Thursday, January 28, 2010

Thought Provoking Thursday

The Chosen Vessel
Author Unknown
The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose?
"Take me", cried the gold one. "I'm shiny and bright.
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!"
The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
"I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You."
Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do.
Place me on Your table for all men to view."

"Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear.
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide."


The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
"You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said,
"But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!"
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
"Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might."
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. "There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

Taking up My Cross

 


Galatians 2:20 
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Matthew 10:38
  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 This year I have been wanting to focus on an area spiritually in my life. I have thought of several verses, but it has taken me several weeks for the Lord to show me what area needs the most work in my life. There are plenty of areas which could be improved, but the one the Lord has impressed upon me is the need to completely die to myself.

I am one of those people who like to plan and can be very disjointed when people interrupt my schedule with needing me to do this or that. It is so easy to go about MY life and be worrying about what I need to get done and neglect to serve others along life's way.

I think many Christians are like the Priest and Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan. If I had to decide who I am most like in this story, it would have to be one of them. I am sure they were busy needing to get to their next "appointment" or too busy "serving" God to stop and help that poor man. How many people do we overlook who need an encouraging word, a helping hand or even more importantly to hear the gospel? So many times I go to the store and am in such a hurry to take the time to stop and hand the cashier a tract. Isn't this why we are here on the earth to serve others?

What better example is there than the Lord Jesus Christ who was never too busy to stop and show a little compassion. He took the time to talk to the "woman at the well." He took the time to gather little children up in His arms. He took the time to talk to the woman with the issue of blood. He could of just kept on going, after all He knew who had touched Him and He knew that she was healed. He lived a completely selfless life. He is the Almighty God, yet He was not afraid to become a servant of His own creation, mankind.

This year I am praying that the Lord will help me to die to myself in a much greater way than I have ever done before. I want to be completely emptied of myself, my plans, my hopes, and my dreams that I might be fully surrendered to Him that He might be glorified and honored through my life.

John 3:30,  
" He must increase, but I must decrease."

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Thought Provoking Thursday


In honor of "National Tea Month":




"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
C.S. Lewis


 Now go grab your favorite tea cup and make yourself a nice cup of tea!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Thought Provoking Thursday


"My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time."
~ Charles Dickens

Friday, January 8, 2010

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Thought Provoking Thursday


"The answer to our nation's moral problems is not found in our government, but in the Savior."

~ P. Chappell

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Monday, January 4, 2010

New Year's Goals

Here are some of my goals that I would like to accomplish this year, "Lord willing":

Spiritual/ministry goals:

do two 5-day clubs this summer in my area
read through my Bible
memorize Philippians
find ways to improve my teaching methods 

Books to read or to finish reading:

Sending Forth Laborers
Teach with Success
Pride & Prejudice
Jungle Pilot
The Life and Diary of David Brainerd
start Hudson Taylor (2vol)
Anne of Green Gables (I never read it as a kid, so just am catching up on what I missed out on)
Loving God with All Your Mind




Projects:

finish quilt for my bed
2 baby blankets
work down my fabric scraps
finish afghan
finish black toile wall hanging

Other goals:

start Master's degree by correspondence (in the fall)
open an etsy shop

clean & organize my sewing room (have already put a big dent in this, but still needs a lot more work)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails