3X

9/6/12 Three times something is mentioned in the spiritual realm is a real heads-up for me.

After Monday’s blog entry on the idea of fullness of Christ in me overflowing to others, friend Jennifer B. sent me (9/5) this great poster, John 7:38, from a Broken People facebook page. Today’s on-line devotional was on “Rivers of flowing living water.” Thus, the head’s up.

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Broken People FB entry

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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150876815937255&set=a.379006197254.150030.272936877254&type=1&theater

My notes:

• Such a river is all about the Source….
• If we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)
• We have nothing to do with the outflow
• God rarely allows a soul to see the blessing that he is to others
• A persistent river often has to overcome obstacles.
• Keep paying attention to the Source… God can either take you around the obstacle or maybe remove it all together. Wonder if sometimes He leaves it there until we learn the life lesson He has for us?

In conclusion, Oswald Chambers says it perfectly.

Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.

http://utmost.org/ 9/6

 His words are often a real heads-up for me!

Humili-TEA: a cuppa worth pursuing

7/2/12 Being a tea gal in a coffee world has its moments---many of which are disappointing. However, one of my most affirming moments in my last-minute decision to go to Ukraine was the revelation that tea, the hot variety, would be available 24-7. I’m sure that revelation seems pretty insignificant to most folks, but to me it shows just how personal God can be in his care for us.

Today's morning cuppa  jogged that memory for me and I spent time praying for my “new-found” Ukrainian friends. I thanked God for the privilege of being found faithful and put into ministry at Kompas Park  by Him.  In Ukraine, which I first considered uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8) because it was so far from my Memphis address, I felt at home---a home full of good neighbors---always reaching out and caring for you.  Neighbors of joy, unselfishness and love, united in Spirit and bound together by a single purpose: to know God better.

I was humbled by God’s goodness for me during those 12 days abroad. I was humbled by the acceptance of “hard places” by many of the women at the Mom and Me Camp. I was humbled by the generosity of time and energy that the Ukrainian leadership "babies team" used to benefit me. I was amazed at their “humility” reservoir.

HumiliTEA, needs more than just a sip or two. HumiliTEA is the cuppa all should drink deeply from because our Savior was humility personified.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:3-5)

I mulled over this scriptural definition of humility with my  cuppa at my fingertips. I encourage you to do the same!

As Isaiah 57:15 reminds us: God dwells with those who have a humble and contrite spirit and revives both the repentant heart and the spirit of the humble. Glory to God.

Слава Богу!   (For Ukrainian sisters) When I hear you praying this, it sounds like Slava bohja----but regardless of the language, may we all choose to glorify the Lord.

Glory to God who showed me more of Himself, through the humility in your lives, which I saw so clearly last week.

Humili-TEA---a great cuppa for us all!

WILLING??

6/13/12 “Willing”---that’s all I thought the Lord was asking of me. Are you willing to go? The going was to the Ukraine. The team was established but through some God-ordained circumstances, I had gone to the 2^nd team meeting over a month ago. While I was there, I sensed that God had me there to be “willing” to be a possible sub (a very weak sub) for Shirley W., the teacher for the women at the camp in central Ukraine because Shirley had some health issues. In fact, she was facing a series of tests the following week.

Shirley recovered and returned to her normal, enthusiastic, organized, Bible student, lesson preparer self. Willingness over. Lesson learned---so I thought. But God…..

Yesterday, a phone call alerted me to the fact that Jackie Z., one of the 5 ladies on the team was flying to D.C. to be a caregiver for her mother who had been put under hospice care. Was I still willing? Different scenario but same question of obedience. Prayed, asked hubby to pray.

This morning hubby said he was not comfortable with me going/flying that far alone. It seemed that most flights to that area were already overbooked because of the Euro 2012 Soccer Championship. So…door closed, I assumed.

But God.....Phone call revealed that a seat was indeed available. More prayer. Discussions ensued. God’s hand began showing mightily. (That’s a whole “nother” blog.)

Around 4:30 today, seat was booked. Willing became action---“uttermost parts of the earth” became Cherkassy, Ukraine. (Acts 1:8)