new for the children young and old who will learn the lessons new and anew.

Remember each day is new, let alone each year, so YEAH each VBS is NEW. There are no broken records of Scripture, each time we hear even a well-versed Scripture, it’s NEW to our situation at that moment. More important it is NEW to the student and the intended ears to hear. 

My lessons learned in VBS year after year, and especially last night? The Holy Spirit moves unhindered and fast and fresh. 

As I scoped out the room of chairs, 10 minutes late, I sat in the back to be quiet and listen. I noticed for myself that the troubles of the day faded away… I was amazed and thrilled (quietly sitting there to start) because these were the veteran seasoned vbs-ers who showed up. I was moved humbly to see that we were with two FRESH FACES of grown up VBS-ERS from my era of teaching. I remember them both at preschool and elementary age. They were quite grown up now. I found a photo for one, almost 10 years old now, in an old email to her grandfather, for the now teen sitting immediately in front of me, one whom I encouraged last night in this new era of VBS, explaining the stations names and the bible stories this year.

We help with an unchanging God to keep us growing. These new VBS helpers (40 yrs my junior) are our future in sharing the Lord well after we are long gone… And oh I am excited to see more teens now near adults coming to help this year too! (and maybe I can get my kids to help again too this year in some capacity, yay!)

Yeah! I know we are to step IN to VBS and to step OUT of being in the way of His Way. We need to let the Lord have HIS say with our lives and our time. And when it comes to faith, we should not have to rely on “our way” or having “my say”. Everywhere, and especially in VBS, we are to be supportive being used in the Lord’s Way.  Hooray! It should be this way = HIS WAY!!!

Amen and I hope you get to help in a VBS this year in some Holy Spirit Way!!! BLESSED YAY!!!

Cuteness, Cookies, Contemplating Christmas

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Contemplating Christmas is the shift of the season… my taking a half day off on Friday helped me move into Christmas mode… (plus wearing my Santa pants for comfort and warmth…)

The best inspiration? FRECKLES…

Seeing the FRECKLES of the sweet little girl’s face was seeing the CUTENESS of the season. I was at a Friday night girl scout party helping with the crafts, in charge of the hot glue gun, PERFECT for my skillet and my non-afraid finger burning. I am experienced in that by choice, hot glue guns over white glue are to crafts what the electric sewing machine is to a needle. Faster. 

The FACES of the scouts, yeah 150 plus for a rocking dance, cookie, craft event, a service unit MEGA holiday event, were a reminder of the SWEETNESS of children. The beauty of seeing how God made us in His Image is seeing fresh faces. The faces of asking, trusting, and thoughtful crafting minds were the highlight of the evening, better than the Christmas cookies (which were SO GOOD), better than the event I just had left, a tree lighting out in the cold with Santa on his fire truck, BETTER than sitting on my couch contemplating Christmas containers in preparation… (Don’t worry, it will all get done somehow)…

Christmas is best prepared in the heart. Christmas is best shared in the hope. Christmas is KNOWING the LIGHT of the season and SHINING alongside… it’s not necessary to get in the flashy part of Christmas, just the spiritual part.

My Christmas prep includes visiting holiday houses, music programs, etc.  And yet helping is better than watching. And those freckles? I was a freckled faced kid too, in sweetness we can help guide the next generation to know sweetness in the Christmas season. 

Isn’t Christmas seeing the image of hope in the children? It was surely the hope of Jesus to see people believe in the desire of God, the King of Glory, to come directly to earth to be God with us, Immanuel. 

So, here’s a reminder that you and your own face can help make Christmas bright, so get out there and SHINE… A SHINING face is the HEART of God beaming through the rest of life’s ups and downs… Don’t cloud Christmas, let it reign.

Keep Christmas special. Christmas is for children at heart, of all ages.

Amen 

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Psalm 24

Of David. A psalm.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory.

Remember Help and Sharing, for Veteran’s Day, Armistice Day, St. Martin’s Day, 11NOV

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It is a blessing to know that there are those who help – who lay down their lives to help – and we salute Veterans’ Day thanking those who served – we cherish Armistice Day grateful for a stop to fighting in World War One – and (new to me) learn about St. Martin’s Day and his gift of half his cloak in a cold winter to a beggar with none.

This is the season of thankfulness, of helping, of harvest  and of fruits and vegetables that last – if kept in cool temperatures – like squash and apples – seeds and nuts… This is the season of cooler temps and today (first time in over a month) there is rain – beautiful rain – and perfect season setting…

The story of St Marin (from Wikipedia) says that ‘Martin of Tours (died 397) was a Roman soldier who was baptized as an adult and became a bishop in Gaul. He is best known for the tale whereby he cut his cloak in half with his sword, to give half to a beggar who was dressed in only rags in the depth of winter. That night Martin had a vision of Jesus Christ wearing the half-cloak.’

Jesus is our hero and our martyr and our helper and our priest above all priests – above all angels – above all saints. Jesus IS God – and this act of helping one person is the act of helping Jesus – as Jesus said Himself, like the song lyric: ‘whatever you do for the least of my brothers – that you do unto me’…

And with my aptly-found printout of the Lost Son Parable from Luke 15, we remember that God as the Father to His wayward children – He is always looking for us to come home.

And so today – we remember – we remember the helpers – like the soldiers and the peace keepers – we remember those who remember us and share with us – and we remember the ultimate remembering: THAT GOD LOVED US FIRST. 

God loved us so much to help us.

Thank you Jesus. 

Amen

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The Sheep and the Goats – Matthew 25:31-46
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”