SHAPED TO SERVE!

How does one enter his/her golden years and beyond as a servant of the LORD? I have found that service isn't self-service! Wisdom not only gained from age but even from a child can be valuable.

Mine came from a 3 1/2 year old princess on our street. (1/2 emphasis is hers!

She can bring dandelions or some colorful leaves to my porch. Occasionally, it can be a flower that has fallen to the ground.They are always given with a smile. I try to have a small receptacle ready; she loves the splash of water as she "stuffs" them in.

Flowers are sparse these days and our 34° temp didn't help. But God used a nudge from the Holy Spirit to have me pick some that had fallen in case she comes by today. I even found the perfect container!

My "Shaped to Serve" vase is eensy but perfect to hold a few straggly flowers. It's a bit cold for me to porch sit but I have it in the window in case she "skips" by. If not, I know where she lives!

There was even a verse in the box with it---"just for me"! 

O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

A reminder that even things I am finding only recently after out sudden and tumultuous move, can speak God's wisdom to my heart. 

I am not a horticulturist and will never be a Master Gardener but.......

I am grateful for dandelions from a 3 yr. old! Oops 3 1/2!

FAITH-FAMILY-FRENDS!!!

Faith. Family. Friends.

What do those three words have in common? 

The funeral of David Reid Manley, an amazing man with a soft heart and a servant's spirit, who would have appreciated Elvis singing "Precious Lord!"

A true celebration of a life-well lived by a PawPaw who loved the Lord first and allowed that love to overflow in service to family and others! 

Many of those who loved him filled the sanctuary. Fellow wood workers, deer hunters, jokesters and furniture movers. Most all of us were clad in Memphis blue to honor David's passion, as a Highland Hundred Tiger Booster. Even his Ole Miss chum.

Pastor Rob Mullins (Crossroads Baptist Church) offered comforting reminders from God's Word to those in attendance.

Remember--   

• God's Presence---Do not fear, I am with you...(Isaiah 41:10)
• God's Promises---For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 
• God's Peace---We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
• God's People---I am confident I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) His wife Nina & the family have seen that goodness from texts, emails, cards and of course, casseroles from the Baptists. (Rob Mullins)

Mr. Manley had such a generous, servant's heart. I know that first hand. I received one of his hand-carved comfort crosses to take with me to Texas for all my cancer surgeries in 2009. What a treasure for me!

David Manley was a John 13:35 man--- all knew he was a disciple of the Lord because he had love for others without ever expecting or needing a thank you.

Certainly faith, family and friends are proof of a life worthy of celebration!

HUMILITY IN PRACTICE!!

Humility. Without pride, Lowly. Meek. Gentle.

Recently, I came across a NT analogy of humility. It seemed to truly represent the  characteristic of thinking of others more important than oneself and translating those thoughts into action. "Tie on the servant's apron."

The staff at First Evangelical Church does it well! Quite literally!

We can choose to do it too.

Begin each day with your apron at hand. 

Tie on your servant attitude as you sip your morning cuppa humili-TEA!