Our choir director has been leading us in brief devotions on the Fruit of the Spirit during each rehearsal. Last night's was about gentleness and meekness.
I confess that know what gentleness is, but have always been unsure exactly where meekness is. To me meekness was just another word for weakness. But thanks to the devotion I now have a clearer understanding.
Gentleness is how you actively treat others. Meekness is how you receive the treatment of others. Here the Scripture is also instructive. Meekness is humbleness of heart. It allows you to hold another's soul in your heart, because your heart is in God's. (See Matt. 11:28-30.)
This means that meekness allows you to contain the hopes, fears, anxieties, joys, and anger of another person in such a way that it gives that person rest, peace.
Instead of being a sign of weakness, meekness requires strength and stamina. It requires a strong, loving heart, which is only possible with an infusion of grace from the Holy Spirit.
These days, we all need rest. Who can count on you today to help them find peace?
Grace and Peace,
Kathy
March 24, 2011
March 23, 2011
Hope for the Flowers
Last night I attended the Vanderbilt Divinity School student and UM Boards and Agencies dinner at the Upper Room. This is an annual event for students to meet with alumni, bishops who live in the area, and personnel from the various general boards and agencies. At the dinner I sat next to two very impressive students. Each was working in an area church and was committed to excellence in ministry. It was just nice to see young men and women beginning to answer their call.
The dinner was also a chance to visit with friends who are currently serving. I've got to say that some of us, however look pretty beat up and tired. This was alarming, but expected.
Ministry is an all-consuming passion. Most of the pastors I know, however, would choose being a pastor again, even knowing the toll that it takes on self, friends, and family. As a spouse, this is difficult to watch. But with grace, we keep serving and loving the unlovable, some of whom are in our churches.
I heard a scripture last week that helped give me perspective. While some strive for riches and glory, our part is the Lord. The Lord is our inheritance. There is no substitute without it and abundant living with it.
Blessings, Kathy
Clarksville
The dinner was also a chance to visit with friends who are currently serving. I've got to say that some of us, however look pretty beat up and tired. This was alarming, but expected.
Ministry is an all-consuming passion. Most of the pastors I know, however, would choose being a pastor again, even knowing the toll that it takes on self, friends, and family. As a spouse, this is difficult to watch. But with grace, we keep serving and loving the unlovable, some of whom are in our churches.
I heard a scripture last week that helped give me perspective. While some strive for riches and glory, our part is the Lord. The Lord is our inheritance. There is no substitute without it and abundant living with it.
Blessings, Kathy
Clarksville
March 20, 2011
The Spice of Life
Just returned from a great minister's spouse weekend retreat. The fellowship was great; the speakers taught us a thing or two; but more than that--we laughed a lot.
Gosh, I love these women. Some are stay-at-home moms; some are professionals; some are retirees. We had a couple of toddlers and a very sweet 8 month-old baby. So the talk was lively; the food was too good; and the weather--blue skies all the way.
Still if I had to pick out one thing, it was the funny stories we shared the first night. Sorry, can't say more because we all promised...
Laughter is the spice of life. It soothes the weary soul. Laughter is also a gift of God. So I just imagine that Jesus must have been laughed a lot and told funny stories too.
I hope you find time to laugh with those you love today.
Kathy
Clarksville, TN
Gosh, I love these women. Some are stay-at-home moms; some are professionals; some are retirees. We had a couple of toddlers and a very sweet 8 month-old baby. So the talk was lively; the food was too good; and the weather--blue skies all the way.
Still if I had to pick out one thing, it was the funny stories we shared the first night. Sorry, can't say more because we all promised...
Laughter is the spice of life. It soothes the weary soul. Laughter is also a gift of God. So I just imagine that Jesus must have been laughed a lot and told funny stories too.
I hope you find time to laugh with those you love today.
Kathy
Clarksville, TN
March 18, 2011
Where Is Your Potter's House?
The week before Lent, I visited one of my favorite friends, Sister Karen Van deWalle. Sister Karen is a potter.
She creates in a little purple and blue house in Broad Ripple, an artsy section of Indianapolis. When I visit, Sister Karen is usually "throwing," the term she uses to describe molding the clay into a vase or bowl. The day I visited, she was making mugs. I sit and watch her work and we talk about whatever I want. I absolutely love being in the midst of Sister Karen's creative energy-- watching her hands make something beautiful from an ugly blop of clay.
Just before Ash Wednesday, God led me to read Jeremiah 18:1-4, (where God told Jeremiah to go to the potter's house where God would give Jeremiah a message), for Lenten reflection. I have a sense that the time I spent with Sister Karen was the beginning of the path that I have followed now for a week--one of the "potter's houses" in my life where I hear God's word.
Today my "potter's house" was at the YMCA, more specifically in the natatorium where I spent close to thirty minutes swimming laps. God's word came very specifically for close friends going through a difficult time with their family. The insights regarded giving these persons information and peace regarding a puzzling situation. Sometimes my "potter's house" is right in my kitchen when I bake bread or biscuits. Kneading the dough immediately brings me into an awareness of God's presence creating an open heart to hear God's word.
Where are your "potter's houses" ? Where are you going to hear God's word during these forty days of Lent? How is God speaking to you?
God open our eyes to see a place where you can come to us. Open our hearts to hear your word. Amen.
Jacquie Reed,
Fishers, Indiana
She creates in a little purple and blue house in Broad Ripple, an artsy section of Indianapolis. When I visit, Sister Karen is usually "throwing," the term she uses to describe molding the clay into a vase or bowl. The day I visited, she was making mugs. I sit and watch her work and we talk about whatever I want. I absolutely love being in the midst of Sister Karen's creative energy-- watching her hands make something beautiful from an ugly blop of clay.
Just before Ash Wednesday, God led me to read Jeremiah 18:1-4, (where God told Jeremiah to go to the potter's house where God would give Jeremiah a message), for Lenten reflection. I have a sense that the time I spent with Sister Karen was the beginning of the path that I have followed now for a week--one of the "potter's houses" in my life where I hear God's word.
Today my "potter's house" was at the YMCA, more specifically in the natatorium where I spent close to thirty minutes swimming laps. God's word came very specifically for close friends going through a difficult time with their family. The insights regarded giving these persons information and peace regarding a puzzling situation. Sometimes my "potter's house" is right in my kitchen when I bake bread or biscuits. Kneading the dough immediately brings me into an awareness of God's presence creating an open heart to hear God's word.
Where are your "potter's houses" ? Where are you going to hear God's word during these forty days of Lent? How is God speaking to you?
God open our eyes to see a place where you can come to us. Open our hearts to hear your word. Amen.
Jacquie Reed,
Fishers, Indiana
March 14, 2011
Great Ministry: Give Your Bible Away
Last fall, the Common English Bible (CEB) was introduced with the release of the New Testament. This new translation represents the work of more than 500 men and women from 22 faith traditions, including 118 translators, 10 editors and 77 reading group leaders. The translation work began in 2008 and will end in Fall 2011, with the release of the complete Bible, including the Apocrypha.
The Common English Bible is not simply a revision or an update of an existing translation. It is a bold, new translation designed to meet the needs of Christians as they work to build a strong and meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The CEB is written at a comfortable level for more than half of all English readers by translating ancient everyday speaking styles into modern English. The end goal being this: A translation that is relevant, readable and reliable will enhance church worship and participation, and personal Bible study.
This new Bible is great and you can get copy very inexpensively to give away in your community. Or invite your friends at church to give them to other friends and family who may not attend church. It's a great ministry. Spread the Word; give your Bible away.
For more information, see:
http://www.commonenglishbible.com/
http://lentenblogtour.wordpress.com/about/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reading-the-Bible/156994314317608?ref=ts
Grace, Kathy
The Common English Bible is not simply a revision or an update of an existing translation. It is a bold, new translation designed to meet the needs of Christians as they work to build a strong and meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The CEB is written at a comfortable level for more than half of all English readers by translating ancient everyday speaking styles into modern English. The end goal being this: A translation that is relevant, readable and reliable will enhance church worship and participation, and personal Bible study.
This new Bible is great and you can get copy very inexpensively to give away in your community. Or invite your friends at church to give them to other friends and family who may not attend church. It's a great ministry. Spread the Word; give your Bible away.
For more information, see:
http://www.commonenglishbible.com/
http://lentenblogtour.wordpress.com/about/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reading-the-Bible/156994314317608?ref=ts
Grace, Kathy
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