Month: October 2011

You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven. 

~Matthew 5:13-16 NIV~

Pray for Susan Rimes and Seth Tolar as they deal with kidney stones.  Susan’s procedure went well, but a number of  other procedures will be needed to correct her problem.  If Seth didn’t pass his kidney stones last night, he may need some form of surgery.  Pray for Susan and Seth.

Pray for Andy and Betty.  Just because they don’t have problems that continue to keep them in the hospital doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot of aches and pains.  Pray for comfort and relief for them in the days ahead.

Heart to Heart with Holley: You are irreplaceable!

A friend of mine and I recently talked about how we both felt guilty for not being more like each other. I lamented to her,“I wish I could cook like you and make my house cozy like yours!” She also saw qualities and skills in me she’d like to have.

Next time we chatted we both laughed and shook our heads at our silly comparison game. But it reminded us that it’s easy to lose sight of God’s heart and unique purpose for each of us.

As women, it seems we often compare ourselves to each other. If someone is gifted in different ways than we are, we feel inadequate and wish we could change. Perhaps some of that perspective is encouraged by our individualistic society. We believe that one person could (and should) do it all.

But God has a completely different plan. Rather than making us self-sufficient He places us within the body of Christ with a specific role to fulfill. “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” (1 Corinthians 12:17). 

In The Cure for the Common Life Max Lucado says, “With God, every day matters, every person counts. And that includes you. You do something no one else does, in a manner no one else does it. And when your uniqueness meets God’s purpose, both of you will rejoice.”

Those around you will rejoice too. The body of Christ needs you, just as you are, and no one can take your place.

The world only gets one you.

You with your gifts.

You with your smile.

You with those things you do.

So take your place,

take your chances,

take this moment to know…

You’ve got something to offer.

Something good and right and true.

Something God-given,

Heart-of-Heaven created. 

And the rest of us need it, need you.

Oh, you think it’s no big deal.

Anyone could be that way.

Anyone could do it.

Nope.

Not true.

There’s just one irreplaceable you.

“Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek, and you will find;

knock, and it will be opened to you.”

~Matthew 7:7~

 

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2011/10/letters-from-me.html?spref=fb

 

Suzan Rimes has been taken to Our Lady of the Lake.  She’s dealing with kidney stones and infection and will probably face surgery, in some form.

Continue to pray for Andy and Betty Taylor.  I don’t have an update this morning.  It’s too early to call.

Thought for the Day: Looking Heavenward

The temporary Sunday school teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet. She had been told the combination, but couldn’t quite remember it. Finally she went to the preacher’s study and asked for help.

The preacher came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers he paused and stared blankly for a moment. Finally he look serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently. Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned to the final number, and opened the lock.

The teacher was amazed. “I’m in awe at your faith, preacher,” she said.

“It’s really nothing,” he answered. “The number is on a piece of tape on the ceiling.”

What a great definition of the concept of faith! The essence of faith truly is to look heavenward. It is to look toward heaven for our guidance, our motivation, and our very reason for existence.

We are surrounded by the things of this world, and it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that what we can see all around us is what is “real.” Faith is the ability to set our eyes on that which is above, the true reality.

“By faith [Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob….for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:9-10)

May you live by faith this day, and don’t forget to look up!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I’m expecting a great day!  What about you?

Anna Lee