THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #2

TODAYS SCRIPTURE John 4:6-14 (Please go back and read the entire scripture. Here is a bit of those verses.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #2

Living Water - Oh, my friends, that is only the beginning of the gifts God has for us.

Welcome to week two of The Gifts of God. Last week we learned that sometimes the gifts of God are not what we expect or what we really want. The three gifts mentioned last week were Trials, Gentleness and Hiding Place.

This week I have three more. What gift might God give you? Or me? When the gift is opened, would you smile, laugh or worry?

DELIGHT: Delight is defined as something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment. And are you ready for this? GOD HAS A WHOLE RIVER OF DELIGHTS!

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. Psalm 36:7

Think about it. God has a whole river of delights! A river just waiting for us to drink from.

When I gave my message, I held up a little drinking glass and told them I was not taking this to the river.

This is the cup I am dipping into the river of delights.

I don't know about you, but I want to take a very big glass, a super duper size glass to that river.

TEARS: Tears? Tears from laughter? From joy? Well, of course we all want that gift. What feeling is there like laughing so hard the tears run right down your cheeks? Or the sweet tears of joy? This is a great gift. This is a keeper!

Yes, but also God has given us tears to help us when we are grieving. When we are scared. Tears help us deal with pain. We must remember though, tears are not permanent.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:17

CALLED: Oh, my. Here is another gift we do not like to open. Called -- Our first question is, "Called to what?"

When we receive this gift, we begin to bargain with God. Can I do it tomorrow? Surely, you meant this gift for someone else. I don't know to teach. Africa? That is so far away. What about someplace not so hot. With indoor plumbing? I know. After the kids are out of the house. After the bills are all paid. After -- . But called is a gift.

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4: part of 14

Some ladies had just finished a study on Esther and understood that Esther was called to be a Queen. Called to save her people.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Of course, there is only one answer when we receive the gift of called. The Lord came and stood there, calling, "Samuel! Samuel!" We must be like Samuel. Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Take time to think about these three gifts: Delight. Tears. Called.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Three new gifts this week. Which would you be thrilled to open? Which gift have you received? Would you like to open the gift of called?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

More gifts! Lord, your gifts are never ending. I thank you for the gifts I welcome with open arms: joy, peace, love. And I thank you for the gifts I receive but do not understand until later. I so do want to drink from your river of delights and will dip into that river with the biggest container I can find. Tears have come with laughter and tears have come when life had no laughter in it. Called? Lord, when you give me that gift, make sure it is wrapped in strength and tied with your guidance. Called? Speak, your servant is listening. Amen

THE GIFTS OF GOD

One morning I sat in the courtyard, at our church. What a wonderful, peaceful place for prayer, surrounded by flowers, a blue sky and the cross towering over the church. Surrounded by gifts from God! As I sat in the courtyard, I pictured the altar stacked high with packages. Each wrapped perfectly. Tied with colorful bows. All sizes. All shapes. And never ending. No matter how many received a gift, the altar was never bare. The pile of gifts never got smaller. There were always gifts waiting to be taken.

I wondered how God feels when his children come to take a gift. Is he happy that we want his peace? Is he thrilled when we take faith? Hope? Charity?

We can make a long list: Peace. Patience. Grace. Mercy. Salvation. Trust. Courage. Healing. Faithfulness. Self - Control. That list could go on and on. And each of us would put different gifts on the list. Gifts we would like and gifts we have received.

As I sat there, a simple idea began to form for the next time I spoke at church. Everyone needs to know about God's gifts. I wanted to tell that sometimes the gift, when opened, may say yes. But it also may say no. All the "normal" things we call gifts from God popped into my mind, but God had another idea. God wants you to know about all his gifts.

Last Sunday I delivered the message and, over the next three weeks will tell about some of the not-so-obvious gifts.

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: John 4:6-14

Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.

It was about the sixth hours. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Living Water - Oh, my friends, that is only the beginning of the gifts God has for us.

TRIALS: God, may I put that one back. I don't want trials. Life is so complicated now. Why have you given me trials? - May I put this one back? I don't want trials.

As much as we hate trials, they do come and we learn from them. We learn to give care to a loved one, showing tenderness and compassion. We learn to allow others to help us. And we all learn when we stand with our family and friends, helping them through their trials.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2

GENTLENESS: Now that is more like it. Gentleness is a great gift.

What a blessing. What a gift when God gives us gentle words which we can use to comfort others. Or a gentle touch when caring for a loved one. What a gift when God's gentleness wraps around us.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

HIDING PLACE: That is a strange gift. Or is it?

Have you ever just felt like the world was too much? Like you just needed to get away? Away to a place that was safe? Away, alone, just for a bit? Have you ever wanted to get away to a place where you could take a deep breath, close your eyes and forget your troubles?

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

Hiding place is not a strange gift after all.

Enough for today. Next week will be soon enough to find out about other gifts God has prepared for you.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

How would you feel if you went to the altar, selected a gift, opened it and found trials? Would you think that was a gift you wanted to keep? Would you want to keep gentleness? Have you ever wanted a hiding place?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

To the giver of gifts, Thank you for each gift I receive. For those, like trials, that I do not appreciate until long after the trial is over and for those that I willingly accept, like gentleness. Thank you for being there when I need a hiding place. God, please open my heart and my eyes so, unlike the woman at the well, I will see your gifts. Amen

HOW COULD I FORGET THAT?

Mondays, during the summer, I spend with four of our grandsons. Sometimes we play board games. Sometimes we bake. We usually play wii. Sometimes we watch a movie. And sometimes we do a craft.

This last Monday the boys wanted to make garden stones like we did last summer. We did it once so now it is a tradition. A summer ritual.

I bought more quick crete and colored stones. When I checked my supplies, a new mixing bowl, strong spoon and plastic trays were added to the list. Everything we needed was now on hand and ready to be loaded into the car.

To make the process less messy, I even pre-measured the crete for each stone and bagged it separately. I was thinking ahead!

Into the car went the crete, the bowl, the spoon, the trays and all the goodies to decorate with.

The boys were excited when I arrived and out of the car came everything. The crete, the bowl, the spoon and all the goodies to decorate with. Did you notice that the trays did not come out of the car? They were no place to be found.

I looked three times! I just knew I had put them in the car.

Four very sweet grandsons said we could do them next week. IF I DIDN'T FORGET AGAIN.

We are human. We will forget things. God, on the other hand, will never forget us!!

My favorite Psalm is 139 and I read it often.

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: PSALM 139

O Lord, you have searched me, you know me, you perceive my thoughts, you discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways, you know my tongue completely, you are behind and before me and you have laid your hand upon me. parts of 1-6

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 7-10

WOW!! We forget little things. We forget big things. Some days we forget God. And sometimes those days stretch into weeks and years. But God never forgets us. He always has us held fast in His right hand.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you forgotten anything this week? How did it make you feel? Mad at yourself? Frustrated?

How does it make you feel to know that God never forgets you?

(In case you are wondering about the trays, I found them when I got home. When I picked up the supplies I was not taking with me, I put the trays in the wrong pile. My bad.)

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O Lord, Sometimes I make plans and they just don't turn out right because I forgot one small item. Thank you for not forgetting even the smallest detail of the plan you have for me. Sometimes I forget someone's name. Thank you for not forgetting my name. Sometimes I forget where I put something. Thank you for always knowing where I am. That means I am never alone. Amen

45 YEARS, 364 DAYS AND COUNTING

Thinking back to June 3, 1965 I remember not being nervous at all. In my mind I picture a very young, 18 year old girl preparing for a very big day: June 4, 1965: MY WEDDING DAY!

For just a moment, close your eyes, take a deep breath and picture a wedding. Okay. Got it? Did you picture a wedding gown with a long veil? Flowers and candles? A packed church? If you did, you are so wrong!

We were married on a Friday evening, in a small Methodist Church with only our families present. How much time did I take off work for our wedding? Friday and Monday! That is what Bill and I both wanted and I have never regretted not having a big, traditional wedding.

Friday, June 4, 1965 was a busy day. I actually had my hair done! We picked up the flowers. And we - nope that was it. Oh, guess the 4th wasn't that busy. I'm not sure what Bill did to prepare. After the wedding, we were going back to his mother's to have cake and punch, so I imagine he helped her get the house ready and probably picked up the cake.

My dad walked me down the aisle and, as we were getting ready to take that first step, he said, "If you want to change your mind, I'll take you out the door instead." No way!! Down the aisle we went.

Our service was very short. Our minister, Rev. Sam Boyle, read the proper words, pronounced us Mr. and Mrs. and sent us down the aisle.

Just so you can check out the styles and I can stop, look and remember here are pictures.

My parents

Bill's mother, Uncle George and Aunt Nelle

Maid of Honor, my sister Jean, and Best Man, Jim

Yes, this is the complete wedding party.

Today's blog does not have a deep message. There are no questions for you to ponder. I think I just wanted you to share in our anniversary. I want you to know God's blessings can begin on a Friday evening in a small quiet church.

One young girl walking toward one young man,

standing before an altar and

saying, "I do."

I am thankful I walked down the aisle and not out the door. Bill is the very best gift God has ever given me. We began our lives walking side by side and that is how we have traveled the path that began June 4, 1965.

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 2: parts of 20-24

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

My very gracious God, Thank you for my Bill. Amen