Consider the power of the Almighty

Old Testament Reading

Psalm 71 (MSG)

^1-3 I run for dear life to God,
    I’ll never live to regret it.
Do what you do so well:
    get me out of this mess and up on my feet.
Put your ear to the ground and listen,
    give me space for salvation.
Be a guest room where I can retreat;
    you said your door was always open!
You’re my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.

^4-7 My God, free me from the grip of Wicked,
    from the clutch of Bad and Bully.
You keep me going when times are tough—
    my bedrock, God, since my childhood.
I’ve hung on you from the day of my birth,
    the day you took me from the cradle;
    I’ll never run out of praise.
Many gasp in alarm when they see me,
    but you take me in stride.

^8-11 Just as each day brims with your beauty,
    my mouth brims with praise.
But don’t turn me out to pasture when I’m old
    or put me on the shelf when I can’t pull my weight.
My enemies are talking behind my back,
    watching for their chance to knife me.
The gossip is: “God has abandoned him.
    Pounce on him now; no one will help him.”

^12-16 God, don’t just watch from the sidelines.
    Come on! Run to my side!
My accusers—make them lose face.
    Those out to get me—make them look
Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you,
    and daily add praise to praise.
I’ll write the book on your righteousness,
    talk up your salvation the livelong day,
    never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
    I post signs marking his right-of-way.

^17-24 You got me when I was an unformed youth,
    God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I’m telling the world your wonders;
    I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray.
God, don’t walk off and leave me
    until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
    news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
    ways, O God.
God, you’ve done it all!
    Who is quite like you?
You, who made me stare trouble in the face,
    Turn me around;
Now let me look life in the face.
    I’ve been to the bottom;
Bring me up, streaming with honors;
    turn to me, be tender to me,
And I’ll take up the lute and thank you
    to the tune of your faithfulness, God.
I’ll make music for you on a harp,
    Holy One of Israel.
When I open up in song to you,
    I let out lungsful of praise,
    my rescued life a song.
All day long I’m chanting
    about you and your righteous ways,
While those who tried to do me in
    slink off looking ashamed.

 

New Testament Reading

 

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (MSG)

^18-21 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written,

I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots.

So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.

^22-25 While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.”
^26-31 Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”

 

 

Ponder these scriptures from The Message

Mary washes Jesus's feet.

Holy Week Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 42:1-9 (MSG)

God’s Servant Will Set Everything Right

42 ^1-4 “Take a good look at my servant.
    I’m backing him to the hilt.
He’s the one I chose,
    and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.
I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.
    He’ll set everything right among the nations.
He won’t call attention to what he does
    with loud speeches or gaudy parades.
He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt
    and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,
    but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.
He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped
    until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth.
Far-flung ocean islands
    wait expectantly for his teaching.”

The God Who Makes Us Alive with His Own Life

^5-9 God’s Message,
    the God who created the cosmos, stretched out the skies,
    laid out the earth and all that grows from it,
Who breathes life into earth’s people,
    makes them alive with his own life:
“I am God. I have called you to live right and well.
    I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.
I have set you among my people to bind them to me,
    and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,
To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light:
    opening blind eyes,
    releasing prisoners from dungeons,
    emptying the dark prisons.
I am God. That’s my name.
    I don’t franchise my glory,
    don’t endorse the no-god idols.
Take note: The earlier predictions of judgment have been fulfilled.
    I’m announcing the new salvation work.
Before it bursts on the scene,
    I’m telling you all about it.”

 

Holy Week New Testament Reading

Isaiah 42:1-9 (MSG)

Anointing His Feet

12 ^1-3 Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.

^4-6 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.
^7-8 Jesus said, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don’t always have me.”
^9-11 Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him.

 

As you read the scriptures this week, ponder the Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice and how you can join Him in glory by following Him.

 

May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen.

 

Note - A new series, tentatively titled "Do I Really Need to Go to Church?" begins next week.

Worship Him!

Today is Palm Sunday.

Don't have a home church? There are many in the area with varying time of worship - Newberry United Methodists will celebrate Palm Sunday and have special music from the "Joy Bells." Service begins at 9 a.m. First Baptist Newberry's worship is at 11 a.m. Pastor Andrew Manwarren will continue his message on the importance of a strategic plan for the church.

Hope you can make it this Sunday! God bless all of you every day in every way.

White Breakfast starts at 10 a.m.

Calling all ladies of the community.

Don't forget - Tomorrow is the White Breakfast!

Join the Newberry United Methodist Women as they celebrate the 36th Annual White Breakfast tomorrow, Saturday, March 28. Beginning at 10 a.m. ladies who attend can expect to enjoy a traditional hot cross bun breakfast with juice, coffee and tea.

The program begins with the traditional welcome, followed by hand-picked selections of the Easter season performed by members of the United Methodist Church’s “Joy Bells.” Also scheduled to perform are flutist Dianne Neumann and soprano Jane Fuller.

This year’s special narration, written by local journalist Cheryl Withrow, A Quilt, A Cross and Jesus*, focuses on the story of Jesus Christ. Cast members will proclaim the biblical account of the risen Lord through a series of quilt blocks radiating from a center-placed tree of life. 

All ladies of the community are cordially invited to attend this annual ecumenical observance that jump starts Holy Week activities.

There is no charge for the celebration, which is held in the Newberry United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 110 W. Harrie St., in downtown Newberry.

*Copyright 2015 Cheryl Ann Withrow A Quilt, A Cross and Jesus All Rights Reserved

Consider praying this prayer today

Oh, God, please help us. We are under such attack. Far too many believers who have histories of faithfulness with You are falling for the devil's scheme. Please open our eyes and show us the way! Hear the desperate cries of Your children. Amen

Just read my lesson for the day from Beth Moore's Bible study, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. Thought I would share the ending prayer with all of you.

By the way, this women's study just began Monday night. If you are interested in joining the group, we meet each Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Newberry Comfort Inn (corner of M-123 and M-28). The study will continue for the next five weeks. Hope you can make it!

Ponder the Psalms today

Psalm 62:7 (NIV)
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Think about this today...

What is the uppermost concern in your life today that you would like the great High Priest (Jesus) to bring to the throne of God?

This was the "ponder" question in my Lenten devotional. I thought it was a good one to share as I am working feverishly on the White Breakfast presentation and do not have the time (or the energy) to blog too!

Think about it.

My prayer today, May God bless each and every one of you today and every day. Amen

Ponder this today...

Be the kind of Christian that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, “Oh no! She’s (or He's) up!”

Today, ponder this...

The world rotates so someone will always be awake to pray.

Where are the joyful Christians?

Rev. Charles Spurgeon

This happens all the time. I come up with a good idea for this site; I wrestle with the words; I write a few; I strike a few; I go away; I come back; I think I have the proverbial “writer’s block;” and then, I open an email and find a quote, that works, from Charles Spurgeon via BibleGateway.com!

Charles Spurgeon Preaches
A healthy Christian is one of the liveliest creatures on earth. When he is at work you may hear him sing. He cannot help it; do not blame him for a little noise. Let him sing, and laugh till he cries. Sometimes he cannot help it; he will burst if his soul may not have vent. When he begins to talk about his Lord his eyes flash fire. Some people hint that he is out of his mind; but those who know best assure us that he was never before so sane as now. Of course, the world thinks religion is such poor stuff that nobody could grow excited about it. To my mind, cold religion is the nastiest dish ever brought to table. True godliness is served up hot. Newness of life means a soul aglow with love to God, and therefore earnest, zealous, happy. Let the believing man have space for his larger life, swing for his grander joy. Nay, do not gag him; let him sing his new song. If any man out of heaven has a right to be happy, it is the man who lives in newness of life. Come, beloved, I want you to go home to-day with the resolve that the newness of life shall be more apparent in your walk. Do not live the old life over again. Why should you? What good would come of it? — Charles Spurgeon, "Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life"

The Lord definitely does work in mysterious ways, doesn't He?

Where are the Christians, anyway? I do not see many who are overjoyed with their lot in life, do you?
So I won’t drone on and on about the missing joyful Christians.

I’ll just respectively suggest that we follow Spurgeon’s take on the matter, that we explore the true meaning of a healthy Christian existence.

That we embrace “a soul aglow with love to God.” That we accept God’s tender mercies. That we understand that in Jesus Christ we are new creatures. Ultimately, that we resolve to serve our Christianity up hot and full – full in the knowledge of Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection on the third day. That we sing the new song of faith and forgiveness. That we enjoy life to the fullest; embracing His way in everything we do, think and say.
That we “take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23) and follow Him in joy and thanksgiving.

Today’s Intercessory Prayer
Pray for your family and spiritual friends (and for all Christians) that they would continuously experience community grounded in love and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, help me to see where I am rejecting some aspect of your will for me. Help me to obey and believe, believe and obey. Help me to be joyful in life in You. Amen

Sharing an Irish blessing...and more

An Irish Blessing

 

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you,

A moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.

Laughter to cheer you.

Faithful friends near you.

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

 

 

As I was reading about St. Patrick this morning I came across an interesting article written by Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Read What Evangelicals Can Learn From Saint Patrick by clicking here.

 

 

From our home to yours, Happy St. Patrick's Day. And, as always - May God guide and protect you today and every day in every way. Amen

 

Pray with feeling

"When we go before God in prayer with a cold, dull heart, and in a lifeless and listless manner pray to him for eternal blessings . . . we should think of Christ's earnest prayers that he poured out to God, with tears and a bloody sweat. The consideration of it may well make us ashamed of our dull, lifeless prayers to God, [in which] we rather ask a denial than ask to be heard; for the language of such a manner of praying to God is that we do not look upon the benefit that we pray for as of any great importance, that we are indifferent whether God answers us or not. The example of Jacob in wrestling with God for the blessing should teach us earnestness in our prayers, but more especially the example of Jesus Christ, who wrestled with God in a bloody sweat. If we were sensible as Christ was of the great importance of those benefits that are of eternal consequence, our prayers to God for such benefits would be after another manner than now they are. Our souls also would with earnest labor and strife be engaged in this duty." - Jonathan Edwards, 18th century preacher and missionary

This message got me to thinking – do I pray with feeling? Or do I recite a “lifeless and listless” prayer just to get it over with?

Me thinks that, way too many times, I am guilty of the latter.

Now the question is, what to do about these unworthy prayers.

How can I think it’s OK to send lackadaisical prayers up to the One who sacrificed Himself for my sins? How can I offer prayers that are not vigorous and determined?

Just who do I think I am? A sinner, that’s who. A sinner saved by God’s grace. Praise Him.

That’s the key, I think – Praise Him!

Praise Him in prayer. Praise Him in my actions. Praise Him in my love for my fellow man. Praise Him in my servant demeanor. Praise Him as I fill this page with my love of His eternal mercy, grace and forgiveness.

I need to put my heart and soul into my prayers.

Bottom line – praise Him in everything I do, every day in every way about every little (and big) thing – Praise Him, as the psalmist recorded –

Psalm 150 (NIV)
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Amen and Amen!

Now the question is, what about you?

Prayer to begin your Monday...

Via Bible Gateway's Lenten devotional -

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. — adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

Ponder these questions today...

What is limiting your freedom today? And how might this apply to you: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free”? Questions posed by Mel Lawrenz, author of Knowing Him.

Is there faith without works?

James, brother of Jesus

James 2:14-17 (NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say that you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

As I have learned in my walk as a follower of Jesus, it is mandated that we believe in Him to receive salvation. There are no other requirements as evidenced by the apostle Paul’s testament in Romans 1:16-17 (NIV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

But, is belief/faith enough? According to James, no.

Let’s qualify that, shall we?

Jesus talked about serving others, and how, when we do, we serve Him. Remember the parable from Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV)? 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “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.’

Don’t you think this is what James is saying? Basically, if you have a true believer’s heart, you will take care of your fellow man. You will feed him when he’s hungry; you will offer clothing when his is tattered and torn; you will give him water when he is thirsty.

You will do whatever it takes, AND, you’ll do it in His name to glorify Him. I sincerely believe this is what faith with works is all about.

A true believer, a true follower of Jesus will do good works. In my opinion, that’s the proverbial no-brainer!

Bottom line – accept Jesus as you savior. Then – follow Him daily.

After all, the Lamb of God requires it, Then [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23 NIV)

You can read more about faith and what it entails by turning in your Bible to the 11th chapter of Hebrews. If you do not have a Bible, click here to read the entire chapter in the text of the New International Version. You can also choose to read the chapter in the translation of your choice. Bible Gateway offers many; just choose and read.

As the weekend approaches, consider your journey with Jesus. Consider your faith. Consider your works in His name. And, as you do, May God bless you and keep you near Him every day in every way. Amen.

Teach me

God of peace, you give me peace; now teach me to be a peacemaker.

Is it time to follow Him?

Are you a follower?

My personal prayer for today
(and every day) –
Lord, help me to will one thing: to belong entirely and undividedly to you. Amen.

What about you?

Are you up for the challenge? Are you willing to commit 100 percent to the Lord? Well, are you?

As has been preached to me many times over my 63+ years on this earth, commitment to Jesus requires sacrifice. As a Christian, one must be willing to set aside the trappings of the world and invest oneself entirely in Jesus.

I wake up every day with a prayer on my lips to do just that. Some days I succeed. Some days I fail. But, I like to believe that every day I sincerely try. I make the attempt.

What about you?

My husband and I are members of First Baptist Church here in Newberry. I have found this vessel of the Lord to be a true reflection of what a church should be – committed to His Word. I admit there are some doctrinal issues with which I disagree, specifically concerning a woman’s place in the church – but that’s a subject for another day.

Bottom line, the leaders at First Baptist not only talk the talk, they walk the walk.

To give you an idea of what being a Christian is all about, I want to share the following message, which is printed on the back of every bulletin from this local house of God.

An Open Invitation

The invitation to come to Jesus and be saved from your sinfulness is open every minute of every day. Nowhere is that more true than TODAY as you join us for worship of the One, True and Living God. The Bible says, [Romans 10:17] “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Today you have heard the Word of God, won’t you call on the name of the Lord and be saved?

 

Please understand:
• The decision to follow Jesus is costly, so it must be carefully considered. Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
• The decision to follow Jesus is urgent, so make it soon. Jesus said, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:20)
• The decision to follow Jesus is worth it, so you want to make it. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

What about you?

Is today the day you make the commitment to follow Him?

Think about it. Pray about it.

As you ponder your decision to follow Him, remember Luke 9:23 – Then [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

And, as I do every day, I will pray with you – May God bless you every day in every way and may today be the day you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Amen

Take time to pray every day

Almighty God, who sees that we have no power ourselves to help ourselves: protect us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls. Defend us both from harm to the body and from evil thoughts which assault and hurt the soul. Do this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

OOPS! Forgot to publish my personal 'thank you'

Sending out a personal thank you to all who made this glorious weekend possible. Since I would not want to forget anyone, I choose not to name names, but you all know who you are. From the special programs, to the favors, to the activities, to the music, to the time of corporate prayer, to the door prizes, and much, much more – Thank you all from the bottom of this follower’s heart. Through God’s infinite grace, you all made my, and a lot of others, weekend. You also gave us much food-for-thought and reflection. I sincerely doubt that many attending walked away unchanged. May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way.

Just who can be against you?

Paul, the apostle of Jesus

The apostle Paul wrote in his epistle, Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

I ask you, "If God is for you, who can be against you?"

 

Good question to ponder over the weekend...

 

My God bless you every day in every way. Amen!

Do you know Dorcas? Conclusion



Capturing the spirit of the weekend in this photograph of ladies
lifting their voices, hearts and hands in praises to God during the
It's Tough Being a Woman - Drocas the Seamstress Retreat
this past weekend in Escanaba.

My granddaddy always told me that our bodies are God’s temples. As such, he preached, “You cannot defile or otherwise abuse your own body because that would indicate your disdain for God above.”

Granddaddy - as was generally the case, especially in matters of the Bible - was right.

Our bodies are made in God’s image. We use our bodies to glorify Him if we are true followers of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of this truth, we should honor our bodies as we honor Him who made us.

Those of us who attended this past weekend’s It’s Tough Being a Woman – Dorcas the Seamstress Retreat were recipients of some words of wisdom about just this subject. The speaker asked the gathering what could be construed as abuse. Audience members mentioned alcohol (in excess), illegal drugs, prescription drugs and even obesity. After all, a temple, should be just that, a temple, pure and pleasing to the Lord.

Scripture solidifies this truth – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Can’t get more succinct than that, eh?

As attendees we were also treated to a presentation from a Newberry healthcare professional. She suggested that we find our spiritual gift(s) and use it (them) for the good of the Lord. “Love is the foundation,” she reasoned.

I thought about the love foundation and could not stop thinking about God and his love for us sinners. What greater love than Jesus, who, without sin, nevertheless, died on the cross – substituting himself for the sinners of the world. Jesus Christ died for my sin, your sin, the sin of all mankind. That, folks, is true agape. Unbridled. Unbelievable. Undeserving.

That is the love God offers us.

As the speaker confirmed, God anoints His followers with gifts too.

Because Dorcas used her sewing skills to help others, in my humble opinion, this first century disciple’s gift can truly be considered a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Our speaker referenced the apostle Paul’s discussion about such God-given expertise – found in his letter to the Romans, Chapter 12 – where he boiled it all down to just six verses (3-8) 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

As followers, can we expect anything less of ourselves as we serve Him?

The speaker likened our following ways to the instruction received concerning what to do if you find yourself on fire – remember – it’s Stop. Drop. (and) Roll.

I am diligently working to fan the flames of fire for Him. In doing so I sincerely believe that we can all follow Saturday’s Dorcas speaker’s advice to – Stop. Stoop (and) Serve. And to – borrowing from Nike – JUST DO IT!

A young lady in the group did just that. She JUST DID IT, in a huge way.

This 18-year-old servant of the Lord recently made a trip to Honduras, visiting many churches in the area. While there, she, and her mother who had visited previously, were able to share their personal message of faith and giving in the name of Jesus. 

In the photographs shared since this series on the retreat was first published, you’ll see this young lady sharing her experience, and her photographs, with the group. On a personal note, I was privileged to share my motel room with her for the weekend, and her mother took our picture, which was shared in Monday’s post.

The women participants also heard a heart-felt message of loss and pain and resurrection from a former Germfask resident who drove up from Grand Rapids to share her story with the group. What began as a tearful recollection of her husband’s untimely death, ended in a celebration of God’s love for her, and her children, and how, through His mercy, she is recovering day by day – one step at a time.

Below you will find the last of my photographs from the weekend. Please take time to look and maybe you’ll find yourself among the crowd.

Today, I am ending with another essay that touched my heart. From the Book of Common Prayer –
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



Do you know Dorcas? Part 2...

Dorcas rules!

At least she did this weekend as local gals traveled to Escanaba for a to study the woman whose name means, “benevolent use of the sewing needle.”

Of course there was more to the weekend than study of Dorcas; there was also a little pampering and sewing- and craft-related activities to fill the hours between the speakers and the praise and worship songs, led by an inspired musical group from Lakefield Baptist Church.

"You’re never too old to dream or have a dream in your life,” one organizer encouraged as she surveyed the 50+ women gathered in the inn’s meeting room.

As I looked around I saw ladies of all shapes, sizes, ages and denominations. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 80-something. There were Methodists, Mennonites and Baptists, to single out a few. They were svelte and pleasingly plump; they were happy and sorrowful; they were filled with the Holy Spirit. To a person, they were blessed by the Lord above.

We absorbed scripture that pointed to the need to help our fellow man.

In particular, the focus was on Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV) where Jesus explained the requirement of Christian charity. {Jesus said} 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “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.’

Did you know that women the world over heed Jesus Christ’s advice as they participate in Dorcas societies? Did you know that one of the original groups was established by Methodist women in 1824? Did you know that in the United States the need for this group of Christian women seamstresses grew out a cholera epidemic? 

Me neither.

Seems that since the disease was so contagious, when a person died or recovered from cholera, every stitch of clothing and every article of bed clothing was burned. Enter the Dorcas Society ladies, who replaced the necessities that were consumed in germ-obliterating flames. With cholera pretty much under check in the developed world, these industrious woman still work as seamstresses, providing clothing for the less fortunate among us.

After mastering so much biblical instruction, our collective minds needed a rest.

We were, unexpectedly, entertained by star sounds and whales singing praises to God!

Star sounds? Whales? Yep – check it out on YouTube by clicking here. Be sure to keep in mind as you watch that God made all of this; Psalm 33:6 (NIV) By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

Can you possibly imagine? It is, in a word, unfathomable!

If you took the time to watch and listen to the video, and you really should, you’ll know that Louie Giglio references Psalm 148 in his sermon about the multitude of songs eternally lifted up to God.

As I watched, I thought about the reason God is privy to all these celestial, and other, songs of praise. And I surmised - It's because he deserves it!

How else would the universe, and everything in it, celebrate its creator?

Then I thought about how we glorify God in praise and worship songs, many of which were sung at the retreat. And then I thought about the praise Psalms and decided to read the poetry of number 148.

Wow!

Why not take a few minutes yourself to read this human Psalm of praise to the Maker of Heaven and Earth?

{Hint - According to a former pastor of mine, the Psalms are best read in front of a roaring fire, sipping a glass of exquisite wine with your special someone, and soft music playing in the background.}

Psalm 148 (NIV)
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
    for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
    he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
    old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,
    the praise of all his faithful servants,
    of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

Praising Him is what it’s all about, folks.

Because…

Our God truly is an awesome God!

I could go on and on and on and on about this weekend, but enough for today. We’ll explore more of this past weekend’s It’s Tough Being a Woman – Dorcas the Seamstress Retreat later in the week.

In the meantime, my prayer for you is this –

May the Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 May the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
May the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.
AMEN!

Note: I’ve added a few more photographs from this weekend. More to come in the days ahead. Enjoy!

Today's prayer...

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
— Richard of Chichester

Do you know Dorcas? Part 2...

Working on this; plan to post more photographs and a wrap-up blog tomorrow. In the meantime, it's Sunday! Worship Him who provides for all.