Be Filled

John 4:13-14 NRSV

“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.””

Go back and read verses 7-30. There are some things we do over and over because we must, in order to live. We drink water, we eat, and as my son, Marq, will say, “it’s what and how we eat.” But today I say that where we get our nourishment. 

There is something about going to God and receiving. Not going to God to receive something in particular, but to receive what he has for us at that moment. And yes, we go over and over again- to go deeper and more profound in what he shows us, in how he grows us. He fills a thirst that society cannot quench. 

And from that our actions show that we have been filled. Oh we don’t do it for that- but we do it because he offers a new filling over and over again, which rejuvenates, restores, resurrects, transforming us more and more into who we really are in him. enough for now.

Growing

Proverbs 27:17 (NRSV)

“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.” 

Another proverb. I suggest that you find one that you can hold on to and go with it. I think we have lived in this proverb since a child. Our parents, aunts, uncles, neighbors were always giving tidbits of wisdom for life. Quite a bit I held on to and passed on. And you- you are learning and growing and will pass on. 

Yes, there are times that you have shared with me what you have learned - that’s what it about. It’s sharpening one another. 

Momma and Daddy used to say: “Leap from our shoulders.” We did, and our children have.

Yesterday a friend shared something: “The things I have not done are the things I have not tried to do.”

And one more from Doc to me long ago: “Don’t let anybody out you you.”

We strengthen one another. enough for now

Be Your Best Self

Proverbs 27:19 NRSV

“Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another.”

There is an exact corresponding between the inner self and the outer self. If you have integrity inside, you will have integrity outside. Unfortunately many people try to show a false self not realizing that the true self will come through to others. And so they end up only fooling themselves.

Two thoughts:

One should learn how to read people in order to learn who to trust. There is a saying, “when someone tells you who they through their actions, believe them.” 

And 

One should always be in touch with self through God in order to be the best self that God has intended. That’s being more contemplative. enough for now.

Hang On

Matthew 15:21-28 NRSV 

“Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”

Look at the way this woman held on to what she needed from Jesus. Her daughter was tormented, and she knew she couldn’t help her. Although she was Canaanite, she went to Jesus. Although the Jewish people called them dogs,she went to Jesus. 

This woman did not let anything stop her from getting help for her daughter. That’s love. To know when to get to someone outside of you to get the help you need. Jesus saw her great faith and her daughter was healed. The key is faith. We must have that faith that does not stop us when others try to derail us. Faith in what God will do. 

Happy Mother’s Day! enough for now.

Go Fishing

Luke 5:4 NRSV

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.””

This was Simon’s call into ministry. It is our call to further advance the kingdom. We are to go deeper, try more. We advance the kingdom by our walk much more than our talk. Our actions point others to what we know about the awesomeness of God. 

Let him show you- even if it’s a smile, a hug, a conversation, we move as he shows us. We don’t know who needs something that simple. Let go fishing - shall we?  enough for now.