A Wonderful Gospel Picture!

I believe Spring has truly sprung here on the Hill! I will admit I heard little ice balls falling onto the grass outside my open window while I slept last night, but it's still a sure sign of Spring! The bird calls are different too. Have you noticed? some of the 'snow birds' have returned from the South? As I drove along Mud Lane yesterday morning, there were the redwing blackbirds who love to hang out at the end of meadow expanses. The little juncos have come in droves, to the feeder at Mom's. Within a couple of weeks we'll be hanging our hummingbird feeder. I was telling someone a few years ago, how the hummers come right around Mother's Day. As we were speaking and hanging the nectar out, here came one! --whizzing around the corner! right on time!

I have yet to see anything green emerging from the ground. Still the only color we have seen are those bright little coltsfoot along the edges of the road. They have the "oomph" to push up through the toughest of ground. Their fuzzy yellow faces and their perseverance (along with healing properties, I'm told) are their only positive points, in my opinion. If they would stay out of my growing space I'd really love them!

What a wonderful picture Paul shared in I Corinthians 15. After giving the clear "gospel"; Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again; all "according to the Scriptures". 

"But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die; and that which thou sowest , thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain; it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain; but God giveth it a body as it has pleased Him, and to every seed his own body." 

I Corinthians 15:35-38

What a picture of the gospel we have, every season! We get to witness a cycle of the seed dying, being sown into the ground, buried, and then rising up again in the Spring! How perfect our Creator is in really giving us all things to enjoy and all things that pertain unto life and godliness.

I hope you have a beautiful Spring day. It appears that ours will be a rainy one. Today is the last day of April - these showers are sure to replenish our wells and water those seedlings that are ready to emerge and blossom! Take care, all.

A Settled Peace

Opportunities

The Lord has an amazing way of meshing things together, teaching lessons along a particular vein throughout the day. As I was washing dishes this morning I was tuned in to WMUU Radio and listening to a Chapel Hour sermon from Galatians 6. Two things that stood out to me are:
We can be deceived into thinking that we are something when we are nothing (vs. 3), and that we can be deceived into thinking that we can mock God and get away with it (vs 7). HE sees when we either sow to the flesh, OR to the Spirit! It is a great comfort to know that God knows all about me. All around me, every day, there are opportunities for sowing to the Spirit.

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10

As I meditated upon these truths, finishing the dishes, I then sat down to open God's Word. The first thing that I usually do is look into the devotional booklet called The Feature. Two lines from today's writing said, "Who we ARE is not what people see, but what God sees." "He observes everything and keeps record of it." This was taken from Psalm 34 concerning the Fear of the Lord.

"Come ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Ps 34:11 

These two portions of Scripture (Galatians 6 and Psalm 34) prepared me for going out into the world today.

One thing that I do love about getting out among people is to get to know the needs of others all around me. We have opportunities at almost every turn to meet a need. Sometimes it is by an act, but often just by a warm smile or a word of encouragement, very often with God's Word. When I stay home for days at a time I do find myself getting very self-centered. I know this can never happen to you ladies who are home with children. You never get a chance to think of yourself much at all throughout any day! It can happen with those of us who spend too much time alone though; it doesn't have to, of course. The Lord gives each of us a different path. At this time He has me getting out at least 4 days per week to work in a "secular job", which I view as "sacred", as everything should be for a Christian.

I am thankful that he "geared me up" this morning with truths from His Word, to go out there and take the opportunities that are around me. When I sow to the Spirit it will be seen by God (and perhaps ONLY God). When I sow to the flesh, that will also be seen by God.

Lord, help me to see vertically before seeing horizontally; but may I SEE horizontally and only 
'do good'. 

"And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal 6:9

These new, freshly-sprung fiddleheads (no they're not growing in our yard yet) remind me that God's mercies are new every morning!

On Our Knees in the Garden

I am looking so forward to snowless Spring - the days when things start popping up through the ground. Unfortunately, with it comes our beautiful little coltsfoot (also referred to as coughwort or horsehoof, and very medicinal - come and get it!) It starts out as the first color we see along the top of our driveway, quite enjoyable, really. Tiny little sunspots after a world of white!

Soon these beautiful spirit-lifters become a terrible pest. Their root-system travels just an inch or so underground and is almost impossible to rid the land of. A person can spend all of a day on their knees, but if one little piece is left - up comes another bright yellow face, grinning up at you as if to say, "you haven't got ALL of me yet!" Rooting up this bitter fruit is a difficult task. It takes much time on our knees.

God's Word warns of a root also; the "root of bitterness" that can come into our soul. If we allow bitterness to take root, it WILL spring up and trouble us and defile MANY, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." Hebrews 12:14,15

God brings things into the life of a Christian for a good reason (Romans 8:28). Let it drive us to our knees in prayer, forgiveness, and searching the Scriptures. If there is a root of bitterness there, pull it out right away. So often things can distract us and cause such a burden that we leave off serving God and interceding for others in prayer. This root certainly will bring trouble to our souls and anyone we come in contact with.

God uses many measures to drive us to our knees; 

sometimes to pull the weeds, 

sometimes to deadhead the flowers, 

but other times to pick the fruit. 

Do not be discouraged, but believing!

Resting and Singing

"And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3

Undisturbed Relationship: This is what I was meditating upon this morning. Throughout my life I have watched this relationship between my mother and our Lord Jesus Christ. Growing up, in observing other Christians, whether they be leaders or lay-people, myself included, so often there are questions being asked to God..."why? what do you want me to do? how can I assure being blessed by God?" 

We sat and listened to the birds yesterday afternoon. Each one was singing their individual song; the song that the Lord gave to each species. Some have two or three songs, but only one or two can sing more than three or four. It is assured, none can sing every other bird's song. The trees were full of music and we were blessed to be in this amphitheater!

This morning, when meditating on an undisturbed relationship with my Savior, the testimony of His flying creatures came back to my heart, as well as the testimony that I watched in Mom as she moved through each day. I do not recall hustle and bustle, questionings, disturbed or ruffled "feathers". She would probably remember some. It was a testimony of an undisturbed relationship, and for this I am very thankful. Though major changes, age and infirmity have brought new testings to my mother's life; fears are very much a temptation, as the Bible says can happen in old age. They lurk and could easily cause us to doubt and stumble. It is then that our Lord uses unquestioning revelation in His Word to hold us fast.

The birds stick to the individual and determined song that God has given each one; they sing the praises faithfully and loudly. When I came to know Jesus as my Savior, He gave me a "new song" that is based upon established revelation revealed in God's Word. Aren't you glad that it is not a shaky foundation? We need not question WHY (or why not) God is doing this or that in our lives. 

This morning I read the Scripture from John 16. It is a picture of oneness with the Lord. Much is written about asking and receiving. Verses 22 and 23 are ones that I want to meditate on much more. One thing that 22 says is that "your joy no man taketh from you". Verse 23 goes on to say, "in that day ye shall ask me nothing".   There is very much a sense of oneness with the Father here; a oneness that we can obviously experience daily. It (perhaps) is a oneness that does not have to ask the Father, "Why? Why not? Why am I not receiving certain 'blessings'?" but that reveals itself in rejoicing and a joy that no man can take from us!

Mom, at rest on her porch swing

A restful shot of the dogs, resting as we listened to the chorus of birds

To Be Used of God!

"To be used of God; to sing, to speak, to pray. To be used of God to show someone the Way. I long so much to feel the touch of His consuming fire; To be used of God is my desire."
- writer, unknown to me; a spiritual song learned many years ago.

This is a post of serious thoughts and even not-so-serious rambles.

The property taxes are paid and this is such a relief! It is amazing how many things you can find to sell or do without when it gets into September and October, hee, hee!! The Lord is so good and provides in amazing ways. Syd is still waiting to hear from a job prospect where he has had three interviews. We are praying that he gets this job. At the same time though, I am praising God for a new headboard and bedside tables that he has been working on for the past few days and I have just LOVED having him home, being able to have lunch together and even to see him in one or another of my little post offices throughout the week. Last week an arm reached in through the window, holding a steaming cup of coffee! It's the little things that bring us such pleasure, you know?

Last night I was experimenting with gluten-free bread recipes! how hilarious! Maybe before this post is through I will have decided to show you pictures, though I doubt it! The white bread came out of the oven all nicely puffed up and beautiful but (as with the pumpkin loaf which rose nicely also), as it cooled it almost fell flat,or lopsided at least. I don't know if the barometric pressure added to this failure, or what. Eating the pumpkin bread is like eating a piece of pumpkin pie in loaf form. It is extremely DENSE, to say the least. Obviously I can only serve it to Syd, not company. I toasted a piece of each bread this morning and both are very tasty. Perhaps when (if ever) I perfect these gluten-free loaves I will share some secrets!

okay, I decided to show you the funny photos:

what was a beautiful, puffy bread while hot...settled!

this pumpkin bread looked promising; rose high and nice. Cooling took all the air out of it!
As you can see, I have no secrets to share yet. Will keep experimenting with gluten-free.

"Be kindly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another." Romans 12:10

"Look not every man on his own things. but every man also on the things of others." Phil 2:4

This morning, these two verses came to my heart as I prayed for the needs of others. I prayed that the Lord would use me to meet someone else's need today. My heart especially goes out to those who have lost a most important person in their life, whether it be a child, dear friend or spouse. We are here to glorify God as we give out the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, "do good" and to "relieve the fatherless and widows in their affliction". While I sorted mail into little post boxes this morning the Lord was reminding me that every single person who I encounter is worthy of the same care as she who would be considered my very best friend. What have I got to lose in making every person who crosses my path feel special and cared for? Yesterday I meditated on the thought, "what have I to gain by thinking evil of another person?" I Corinthians 13 tells me that charity (love) thinks no evil and does not rejoice in iniquity. It "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things". What a love to strive for; to ask God to make real in my heart and to make come out, daily, through my mouth and hands!

This is a special kind of Godly love, that truly believes and expects the best of others and situations! wow! Please don't quote me on knowing and trying to teach you what to think on these verses. I meditate out loud when I blog; daily musings. Putting things down in this form is such a blessing to my heart and thanks to all of you who comment, when they are a blessing to yours also.

We gave our friend, Sarah, her birthday gift early. As you can see, she wastes no time unwrapping!

 We three girls, at lunch today...

Ruger knows he can usually talk Grammy into giving him a bite. He also knows this isn't allowed!

Thanks for stopping by the Hill today. It may be rainy outside, but it should be sunny in the Christian's heart!

First Things First

"Therefore, take no thought, saying what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?...for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these  things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:31-33

It so wonderful to remember that nothing can separate the believer from the love of Christ. He loves us in the midst of tribulation, distresses, famine, nakedness, peril or sword! most of which I have never yet encountered. No matter what the tribulation or distresses are, the focus has to be on God and His righteousness. I was reminded today to stop flitting around, seeking what ministry I can have in someone's life here...or there...God will bring the opportunities for ministry along my path as I am focusing on Him. It does little good to look good on the outside (trying to please people by constantly "meeting their needs", perhaps) if I am not first focusing wholly upon and pleasing God on the inside. This is just something that the Lord has reminded me of in the past several days. He has a way of working in us very individually, doesn't He? God knows me so much better than I know myself. Let's be so in tune with Him that when He prods us in a particular area, we are ready to recognize where we've turned aside, confess it and go on with the Lord!

The Christian life is one of such simplicity when it is in tune with the Saviour. I wrote a line of a chorus once, based upon Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." The first time that the Lord helped me understand that verse it was pointed out that the word "workmanship" was "poiema" (spelling?) which is where we get our word poem. The question I have written in the margin of my Bible there is, Am I walking in the path wherein He designed this poem? We are His poem!

The chorus was only ever partly written but it comes to my heart often when I consider the "well worn way" that my feet are to be taking daily. "A poem for Jesus; His workmanship are we; the world reads each line daily, each word they see." The most important One who sees our poem is the Lord Jesus Christ, but our children, grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers and others are reading it as well.

I am thankful that nothing can separate us from Christ's love and that He guides our feet in the path that we should take. My prayer is that I consider Him first, knowing that "all these things" will be added to my life as I am seeking the things of "His righteousness".

Whether it's strewn with flowers and sweet;

sun-flecked, or with rocks, and dim;

I'd rather have Jesus to guide my feet

than to travel the path without Him.

Etched In Our Hearts

What is green and glistening in early morning, but golden and dry by midday?  - - - a field of dandelions.

As I drove down the Center Road this morning, I thought, "someone mowed that field." but then of course I realized that the dandelions had just closed up in the darkness and dew, awaiting the sun to open and light them up again. When I returned home at noon, there was the entire field alight with yellow gold. I could just imagine skimming over it and letting the dandelions tickle my arms and feet! I can still remember the soft, feathery feel as it touches the skin, though I have not tickled myself with one since I was a child. It is amazing, these sensations that are etched into our memories.

Etched in my heart and mind...
When Syd and I moved "up home" (as Grandpa's house was always referred to), one of the first things I noticed was the pungent, sweet, spicy smell of the brook. It is only here that I have ever experienced this scent and I had always known it, since a young child. If it could be bottled, the perfume would be a great seller!

The memory of leisurely preschool days spent with Mom has followed me through the years. When I was in grade school I used to wish for those days again; just me and Mom, taking long walks and exploring the woods. This instilled in me the love of being at home. I would watch other children get off the school bus at the end of a day and wonder what kind of homes and parents they had, always thankful that I had a place like mine to go home to. And still, there is nothing like returning "home" after a long day or, better yet, of being able to be there all day long.

They say that you can "never go home again", but in a sense God has given me the privilege of doing so, with Mom now living close by and spending many afternoons with her - where we can still go walking and exploring the woods together.


"Home" describes a place where we "belong" and where our family is. There is no better place that  pictures this than Heaven, for a Christian. The most wonderful thing to have etched in our hearts is the Lord Jesus Christ who shed his blood on the cross, taking the death that we should have died for sin, then rising from the grave as conqueror! As a child of God's family, I am just pilgriming through this life and have the wonderful promise of eternity at Home with God.

until we get there...
Ours is a small cabin at the edge of the woods. Late this past winter I recall taking the dogs out on a crisp night and turning to look at the house while it sat like a huge luminary, the light of a single candle within, pushing its way through the designs that were clipped from its surface. I could think of nothing else to compare it to but this. The light that poured out the doorway resembled an illuminated pathway, welcoming me back in again.

These words come to mind as I think back on it...
Through the darkness a distant place is seen;
Golden rays of welcoming fingers stream
  out through its portals. Like moonbeams gleam
  on a still, small body of mirrored lake; or sheen
  of sun on glass; as night, serene.         ~ Cyndy

A painting by Thomas Kinkade, 'painter of light'

We all have sweet memories etched into the being of our souls. I hope that you can reflect on some today and that they will bring you pleasure.

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name." Revelation 3:12

His Life, Manifest

The sweet essence of our Lord Jesus Christ; the most desirous perfume ever! This thought came to me after reading passages from 2 Corinthians chapter 4.

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake...But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us...always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." verses 5, 7 and 10


The early apostles and christians endured such trials and persecutions. Praise God that He recorded it and has preserved His Word for us! The Lord brought them through, and His Word has it there for us to read and learn from; He will do the same for us!  It brought these words to my heart and mind, finding their way to the keyboard:

Faith, Through the Shrouded Day

Though yesterday flowers and sunrays
   filtered and filled the day,
Today dark, hanging clouds
   shroud and shadow my narrow way;

With face to the sky, turned in faith, no debate,
   "gladly I will obey"
Then see the slight parting, a sliver of white
   --a hint of His 'new day'.

One step at a time;
    rocks still strew the way
Slow, upward the climb
   --hear His Word say,

"The power be of God, and not of us"
   till His life be manifest; till His is perfect sway!

Ours is a perfect Father! He knows the way that we ought to go. Ours is simply to hold His hand and follow. No matter whether sunshine or shadow we turn our faces to Him in faith. I read a quote today:
"It is not a matter of being saved from hell, but of being saved in order to manifest the life of the Son of God in our mortal flesh".

Whether your way is strewn with flowers or shrouded in clouds today, I hope that (if you have that Father-child relationship with the Creator through the Son, Jesus Christ) you can turn your face up toward Him and say, "Lord-I am delighted to obey thee in this matter".  It is a life-long and day to day decision on our part.

Meek and Lowly Bluets

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3

As we walked home from Mom's yesterday, I started spying the clusters of bluets that are forming on the lawn of my brother's cabin. They are not very tall yet and the groupings are quite small, but there they are, poking their little blue and white faces to the sky! These are not a showy flower, nor do many people think to cut them for use in vases, but I have always loved their daintiness and cut them to put in my tiny vessels to have near the bathroom sink or at the post office window. They brighten their little corner. These little flowers just seemed to fit perfectly with the passage I was reading from this morning. Any of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ personally know that this is speaking to the believer and the way that we are to walk through life toward those who are not Christians and also within the church. The whole chapter is full of God's wonderful teaching on unity and the purpose of and proper use of the gifts that He has given to each of us.

This "meek" little flower fits in quite nicely to illustrate the walk described above. The beautiful clusters are made us of hundreds of individual flowers, all standing and blooming together. Their vocation is to bloom and grow where they are planted. This lowly little fellows are always at risk of being trod upon but are amazingly resilient and seem to stand right back up and forbear the storms that are rained down upon them. Through it all they show forth the glory of the Creator in their sunny, blushing faces.

We pass by hundreds of objects a day that show forth our God's splendor. I grew up with a mother who was always noticing these things. She still does. Often she will say, "If we had a magnifying glass and looked at that dandelion (or any flower) we would be amazed at the beautiful details that makes it!" I remember the first time she showed me the "spit bug" (that's what I call it). She took hold of the spittle that had formed on the stem of goatsbeard or queen Anne's lace, spread it out between her fingers, and there was the little green spittle bug. He forms the foaming liquid to protect himself - to be honest I don't know why else, perhaps to lay eggs, I'm not really sure. I know one thing, wherever there is spittle there will be a green bug inside! There's an object lesson there, somewhere.

There is a verse in I Timothy 6:17 that reads, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate..."

For some reason the world just seems to get busier every day. Each of us only has so much time. If you're like me, I often think that I don't have time to slow down (though, if I would just slow down once in a while it may seem that I actually have more time). I'm thankful for the days that we can just take it slow and deliberately notice the glorious "lowly" things around us that the Lord has put there for us to enjoy. We are indeed RICH!

Simplicity

"For we are laborers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." I Cor. 3:9

What a privilege, to be a co worker with God! In my Sunday School class I have been teaching the children from Matthew 11:28-30 where we are called to come, yoke up with, and learn of the Lord Jesus. He wants us to take His yoke upon us. This morning I was reading from the book of Acts, the account of Peter who was put in prison and was to be executed after the Passover. He was there in the prison, yoked up with his Lord Jesus Christ, knowing only that he was serving God. In Acts 12:6 it said that Peter was "sleeping between two soldiers" (what a picture of the peace of God) when the angel shined into the prison and smote him on the side. His chains fell off and he followed the angel out of that place!

I read a quote, "Beware of any work for God which enables you to evade concentration on Him". Peter didn't let "trial" take his eyes off his goal. His goal was God Himself. This quote, though, eludes to the fact that even a good work can take our affections off our Lord Jesus if our eyes are focused only upon ourself, our homemaking, our charities, jobs, volunteering, and even knowledge of the Scriptures, and witnessing (ouch!). This was a good reminder for me not to worship my work. The work does not depend upon me, but only upon He Who is my Co-laborer. I have to be absolutely devoted to coming to Him daily and letting Him be the lead Yoke-fellow. He already has the yoke, we need to "take" His yoke upon us.

As a newly married girl, God showed me a verse, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him." Ps 62:5. How often my eyes and heart have begun to stray from this. When we have asked God for some specific thing, and He has not provided it, or it has not come in our time-frame...how long are we to wait? I heard in a sermon once, ..."until". That is all. Just wait, and let Him be our expectation. Nothing that is withheld from us in this earthly life will be of any consequence when it comes to eternity.

Today I am reminded that this is the picture of a beautiful, simple life. I don't want Satan (that old serpent) to beguile me so that my mind would be "corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ". II Cor.11:3

It is April 23 and the snow is coming down hard; gathering in the low places and causing us on the hill to smile at the reminder of a winter that is passed. It is a Spring snow and will soon be gone again. I hope that you have a wonderful day between the raindrops and snowdrops, wherever you are. Thank you for stopping by.

Painted Trillium

Heartstrings

"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest; take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

I read a quote that said, "The questions that matter in life are remarkably few, and they are all answered by the words - "Come unto me." not-'do this, or do that'."

What are my desires? to grow in faith and be more like the Lord; be used of God; to lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus; to have a song in my heart and on my lips -  If I come to Jesus my life will be brought into line with my true desires. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. He is the turning point. Will I come in childlike faith? -I have, for salvation. Now will I "come" daily?  At the most unexpected moments there is the whisper, "come unto me". I can have this "rest" that He promises: rest of spirit, not a promise of a life of ease.

"Make all my heartstrings in tune with thine own", as the song says. Are my heartstrings in tune? When He plucks a string or when circumstances arise that stirs my instrument within, does the song ring true and agree with the song of the Lord?

Dear Lord, I praise you that when we daily come, yoke up with and learn of you, you will fulfill your promise of bringing rest of soul! Let me do this simple, childlike thing and take hold of your hand and never let it go! 

The image of  leaves on this sandstone are the shadow of what is unseen. 

Post Script: Last night we learned about a truly "horrible" situation that has come up in my husband's family. I will not at all go into detail but will say that it could affect the actual physical lives of a couple of his family members. It is certainly affecting their spiritual lives already. We are scared for this person and would ask any of you who are 'pra-yers' to add this girl's family to your prayer list. The Lord knows all about it but it is a scary situation that only He can handle, as the authorities in that area are not doing their job (it is sad to say).  As I read the post over again, Syd's and my heartstrings need to be in tune with God while we come to Him and earnestly pray, trusting that the Lord is going to work this out for His glory.

Motives

We had a wonderful Lord's day together with our church family yesterday. There was a special speaker there; Preston and Abi Smith, missionaries going to Japan. Preston shared his deep burden for the people of Japan. When he preached he started in the book of Jonah. Jonah was called to go to Nineveh but he went directly the opposite way. We know the account. God had a great fish prepared to swallow up Jonah, change his mind and vomit him out on dry land. Jonah then went to preach to the people of Nineveh but with a wrong motive. When the people repented, Jonah was angry and displeased.  Mr Smith then shared the burden of Paul's heart for his people; that he would be willing to be accursed if only the people he preached to would come to know the Lord. What a different heart and motive Paul had! He also compared Paul to Moses, who also said that he would be willing to be blotted out of God's book to see his people turn to the Lord! It was a blessing and blow to my heart. What is my attitude toward the unsaved all around me? Nowhere in the New Testament has God commanded me to want to be accursed or blotted out of God's book of life, but do I care about people even half that much? The example of Paul and Moses' motives were those that I pray that I will have in my heart as I learn to love the Lord with ALL and draw closer to Him daily. Unfortunately, sometimes I have the attitude of Jonah, unwilling to even share a tract or tell someone about the wonderful Lord Jesus; out of fear or perhaps because I am too busy! At those times it is as if I do not want people to turn to the Lord. As brother Smith also shared; I know we all want others to be reconciled to God through His Son, but do our actions always show it?  It was like a sword, piercing into my heart. I would thank any of you who would pay for me toward allowing the Lord to change this in me.

"The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water." John 4:14