Fountains of Life

What Are You Thinking?

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Ever think about what you’re thinking about?

Phil.4:8 tells us: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

I love watching little children at the beach. Exploring the water, jumping into waves, moving their tiny toes in the sand. One day I watched a man repeatedly chase down his three-year-old granddaughter bounding towards the ocean with her water-wings on, laughing and smiling as she scurried away. Pure joy and delight were on both of their faces. I like thinking on these kind of things. 

I also follow certain groups on social media who report on positive news-worthy things going on in the world, like neighbors helping neighbors, total strangers supporting each other, rescues, good deeds, and virtuous acts of kindness and bravery. For me, at least, if I’m going to use these platforms, I prefer to put wholesome things into my mind. There is enough negative and discouraging news all around me, it takes an effort sometimes to counteract those things in my thoughts. 

The Word of God has some great wisdom about our thoughts too. Isa. 26: 3 says we will stay in perfect peace if we keep our mind on Him. Col. 3:2 reminds us to keep our minds on things above and not on things of this earth. Also any chapter in the book of Psalms always has a way of restoring my soul and returning hope to me when I’m caught up in the muck of the world. And check out the apostle Paul giving Timothy some good advice throughout the letters he wrote to him (particularly 2 Tim. 2).

So think about what you’re thinking about and I’ll leave you, my friend, with the lyrics from an old Don Moen song: 

Think about His love, think about His goodness

Think about His grace that’s brought us through

For as high as the heavens above

So great is the measure of our father’s love

Great is the measure of our Father’s love

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)

Beached

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Last week as I was walking along the beach, there was a sailboat leaning
over on its side upon the dry sand. Close by, an anchor was lying on the ground, still attached to its poor owner, “Zing” from Virginia Beach. “Oh, my!” I thought. “This boat is quite far from where it’s supposed to be.”

It’s possible that this sailboat may have been traveling offshore and wasn’t that far from my beach, but the bigger dilemma was that boats are supposed to be in the water, not up on the shore!

As I gazed and photographed poor Zing, the Lord gently reminded me how similar I can be to this sailboat. There have been times when I, too, was far from where I was supposed to be — beached and out of place. I didn’t feel I was in God’s will, yet I was stuck — unable (or unwilling) to move. 

There are two ways to be beached: physically, like in a job or a certain situation; and mentally, in our minds and beliefs. I personally tend to get stuck mentally. I lose focus of the path God put before me, or I get easily distracted by other things, and the next thing I know, I’m sitting high and dry out of the water.

Boats are made to be in the water. Having grown up sailing with my family, sailboats glide through the water effortlessly when the sails are set well. Harnessing the wind only, there’s a simple flow in their movements. It feels natural — the vessel is doing what it was made to do. 

If we’re not doing what God made us to do, it usually feels unnatural or out of place. Not that we won’t have some unusual things to go through on our “God path,” but when we’re in His will, there’s usually grace for the experience. If we’re not, we feel like a beached sailboat.

Poor Zing has been beached here in Atlantic Beach for over a week now. She’s been moved around a little with the tides coming in, but still not where she’s supposed to be. No one has pulled her back into the deep water nor taken her away for repairs. Fortunately for us, God doesn’t leave us grounded like Zing. Isaiah 58:9 tells us that when you call on Him, He will say, “Here I am.” Father God is always near to us, to rescue us, help us, and bring us back to where we belong.

If you’re feeling stuck or beached or just out of place, call upon the Lord. He will answer you. He will never leave you beached and alone. He has a course laid out for you (Jer. 29:11) and He’s happy to pull you back to where you’re supposed to be. 

Am I Insignificant?

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We’re exhorted in the Word not to think too highly of ourselves and that’s true, we shouldn’t. (Rom. 12:3) However, I’d like to point out that sometimes we don’t think we’re significant enough to merit much at all — questioning sometimes whether God could even use us. 

As I was reading through the book of Acts the other day, I came across a story I didn’t really remember. It was just a few verses regarding Paul’s nephew, the son of his sister. In chapter 23, verses 12-33, this young man heard about a plot to kill his uncle Paul. Paul was imprisoned because the Jewish leaders didn’t like him preaching about Jesus. He had been interrogated once, yet not found guilty, so a plan was devised to bring him before the Sanhedrin again supposedly for more interrogation. However,  about 40 men vowed to murder him on the way there. What a devious scheme! 

Having perceived this plan, the nephew told his uncle, who in turn brought him before a centurion, who in turn brought him to the commander who was in charge of Paul in jail, since Paul was a Roman citizen. And to this commander the young man told of the evil plot. Long story short, Paul’s life was spared. 

Now we don’t even know the name of Paul’s nephew, yet he played a significant role in saving his life. This story is just several verses in a very large Book, but imagine how small this Book would have been had Paul’s life ended here! 

This made me think — none of us are insignificant. None. God individually created us for our own specific roles. Not only do we not look alike, but we don’t talk alike, we don’t dress alike, we don’t think alike, and we don’t behave alike. And we’re not supposed to. We each have a unique purpose. Yes — you have a purpose! You are not insignificant! I can’t do what you do and you can’t do what I do. So you be you and I’ll be me!  

Look at what Paul’s nephew did! In one sense what he did was very small and simple — he told the truth about something he’d heard to those in authority. Yet the ramifications of this small message was huge! In that sense, what he did was tremendous! It not only saved his uncle’s life, but it affected the lives of millions of people afterwards for years. And we are still feeling it’s effect now!

So dear reader, I tell you sincerely — you matter! You’re important! You’re just like Paul’s nephew. You are NOT insignificant! You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14) and God has a plan for your life! (Jer. 29:11) Now go be you.