Where is it?

Wednesday is a day that gets lost in the middle somewhere. Nothing too impressive about it. Especially 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon. Nevertheless, there are always lessons to be learned. Even at 2:30 on a Wednesday.

A wise man once said, "God's work done in God's way never lacks any of God's supplies."

A threefold test to help us make decisions. At least, it helps me.

God's work... God's way... God's supplies.

In (whatever) this situation (is), am I doing God's work or my work? Is it about bringing the Kingdom honor and the King glory? Or about bring myself something: praise, recognition, comfort, my own way? Is it about what He wants, or what I want?

Am I thinking, acting, praying, serving coffee, loving, rejoicing, believing, sweeping floors, walking, correcting, lifting up, smiling and studying in a way that glorifies my Adonai? If I determine that (whatever) this (is) is God's work, am I doing His work as He would? But what if I don't have (fill in the blank)? Aha. Part three!

God provides. That's the essence of it. He may not provide WHAT we think we need WHEN we think we need it. But He always provides. People, God is a creative God! After all, He formed everything out of nothing! That's pretty much the dictionary definition of creativity. When we have a need, we get so focused on what we think would fill that need that sometimes we can't even see divine provision when it's staring us in the face.

So here's some ideas:
a.)Learn to LOOK in unexpected places for unconventional, unorthodox provision.
b.)Learn to EXPECT God to provide.
c.)Learn to THANK God for His creative provisions.

Not too bad, eh? For a Wednesday...

What am I gonna do with Him?

I woke up at 8:30 this morning with the sun shining through a crack in my curtains. I rolled over and snuggled under the blankets, very smug with myself that I didn't have to get up yet. It's Saturday after all.
I lay there a little while longer, thinking happy, sunshiny thoughts like, "Isn't this such a perfect day to be alive?"
I got out of bed and made myself a Tori version of a cinnamon dolce latte (compliments of yummy Caribou coffee from my Par) and got back in bed with my Bible and journal and laptop to check my email.
I fluffed up my pillow and put it behind my back, pulled up my blanket and took a sip of coffee. My inbox opened and the very first email was from ChinaAid. The subject line said, "Burmese Refugees Need Emergency Help."
I opened the email and almost choked on my coffee.

"Ongoing armed conflicts in north Burma’s Kachin state have left as many as 40,000 Burmese refugees homeless on the China-Burma border without food, medicine or warm clothing!

The majority are Christians of the Jingpo minority group and about 25,000 have fled into China side of border with Burma to seek shelter and refuge. But, the Chinese local government refuses to help!

And, there appears to be little chance for a ceasefire of the armed conflict between Burmese government troops and the KIA that first broke out on June 9, 2011, leaving them without proper clothing or sufficient food to survive!"

I read to the end of the email, feeling sad and sorry for the people that were going through such terrible things. Then I looked down at my coffee cup.
And my blankets.
And my laundry basket full of clothes.
And my cupboard full of food.
And my desk stacked up with books.
And my own sink with clean water.
And carpet, pictures, and pretty things to make me more comfortable.

Why did I have this when they barely had life? Why can I choose to eat what tastes good to me when they don't even have the choice of eating anything? Why do I get to decided that I don't want to wear pink because it makes my skin looks weird when they would give anything just for a shirt to wear?

"To whom much is given, much is required."

What was that, Lord?

"Freely you have received. Freely give."

Oh right. I get it. Freely give my money. Sure, I understand. After all it's really Your's anyway. (feeling very much like, "oh yeah. Me and God- we get each other.)

"What good does it do, My child, if YOU say you have faith but no works to show it? If YOU see a brother or sister naked and destitute of daily food, and you say, 'Peace unto you, be warm and full!' but YOU don't give them the very things they need, what good is that for either of you? Your faith lives in your works. Did I freely give you money? No. I freely gave you ME. Myself. My blood. My love."

A very humbled, ashamed me rolled over and stared at the ceiling. I'm not rich- not by any stretch of the imagination. I live in a dorm room. I don't own a car. Heck, I don't even have a driver's license! But do I need any of that to give what I have boundless, unlimited amounts of?

Dear Peter says it this way. "Silver and gold I do not have. But what I DO have, I give you." Peter had God.

And He gave God.

I have God.

Do I give Him?

Do I keep Him all to myself? Do I horde His affection and blessing like there isn't enough to go around? Do I spend myself in Him for those He spent Himself for? Do I see the ones He would seen? Do I go where He would go?

He gave Himself to me. So what am I gonna do with Him?

קום להאיר לכם אור הגיע וכבוד יהוה, כאשר היא עולה עליכם

{Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of Adonai has risen upon you!}


כי הנה החושך יכסה את הארץ וחושך עמוק לעם אבל יהוהתקום על אותך ואת כבודו יראו עליכם

{For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but Adonai will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.}