Helping Hands

This past week-end parts of American experienced many devastating tornadoes throughout a number of states. My home state, NC, and neighboring county, Bertie, was affected by tragedy with the loss of 12 lives, homes and property damage. When this happens in your own backyard so often we feel so helpless that we become helpless.

I myself felt helpless and overwhelmed as I looked and heard the news. I was given the opportunity to firsthand experience people helping people. It truly is a blessing to know that there are people who are willing to “put their hands to the plow”, to help the victims of this disaster. I saw men and women, from churches and surrounding counties and communities, coming to offer their assistance. One of the local churches, has offered their grounds and facilities, for the people who need meals, the donations, the Samaritan’s Purse trucks, etc. What a blessing!
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Christ Is Wisdom The Bible Tells Me So

Reading the Book of Proverbs and searching the Word of God for practical principles to apply to situations in my present life, I found these verses and observations of truths in Proverbs 10 that spoke to me, giving spiritual food to appropriate, digest and apply to my life circumstances and what’s going on in my life right now.
VERSE 8 says that those of foolish of lips shall fall headlong. That means to me that if I jest too much, play the clown too often, at inappropriate times, or blabber on and on unnecessarily, that I will eventually “take a dive”!!
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Oatmeal Goji Berry Cookies

I tried the recipe on the lid of Quaker Oats, old fashioned oatmeal, but substituted goji berries, for the raisins. The following is some information on goji berries, right from the package. “Goji berries have been used in Asian herbal medicine for over 5,000 years. The goji berry is one of the most nutrient-rich foods on earth. It is a vegetarian form of protein, packed with essential amino acids, rich in vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C. Goji berries possess over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin (B2), vitamin E as well as carotenoids, including beta-carotene.” Sounds like we all need to be eating these berries, doesn’t it? The package suggests that one can use them in “smoothies and tea, granola and oatmeal, and yogurt and salad”.

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The Church at Laodicea

Lesson we can all use, from Beth Moore’s Bible study: “Beloved Disciple: The Life and Ministry of John”

Revelation 3:17 “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.'”

Beth tells us that the church at Laodicea was three things:
1) the church was indifferent – it was lukewarm. (Revelation 3:15).

2) the church was independent – “They filled their gaping need to matter with possessions, then gauged their usefulness by their wealth.” (Revelation 3:17).

3) the church was self-deceived – “Its worth was so ingrained in its wealth that the people honestly saw themselves utterly independent. We “do not need a thing.'” (Revelation 3:17).
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School of Learning

An expert in religious law asked Jesus, “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him with a question that the religious teacher would obviously know. And, the skilled teacher answered Jesus with great agility. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
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Ashes to ashes . . .

In reading and thinking about Lent and what to share I read this article by Sandy. I thought it can’t get much better. With Sandy’s permission I am sharing with you.
MARCH 11, 2011
by ssalvin
“Late winter-early spring was different before I knew about Lent. I think that my introduction to Lent may have actually been my introduction to spiritual disciplines in general. Before when I didn’t know about any spiritual disciplines – besides praying and reading my Bible, neither of which were accomplished with anything resembling “discipline” – I didn’t think about any of my indulgences. I’m talking about the way I spent my money, the things I chose to eat and drink, or how I chose to spend my time. I didn’t worry so much about how I could be a better neighbor or even a randomly-kind stranger.

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