'Unintentional' ministry

I think I should be more open to being used in 'unintentional' ministry, and I should seek to live for God in more common, mundane, everyday ways...

Anyway, here's something I wrote on a friend's xanga:

"It's interesting that you mention being out of 'intentional' ministry...yes, ministry can be 'unintentional' on our part, but 'intentional' on God's, huh...it's interesting how you say you don't want to do 'actions' to fill time and make yourself feel good...I think I often enjoy doing certain things, but perhaps I should question why, or be more open to 'unintentional ministry' [...] "

Aging

This is a picture of my grandma and I on Christmas Day of this year. I cropped me out because I don't want to post a picture of me on this. While I like this picture of us, she looks a bit sad and contemplative. I think she mentioned something to the extent that she's sad because she's aging. And she may have mentioned it after this picture was taken. Was she thinking about aging at the time of the snapping of the picture?

Sad...

What does it feel like to be an elderly person? Or a non-elderly person who is conscious of a terminal illness? What is it like to be conscious of the brevity of life? What's the perspective?

God please teach me to number my days.

From the Sara Groves website - the lyrics to "What Do I Know":

"I have a friend who just turned eighty-eight and she just shared with me that she's afraid of dying. I sit here years from her experience and try to bring her comfort. I try to bring her comfort, . But what do I know? What do I know? . She grew up singing about the glory land, and she would testify how Jesus changed her life. It was easy to have faith when she was thirty-four, but now her friends are dying, and death is at her door. . Oh, and what do I know? Really, what do I know? . Chorus: I don't know that there are harps in heaven, Or the process for earning your wings. I don't know of bright lights at the ends of tunnels, Or any of those things. . She lost her husband after sixty years, and as he slipped away she still had things to say. Death can be so inconvenient. You try to live and love. It comes and interrupts. . And what do I know? What do I know? . Chorus . But I know to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord, and from what I know of him, that must be pretty good. Oh, I know to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord, and from what I know of him, that must be very good."

Character

"Character is who you are when no one but God is looking" (Andy Dukes)

"Everyday Miracles"

from: http://www.saragroves.com/lyrics/pastthewishing/everydaymiracles.asp :

Everyday Miracles
by Sara Groves

It's the everyday miracles that keep my hope alive
It's the way You move in little things that help me survive
And I know You move in greater ways
But this is great enough for me
What You do with my everyday is amazing

The things that seem impossible, I lay down at Your feet
And just when I am needing most You are there for me
And I know you've made the lame to walk
And caused the blind to see
But what You do with my everyday is amazing

When I'm down on my knees
And I can't make it through
When it's up to me
It's really up to You

"Adding to the beauty..."

from: http://www.saragroves.com/about.asp :

"Adding to the beauty is for all of us: homemakers, businessmen, clergy, car dealers, bowling alley attendants… in the everydayness of the kingdom we are invited to be brilliantly beautiful, all of us moons with no light of our own, invited to shine."

A role model

On the front page of a local newspaper is a big article called "Each Day is a Gift" -- and above the pictures, in italics are the words "For a former pastor turning 100, faith has been an unfailing guide"...on the back page of the section, the article continues, and in big font are the words " 'I know the Bible has the answer' "...wow. Granted, it's a LOCAL paper -- but still...isn't that neat? There's a huge picture of the man and his family members on the front page. Anyway...here are some quotes from this article:

"He chuckles easily as he delights in the word of God. 'Stop and relish it, like a good piece of candy,' he tells his Bible study class. They nod and smile along with him. 'I believe the word of God is wonderful to use every day of your life.'"

"Larson has diligently memorized verse after verse through the years. 'I have been preaching the gospel for over 74 years. I have dedicated my life to this book,' he said, patting an open page in his King James version of the Bible."

" 'Now, almost inevitably, people talk to me with a question or concern, and I have trouble keeping from preaching,' he said. 'I know the Bible has the answer. 'I'm just full of the Bible.'"

" 'He's got a certain peace about him,' Munroe said. 'He's got such a reservoir of God's word that he's built for himself. He's a walking, talking Bible.'"

Wow. What a compliment!!

Dear God, please use this article to get people thinking about you. Please use this article to draw people close to you. Thank you ~~

Inspirational Impact

I went on a retreat last month, and got a ticket on the way home - for speeding and following too closely. I don't think I was incredibly close, but it's possible I could have been less than 3 seconds behind the car in front of me. Anyway, at first when the officer talked to me, I was fine, then, he went back to his car...and came back, and showed me a ticket - for one handsome sum. It was a sad shock at first, yes...but later in my car we had some fun with it -- like to pretend it was to count for all the times I sped in the past, a donation to the city, or whatever... it was really nice that they were able to help lighten the situation.

And then...in the mail I got a card along with an incredibly generous check -- to help cover the bulk of the cost of the ticket! Wow. That was quite amazing. And then later on I was given yet another check to cover the remainder of the cost of the ticket. I didn't end up having to pay any of it! *WOW* Even though I was the one to blame, other people (who went on the retreat) pitched in to help me. Their generosity is certainly an undeserved inspiration!! I will not forget this ...It's quite amazing.

The groups' Bible studies were studying Galatians this quarter. I don't think my Bible study has gotten to the following verse yet, but I think it is one that this generous gesture of kindness illustrates:

Gal. 6:10b - "...let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Also, it reminds me of how as believers don't get what we deserve (salvation), and with this situation too, I got something I didn't deserve....