Reading the Bible for someone else.

Wednesdays walk has been cancelled due to the fact that I can't get off the floor.

It's not as bad as all that, but, emotionally it's awfully close. I have received 7 yr old TC, and 2 yr old Precious into my home. We are on day 6. Day 5 came out of the pits of hell and threw up all over my home and all of our lives. Day 6 was tentative until about 7:30pm when the hell came and threw up on us again.

I woke up this morning and began preparing myself for battle before waking up the kids. And I thought, "I need WISDOM", so I swayed back and forth between reading James - which talks about how God will give me wisdom, or Proverbs - which is just wisdom. So I went with Proverbs and as I opened my Bible I remembered how people follow the "Proverb a day" by reading the proverb that corresponds with todays date so chapter 29 it was.

As I read, I noticed a pattern emerging in that I was reading wonderful scriptures.... for someone else. Not for me. I whispered quiet "Amens" to verses concerning the raging fool, the wicked, the angry, the boastful. And for some reason I just couldn't find myself in the chapter. I couldn't find the wisdom I was hoping would get me through the day within these verses.

Now, at the end of the day, I can't even find the verses that I was applying to someone else. I see myself in so many verses, and ways that I need to grow and change.

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules the people groan."

"The king establishes the land by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows it."

"If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace."

"A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.

"Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes he will give delight to your soul."

"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."

"Many seek the ruler's favor, but justice for man comes from the LORD."

And last but not least:

"Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."

I see tonight what I couldn't see this morning. Tonight something happened that while I wish I could explain it in detail, I cannot. But after all the prayers and leaning hard on God yesterday and today, I can't help but believe that perhaps God had His hand in it and while it might not make tomorrow better, in the long run I'm praying it has some effect.

The Bible is alive, ready to apply itself to your heart. So while you might not understand it at first, and maybe if you're anything like me you'll find ways to condemn others with the verses you find. But God also promised that His word would always accomplish what it set out to do. So while you might not feel the affects of it today - you will.

I believe it.

I'm counting on it to get me through tomorrow.

God is gracious.

Wedndays Walk - 2

So, quite honestly, this week feels even less eventful than last week. I was out of town, and visiting for most of it.
I did get 3 unusual things though that I had to respond to more boldly than I normally would have.

1st, someone came to tell me about the sermon they heard. They proudly announced that they'd taken notes and everything. This one isn't anything I've done, he's actually going to church to impress a girl, but I'm getting the fallout of what he thought of the sermons and such. It's a good thing. And it's incredibly interesting to hear what he finds unusual or interesting in the message.


2nd, someone else at work approached me because "I know you read the Bible at work". They had a question about something a lady was telling her husband at work about her beliefs that were.... to put it kindly ... a little out there. She's part of a well-known church in this area that isn't quite right. So we had a long discussion as I tried to clarify some of the things she'd said that was incorrect.

3rd, someone else (not saved) e-mailed me out of the blue to ask how to respond to someone (also not saved) asking "Why does God punish good people?" and that one might have been my biggest opportunity yet.

These are things that are slightly unusual, people don't generally approach me to ask Biblical questions or tell me about something in the Christian world they heard or didn't understand. So I do feel this is an answer to my prayers that God bring more opportunities my way, and also to help me SEE some opportunities that I might have just been missing before.

So it's not much, but it's a start. Let's see what happens next.

Wednesdays Walk - Week One

It’s not an easy thing.

I feel I ought to say that in case I start this post and describe what I’m doing and some of you walk away going “Well it’s easy for her, but it’s hard for me so I’m not doing it.”

So let me repeat:

It’s not an easy thing.

I’m spending more time in prayer, and asking God to show me people that He wants me to talk to. I’m praying He’ll lead me not with just the right words, the right actions, but also to the right people at the right time. Because the last thing I want to do is talk to the wrong person at the wrong time if you know what I mean.

So, beginning, I have to say my start feels weak.

First off, I met an elderly lady named Gladys. She is widowed technically? If your most recent husband is deceased, but your last 3 husbands are still alive are you still a widow? After a long conversation with her, I discovered she had no kids/family living in this area that could help her. By the end of the conversation I’d given her my cell phone number if she needed help again. From my experience, most of her necessary help would be in just listening to her, being companionable. It’s not exactly evangelizing, but the verse from James telling me to take care of the widow was bright and clear in my mind while I listened to her talk. So, we’ll see what comes of it.

Second off, I’ve begun slowly picking at a guy I know. He may or may not read my blog so just in case I want to be careful and want to preface this whole section with “I mean no offense whatsoever.” He is willing to state quite clearly that he is saved. Yet he’s afraid of what will happen when he dies. And, while I only know a small small portion of his life, what I know leaves me afraid right along with him. He also isn’t the type I feel comfortable discussing spiritual things at all. I look around and see roomfuls of other people that I’d be happy to talk to other than him (about Godly things that is), but for some reason he’s the one that I keep coming back to.

That’s all I’ve got. I’m still praying and watching for opportunities and trying to make sure if one opens up that I don’t neglect it out of discomfort.

On a related note, Mel over at “Walking on Water” posted about "Treasure Hunting" with one of my favorite bloggers Mark H (who unfortunately for me no longer blogs *sigh*). And I just this last week I had listened to an old sermon by Matt Chandler where he mentioned doing something quite similar to Mark and Mel.(Story is at 35:19 – 43:00)

If you’re attempting to fulfill Ephesians 2:10 as well, please comment or e-mail your stories to flyawaynet@hotmail.com

Experimenting with my walk - A series on walking in good works

I'm going public with this experiment because I want to be able to hold myself accountable by it. So I'm counting on your continual subscription to my blog, or occasional comment to keep me moving on. This, I believe, will be the very first recurring series I've done on this blog.
And, because I lack imagination, I'm calling it "Experimenting with my walk"
The plan is to post on this series once a week, and since tonight is Wednesday, I'll make the posts every Wednesday.
Sounds simple enough.

The experiment is the random part.

My life contains a lot of living, a lot of ME living, and something in my gut is clenched to the reality that I need to impact this world for Christ with my life every day, in every encounter, whether by doing obvious things or just displaying the fruits of the Spirit and exhibiting the peace or joy He gives.
But lets face it, it's easy to walk around in peace and joy and tell yourself that's a good enough witness so I don't have to actually do anything. When the truth is, I'm not doing didly squat. I'm still living for me. And that needs to change.

So, once a week I must step out of my comfort zone and wander into the unknown area of being a witness, a living breathing testimony of Gods goodness and love.
Then I must return to my blog and account for my efforts.

Just so I wouldn't be empty handed on my first post I'll share todays efforts.

1st and foremost, I began praying today that God would use me.
2nd, a random person commented on how they like that I bring my Bible to work.
3rd, another person took a moment to specifically tell me God had helped them.
Which led me to ask a question I'm trying to ask more often "Is there anything that I could pray for you about?" which, surprisingly enough, got me an actual answer.

Then, on the way home, turning into the residential areas I waved at a middle aged man walking down the sidewalk. He waved back, but then yelled to get my attention. When I stopped, he apologetically said "Nevermind, I thought you were a man and I need a ride to H.E.B"
Well, while I'm still holding a grudge that he announced that I look like a man, I turned around to pull up beside him and - despite my gender deficiencies - gave him a ride. I sat outside of HEB for 45 minutes waiting for him to come out - texting my family that I was probably the worlds biggest idiot because he'd probably just caught a ride with someone else despite our arrangements - when he came strolling along, pushing his cart.
We loaded up and I drove him home. I took a deep breath just before parting and asked my question, "Is there anything I could pray for you about?" And again, I got a real answer.
(I define "real" being something other than "Oh, I'm fine, can't think of anything, just pray for a blessing".)

By the time I ended the day, I had 3 names and issues that have been specifically asked prayer for. And I haven't even done anything yet.

In an absence of a "Pastor" leading me to food and in discipline for the 15 months I have to confess I've grown lax. I've allowed myself to back away from fellowship with other believers. And without that stimulation a lot of other personal study habits and reading habits changed as well.

I need to be a dead Jeanette, and begin to live and move and have my being in Christ. I don't know where to start, so 1 blog day a week is dedicated to this. If you don't know how to do it, feel free to start this challenge as well and comment on your results.

At least one time in this next week - I need to offer Gods love specifically outside of my comfort zone.

I don't have to preach a sermon and I'm not doing altar calls - I'm just loving someone, asking questions or praying, even when it's difficult to make the words come and initiate the contact with strangers/neighbors.

Last but not least - I didn't want this to be a long post but... alas, I am what I am - the most important thing I'm doing during the next days is praying for opportunities and help when the opportunities come. Because I know it changed the outcome of my day already today.

I'm giving myself the opportunity to embarrass myself or fail miserably. It's going to be a fun week.