Not What I Want, BUT Always What I Need!

http://bible.com/116/psa.23.2-6.nlt He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the lord forever. Bible.com/app

I'm away from the office this week, working at our Camp in Midlothian, Texas for Older Adult Camp.  Now, I may be busy, but I am finding time to rest, even more so, then I would were I at home.  HE is giving my rest, renewing me.  I was talking to somone the other day about the concept I learned during a sociology class, of an emotional bank.  The principle was that before making "withdrawals" or "debits" by negative comments about things, you first need to make "deposits", by affirmations so that you have more then enough to cover any "debits" you make. 
I started thinking about this in regards to a spiritual bank as well.  Those "Darkest Valleys", are debits or withdrawals in our spiritual bank.  It's like we're a pitcher, and each "Dark Thing", such as trials- sickness, financial difficulties, family problems, or even relationship problems with friends and love ones.  Each of those things takes a little out of us.  If we're a pitcher, each one takes a little liquid out of our pitcher. 
We have to make sure we have enough to still keep the pitcher full, especially in the darkest valleys.  God will do this for us!  His rod and staff with comfort us, He will bless us, even in front of our enemies, allowing us to overcome them (or it, as our enemies don't have to be a person, but anything that keeps us from having a full, loving relationship with God).  His goodness and mercy, His unfailing love will come to us, when we are willing to recieve it, giving us- not what we want, but what we need, we will be full up.  When we are dwelling in the house of the Lord, even though those "dark valleys" take from us, withdrawaling from us, no matter how much it tries to take, we will always have enough to have enough , and our spiritual bank, and even our emotional bank will be able to cover any withdrawal.

Being a Blessing can give you a blessing.

Scripture Thought
http://bible.com/97/2co.9.10-15.msg God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough! Bible.com/app

Let us never forget, as part of outreach, of reaching out to touch someone's life, we are a blessing to them, and an illustration of God's love for them. 
Also, let us remember, when we allow God to use us to be a blessing for someone, we are equally having the unique opportunity to recieve a blessing.  For it is often when we allow God to use us to show His love, grace, and mercy to the world, that we can be reminded of Hos love, grace and mercy for us.

Can You See Me Now...

Hello...Can you See Me Now... The Internet came seem to be this real, breathing and living thing to us. In today's society we as adults (ages 18-39) spend an average of three hours a daily online and teens (ages 13-17) spending an average of four hours a day on line, we are well on the way to spending more time interacting with one another through devices then in person. There is a cute video out about Eggo waffles, where the parents and children are interacting with each other via their phones about "L'eggo the Eggo". Then comes the part were the youngest child, taking advantage of their distraction, grabs the Eggo and enjoys. The rest of the family had been so tied up in their phones, they didn't notice her approach until it was too late. Another stat about youth and internet usage conducted by Harris Interactive (back in 2007) was that between the ages of 8-18, they were spending an average of 44.5 hours. Now imagine how many young people now have phones and access to the internet since that report seven years ago, and you can be sure that the number has grown. The kids seem to have the phones surgically attached to their hands almost, and getting them to but it down, and to focus on something else can seem impossible. As adults, we are hardly any better though. Today's society relies on our smartphones, tablets and other devices that allow us to get on line, to interact with one another on games and social media sites. Now remember that Eggo commercial, where the youngest child takes advantage of her family’s distraction with their phones, and takes the opportunity to secure the Eggo for herself. The rest of the family missed out on what was happening in the world around them, because they were overtly focused on the "world" in their hands. The question we need to ask ourselves is first, have we allowed our phones, the internet, and social media to replace how we are interacting with one another in the real world, and in doing so, missing out on opportunities to show Jesus and to even be Jesus to those in the world who may need to know it. For instances, last night The Salvation Army in San Antonio took to the streets to hand out blankets, food, hot chocolate and bibles to those in need in preparation of the Cold Snap and freezing weather coming. It has been all over Social Media, this long, almost unusually cold weather that is hitting all over the United States just about. Pictures have even been shared on Social Media of Police Departments "Arresting" Elsa, from Disney's Frozen, as being "responsible" for this weather. Yet the question remains, while we are enjoying our nice warm coffee or tea, in warmth, are we thinking about those in need, who are out in the cold. The Salvation Army seen a need, and went out to help. Keith Green's amazing song, "Asleep in the Light", has a line about "Cause Jesus came to your door you've left in out in the street." Are we the family the in Eggo commercial, so tied up in the "world" in our hands, we fall to notice the world around us, and the people in it. There is a commercial about cell service, where an actor walks around asking "Can you hear me now?” supposedly showcasing how wonderful and clear the cellphone service is. The challenge for us now is to not worry about the phone, the internet and social media, and instead pay attention to the world around us, to the people around us so that those in need are forced to ask... "Can you see me now?" Join us as this month, at the Salvation Army Center of Hope, will be focusing on outreach and evangelism. Our theme for the month will be "Reach Out & Touch Someone- Someone's Life!” We are going to look at how it is important for us as believers, as CHRISTians, that we don't become so distracted by interacting with one another through a device held in our hands that we fail to interact with one another in real life. We will also address though, how we can use the time we spend on the internet and on Social Media to also be a tool in helping and reaching other. Here are the links to the pages with the stats we shared, as well as to the Eggo Commerical, and the Keith Green song. Stats found on: http://www.marketingcharts.com/online/teens-online-time-surges-exceeds-18-49-demo-39314/ http://www.ikeepsafe.org/be-a-pro/balance/too-much-time-online/ Eggo Commmerical: http://youtu.be/FPsjJ1qZw14 Keith Green, "Asleep in the Light" http://youtu.be/ik-XOVZcwow Plus, check out this link, we will talk more about it next post: http://www.internetevangelismday.com/index.php