Do This

This evening our friends came to visit, what a joy! The subject came up of the verse "Do this in remembrance of me." This is what Jesus told his disciples right before His crucifixion. Think about this. He had to tell them what to do to remember Him. They were with him every day. They ate with Him, walked with Him, saw the miracles first hand. And they had to be told what to do to remember??

Yet, are we any better? I think not. We complain as if we have no God. We become discouraged, downhearted, tired of "the same ole thing." God gives us remembrances every day. Yes, we too need reminders. God never forgets us. He puts things right in front of us to remind us of Him. Sometimes it passes us by. We miss it.

What was it that the disciples were to do: break bread together and wash feet. I do not think this was only a communion effort. I believe every day we can serve someone. Reach out to someone. Encourage them. "Do this in remembrance of me." Do it for Jesus. When we reach out, our spirit will be renewed.

The doctor was pleased with my leg today. I'm still in a constrainer (brace), but the incision looks good. I will return in another week for another check-up.

God is incredibly awesome!!

God bless you

Beau-tea

Today was one of those days. One of those days when I was looking at the bottom of the bucket, and asking God, "How will we ever manage?" But God, was looking at the blessings pouring over the rim of the bucket, saying, "Worry not my child, I'll manage."

Today was a tired, and actually a very down time for me. Then the mail came. There was a care package from a friend I have met since the quake (actually haven't met her in person yet). A special little teacup devotional book, and some tea cookies. How special! Now remember I wasn't so down yet when she sent it, but it arrived at the moment I needed it!

I quickly read the first devotional which speaks of beauty. Ahh I think this morning I noticed every age spot on my arms and face, every wrinkle, and a bit of a bad hair day. Then the verse was 1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty..should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." I certainly needed to hear that. Isn't it great that God doesn't even see the age spots? I love it.

Oh I need to mention that God also sent some extra finances along the way to help pay some bills. God is so good. Yes, He is Good even if He wouldn't have blessed me so much today. He is ever faithful!!

So don't worry, if you have age spots, God only sees your spirit. You are beautiful!

God bless you

Sharing the Distress

Philippians 4:13-14 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well that you have shared in my distress."

I know verse 13 very well, and am thinking we often hear it quoted. But how often do we quote verse 14 with it? I never have. How do these verses connect? Do they relate to each other? It is wonderful that God strengthens me to do all things, but is it only for me?

I believe He strengthens me to also share in the distress of others. How easy it is to forget the distress of others. When I can't get out and about, I wonder if life will ever be "normal" again. It is the same for thousands of others who have suffered tornadoes, floods, quakes, etc. The list goes on. So maybe, just maybe, what I call normal isn't what God calls normal. He looks way beyond our suffering and sees the final piece of pottery He has made from our life. When we see it through eternal eyes, we will not remember the suffering.

Let's remember the 2nd part of I can do all things through Him. I need to share in the distress.

God bless you

Captive thoughts

2 Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity the the obedience of Christ."

All day I have battled with being very tired, my thoughts turned toward more negative things, and that made me more tired. For you see, our minds are the battleground. There is where satan attacks, and what better way to attack when my body is already weak, and not as active. More time to think of everything.

Then I began studying about bringing every thought captive. There is only one way to do this: Identify the problem, pray (giving it to God), believe the truth that God speaks, think on those things that are worthy, replace the negative with the Word of God.

For me, it is most important into the thought capturing process to make sure we fill our thoughts with God's Word. I'm still tired, my mind is still tired, but it isn't depressed. For if I know the truth, the Truth shall make me free!

Lord, help me to think on that which is noble, trustworthy, good, just, pure and of good report.

God bless you

Perception of a 4 year old

Promise is such a joy, and often will surprise us with her perception of things.

I was asking her if she's like her great-grandma to come visit again. She looked at me and said, "No, it is just too hard." "Too hard? What do you mean?" I asked. "Well, we couldn't keep her here. I tried to lock the gate, but she had the key and money to break out anyway. So now it is too hard." Smile.

Even though Great grandma was a blessing and Promise loved her here, she now sees the good-by being too painful to have a visit again. So like us. We put a lot of emphasis on the hardship instead of the blessings.

When the nurse came today to give me my injection, she had her stethoscope to check my heart, etc. Promise looked at the nurse and said, "You are using a stethoscope." We were amazed, I didn't know she knew that word, and the nurse was quite surprised. All the more reason to set a good example as she is listening to our conversation.

Be careful. Someone is listening to you too.

God bless you

Perfect Treasure

Matthew 21:14 "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

"Treasure" has been ringing over and over again this evening. Then when I read this verse, I was reminded once again my treasure is not earthly wealth. I should never let earthly wealth stand in my way of serving others or the Lord.

As I look around our house, and see so many treasures and blessing that you have shared with us I am overwhelmed at the goodness of God. But as beautiful as your gifts are, I know that you are even more beautiful. The treasures in our home will come to an end, but you will not. We will spend eternity with our Lord. Now that is treasure!! God continues to place people in our path that challenge us, bless us, and we can see Jesus through them.

While I was in the hospital, one of the nursing assistants was a Haitian. Her face glowed with the love of Jesus. She was so full of joy. That is treasure.

Do others see us as a treasure, or a burden? Let's invest in our heavenly treasures. Let's invest in others.

I am feeling good. Pain management is the first item on the recovery agenda. The doctor thinks 4-6 weeks of recovery before starting with prosthesis again.

Again, thank you for praying, your notes of encouragement, your love and friendship.

God bless you

Surgery

Philippians 4:7 "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

This was the verse that I remembered as I went into surgery in Haiti 7 years ago (wow, can't believe it has been that long ago) since I broke my hip.You can read about this in my book. And now today, I am preparing myself for another surgery. This time on my leg, a revision of my amputation. The same God now as then. Satan has been throwing his darts for many days now. Trying to steal that peace. Yesterday was a hard hit.

The promise is the same, He will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. The peace of God is not explainable. The carnal person cannot understand this. And I, God's child, cannot explain it. Peace when all around there is trouble, catastrophes, terrorists, etc. Yet God's gift to us is peace.

So today as I go to surgery, and then recovery for the next weeks, I pray for that peace. I pray for the doctor for wisdom and clarity of mind. I pray.

For those of you who are new to the blog, my book "Under the Rubble" is available online www.livingwordhaiti.org (barb's book) or contact me by email zebrapb @me.com

God bless you.