"The sheep listen to [the Shepherd's] voice and heed it, and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out." (John 10:3, The Amplified Bible)
Don't ever be so afraid of making a mistake you miss out on the joy of acting on the voice of the Lord. Instead, trust the leadership of the Holy Spirit and let Him show you how. He'll begin by speaking to you about the little things in your life, and as you grow accustomed to hearing and obeying, He'll speak to you about weightier things.
That's how it happened with Gloria and me. When we first accepted Jesus as Lord, we didn't have any idea how to hear God. Our spirits weren't yet trained to distinguish His leading. But since the Bible promised we could do it, we began to approach our prayer time and Bible study time expecting to hear God's direction and He began to give it.
Showing posts with label Little Things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Things. Show all posts
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Saturday, 11 August 2012
The Expanse of Redemption
Zechariah 14:20–21
The book of Zechariah ends with a remarkable statement about the expanse of redemption (see Zec 14:21). Above and beyond God’s ownership as Creator stands his ownership as the Re-creator who extends redemption “far as the curse is found.”
God cares even for the little things that were spoiled by the fall, and he wants to restore it all. By affirming God’s redemptive interest in minuscule details like cooking pots, Zechariah reveals the enormity of God’s victory. Not only has Christ’s finished work secured salvation for sinners; it also has cleansed every nook and cranny of creation from sin’s decay.
But the last day—the culmination of God’s ultimate re-creation—isn’t here yet, we may argue. From the very moment of our conception, we’ve been living in eternity. Granted, the best is yet to come, but the here and now already is replete with foretastes. The trouble is, we’re eternal beings with a finite mentality, and we tend at times to get confused.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Five Lessons I Learned From 18 Years Of Marriage
My husband, Rael, and I have just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. I’m pretty sentimental about a lot of things, but anniversaries aren’t one of them. Ours are usually simple occasions: maybe a card and a nice dinner out and a few jokes about buying matching walkers.
Somehow, this year felt different.
This year, I felt like we had scaled something…like we had survived something…like we had accomplished something. This year wasn’t just another 365 days gone by and “isn’t that nice,” it was a year to be grateful. A year to be proud.
This was the year my son regained his confidence and his smile. The year we lived the grand experiment of home schooling. The year my daughter grew strong. The year we “cleaned house” in many more ways than one.
So, in honor of our 18th year, I humbly offer five things I’ve learned so far about marriage.
1. A strong marriage is built of tiny actions.
“It’s the little things.” Such a cliche! Such bad sentence construction! And such truth.
Each time you discuss instead of demand, you strengthen your marriage. Same goes for speaking with respect instead of sarcasm, and listening instead of dismissing, and engaging instead of eye-rolling.
Each action is like a brick. You choose whether to use it to build a foundation or a wall.
2. But don’t forget the grand gesture.
Buying flowers or surprising your spouse with a vacation, an iPad, or a day off from dishwashing won’t make your marriage. But it will cause your partner to snap out of the day-to-day routine and take notice. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get the ball rolling in a very pleasant direction.
3. Never underestimate the importance of a good laugh.
Sometimes life as a grownup can be hard, boring, and downright drudgery. Another cliche fits here: “If I didn’t laugh, I’d probably cry.” So laugh. A lot.
What do you both find funny? Comedies? Jon Stewart? Silly t-shirts? Private jokes? Sneezing pandas? Write a “funny” list, then commit yourself to experiencing at least one of these things together every day. You’ll thank me.
4. All good marriages have a supporting cast.
There’s an odd fallacy about marriage (middle-class, American marriage, perhaps) that it should somehow stand on its own. If two people love each other, have shared values, a little chemistry, a decent job, maybe a kid or two…that they should be able to figure it out. That a good marriage can withstand life’s slings and arrows, if not unscathed, then at least intact.
Guess what? Life’s a lot bigger than two people. Sooner or later, a sneaker wave will knock you down, and you’ll need a hand to find your balance again. Perhaps it will be something small, like a messy house or a bad habit. Or something big: job loss, a health crisis. It may be something good: starting a new business, or winning the lottery. Or something bad: a death in the family, or an affair.
Whatever it is, there are people who can help.
Everyone’s supporting cast looks different. Some include a housecleaner or a babysitter. Others include a marriage counselor or a psychiatrist. Some need a financial advisor. Some just need their extended family or their friends. But everyone needs someone.
5. Treat your spouse as you hope your children will treat theirs.
Little eyes are watching. Little ears are listening. And little minds and hearts are learning about partnership and marriage from your example.
I say this not to promote guilt, paranoia or dishonesty. The worst thing we could do is to project a facade of shiny perfection to our kids. They’re smarter than that, and such playacting hurts and confuses them.
But it’s worth remembering that kids really do follow our lead, and we owe it to them to be mindful about what we’re teaching. And we owe it to ourselves to dig deep for the good stuff. We’re worth it.
I’d love to hear your pithy marriage wisdom. What have you learned so far?
asha dornfest
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Your Deeds Do Make A Difference!
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
“Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18 NIV). Wow! What a command! How often do we forget to back up our feelings with good, old-fashioned action? How often do we fail to show Christ’s love to others through our behavior? I am talking specifically about caring for one another’s needs.
This reminds me of the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” I always thought this meant, “Don’t do things to others that you yourself would not like done to you.” But it doesn’t say, “Don’t do.” It does say, “Do.” And that means we should actually do for others what we would like people to do for us.
More and more, I find that it isn’t all that hard to serve another. Service can be many things: from small actions like a kind word or an encouraging hug, to larger ones such as listening to another’s problems or helping with a task. Whether small or large, our actions will make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Have you ever watched the face of a person when you do something for them that is completely unexpected? It’s great! Do you know what else is great? It’s contagious! One good deed encourages others to do good deeds too. Sometimes a simple hug can totally change a person’s day! I know because it has happened to me, and I’m sure you can remember when it has happened to you.
The Bible says that we are to “serve one another in love.” Then it says that this command must be our law: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal. 5:13-14). It is no mistake that “the fruit of the Spirit” within us is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). These are the things that are to be displayed through our actions, and what a difference they make!
The Bible also says that we are to “serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.“ (Eph. 6:7). Whatever we do for another, we are doing for our Lord. And believe me, He notices - no matter how small a thing we do. Why? Because “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Eph. 2:10).
Think of it: we are actually created to do good works! Praise the Lord! We are not alone in our walk with Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and it’s a remarkable privilege to have such a loving family! God has given each of us special talents, gifts, and interests, so we can serve Him. What better way than to minister to the needs of others?
This reminds me of Tabitha (or Dorcas) in Acts 9:36-42. Though she was a woman of no special status, she was well known and loved for serving the poor and the widows by making them clothes. She used her God-given talent for His glory. What a difference we could make if we did the same!
Let me give you a simple example from my own life: an elderly Christian man in our church, my “adopted grandpa” I called him, took an interest in me since I was a child. He showed me how to work with wood, how he built things, told me stories and gave me a hug every Sunday at church for nearly 28 years. A hug is a really simple thing, but his had a great impact on my life. Who knows how different I might be were it not for his ongoing expression of love to me?
Our deeds do touch lives. They will be the things that people remember about us, and they might even lead others to Christ. We may never have the opportunity to be missionaries, but we can all be servants. Be encouraged today that the little things you do for the Lord and for others are worth your effort; they do make a difference. Let’s always remember the servant-like character of Christ, and mirror it in our lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Heather Darling worked in the mail room at Grace & Truth while studying to become a veterinary technician. When not caring for animals, she serves the Lord by teaching pre-school children in Sunday School, assisting in a teen ministry and conducting an e-mail ministry of encouragement with adults.
Grace & Truth Magazine February 2000
“Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18 NIV). Wow! What a command! How often do we forget to back up our feelings with good, old-fashioned action? How often do we fail to show Christ’s love to others through our behavior? I am talking specifically about caring for one another’s needs.
This reminds me of the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” I always thought this meant, “Don’t do things to others that you yourself would not like done to you.” But it doesn’t say, “Don’t do.” It does say, “Do.” And that means we should actually do for others what we would like people to do for us.
More and more, I find that it isn’t all that hard to serve another. Service can be many things: from small actions like a kind word or an encouraging hug, to larger ones such as listening to another’s problems or helping with a task. Whether small or large, our actions will make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Have you ever watched the face of a person when you do something for them that is completely unexpected? It’s great! Do you know what else is great? It’s contagious! One good deed encourages others to do good deeds too. Sometimes a simple hug can totally change a person’s day! I know because it has happened to me, and I’m sure you can remember when it has happened to you.
The Bible says that we are to “serve one another in love.” Then it says that this command must be our law: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal. 5:13-14). It is no mistake that “the fruit of the Spirit” within us is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). These are the things that are to be displayed through our actions, and what a difference they make!
The Bible also says that we are to “serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.“ (Eph. 6:7). Whatever we do for another, we are doing for our Lord. And believe me, He notices - no matter how small a thing we do. Why? Because “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Eph. 2:10).
Think of it: we are actually created to do good works! Praise the Lord! We are not alone in our walk with Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and it’s a remarkable privilege to have such a loving family! God has given each of us special talents, gifts, and interests, so we can serve Him. What better way than to minister to the needs of others?
This reminds me of Tabitha (or Dorcas) in Acts 9:36-42. Though she was a woman of no special status, she was well known and loved for serving the poor and the widows by making them clothes. She used her God-given talent for His glory. What a difference we could make if we did the same!
Let me give you a simple example from my own life: an elderly Christian man in our church, my “adopted grandpa” I called him, took an interest in me since I was a child. He showed me how to work with wood, how he built things, told me stories and gave me a hug every Sunday at church for nearly 28 years. A hug is a really simple thing, but his had a great impact on my life. Who knows how different I might be were it not for his ongoing expression of love to me?
Our deeds do touch lives. They will be the things that people remember about us, and they might even lead others to Christ. We may never have the opportunity to be missionaries, but we can all be servants. Be encouraged today that the little things you do for the Lord and for others are worth your effort; they do make a difference. Let’s always remember the servant-like character of Christ, and mirror it in our lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Heather Darling worked in the mail room at Grace & Truth while studying to become a veterinary technician. When not caring for animals, she serves the Lord by teaching pre-school children in Sunday School, assisting in a teen ministry and conducting an e-mail ministry of encouragement with adults.
Grace & Truth Magazine February 2000
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