Little Women

We pulled out the VHS of  "Little Women" Sunday and watched one more time.  What a family , Mom and sisters, and then of course they were complete when dad came home from the war. 

I would not have wanted to live during that age but because they lacked the modern conveniences they did not lack imagination.  Women of that day were serving under submission and taboo. Because of a few like Josephine and The author of the story; the plight of  women and people in general were improved and advanced because of their "gumption."  One out of the family was willing to break loose (sneakingly encouraged by her mothers affirmations). While the other would have been satisfied with the status quo.

So what's our problem.  We need more Josephine s..no we need you to...   okay, I need to step up and change a few paradigms as long as they are not contrary to God.   Lives will remain under siege by  the comments of "You'll never amount to anything", or "in this economy it's impossible".  You hear that talk in church, I can only imagine in the little house down the block.

Josephine's  face showed anger or sadness even disbelief when someone talked of "second class" women.  That kind of talk inspired her to be and do whatever she could, as in author a book. What angers you....okay what angers me enough to get ourselves off the couch and into the think tank and behind a desk, shovel or  podium, spreading the good word of what God said or what someone can do even though others say it can't be done.

If they say I'm an inadequate leader then I'm reading books on leadership etc.  If I'm asked to speak on a subject, I must study to know it well.  I'm not physically working to well but I can do some things and inspire someone, even point people to God.

You can learn from the stories of and from  many a man, but you can also learn a thing or two, from "Little Women."

Guilty!

If she was on trial by a jury of her peers, she would be found guilty of the occasional but mostly, premeditated acts of kindness. Many of these actions were well thought out and planned.  Many days of shopping for something she hoped was just right.  Hours spent cooking so someone that was sick or even to busy, would not have to.

She is guilty of consideration, putting others before herself.  She has aimed it towards me with her everyday life and a surprise dessert or meal or gift.  Loving God and others is her motive.

She in return has received gifts and cards of get well or thank you, from surprising sources; those that have been appreciative of her unselfishness.

She  experiences a second of self time, maybe because if you don't help yourself, no one else will.  Even with her unselfishness she often receives a request for another favor or a "what have you done for me lately."

She is guilty of sacrifice. Giving her time effort and other resources. She has given me her life and had to give more than what should be expected. Thank you!

She deserves mercy, love and appreciation. Her actions require the maximum. Life! with as much love as I can give. There's not enough space or time to say it all here.

But, I love you Linda.

Sound Bytes

Ministry is abundant, alive and well on social platforms... I will go "where the attention is."  It is a no brainer.
The sad thing is a number of us will use sound bytes and 2 minute videos sadly for our own glory.

We all minister through these venues. Quality is important but content of the heart is all important in order to supply content of God's word, to His praise.

Let's be honest, worshipping Him/sharing God's Word, in Spirit and Truth!

OPERATION: CHURCH HIJACK

 In today's church attendance roll call you'll find the; hypocrite, gossip, complainers, faithful, team member, the righteous. You can add to the list: prideful patriarch and the opportunist.  I know this is a negative look and we get enough of that but I believe we have to start at home.

 Acts 20: 27-31

In the world of dying churches and the work of revitalizing them, as well as churches planting the new futuristic contemporary plant, that brags "it's not like grandma's church" soon realizes it's still the same song and dance since the fall of man.

The pastor or planter arrives with a new vision and direction of evangelizing and service to the community looking  forward to those who according to Galations 5:22 exhibit; "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."

As they develop a core group,
the boa constrictors called patriarch and opportunist begins to squeeze the life out, hijacking the dream or vision of ministry God has given.

SAME OL' SONG AND DANCE

THE PRIDEFUL PATRIARCH is more concerned about meetings, votes and show of power. The prideful patriarch (God bless the humble patriarch) argues about "carpet color" and the cruise ship (church) than the ones drowning in the lost eternity they themselves had been rescued from.  In the Bible John writes in 3rd John about Diotrephes, vs.9 "who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not." The prideful patriarch says: "The church was full (or) we had a great park ministry when we played  the banjo and kazoo. Let's keep or go back to doing that." If they would look out the window or take a few steps down the street they would discover the kazoo lovers have moved away.  Soon the life, desire, maybe the pastor is departed.

 A STAR IS BORN !

THE OPPORTUNIST has to be seen, has to be on the platform, video screen "leading a class" and if they are not, they are gone.  The opportunist usually slithers into a small dying church or a new full of blood church plant.  Many times hijacking the direction and Godly vision of a Pastor or group, with their agenda, grieving the spirit of God. They dislike the vision and teaching of the leadership and attempt to spread their negative poison. There is also the wolf that will turn worship into a time of self promotion or a time of entertainment. Soon the life, desire, God's love and power is gone.

In these last days, many of the prideful patriarchs and the opportunists are soon exposed yet damage has been done. They move on to another ministry or church. While the prideful, complaining, venom filled, having to have a committee patriarch, arrives at your third pew/row. You then are shaking hands with the opportunist that can "be a blessing" and has the songs he wrote and the list of small group sessions he's led and is here to be a blessing to you,  because they "limited his creativity and anointed ability" at the last church.

 With the power and love of God let us pray for discernment to see this wolf in sheep's clothing, see life transformation, that they will be willing to submit and be a part, as well as follow God's divine vision for the church, wherever God has directed it.

It will take an empowered pastor and church, with a Divine vision, to disciple us all.  Jesus said: "I will build my Church." so... let's (you and I)  pray; not my will, but yours be done.

In Christ Alone!

Life without love
needs a touch from above.

Sad tears indicate no hope.
Arise! in Christ you can cope.

New heart realized
maniac civilized.
                                -Tim Flener

Summer Rain

The hot sun beating down making temperatures rise to headache levels, can bring havoc to some flowers and farms.  The absence of rain obviously will bring drought and death to life.

Gardens of flowers and vegetables have to be maintained.  Weeds are to be pulled out, stems occasionally need pruning. Many a gardener spends countless hours, working prior to sitting back to enjoy the fruit and beauty of their labor.

No difference in our Spiritual growth and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5/ Rom. 8). There are harmful beliefs, thoughts,  as well as behaviors, needing to be rid of.   The watering of the Holy Spirit is needed to clean, nourish the church and individual believer!

Roman5

Ephesians 3,4.

1 Corinthians 13.

Troubled

It's not always a process.  We don't have to take a class to see change.  The new mind and heart revival, can come at a time spent in prayer and standing on the promises of God's Word!  Jesus says, He is the Way, Truth and the Life.