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| 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.
