"Food" for Thought

I received this in my email today and thought it worth sharing as "food" for thought...Patti

(Author: John Piper)

After Jesus had fed both the 5,000 and the 4,000 with only a few loaves and fish, the disciples got in a boat without enough bread for themselves.

When they began to discuss their plight, Jesus said, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand?" (Mark 8:17). What didn't they understand?

They did not understand the meaning of the leftovers, namely, that Jesus will take care of them when they take care of others. Jesus said:

"When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"

Understand what? The leftovers.

The leftovers were for the servers. In fact the first time there were twelve servers and twelve basketfuls left over (Mark 6:43). The second time there seven basketfuls left over—the number of abundant completeness.

What didn't they understand? That Jesus would take care of them. You can't outgive Jesus. When you spend your life for others, your needs will be met.

Get Chiseled!

A Call to Anguish

Dear Sisters,

My roommate from college sent me this. I believe it is a God thing that she sent it. Thank you, Dear Bonnie!

This should drive us to our knees in prayer. This is the true life of a believer.

Worship

Scripture tells us to worship God in spirit and in truth. I wonder though if we understand what that really means. Do we really allow our spirit to be free to worship God or do we hold on to and control our spirit because we are afraid of letting go and letting God move through us, either because of preconceived ideas about what worship should be or what we have been told about how we should "act" in worship? I for one know that I often have a hard time getting past those preconceived ideas and things I have been told. I long to have the freedom to truly worship God as Scripture tells me I should. There have been a few times when I have experienced a small moment of this freedom, but it is not enough. I want more. I don't want to just show up for worship, I want to fully and freely experience true worship.

My Funeral Song

Are You Free to Praise Him??

There Are Times....

There are times, if we allow Him, when the Spirit of God draws us to worship Him in song. This is not just three stanzas and we are done. This is yielding to the Holy Spirit, without fear, as He responds to our pleasing worship. Are our hearts ready to worship Him? Have we spent time before Him, prior to our worship, in order to make sure our hearts are right and pleasing to Him? Have we rushed to get ready for worship? I, personally, believe if we will be careful to prepare, He will respond to us and we will see His mighty hand in our services. Let's be careful not to be so flippant. We need to plan for this more than we would prepare for our most important event in life. The movie is about God, not us! Please leave your comment after you watch all of this video. It made me weep. Let's not settle.

So much love to you, All!!

From Oswald Chambers', "My Utmost for His Highest":

Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10 ). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way.

You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must "work out your own salvation" which God has worked in you already ( Philippians 2:12 ). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it "out"? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.

God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—"By my God I can leap over a wall" ( Psalm 18:29 ). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . ." Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.

May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.

Embracing Accusation by Shane and Shane

For my dear "Romans" lover. You know who you are!
....listen to the very end.

I can only utter thanks to God, if I can utter anything at all. His perfect love leaves me speechless.

Yearn

Before the Throne of God Above

Sisters by Heart!

Time for Refreshing

Hello, Sisters!

After being away so long, I am thrilled to be back to see all of you and to hear what God is doing in your lives! Also, me being able to return means that Ellie and Natalie are on their way to recovery. Thank you so much for your continued prayers! I still covet your prayers for Ellie's health. She will be on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life but she looks fabulous and now they are just trying to tweak her meds and fatten he up! She is loving her feedings, let me tell you!

Saturday is still our new Book Club meeting at 10:00 a.m. at my house. Patti had graciously offered her home (Thanks, Patti!) but since I am back we can go ahead and keep our original plans. Feel free to bring a friend. If you haven't read "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, not to worry. You should still stop what you are doing and get yourself over here for fun and fellowship! Don't notice the dust bunnies or the unfinished kitchen and join us.
Email me or ask me for directions and I'll be glad to get you here.

Oh, and don't dress up!! Come casual!!! Flip flops are allowed!!! LOL!