Fountains of Life

Think It Through

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It’s very easy to hear or see something on media and make a quick assessment of it’s validity; I’ve been culpable of this myself. However, we have a filter and The Truth to analyze and determine if we should believe it or not — The Word of God.

The Bible is the Word of God. Period. And, yes, not every single topic and subject is comprehensively explored in the scriptures, but we can see the heart of the Father and know His nature in them. 

For a while there was a fad going through the body of Christ — WWJD, or “What Would Jesus Do?” Not a bad way of thinking, but I feel it still leaves a little to be desired. What about, “How can I express the heart of Christ in this situation?” or, “If the Spirit is living in me, how should I respond in a manner that would reflect Him?”

Most of the time and in most situations, I simply respond — usually in the natural — without thinking through any of the spiritual ramifications. I’m not some “super-spiritual” “always loving and kind” person, though I’m in the process of being changed to His image daily. (2 Cor.3:18) We’re all in process. But imagine for a moment if I took the time to think things through rather than quickly responding (or judging). 

Thinking it through was exactly what Jesus did in John chapter 8 when a woman caught in adultery was brought before Him. He didn’t abruptly respond, but He bent down and wrote on the ground, taking a moment to check in with His Father and wait upon His Word. Now if only I could remember to do this! (sigh)

It’s so easy for me to jump on the bandwagon and run with the pack whether it be in favor of something or against it. But Jesus wasn’t in a hurry. He took the time to wait and listen. He took the time to come apart from others and spend time with His Father, alone. He found time to play, laugh, heal, eat, and pray. 

So my dear reader, I encourage you (and myself) to take time. Take time to think it through, whatever “it” may be. Filter it through the Word of God; analyze it in the Light of His nature and character. Be a modern-day Berean and see if these things be true or not, then try to react in such a way that expresses the love of God. You never know what may happen. I’m gonna try. 

You Just Don’t Know

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I began reading through the book of Ruth the other day and although she is the main focus of the text, I was struck at the end of the first chapter by the emotions of Naomi, her mother-in-law.

Naomi had moved from Bethlehem to Moab with her husband and two sons when a famine
came. The sons eventually got married there and life was good for awhile. However, some years later she returns back “home” to Bethlehem after losing not only her husband, but also her two sons in Moab. In her own words, “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.“

Naomi had become bitter due to life’s circumstances and she blamed it all on the Lord. Sound familiar?

Many people are mad at God, even us Christians can be, but we don’t want to say it. Instead we choose to live our lives bitter and angry with everyone and everything around us. Know someone like that?

As I considered Naomi here, the Lord quickened in me: “You just don’t know what someone has experienced. Don’t judge them or retaliate back. Respond in love and see what happens. Don’t take it personal.”

Usually the actions of such persons aren’t personal towards you. You just happen to be the one close by when they lash out from their inner wounding. Good chance they don’t even know it’s there, it’s so deep. 

Healing comes differently for each person. Some seek it and move past their hurts, and some don’t, preferring to writhe in bitterness and anger for the rest of their lives. We cannot heal them, but we can love them. We can respond in love when they erupt in hatred. We can choose to be kind when they continue to be mean.  As the saying goes, “Hurt people, hurt people.”

Love is a choice. And we know we’re always loved by the Father.

So you just don’t know what people around you are going through or been through, but by God’s grace you can express love to them in the midst of it. You could bring a little light to their darkness, they might even be intrigued by it. If you read the book of Ruth, you’ll see how God helps Naomi get her healing by way of her daughter-in-law. The Lord uses people just like us. 

(By Cyndi)

A Little Reminder

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While walking on the beach the other day, I looked out at the barge that’s been offshore for over a month now. The story goes that it’s cargo is coal ash and the 418-ft vessel was intentionally grounded on rocks in 30 feet of water off the coast because it started taking on
water. Basically they put it aground so it wouldn’t sink coming into the river. There are two tugboats monitoring it and a crane that has been working on it steadily for weeks, yet I have to wonder, “When is this ever going to be finished?”

At that moment I sense God smiling. He’s giving me a little reminder. Does this circumstance sound familiar? Could this situation be similar to me? Oh yeah. I’m just like this barge — I’m a work in progress.

I’m still working out issues in my life. I’m still learning to trust and obey Him. I’m still figuring out how to forgive and love people, be a good wife, a good mom. I’m not exactly sinking — at least not right now — and I don’t think I’m grounded, but I’m definitely needing some work done. God’s not finished with me yet.  

I glance out to sea again. Those two tugboats have stayed by this barge’s side through
everything. They have been there through rough storms as well as serene calm days, guarding it day and night. This brings to mind Hebrews 13:5, which reminds me that Father God will never leave or forsake me either. No matter the conditions, He’s watching over me as I grow.

Stopping for a moment to enjoy the breeze off the warming Atlantic I practice gratitude. This was just a little reminder from Papa — He’s got me. His love won’t fail. Even when it may seem like I’m sinking or overwhelmed by the seas around me, He’s still working in my life and He will continue doing so till I see Him face to face. (Phil. 1:6)

By Cyndi

(Local video from 911 Surf Report about the barge/photos from there too)

You Are Here

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This morning as I’m driving towards the beach about to head out for a surf, I take a moment to pray and then set my intention. I try to do this every time because I have to remind myself not to get too serious, judge myself, or compare myself to others. I’m there for the fun and exercise. 

So as I was breathing and relaxing and preparing to surf, I heard the Lord remind me, “You are here,” and such a peace came upon me. I’m not over “there,” I’m here. I’m not needing to focus on anything else right now except for being with Him right here, right now.

I pictured one of those directories where the map has a big red spot that says, “you are here” and it made me smile. I think He was smiling too, because for me, I find it difficult to stay “right here, right now” in my mind at times and not be pulled away into something else. 

There are so many things that beg for our attention all the time but the Word tells us that “this is the day the Lord has made…rejoice in it.”(Ps.118:24) He hasn’t made tomorrow yet and yesterday (or an hour ago) has already gone. I’m to be mindful of the present moment and rejoice right where I am. 

Surfing causes my lack of mindfulness to surface. Unfortunately it’s a sport that’s very conditional; it varies with the wind, the tide, the swell (or lack thereof) and you can’t just go out and do it if the circumstances aren’t right. Plus I, personally, have a struggle with FOMO (fear of missing out), so when I’m walking out to the beach you sometimes hear, “Oh, you should’ve been here and hour ago!” or “It was better this morning.” Now I’m no longer here about to surf, but now thinking about the past and wishing I was there. 

This doesn’t happen to me just in surfing. I often spend time wishing I was thinner, stronger, could do somethings better, or wished I would have done something better/differently. My mind gets drawn into either the past or the future instead of rejoicing and being happy right where I am. 

But where I am today, right now, right here, is where I am. I’m not in tomorrow, next week, next year or yesterday. I’m right here. I’m to be still and know that He is God in this present moment. (Ps.46:10) Still enough to accept and trust in His goodness right now, and not worry about anything else. (Matt. 6:25-34) 

After having set my intention and hearing those words “you are here,” I felt the Spirit impart to me: “Right here is where you are to be. Whatever ability and agility you have is where you are right now. Whatever weight you are is where you are right now. Don’t look at others or into the future. Be where you are, right now.” 

He loves me right where I am, right now. 

I’m so grateful Father God is able to bring me such peace and comfort when I’m willing to listen. And my dear friend, whatever you’re hoping for or whatever has already happened, He’s right here with you too. Like me, I believe that He’s asking you to look at that directory of your life and find that red spot that says, “you are here,” then be there too, because He loves you where you are right now. 

Everybody Needs a Family

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Last night Robert and I had a wonderful time at our weekly home group meeting. We always do. It’s a sweet evening of fellowship, food, and Biblical discussions. Most of us have been in this same group for quite some time now and it feels just like a family — and it is.

It’s a church family. And just like any other family, there are all kinds of characters who have different opinions, experiences, social status, and jobs. We don’t always agree on everything, however, we love each other because we’re connected by the blood of Jesus. Each of us has the same Father in heaven, which makes us brothers and sisters. How cool is that? We’re a family.

Everybody needs a family — people to laugh with, cry with, eat with, share thoughts with, pray with, and do life with. A family is there when you need comfort or encouragement, and when you want to celebrate or need to grieve. Of course, people are people and no one is perfect, but learning to accept each other for who they are is part of being a family.

In my younger days I used to like being more independent and thought that leaning on others was a weakness. I believed I could handle things myself and wanted to be strong and self-reliant. Until I couldn’t. 

Life happened and I tried to do it with just Jesus and me but I wasn’t able to. He urged me to ask for help and revealed in His Word that needing others isn’t a weakness but an asset. (1 Thes.5:14; 1 Cor.12:27; Rom.12:10; Heb.12:12) Opening up my heart to others was hard at first and it took some time, but it’s been such a joy doing life with my “family.”

Father God knew what He was doing when He created us and called us His children — everybody needs a family.

I strongly recommend you find a church home if you don’t have one already and join a local family of believers. With many people not living in the same area of their natural family (and perhaps may not want to) a church family is an awesome support system and a place for camaraderie. Get involved and do life with them. And having Jesus in the middle of it makes it even better.

(by Cyndi)