The Rural Church

We recently received a link to a writing with encouragement for working within the rural church. I loved the words, for often I get lost in feeling unproductive and having no impact on lives around me. This writing points out at the end, "When it is all said and done, we are going to be thrilled at the way God has used the out-of-the-way places, the forgotten places, to do some of His most significant things."

Although I thought of summarizing the three points, his style allowed me to sit back and think of what is actually taking place with God as master and creator. I hope that you also take a peak at another aspect of God's work within the world -- even in a rural setting. Jim Eliff's The Rural Church Dilemma.

Thankful Thursday

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thess. 5:16-18)

Last week I tried to come up with a list and it was actually very hard. This week, my daughter (Sarah -- In Light of the Truth) encouraged me to put something down -- just keep it simple if I want.

Does God ask any more from us than to give back to Him our thanks and praise? With that, I come to Him with these items for which I am thankful:
* Sunshine, flowers, blossoms on trees and green grass.
* Summer vacation -- the semester is completed and I do not teach summer sessions this year.
* Extended family that gives places to go for vacation. =) (We leave tomorrow for Houston.)
* Studying economics is going smoother than I had imagined. (Studying for an accounting test -- economics is included, but this area is not easy for me.)
* Feet that enable me to walk, ears to hear, and hands for touching.
* Parents that I love.
* Eli -- my grandson who reminds me of the steps in learning development.
* Children that love and serve the Lord.
* Husband that loves me. (Today is our anniversary...)
* Brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage just by being there.
* I am thankful, Lord God, for your hand that moves. Thank you for being a God that knows His people and cares for us.

Amen.

Visit Iris for more links on this Thankful Thursday.

Summer vacation

This week finishes a semester at school. All seem thankful to set behind assignments, certain people, deadlines, not having enough time, etc. The drudgery of it all is about to come to a close. Yipee! Summer vacation!

Many have asked what will I do this summer -- am I teaching any courses? Will I do traveling, they ask.

After reading someone's blog today, I did get to thinking -- just what will I do this summer? Sure, I have plans to study for an accounting exam that I will be taking. And yes, I plan to travel to see family and friends. But what is the most important item to include this summer? Will it be cleaning the house? Or finishing scrapbooks and sorting pictures into albums? Taking lots of walks or going for bike rides?

The most important thing is for me to remember what is most important. What do I hope to do each day? Although I like to think that I daily read God's Word, I noticed that I am still working on the book of Jeremiah. If I read a chapter a day, those 52 chapters would have been finished last August -- yeah, August of 2006. So where do I put my priorities? Why do I make excuses? Why do I get distracted by reading the paper or a magazine rather than focusing on life to my Spiritual Soul?

What will summer bring? May the activities be things like:
1) Finishing the book of Jeremiah
2) Volunteering my hands, feet and voice to sharing Christ's love
3) Devoting myself to prayer
4) Reading God's Word daily
5) Praising Him

Even in the midst of cleaning or sorting pictures...