I found this as I was surfing the other day and it went along with some things I've been praying through. It's the beginning of another new year and along with that come opportunities to re-evaluate your commitments and priorities. It's important to continually seek the Lord's direction when agreeing to fulfill another obligation or meet another need. I see so many busy women doling out their days to the highest emotional bidder without stopping to consult the Lord as to how He would have them walk out that same day. If you are a believer and your heart is to serve others, read through the list. Take a few quiet moments today to stop and ask the Lord about your commitments and how you are spending the time He has gifted to you. He may release you from something you have completed or were never intended to burden yourself with. Or, He may reveal to you another person or situation that needs your gifting and touch. Seek the Lord...
If you are doing it because no one else will, it’s a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
If you are doing it just well enough to get by, it’s a job.
If you are doing it to the best of your ability, it’s a ministry.
If you will do it only so long as it does not interfere
with other activities, it’s a job.
If you are committed to staying with it,
even when it means letting go
of other things, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it’s a job.
If you stay with it even when no one seems to notice, it’s a ministry.
If you do it because someone else said it needed to be done, it’s a job.
If you do it because you are convinced it needs to be done, it’s a ministry.
It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It is almost impossible NOT to get excited about a ministry.
People may say, “Well done,” when you do your job.
The Lord will say, “Well done!” when you complete your ministry.
An average church is filled with people doing jobs.
A great church is filled with people involved in ministry.
(Author Unknown)
Monday, January 7, 2008
Is it ministry or a job?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Leading Us Home
Ruthie was helping me set the table for breakfast this morning.
I love our new Sunday morning routine. We used to get up really early, race around the house to get ready for 8:30 worship, bark orders at the kids and occasionally each other, and toss a granola bar at each child in the back of the van. It was stressful and I usually spent half of worship giving over all the ugly words and thoughts I'd had that morning. Then, we'd have to apologize to each other and the kids after church. It was nice to have more of the day free, but we spent most of that extra time seeking forgiveness! We finally decided it was healthier to sleep in a bit and have a more relaxed morning and attend 11:00 AM worship. It was a hard sell for me, because I felt like we were wasting time, but after two weeks, I could see the fruit of a slower-paced Sunday morning.
Anyway, Ruthie was helping me set the table for the once-a-week breakfast we all eat together. She carried in the silverware and the cups of milk and juice; the vitamins and the napkins. As I filled each plate with banana bread, fruit and steaming hot scrambled eggs, she would carefully carry it to the place I directed...Olivia...Ruthie...Emma...and so on. When it came to Charlie's plate I said, "And for our leader." Ruthie gave me a funny look and said her new favorite word, "Huh?!" I explained, "Daddy is the leader of our home." She gave me a funny look and then carried the plate to his spot at the head of the table.
A little later in the day, I saw her carrying two antique suitcases into her room.
"Ruthie, babe, what are you doing?"
"Packing."
"Hmmm. Where are you going?"
"With Daddy."
"Where is Daddy going?"
"Home."
Thinking...
"Honey, we're already home."
"No we aren't."
"We're not?"
"Nope."
"Where is home?"
"Heaven, silly. With Jesus."
"Ohhhh. So, why are you packing to go to heaven?"
"Well, Daddy is leading us home, so I think we might need to take some things for the trip. I want to help!"
"What?"
"You know, like you said this morning, 'Daddy is leading us home.' I told my Sunday School teacher Daddy was taking us on a trip to heaven and I needed to go home and pack my suitcases."
(Mental note to self: Call the Sunday School teacher as soon as this conversation is over!)
"That's very thoughtful, sweetheart. I think, though, we need to talk about this trip..."
Thank You, Lord, that you have a place ready for us, prepared for us to worship You and exalt You. Thank You for sweet Ruthie, who was ready and willing to follow her earthly dad to the place where our Eternal Dad is and will always be. Thanks for using her to remind me that this world is not my home, but rather, a place to learn and grow and wait for You to come for me or call me Home. Thank You for giving me a husband who is following You as You lead us onward and homeward. Thank You...In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Olivia's Chocolate Chip Cookies
I know I've been sharing some recipes lately. It occurred to me recently that God has blessed me with a talent for cooking and that He has afforded me several opportunities to bless others with the comfort of good food. We've probably had hundreds of people in our home, around our table, sharing in fellowship over a meal or dessert. Many of you also have this gifting and calling to minister, so I want to pass along the blessings of great recipes, when possible.
This is my chocolate chip cookie recipe. My little Olivia helped me come up with the secret ingredient, by accident. I asked her to find the corn flakes for another cookie recipe I own and we were all out. She handed me the Rice Krispies box and I thought, "Why not?" They were delicious and I've tweaked that same so-so recipe into a fantastic recipe. Take it, bake some and enjoy!
Olivia's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields: 5-6 dozen, 2" cookies
1 C butter, softened
1 C sugar
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1 C brown sugar
1 Tbsp. milk
1/4 vegetable or canola oil
3 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 C flour
2 C oats
1 C Rice Krispies
12 oz. chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, combine baking soda, salt and flour. Set aside. In a stand mixer, cream together butter, cream cheese and white sugar about 2 minutes, scraping bowl as needed. Add brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk. When mixed thoroughly, add vegetable oil and flour mixture. Mix thoroughly. Add oats and stir to combine. Add Rice Krispies and stir to combine. Add chocolate chips and stir to combine. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool on sheets of aluminum foil. Store in airtight container. Be prepared to devour several in one sitting! Enjoy!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Help With Your New Year Bible Reading...
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Five Little Loaves...
Not Four...
Okay, so I didn't get the photo done before my family devoured almost all of loaf #5, but what remains of it is there. Who can resist fresh-from-the-oven banana pecan bread?!?!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Things I Cannot Blog About...
Writing, for me, is an act of obedience, an act of worship. An offering to the One who is always at work in my heart, in my mind, in my life. A stumbling, bumbling effort by me, imperfect, to reveal the perfection He is and the perfecting He is doing. It is my awkward way of trying to capture His movement, like still photos--blurry and out of focus, to be sure--but, glimpses into the awesome; the glorious.
But, there are things I cannot write about that He is working in me. Words that I can only exchange with the One who first formed the words on my tongue. Emotions that erupt uncontrollably in my heart, spewing their hot ash into the atmosphere of my home. Thoughts that flash without warning, like lightning lighting the night sky and exposing bare what should be left to the secret covering of darkness. Experiences that are uniquely my own, but put into words, would devastate another, betray a confidence, serve to stumble one who is not yet led by Light, sentence another to judgment by all. There are things I cannot--must not--put into written word, even in secret. This, too, is an act of obedience, an act of worship. It is God working in me Love's control over my heart, disciplining me in His ways for me. Not a universal for all, but non-negotiable for me. It is born out of desire to please the One who gave Himself in love for me to make me free from the tyranny of sin and self. Out of the desire to be moved from philos to Agape...
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:4-8a (emphasis mine)
Lord, make me like You. In whatever manner You choose, transform me into Your image. Allow me to please You in all I do. Make my heart pure and clean. Keep a guard about my words and my mouth. Thank You for loving all of me...In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Top Ten Tuesdays--Favorite Posts of 2007
Ann of More Questions Than Answers had a great idea...listing your top ten favorite posts of 2007 for Top Ten Tuesdays. Here goes!
10. The Best Gift of All
9. I Am The Dog
8. Resurrection!
7. My Man The Bat Warrior
6. Clothed In Righteousness
5. Praying For Poop
4. What Happened To Her?
3. A Girl and Her Dog
2. Unbroken
1. Eating An Apple With A Spoon
Gosh, was that hard! But, such a great exercise! I can see so clearly the ways God has grown me over the last year, and the many ways I continue to need His intervention...Blessings to you in 2008!
