Charity - Love in Action

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal. I Corinthians 13:1

Our Sunday School teacher challenged us to not only read I Corinthians 13, but study it, understand it, make it apply to our lives. He defined charity as love in action. I took the challenge and read the chapter, then I began to go back and look at each verse individually.

Sometimes as I sit at my dining room table I can hear the tinkle of wind chimes out on the deck. It seems a pleasant sound at the first, but the more it sounds the more annoying it becomes. It annoys the birds as well. They don't visit the feeder as much if the chimes are sounding. The more the wind blows, the louder the chimes, the fewer the birds. Sure the wind has something to do with the birds not coming to the feeder, but loud noises also keep birds away.

In Matthew 13:31 Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed, which is the smallest of seeds but when it is grown the birds come and lodge in it. Here in our area, the mustard plant is a small thing we pick and cook as greens, but in the dry climate of the middle east the mustard seed will grow into a bush where the birds come and lodge. Lodge - what picture does that bring to mind? If we find lodging we expect food and shelter. Birds are a lot like us. They flock to places where they can find shelter and nourishment, a place to raise their young. Birds are driven away by noises, regardless of the food, water and shelter offered them.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels.... though I sound so eloquent and have not charity - no love in action, I am like the annoying sounds of brass and the constant tinkling of cymbals. In other words, Christians who are always sounding out against things are scaring off the very flocks they seek to attract. The stronger the storms, the louder the noise, the more the flocks scatter.

People don't want to know what you are against. They want to know what you as a Christian are for. Are you for them? Do you care about the storms they are facing? Are you willing to reach out and help? Jesus reached out to help people who did not know him - the man with the withered hand, the lame man, a blind man, people who were hungry. Because He was willing to reach out, He gained believers.

May we all open the doors to our War Rooms and seek God's face as to whom we need to be ministering, to whom we need to show love in our actions. May we let people, all people know we are for them and so is God. We can hate the sin, but we must love the sinner.

Father, Help me be a calming voice connected to loving arms to hold the trembling in life's storms. In Jesus name. Amen.

Hey Kids:
Do you know someone who needs a friend? What about someone who needs help? Are there people to whom you could show love? Why not ask the Lord whom He would have you reach out to.

Blessings,

Gail

Drinking at the Fountain

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14

Can you see the little chicks enjoying the grass near the fresh water? Everything looked good on that day, but ... the week got busy and I got home late. I thought there would be plenty of water in that big can. When I checked on the chickens today, they were fine, but the can was bone dry. Another day and I may have lost my chickens! They did need a drink!

The dry bucket immediately brought an old hymn to mind. "I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry. I'm dwelling in Beulah Land." Just like my chickens, we need a physical drink of water everyday. Jesus offers us a different kind of water. He offers us the water of life. When we accept His offer, repenting of our sin, we will never thirst spiritually, because He will fill us with the Holy Spirit every minute of every day. All we ever need to do is look to Him and be filled. Many of my family and friends are going through trying times but they have the assurance that Jesus will carry them through. They are drawing from that well of Living Water.

If you are struggling with all that life is throwing at you, if you just need a cool drink of spiritual water, Jesus is waiting, offering you a drink from the well that never will run dry.

HEY KIDS: 
How long do you think it will take for your glass of water to evaporate?
What if you pour it into a bowl instead of a glass?
Will the temperature make a difference in the rate of evaporation?

You may want to give this experiment a try, then think how life affects you.
Do you think things are going along fine until life "spills out"?
How about if the heat is on because of a major test?
They say prayer will never be taken out of schools as long as there are tests.

Prayer is the bucket to dip into the well of Living Water, not just for kids but for us all.

Blessings,

Gail

Children - Asset or Liability

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

 Proverbs 17:6

I'm late with the post again this week, but I have an excuse! Actually, it's not an excuse. It's because we put the children first. Last week we were camping with our older grandchildren. This week we were helping out with the younger grandchild as we awaited the birth of her baby sister. I think all of those experiences are important business. 

Our newest granddaughter was due on her sister's birthday, but she chose to come a day early. Good choice Molly Fern. Now you both have your own special day. Two sets of grandparents doted over the older sister, even providing a grandparent birthday party because Mom and Dad were indisposed. Baby sister had her special day as well. We held and photographed, ooohhh-ed and aaaahhh-ed, wrapped and unwrapped counted fingers and toes, then cuddled and gazed. How amazing to see your own children brought into the world, but to see your children's children is truly a special blessing. 

As we left, Papa said, "How can anyone suck the brains from a little child, then lay down and sleep at night?" I totally understood what he was saying. We are seeing so much on TV and social media about partial birth abortion and the selling a baby body parts. How do people manage to sleep at night? But then, how active are we in preventing these atrocities against children? Are we teaching morals to our children through example and not just through talk? Are we supporting pregnancy centers for unwed mothers? Are we reaching out to support mothers or adopt their children? 

We can't just be against abortion. We have to be actively for the children. 

Often we say, we just don't know what to do. We don't know how to help. Maybe we can start here. Won't you share your ideas for helping children and their mothers? 

And don't forget the post-abortion moms. They need our love and forgiveness to work through the great tragedies in their lives. How can we love and support them as well?

Guys, men need support too. The children belong to us all. I pray we will all find ways to help. The children are our most important asset. They will never be a liability if we view them as precious gifts from God. 

Blessings,

Gail     

Fishing

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

I'm a little late posting this week. We finally had the opportunity to get away for a few days, so we took the grands camping. The campground was on Lake Julian Price in Western NC. Kady and I hiked part way around the lake looking for wildlife. She spotted some fish off the pier but she didn't have a pole or bait to "haul in a catch".

We observed three boys fishing along the water's edge. Each one had a pole, a bobber, bait and the excitement to get the job done. We noticed how attentive they were to their poles and especially to the bobbers. The slightest jiggle and the boys were ready to reel in a fish. They were teaching the younger boys how it was done. Regardless of who got a bite, all the boys were excited and encouraging. They never knew we were watching. The excitement rubbed off on us too. Even on the other side of the lake we heard them yelp about a catch. Kady was almost jumping up and down. "They got one! They got one!"

Jesus said to follow Him and he would make us fishers of men. How does that work? Notice first, it's in the plural. Fishing is not a one person job. We need partners and equipment. We need knowledge of the scripture. We need prayer. And we need to study and pray together. People, like fish, are hungry. Only, people are hungry for something to fill the empty spot in their hearts. Jesus is the bait, if you will, the food. He is the bread of life. He is the only way to peace and happiness.

When we bring along the necessities of "fishing for men" we also need to bring along the excitement and the encouragement and the love that will make the difference. There needs to be that joy that is evident even to observers when one is saved.

Too bad Kady and I didn't have a pole and bait. Joining in the fishing would have been great fun. Fishing for men is fun and exciting as well, if we always come equipped. Do you have the equipment and a partner to go fishing for men? Won't you share your fishing experiences with us?

Blessings,

Gail

Hey Kids:

Maybe someone you know would love to take an afternoon to do a little fishing. We'd love to see your pictures.