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!

Do you know Dorcas?

Truly the Lord is in this place!

Which is exactly how I felt as I participated in the first day of the “It’s Tough Being a Woman” annual retreat in Escanaba.

This year’s Christian get-together focused on Dorcas, aka Tabitha, the seamstress. Although little is known of this follower of Jesus Christ, only six biblical verses are dedicated to her existence, enough was gleaned by the retreat’s organizers to focus an entire weekend event around this dedicated woman of God.

The story of Dorcas is a saga of faith in a Savior, faith that was enriched by good works in His precious name. Dorcas cared for those in her hometown of Joppa by providing clothing to those in need. When she died, which is the account told in book of Acts, she was mourned by many. Her dedication and her reputation was such that when she passed away, Peter, one of Jesus’s original 12 disciples, was called to her side.

Through the Lord's mercy, Peter raised Dorcas from the dead! Can you imagine? Can you envision a scenario more miraculous than being restored to life by a disciple of the Risen Lord? Can you grasp the significance of this seemingly impossible occurrence?

Quickly, here’s the Bible passage about our weekend’s guest star – Acts 9:36-41 (NIV) 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.

Although we may never be raised from the dead by God, we can find eternal life by believing in His Son Jesus Christ. It’s a fact, and it’s promised over and over again in the New Testament as witnessed by this passage from the disciple whom Jesus loved – 1 John 5:11-12 (NIV) 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Don’t forget that God will forgive our transgressions and purify us from our sin too. And, it’s all because he is faithful as John wrote in 1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

How simple is that? Believe, confess, enjoy life in Him. It’s a no-brainer in my estimation.

Besides, just think of all the fun you could be having as a true follower of Jesus. Check out the photographs attached to this blog to get a tiny taste of Christian interaction that, so far this weekend, has included pedicures, manicures, door prizes, scarf sewing and card making, not to mention praise and worship singing, special speakers, good food and much, much more.

Well, I see it’s getting late, 11:44 p.m. to be exact, and 6 a.m. comes pretty early. So good night, and may God bless each and every one of you. Amen.