Two by two...

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began  to send them out two by two..."
Mark 6:7

 

Jesus gave them their marching orders, as it were.  He gave specific instructions, like just what to take, what to do, where to stay, and so on. He told them to stay where they're welcome, shake it off when they're not. He told them to accept the kindness of strangers and trust they will get whatever they need. Jesus may as well be giving us the same marching orders today as we embark on a winter Thursday.  We may have a day full of appointments, a classroom full of wiggly kids, a bus full of noisy students, an office full of ill patients, or even a long day with nothing specific to do.  But, whatever our day looks like, we are to accept strangers, shake off rejection, not over-pack and burden ourselves with stuff, and, mostly, share the Good News with others.  Tall order for the day, but we can do it! With God's help!  Love, heidi

Open our eyes and minds!

"Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace; you have fulfilled your word. For my eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all peoples to see..."

Luke 2:29-31

 

Simeon had been waiting for the promised Messiah his whole life and now he was an old man, still waiting. When Joseph and Mary bring the baby Jesus to the temple Simeon takes little Jesus in his arms and says, "OK, this is the promised Messiah...that's all I need to see."  God gifted him with the ability to recognize who it was he had longed for his whole life.  Like Simeon, we long for Jesus, too.  Unlike Simeon, we do not have to wait long for Jesus, but we can see Jesus every single day.  Last week I had the privilege of seeing Jesus in a gentleman in a small town about an hour from here. The gift to me was in the recognition and the fact that I had some things that could help the man.  I drove away knowing I had encountered Jesus and wasn't THAT awesome? That was just one guy, one day.  Jesus will be in my day today, too.  I just pray I can recognize him!  Everyday God fulfills the Word in our lives, just like with Simeon.  Our eyes will witness God's saving power today--let's keep them open to see and our minds open to recognize!  Love, heidi

Right here, right now...

  "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."

Mark 5:19

 

The man, who had been possessed by Legion and healed by Jesus, had asked if he could come along with Jesus and his disciples.  All of us, who experience a powerful encounter with Jesus immediately want to join in, don't we?  We feel so different on the inside, we want to make noticeable changes on the outside too.  We want to leave the boats and fishing nets on the shore and just walk away with Jesus.  But, Jesus teaches here that the way we are to serve God may be by going home and just doing what we do.  We may be called to minister to our own little circle of influence, meet the needs of our own peeps.  That may either be hard for us to hear, or a huge relief!  We don't have to travel far away to serve God as we desire to serve God.  We may be called to serve God, right here, right now, right where God has placed us.  Today, this winter Monday, let's keep in mind that we can celebrate and serve God best right where we are, in the daily grind of today.  It's a brand new month and we are inching closer to spring, so let's give God the glory for that!  Love, heidi