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Jesus Will Meet You Where You Are
We’re all probably familiar with the sisters of Bethany: Mary and Martha. Like many sisters throughout the ages, the two ladies were very different. From the picture the Scriptures give us, I see Martha as a doer. She hosted dinner parties, cooked a mean meal, and could organize with the best of them. I imagine she was the type of woman who made lists and stuck to a rigorous schedule though I could be wrong. She just strikes me that way. A real go-getter. Not afraid to speak her mind or put her foot down. Yes, that’s how I envision Martha.
Watch Out for the Little Things
My back has improved dramatically over the past few weeks, and I'm almost back to my normal activity level. I still have the occasional twinge, which makes me stress over aggravating it again, but overall, I'm doing better.
It’s Just Like Riding a Bike
Not long after moving here, Jason decided he would like an e-bike. (For those of you who are ignorant like I was, an e-bike is just a bicycle with a motor, which really comes in handy when one has to climb the many hills around here.). Anyway, the e-bike makes a lot of sense. Being only five miles from town, Jason can easily ride into town to pick up things, drop items off, or conduct any other business he may have. It’s also been a great tool for our letterboxing ministry as he can ride up and down the streets, neighborhoods, and farm roads and distribute our church literature to the mailboxes of each home.
My Heart Is Established
None of us likes to receive bad news. Our human nature can’t seem to cope with it. Some cry. Others get angry. Sadly, some turn to drugs, alcohol, or another vice. And in many cases, people are so distraught by the situation, they see no way out and end their lives prematurely. Yes, bad news can have detrimental effects on us, but according to God’s Word, it doesn’t have to.
Oh, Oh, Oh, Green Giant
As part of my devotional time this morning, I read an inspiring blog post about how to stop comparing ourselves with others and live the life God designed us to live. This is an area I struggle with regularly as I always feel I’m falling behind or missing the mark in various areas of my life.
Evidently, my battle with envy is even more severe than I thought because as I read this dear Christian woman’s blog, I felt myself turning green.
He Maketh Me To Lie Down
Yesterday, we took Tess on a 4-mile hike. Oh, what an exciting time she had. There were so many interesting smells and tantalizing crevices to explore. And let’s not forget the sheep to chase (though she could only chase so much as she was on a leash). We climbed hills, crossed bridges, and covered every kind of terrain from tarmac to forest floor and rock. She was so alert and attentive the entire time, I knew she would be exhausted when we got home.
Follow After Peace
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another. - Romans 14:19
Sometimes we have to say no to what we want for the greater good of a brother or sister in Christ or even for the furtherance of the ministry. In this passage of scripture, the object was meat—whether it was good or bad, lawful or not. In our situation, the issue may not revolve around food, but there may be other Christian liberties that need to be set aside for the sake of peace.
The Valley of Distraction
Typically, walking with Tess is a piece of cake. She doesn’t pull on the leash. She minds well when I tell her to leave something alone. In general, she’s very chill. This morning’s walk, however, offered several more challenges to tempt and distract my well-mannered terrier.
The first distraction came from the stinky leakage left behind by the trash trucks. I don’t know what the appeal is, but I haven’t had a single dog that could pass by without wanting to roll around in that nasty goop. Gross!
Doing God’s Work in Tight Places
We often give Gideon a hard time because he was hiding from the enemy, but from what I can see, he was the only one still working. Sure, he was hiding, but he was also trying to make sure the people of Israel had some food left after the current raid. Yes, he was in the wrong place, but he was making the best of a terrible situation.
Like Father, Like Daughter
I think we’re all probably familiar with the story of Caleb in the Bible. He and Joshua were the two spies among the twelve who were confident they could take the land of Canaan despite the giants in the land. Of course, they were overruled, which led to a forty-year-long detour through the wilderness.
After all the wandering was done and the lands were divided up among the tribes, Caleb steps up to Joshua and asks for the land that was promised to him. He had been faithful and trusted the Lord, and now, at the ripe old age of 85, he wanted what was his. So, without hesitation, he strode up to Joshua and requested it.