THE POWER OF A GODLY MARRIAGE

I felt the Lord prompting me to write about marriage today. It seems that we take this sacrament so lightly. Yet it actually is a sacred vow and a pillar of society. The Bible describes unity as an incredibly powerful force. Psalm 133 reminds us that where there is unity the Lord commands the blessing. The Lord had to actually scatter and disperse the humanistic people at the Tower of Babel and to confuse their language. God saw that if this self aggrandizing community continued to work in unity, there is nothing they could not accomplish. Their efforts, unfortunately were leading them away from God.

A Christian couple who are operating in love and unity are a mighty weapon for the advancement of God's Kingdom. They will be able to raise Godly children who will also further God's righteous cause in the earth. It has been said, that the best thing a husband can do for his children is to love his wife. When Mother Teresa was asked “What can I do to promote world peace?” she replied, “Go home and love your family.”

As women, one of the simplest yet most effective ways to contribute to and build our marriages is to pray for our husbands. As we commit daily to pray for our spouses, we will see positive changes and growth. Bible promise books and books with specific prayers for husbands and fathers are plentiful now. We can pray scriptures over our mates and be amazed at how God works. Once we start praying for someone, it seems to nuture our love for them. God begins to show us their needs and vulnerabilities. We see them through the eyes of the Divine and begin to appreciate their admirable qualities. The Lord shows us how to better relate to them and miracles really do transpire. Transforming a marriage relationship from shakiness to stability or from goodness to greatness begins on our knees. It is a small sacrifice which yields tremendous rewards.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more 

than all we ask or imagine, according to his power 

that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church 

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 

for ever and eve! Amen.” 

Ephesians 3:20-21

By Cathy Friberg

Hoarding or Sharing

9/23/13

Which Side of the Revolution are You On?

The series that our pastor is doing this month is calling for a revolution.  It has made me squirm at time, as it seems to be pointing directly at me.  Those really are the best sermons; as they spark my desire to grow in Christ and find my true purpose in this life.  I know in my head that we are meant to draw others to The Lord; but have been conditioned to believe that the actual work is meant for those who serve in vocational ministry; not for us “regular folk”.  We may tell ourselves that we just need to learn how to become better versions of who we are today. 

But Jesus called each one of us to follow Him.  He drew thousands to Himself; accepting the betrayal that would change the world though His suffering and miraculous resurrection.  Knowing this, I should be able to lead at least one or two people to salvation, shouldn’t I?

I can be a good person, attend church regularly, physically serve in ministry, do all of the work in the latest Bible study, and still be lacking.  We can be full of faith-trivia, but still unable to grow, because we are afraid to, “pour out” what we know; in case we are left with nothing for ourselves.  But if we do not share with those around us, the work that others have done to pour into us will become stagnant and useless.  We need to keep the flow of the Holy Spirit running through us, fulfilling Jesus’ call for us to go out into the world with His Good News.

Holding your knowledge of the Lord inside of your own head and heart is the worst kind of hoarding.  It is no different from the people who become prisoners of the stuff that fills up their homes; making it impossible for them to receive what they really need to live as they should.

Not sharing our faith is the opposite of finding our purpose.  It’s as if you found your dream job, with a salary that was beyond your greatest expectations.  Payday comes and you receive a check with more zeros than you can count.  You hurry home and sit at the table, looking at this wonderful piece of paper.  It is so wonderful; you cannot imagine taking it to the bank to deposit.  You just want to look at this check, daydreaming about all of the things you can do with the money.  Fabulous trips to exotic places, where you can meet people from other cultures; a bigger home, where you can have lavish parties, entertaining your friends; and giving your family their hearts desire.

But you cannot bring yourself to cash or deposit the check, so you cannot spend your earnings.  Eventually, you can only read the numbers on the paper in your hand during the day, because your electricity is cut off.  You cannot eat, because you will not buy food.   Eventually, you starve because you held on to the one thing that could have enriched you and so many others.

How much richer is the one who uses their earnings to make deposits; spends when required and gives freely when asked?  What may seem like a sacrifice today, can become the one thing that causes blessings to abound in your own life.   The sacrifices made but not acknowledged or seen by the people around us will surely increase our joy in heaven.

Father God, Thank You for filling me to overflowing and pressing Your words through me, so they flow from my lips in spite my immature thoughts. Please continue to use me when and where and how you choose.  I am not always comfortable with the way You challenge me, but I love You for wanting me to become the woman who You will call home one day. I praise and thank You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering 

on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, 

I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 

So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”  

Philippians 2 17-18

Written by
Lynda Kinnard

Winnowing

9/11/13

When I read the assignment for my writing class to write about sentimental value, I heard the words, “Oh No!” leapfrog out of my mouth. I don’t want to write about something I have been experiencing for over a year now. 

During the last sixteen months I have attempted to build up the courage to spend time each week going through my husband’s study making  decisions about  what to do with his belongings.

A room filled with drawers and drawers of:  papers, notes, programs, articles, maps, receipts, ticket stubs, and a hundred other different types of paper he chose to save,  to keep. The walls of his study are covered with memorabilia and several bookshelves are laden with  printed words manifesting Ed’s interests, philosophies, and his love of travel.

I have had a year of opening drawers, files, boxes, envelopes, which all shout out, “Ed is gone so  YOU are the one to make the hundreds of decisions about what to keep, what to give away, and what to just toss.” As I sort through the hundreds of small treasures he  kept,  a full orchestra of emotions begins playing inside my head and heart challenging me to keep to the necessary task of decision-making.

I am reminded to put the brass bra on, as they say, and call upon my pragmatic side appearing on stage  with the job of encouraging me to stay the course. I think of the word, “winnow” – the delicate art of removing the wheat from the chaff – to scatter or to sift out.    

I am always thinking to myself, will I make the right decisions about all of this sifting?  Will I discard something I will later regret?

The horrific job of going through a loved one’s things after they die is like scraping open a  wound  over and over again,  reminding  you that the healing process isn’t over and you still have pain. Oh yes, I have received  many well meant sympathy cards telling me  that  to remember  is to have loved – to be thankful for good memories, but all the well-worn rhetoric doesn’t quell the loss or loneliness I feel each day and night.

But, back to the assignment of what I treasure and what someone else will probably just toss after I die. The handwritten notes on bits of paper, and the cards I received from Eddie over the thirty-two years we were married are sentimental to me, and I will keep forever because I treasure them.

They are mine.

They are love.

They are mine.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, 

and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. 

He will gather his wheat into the barn,

 but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." 

Matthew 3:12 

Written by

Connie Clark

"DEVOTION IS MORE THAN A PRAYER"

9/3.13                                      

Today I'd like to share a story from a delightful book which my son gave to me called "What My cat taught me About Life (Meditations for Cat Lovers)" by Niki Anderson. I hope you enjoy it.

  

                                                            THOMAS

Thomas was surnamed "the church cat." He lived with the Williams family, next door to a small community church. The Williams worshipped at the family church across town, but Thomas chose the congregation within walking distance. He Kept no calendar, yet never failed to be present and on time for both Sunday School and church services every Sabbath.

Thomas wanted to serve, but he didn't know where he fit. The Williams had never dubbed him a talker, so he concluded he would not be the best volunteer for teaching Sunday School. Since he was not gainfully employed, he was not able to contribute to the collection. Thomas could have offered his pest control services but he declined, choosing to honor the church mice who enjoyed their sanctuary in the church crawl space.

The ministry Thomas decided upon came quite naturally. He noticed that each parishioner appreciated his greetings along the walkway leading to the stained glass doors. Their smiles, strokes, and responses of "Good morning, Kitty" assured Thomas he had found a place to serve. Hospitality was a skill he had learned already. At home he greeted all callers with a welcome rub and a high tailed escort to his front door. Greeting was something he did well, so he offered it to God.

"One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

~~~~ Albert Schweitzer

Shared by Cathy Friberg

Thomas was a great example of faithfulness and of being Spirit Led. We may feel that our talents and contributions are small, however, only God knows the impact our service will have on the lives of others.

St. Therese, a Carmelite nun in France in the 1800's embraced a philosophy called "The Little Way." She encouraged people to manifest their love for God by committing fervently to simple every day tasks and by humbly serving those we meet in our everyday lives. What a refreshing and inspiring concept amidst our complex,indulgent, and self seeking modern day secular society.

By Cathy Friberg

Seven Wonders of the World

A group of Geography students studied the Seven Wonders of the World.

At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes: 

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids,
2. Taj Mahal,
3. Grand Canyon,
4. Panama Canal,
5. Empire State Building,
6. St. Peter's Basilica,
7. China's Great Wall. 

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." 
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." 

       The girl hesitated, then read, "I think          the Seven Wonders of the World are: 

1. to touch

2. to taste
3. to see
4. to hear 

       She hesitated a little, and then,

5. to run
6. to laugh
7. and to love. 

It is far too easy for us to look at the exploits of man and refer to them as "wonders" while we overlook all that God has done, regarding them as merely "ordinary." 

May you be reminded today of those things which are truly wondrous.

Shared by 

Corinne Mustafa

A Gift from God

“A Gift From God”

I have to wait just a few minutes for it to be light enough for ma e to put my boat into the water. I stand on the small dock all ready to begin my early morning row. As I look out across the lake, I feel  like a young child all set for an exciting adventure.  I find myself taking in a deep breath trying to  capture as much of the delicious quiet and beauty as I can. 

The water is so smooth, so still that when a fish jumps out and does a quick exquisite ballet, the water ripples, and I can hear the small splash.  I put both oars in my left hand, gently step into my boat, sit down, and then slip my feet under the Velcro straps.  I lean over just a little to push away from the dock, and then dip my oars in and begin to (skull) row.  I know that my first few strokes will be a bit uneven, but within a few minutes the rhythm and touch returns, and my long oars are making full efficient strokes enabling me to glide over the water and watch the dock disappear.

I named my boat, a 23 foot Shell, “Olivette.”   I have her name in large, bright red letters on the bow . Olivette was a woman I met through my church and our Prayer Shawl Ministry. Some of you may know of this wonderful ministry, but if you don’t, I invite you to check out a web site, www.shawlministry.com.  We knit or crochet prayer shawls that are given not only to people who are going through some type of loss, illness, transition, but also at times of celebration.  We usually have around ten to fifteen women who meet each month at our church, and there are several other women who may not attend our meetings, but contribute handmade shawls for this valuable ministry.

At the monthly gatherings, we have the opportunity to learn from each other as we share patterns, yarn, stories, and of course laughter and even tears.  We begin our meetings with the lighting of a small candle and a prayer.  Later during our meeting we drape the completed shawls we each have brought in, and often some unfinished shawls, over a stand.  We gather around the shawls with each of us placing one hand on a shawl, and our other hand on someone’s shoulder, as we say a prayer together.  Before a shawl is given to someone, we include a prayer tucked inside.

One prayer, I especially like is:

May God’s grace be upon this shawl…warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing.

May this mantle be a safe haven...
a sacred place of security and well-being,     
sustaining and embracing in good times as well
as difficult ones.

May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love.     

                              Blessed be!                                      

                                                                    Author:  Janet Bristow             
                                                                                    2008 All rights reserved.

I so value this display of faith and friendship. I believe that it is a visible sign of what God’s love and caring is all about.  To me, it is an example of “Faith in Action.”  While I work on a prayer shawl, even though I am not a master knitter, I feel good, content, and centered as I knit and pray.  I feel fortunate to be a small part of a group that is serving and sharing. 

My friend, Olivette, crocheted, and we teased her that she was the most prolific of our group as she would bring in at least five shawls she had made during the month.  She would reply in her zesty voice telling us that, being in her 90s, she had more time to sit and crochet than most of us.  I had the privilege of interviewing Olivette about her life.  Our group wanted to have her story be part of the contents we were planning for our women’s time capsule at the church.  I didn’t know Olivette very well before the several weeks I spent with her obtaining information about her life history.  After we had completed her story, I continued my visits with her.  She allowed me to bring her new yarn, and I marveled at the beautiful shawls she made.  Olivette was a kind and attentive listener.   I always felt she took in every word I said, and that she cared. 

She was an unexpected gift to me for the few years I knew her before she died.  A surprise gift from God, Olivette was an outstanding woman who had a wonderful sense of humor, a deep value of  learning,  and  continued giving to others until the day she died at 93 years of age.

I was given one of Olivette’s shawls, and it is one of my favorite possessions.  One day when I was talking with Olivette, I brought up the subject of my wanting to get my own boat, but thought I might be a bit too old to move forward with this wish.  She looked at me, paused, and then said, “Connie, get your boat.”

As I row my boat I find myself always saying out loud, “Good morning, Olivette, let’s go have some fun.”

Yes, friendships and being out in God’s beautiful world is like being cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace and wrapped in love.

Blessings,
Connie I. Clark

THE RACE IS NOT ALWAYS TO THE SWIFT”

  

My husband and I attended a San Jose Giants baseball game last week. Its always an exciting time. While I'm not an avid sports fan per se, I do love the atmosphere and general experience of attending a game once or twice during the summer months. Being outdoors on a warm evening, singing the National Anthem and “Take Me out to the Ball Game,” hearing the “crack of the baseball bats, ” and the roar of the cheering crowds, all make for a fun and refreshing event.

We always request seats right behind the baseball scouts. They sit up close to the playing field facing home plate. Scouts use velocity speed guns to track the speed at which a ball is pitched. They also look for clean and smooth deliveries, aggressiveness, and control when sizing up pitchers. Catchers, fielders, and hitters are judged by other attributes. One quality which is a must for all players is a passion for the game.

As I was watching the scouts I was reminded that the Lord is also observing us, seeing our potential, and thinking of ways in which He can use us in His Kingdom. While professional scouts are competitive in their mindset, our Lord is always gracious, loving, and understanding. He many times chooses those people who are considered weak by the world's standards, and turns them into his greatest team players. Many of the disciples, for instance, were lowly, unrefined, and obscure among their countrymen.

However, Jesus, looks not at the outward man but rather on the the heart

The apostle Paul was actually on the wrong team, persecuting the Lord and his people, when God touched and recruited him. Although deceived and misguided, Paul was passionate and zealous for that which he believed to be true. The Lord discerned Paul's fervor and knew what he would accomplish for the Kingdom once he “saw the light.”

God is not necessarily searching for the most talented or gifted, but rather for those believers who have humble, compassionate, and willing hearts. He will use those who seek Him, love Him, and have a heart to serve.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. 

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

1 Samuel 16:7 

(NIV)

“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen 

those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 

2 Chronicles 16:9 

(NLT)

By Cathy Friberg