THE NEW EWE
THE NEW EWE"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"
Luke 15:4-6
April 24, 2024
LIFE
IN THE FOLDI get my nephew's two kindergarteners on the school bus each weekday. Their cousin, who is in 1st grade, is dropped off in the mornings by her mom, who has to be at work early; so I get her on the bus, also.
Some mornings, the cousin falls asleep after she gets there, and will sleep until I wake her up when it's time to go outside. Those mornings, the other two will generally watch TV or play together upstairs.
There are other mornings, when it's nice outside, that they will go play in the backyard, until I call them in to get their backpacks and head out to wait for the bus. Other times, they will play upstairs. And occasionally the three of them will play downstairs and watch TV.
This is what I've found; when there are two kids playing together, they do much better than when you have three. When there are three kids, two of them often will side together on things and the third one gets left out; or two will gang up on the one, which leaves someone with their feelings hurt.
One thing that I've learned, is that there are times when I need to step in and settle a dispute or remind them to be kind and all play nice; especially when I can hear a situation escalating. But there are other times, when I need to step back and allow the kids to figure it out for themselves and learn how to fight their own battles. Even then, I'm available and ready to step in, if needed. Kids need to learn the skill of getting along and figuring things out between them when there are disagreements, but if adults always step in and take charge, then it's going to take them longer to learn those things for themselves.
I will sometimes give the kids instructions on what they can or can't do. If one of them comes to me crying or telling me what someone said or did, I find out what happened and decide if it's something I need to get involved with or if someone is just being a tattle tale and wanting to get their own way.
I'm there when the kids need me and are making sure that they are safe and taken care of, but sometimes am out of their sight, but still listening and aware of what they're doing -- even if they don't always know that. But they always know where to find me and know that they can come to me for anything at anytime.
Since the beginning of time on earth, that's an example of God with His children. After God created Adam and Eve, He would come down and walk with them in the garden, in the cool of the evening. But even when they didn't see Him there with them, He was still watching and listening and aware of what was going on. After they ate the fruit of the tree, then tried to hide from God when He came down to spend time with them, He already knew what they had done and had seen it happen.
When the Israelites were led out of Egyptian bondage and were getting ready to enter the Promised Land, God gave Moses very specific instructions to give to them. Upon entering the land, they were to drive out all of their enemies and possess the land. God promised that He would go before them and would be with them and help. But they were required to obey and do everything that God told them to do. He didn't just go in and do all the work for them, so that they would arrive to a perfect place with no problems and everything already done for them. They had to fight their enemies and had to drive them out, which they failed to do. The result was them worshipping the idols of the foreign nations and taking on their sins and evil practices. Many would still worship God, too, but added in these other false gods.
God saw and heard everything that they did. He would become angry with them and allow other nations to come in and oppress them. But still, it often took the Israelites several years before they would come to the place of calling out to God for help. When they did, God would come and help them and deliver them from their enemy. But then after time passed by, they would once again slip back into sinful habits and evil practices of worshipping other gods. This was a continuous cycle for Israel.
When the people called upon God for help, there were many times when He would miraculously go before them and help drive back the enemy. He helped them fight their battles! But the people still had to obey and raise up armies and go fight. They had to deal with their enemies and listen to what God told them to do, in order for victories to be won.
Sometimes we want God to come fight all of our battles for us. But if He did, then we wouldn't grow in our faith and mature spiritually. He will be there with us and instruct us. He will always be nearby so we can call upon Him, when need be. In fact, God is always near, listening and fully aware of what is going on. There may be times when He will step in and handle situations for us, and then there are occasions when He wants us to fight our own battles. God knows that we are well equipped and have the armor to put on that He has given to us, and that we are capable of fighting the enemy. Even then, He's there listening and watching to see if He will need to step in and help.
I have four older sisters. The next to the oldest (who is about 12 years or so older than me) had two cousins that she was good friends with, growing up. I remember hearing Daddy say that if two of them were together, they would get along. But if you had all three girls together, one of them would always be pouting and have her feelings hurt.
We need one another, as brothers and sisters in Christ. We don't need the competition or someone getting their feelings hurt or offenses happen. That doesn't mean that we will always agree on everything, but we are still the body of Christ and need to learn how to function together, in spite of differences of opinions and personalities.
We can read stories in the Bible where people didn't always get along; even people in ministry. Paul had a falling out with Barnabas, and the two went their separate ways. Paul and Peter didn't always agree. Yet they didn't allow their differences to stop them from following Jesus and preaching the gospel.
One thing I've noticed, about the kids that I watch in the mornings, is that they may have disagreements and get their feelings hurt and not always get along well, but they are forgiving and don't hold grudges. Before you know it, they will be playing with each other again. Underneath it all, they truly love one another.
Let's love one another! Let's be willing to grow in our faith and mature and walk in obedience to God. Battles will come, but God will always go before us and be there with us!
JON'S
PERSPECTIVE:I Corinthians 12:14~20 gives a good illustration of how we are all designed to be different, yet work together. We are like various parts of one body. Just as a body needs a variety of parts to see something, walk to it, and pick it up, we as a church (or family or any other kind of group) work best when we have some variation. Our differences are a good thing.
Those differences may create differences in viewpoint and opinions, but given some time, we can learn why others have their viewpoints and opinions. We don't have to agree, but by understanding, we may be able to work together better.
ON
THE MENEWE:Potato Cakes
(My mama used to make these when we had leftover mashed potatoes)
To 1-2 cups of leftover mashed potatoes, add in 1 egg and stir.
Add black pepper and garlic powder; can also add in paprika.
Can also cut onion in really fine pieces and add in the mixture.
Stir in some self-rising flour to thicken the pototoes.
Heat olive oil on griddle.
Place potato mixture by spoonfuls on hot griddle.
Cook until browned on one side, then flip.
Flip over, then can use spatula to smash down some.
Cook until browned on the second side, then serve.
THIS,
THAT AND THE OTHER:More Bulletin Bloopers!
The fasting and prayer meeting includes meals.
Miss Mason sang "I Will Not Pass This Way Again", giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
The Senior Choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
Brother Lamar has gone on to be the Lord.
The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
Mr. Bradford was elected and has accepted the office of head deacon. We could not get a better man.
Are you 45 and getting nowhere? Why not consider the Christian ministry?
Visitors are asked to sing their names at the church entrance.
The maintenance of the church graveyard is becoming increasingly costly. It would be a great help if parishioners would do their best to tend their own graves.
THOUGHT
TO PONDER:Mountaintops are for views and inspiration,
but fruit is grown in the valleys. - Billy Graham
OUR
HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:We love you!
Loretta & Jon