Stuff

I know I have not written in awhile. Even this morning my mind is filled with thoughts, but not knowing how to clearly share them. I know my ideas are often controversial. I don't like "stirring the pot." It just happens. The time change and "lost sleep" messes with me too. So, here are my rambling thoughts today, but the teaching I share at the end brought my thoughts together. I hope they do the same for you.

Stuff... War again. I know many people dislike war and the pain it brings and believe that it should never happen. Really? War is clearly in the Bible. It is clearly stated even in Revelation that in the end days there will be wars. Jesus himself said that there will be "wars and rumors of wars" as we near His return. Do I like war? Of course not! And yet, God clearly said to "root out evil." So, I walk out the fact that happens and believe that He knows best.

More stuff... men and women and leadership. Women often being told that they need to "submit to husbands" and "wait patiently" for him to treat her properly. I agree that women should not "run" at the first disagreement or over petty issues, however, God placed women to stand "NEXT TO their husbands, not behind them. God did NOT create woman to be a helper that only completes the tasks man asks of her. God created women to stand NEXT TO their husbands and be part of the battle. A woman should not submit to ungodly authority and be placed in situations that cause her to not be all He created her to be. Hopefully women learn to choose the man who allows her to be all God created her to be, and hopefully more men realize that God created women to stand next to him and not behind or under him.

And more stuff... our Jewish roots. controversial because so many "Christians" think that it is bad for us to learn about it. Bottom line, Jesus was Jewish. If we say we want to be like Him, then we need to learn His ways and learn what He experienced.

This is all "stuff" that has been spinning and processing in my head this week. I know it won't sit well with many. But, this blog is meant for me to share my "stuff" and me learning how to walk out the responses.

As I have been doing lately on my Instagram and Facebook page - sharing a story that Aussiedave posts, today is no different. I appreciate his approach to sharing about our Hebrew/Jewish roots. Today it is about faith.

Here is his teaching today:

An ancient Jewish teachings says the world stands on three things.

Torah - learning God's ways

Avodah - worship and prayer

Gemilut Chasadim - acts of loving kindness

Our faith is not meant to rest on one practice.

It is meant to be balanced.

Mind. Heart. Hands.

Learning. Worship. Kindness.

If faith becomes only study, it feel intellectual.

If faith becomes only worship it feels emotional.

If faith becomes only service, it eventually burns out.

But when all three work together, something changes.

So, try this today.

Read one passage of Scripture.

Pray one honest prayer.

Do one act of kindness for someone else.

That's it.

Mind, heart and hands working together.

And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Reading his devotional reminds me of the teaching from college that my professor, Dr. Gary Newton, taught all of us as we wrote curriculum and teachings for our Christian Education classes. He told us everything needed to include a "Heady, Hearty, Handy" aspect.

Friends - as you process the STUFF of the world today, the hard questions of life, may we all be reminded that it really is all about doing these things every day and as often as we can. Bring the BALANCE of life to those around you.

Thankful for HIS reminders. Thankful for HIS reminders that we don't need to carry the burdens of the world. Thankful that we can believe HIS promises and bring His LOVE and KINDNESS to the world around us. Don't let time and stuff of this world take away what HE wants you to do.

Love and blessings,

Rose