People Need the Lord - Loving Your Neighbor

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

I was reminded of this song as I stood in front of a window and noticed the people cutting grass, raking leaves, driving down the road. I wondered what feelings of hurt, confusion, and desperation their everyday actions were covering.  I wondered if they sought the Lord when things got too heavy. We're going through some things with aging parents and without the Lord I don't know how we could deal with it.

As I look out at our nation and the world, I see the many conflicts and changes occurring, the hurt, the anger and yes, thankfully those showing love, as well. I wonder how people deal with life without the Lord. I hear Christians calling for the Lord's return, but what about all the people; our friends, our neighbors, our family who don't know the Lord? Are we doing our job or just calling for the Lord to take us out of our misery, maybe a misery we have created? Have we loved the Lord with all our hearts so that others can't help but see the love for them in our lives? Have we loved our neighbors as ourselves or dismissed them as vile and cruel, unworthy of our attention? Could a look on the inside change our look on the outside? Is there someone, anyone, who could use kind words and a helping hand today? The world stands on our doorsteps. Have we opened the door to them or slammed it in their face because they don't speak our language, or share the same culture. How can we win them to Jesus if we denigrate them? There is only one way and that way is Jesus. Could it be we are selfishly blocking the path?

Instead of the "woe is me" attitude this week, let's try a little gratitude. Let's share that gratitude with others. Keep a sticky note of one thing every day you are thankful for and a note of one thing you could do for someone who needs the Lord. Put it on your mirror or fridge as a reminder of God's goodness to you and someone who needs to know His love for them. I'd love for you to leave a little comment on how things are going or maybe some ideas to help us all be more grateful and helpful.

Hey Kids: Let's have a heart. You will need:
                a sheet of red paper
                something to write with
                scissors
Cut a large heart from the red paper. You may want to fold the paper in half and draw a cutting line.
On the front you may want to write Jesus Loves You. Then turn the paper over and write the names of people who need to hear that message.
Each day try to think of one kind thing you can do to show at least one person that you love them and so does Jesus.

Jesus didn't tell us to stand gazing (Acts 1:11). He told us to start at home(Jerusalem) and move out to the surrounding area(Judea) and then into uncomfortable areas(Samaria) and into all the world (Acts 1: 8). People need the Lord. Where are you going?

Blessings,

Gail

Listening? - What's Getting Your Attention?

 

 



 

 

Behold the fowls of the air, they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Matthew  6:26

It’s blackberry season here on God’s Two Acres. The grandkids helped me pick the first day, but today I had to pick alone. I love picking with the kids. I dreaded picking this morning. There was no one to make the work go faster. No giggles, no complaining, nothing, I thought as I walked to the overgrown edge of a field. Then I saw all the black among the red. The big, black, juicy berries speckled among the ripening red berries and green leaves. I was suddenly ready to dig in. First one goes in the mouth.

As I settled in to picking, I began noticing all the noise around me. Not traffic and car horns, or sirens and loud voices, or the ping and swish and ring of technology. No, this noise was peaceful, soothing, comforting. Crickets made a constant chirp. Praying mantis whirred among the grasses in search of prey. Red birds told me to cheer-up, cheer-up. A turkey hen chucked to her chicks. Wrens fussed from the trees.

When I paid attention, the quiet of the country was really full of noise, but not a distracting noise. It was in the midst of all this noise that I could truly listen to the voice of God, the voice of my heavenly Father. He reminded me of the first garden, full of the sounds of birds and animals, insects and trickling streams. He reminded me of the food, free for the picking. Ouch! A blackberry thorn just scraped my arm. The blood oozed to the top and made a puddle. Yes, He reminded me of sin that had entered that peaceful perfect garden and the blood that was necessary to recover us from sin. There along the edge of the road lay a thrush probably struck by a car. A sacrifice to man’s life in the fast lane. Again, I thought of the first animal slain because of man’s sin.

My thoughts drifted to our heavenly Father who created a perfect world for us. He supplies all our needs. He cares about the thrush who falls to the ground, the wrens who fuss, the crickets who chirp for their mate, the hens who care for their chicks. He cares for us even more. He proved it by the sacrifice of His only Son.

Take a little time this week away from the noise of the world and enjoy the sounds of God’s creation. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Cast all your care upon Him because he cares for you. Take a little time to bless the Lord for all His goodness.

May you be blessed as well.

Gail

Hey Kids!

If you picked just a handful of ripe berries, here’s an idea.

Berry Parfait

I carton of plain yogurt

I/2 tsp vanilla

A handful of ripe berries (a mix of black and red makes an even prettier parfait)

1 Tbsp of granola

Mix the vanilla with the yogurt. Then place a heaping Tbsp in the bottom of a clear cup.

Add a Tbsp of berries

Top with more yogurt, then more berries.

Put on the last bit of yogurt.

Sprinkle the granola on top.

Now dig in!!!

 

If you’re enjoying the Hey Kids section, please let us know what you like and how we can improve.

Many Hands Make Light Work

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.... Ecclesiastes 9:10a 

 

 

The last of the strawberries for this season were washed and on the counter. Grandchildren lounged in the den. Hmmm, what to do? Let them lay around begging for their iPads or find a way to get them involved. "You know how to use a knife?" That perked up the ears.

"No," came an interested reply.

"Come, let me show you," I said, taking out sharp knives and a cutting board. Lucas thought he could just use a knife to hull the berries.  Lucy needed the board to press the knife without fear of cutting herself. I really didn't care because even their little hands were making the work faster and teaching them skills and work ethics they weren't going to get on the couch. They laughed and worked and went through two gallons of strawberries like a chainsaw through butter. There was a satisfaction in working together and accomplishing something that will benefit us all come winter. There was satisfaction in doing grown-up work.

Jesus sent seventy of his followers out in pairs to preach the gospel. He gave them important work to do. When they returned, there was that happy satisfied feeling that they had accomplished a great work, "Even the devils are subject unto us," they told Him. Jesus knew. Because He is God, He already knew what was accomplished.

The seventy were preparing for a time when Jesus would no longer be on earth to give them face to face instructions. My grandkids were preparing not only for next winter but to take care of their own families when I'm not there to show them how to do the work. We're never too young to learn, or too old for that matter.

Timothy was a young man that Paul was instructing. Paul knew that Timothy's mother and grandmother had instructed him the scriptures. Paul was sending Timothy out to do the work of an evangelist. I hope, like Timothy's mother and grandmother, I am also preparing my grandchildren to be followers and witnesses of our Savior. Routines and work ethics are all part of preparing to do work, even the work of a witness.

Paul wrote about the how and why of using scripture in II Timothy 3:15-17.
Why not reflect and share with us how you and your family are preparing and sharing in God's work.

Hey Kids:
Are you doing things to prepare yourself to take care of your own families one day?
What can you do?
Can you make your bed?
Can you wipe off the bathroom counter?
Can you wash your dirty dishes or load them in the dishwasher?
Can you pick up your clothes and toys?
Can you vacuum or sweep your room?
Can you help mom or dad prepare a meal?

You may be too young for some of these things. You may already be doing some of the others.
You are old enough to listen to the Bible and learn verses.
Whew!! There's a lot to being a grown up but there is joy and satisfaction in doing what the Lord asks us to do.

Blessings,

Gail

Balm - For the body and soul

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

A friend of mine was selling flowers and herbs at the flea market this week. She happened to have one of my favorite herbs, bee balm. Bee balm is a member of the mint family. It has a beautiful showy flower head and a wonderful smell that attracts bees. The leaves, flowers, and stems can be used for teas, medicines, and potpourri. Naturally, I had to purchase some for my garden. As soon as it flowers I want to cut some stems to dry. I’ve never tried using bee balm. I just grow it for its beauty. Balm is a word for soothing, like an ointment on a wound.  I wonder if I have been missing out on some of God’s natural soothing.

In Jerimiah 8:22 the question is asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” Jerimiah wasn’t talking about physical sickness. He was referring to the spiritual sickness of God’s people. The priest lived in Gilead. They were responsible for giving the Word to the people. But the priests and the people of God were in moral decay (Hosea 6:8-10). Sound familiar?

Decay is the forerunner of death. A tree that has decayed wood will soon die. People with tooth decay can die from abscessed teeth, if not treated. Toes, fingers, legs, and arms can become infected. Sometimes they have to be removed because the health of the person is not good enough to allow healing. When we don’t eat properly our health will decline. The same is true of our spiritual health.

Our nation’s families, even many Christian families, are in spiritual decay. We have become a nation of excuses to do what is right in our own eyes. The truth is, God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). When we fail to abide in the truth, spiritual decay begins to set in. But there is a balm. There is a remedy for our sickness. When we are sick we need to take medicine on a daily basis if we plan on regaining our health. The medicine can’t just be in the medicine cabinet. We have to take it. We need God’s Word on a daily basis to regain our spiritual health. Not only do we need to read it, we need to receive it with all readiness of mind. In other words, we have to be willing to do what it says if we intend to have a strong a Christian family, church, community and nation. Sometimes we don't like the taste of medicine but it is better than being sick.

Father, please make us aware of our sins, forgive us, and cleanse us, that healing might come to our homes, our churches, and our land. In Jesus name, Amen.

Perhaps you would want to come up with a plan for daily study of God’s Word. We would love for you to share your favorite time for Bible study. It may be an encouragement to others.

  The best time for me is during breakfast when there is no TV or radio.

Hey Kids!

Bee balm tea was a staple in American homes after the Boston Tea Party when the colonist dumped all the British Tea in the Boston Harbor.

You may want to try some yourselves.

Clip stems of bee balm with leaves and flowers.

Bundle them upside down with a rubber band.

Place inside a paper lunch bag for a few weeks.

When the stems are dry, crumble 1 tsp of bee balm into a cup

Have an adult add 1 cup of boiling water.

Allow the tea to steep 10 minutes, then sweeten to taste.

I’m thinking if our ancestors wanted to sweeten their tea, they would use honey. J

Information on teas was obtained from www.Gardensablaze.com  

Please note warnings for allergies and other conditions.