Spearfish Canyon, SD / Photo, B. L. Strohbehn / Copyright 2012
My Favorite Psalm
Mingling with Sparrows
Did you ever watch “That Girl” on television, either when it originally aired or via one of the oldies re-runs channels?
In one of my favorite episodes, “Ann Marie,” played by Marlo Thomas, goes to an elegant business event with long-time boyfriend, “Donald Hollinger,” played by Ted Bessell. In this episode, Ann was hesitant to attend the event, not knowing anyone there and feeling uncertain what to talk about with the other guests.
Upon arriving, Donald encouraged her to “go mingle.” Ann quickly realized that the noise level of the event prohibited people from carrying on meaningful conversations. In her humorous yet gracious way, Ann walked up to various groups and used conversational tones while saying, “Here a mingle (nods at one guest), there a mingle (nods at another guest, then takes in the entire group as she ends with), everywhere a mingle-mingle.” Not really listening, or not being able to hear, they would nod in reply, as though she had said something brilliant. She would then head off and repeat the process with another group.
The above scene from “That Girl” often comes to mind when I enter a “church-wide fellowship.” As a woman at church without a spouse, I often have the same hesitancy about entering a room where I know few if any people! But I know that fellowship with other believers is important, and so I go. I “mingle.” I leave early.
Yesterday my new church had its annual community-wide outreach—a patriotic service sharing the Gospel, honoring Veterans, and culminating in a ginormous picnic, car show, and play area with huge inflatables for the kids. I desperately wanted to attend this post-service event, but did not want to go alone. “Here a mingle, there a mingle” is just a little out of place in a picnic atmosphere!
A lady from my Bible study, Pat, told me last week that she would also be at the middle service. However, I neglected to ask her at that time if I could join her for the picnic.
As I exited the auditorium and entered the large foyer, I sincerely prayed silently in my heart, becoming totally oblivious to anything or anyone, “Lord, you know I desire to enjoy the fellowship and fun of this picnic. There are thousands of people here, but please help me find Pat. Thank You, Lord.” I slowly blinked as if in a silent “Amen.” As I mentally re-entered the world around me, and just as my blink ended, Pat walked right in front of me!
I instantly thought of Matthew 10:29-31:
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
These verses reminded me that my loving God cares about every need that I have. I cannot escape His care! If He knows what’s going on in the life of a little sparrow (and He does), and if He can help me find a new acquaintance in a vast crowd of people (and He can—and did), then He can care for every need I face in this week!
By the way, yes, I enjoyed the picnic! So I’ll leave the “mingling” to the flock of sparrows. I have friendships to form and fellowships to attend!
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Thank you for taking time to read “Mingling with Sparrows.” Feel free to leave a comment!
Three Reasons to Make “Someday” TODAY!
It’s been an enjoyable, exhausting, and exciting week for me! Monday and Tuesday were spent finalizing the details for posting the new e-book, THE ABC’s of T2:3. I humbly confess that I left too many things until the last minute and may have set an unrealistic deadline; but the deadline was met, and I am grateful beyond words! This book was the culmination of many hours of study which began last year. I told myself at the conclusion of the class I taught in 2011 on this material, “Someday I need to put those notes into print.”
Wednesday was spent putting the finishing touches on a new business website that will serve as a point of reference and/or a point of contact for PEP Writing Services. This is a new proofreading, editing, and publishing company that I just launched. My prayer is that this will be a business through which I can promote my freelance proofreading and editing, and eventually provide freelance work for others as well. This company is, in part, the result of my thought that “someday I should just start my own company and work directly with those for whom I can provide proofreading, editing, and publishing-preparation services.”
I tell you all of that to share three reasons to make “someday” today!
1. Every moment is a gift.
James 4:14 states: “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (NLT). Every moment is a gift. Use that gift for the glory of God. Use that gift in a manner that will leave no regrets. Use that gift wisely. But use it! There is no guarantee of “someday.”
2. Gifts are given to be used.
Romans 12:6 (NASB) reminds us, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly….” Nearly everything in my home is functional. Even those items that just sit on a shelf and look good have the function of sitting on the shelf and looking good! But the gifts, talents, skills, and abilities that God has given to each of us are to be used! He has entrusted them to us, and our stewardship of them is a means of demonstrating faith in His enabling power!
It’s important to insert that the gifts given to one person will differ from those given to another person. But using the analogy of the body that Scripture uses, if each of us had the same gift (if each were an eye, for example) the body would be incomplete. Each part, each role, each skill is necessary! The gifts God gives are meant to be shared, not compared!
3. Using a gift demonstrates gratitude to the Giver!
Matthew 7:11 (NASB) reminds us of the love of the greatest Giver of gifts: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
Sometimes in the human realm we receive gifts that are not useful to us. Even so, we must demonstrate gratitude. Let’s say that you receive an “un-useful” gift. I encourage you not to be so tacky and ungracious as to tell the giver you probably won’t use their gift so they can just keep it. Instead, out of a heart of gratitude, acknowledge with sincerity the thoughtfulness behind the gift.
But the gifts to which we are referring in this post, and where I want our focus to remain, are designed specifically for us. They are given to us by our Father in heaven because He knows they will equip us to accomplish the purpose for which we were created! The end result is a life lived in gratitude to the Giver of life.
Are you a perfectionist like I am? I think everyone has some area in which they are a perfectionist. Generally the area about which you are most concerned is the area in which your greatest talents reside. Therefore, I urge you not to let the evil one paralyze your progress with the demand for perfection. Instead, train, study, develop, learn, grow, practice—do whatever it takes to properly utilize the gifts God gave to you and expects you to use! In so doing, your life will demonstrate gratitude to the Giver.
So don’t wait. Let the Scriptures used above propel you forward. Pray. Plan. Prepare. Use your God-given gifts and begin living your “someday” today!
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Thank you for taking time to read this post. Is there something you’ve been putting off and plan to do “someday” that you could begin today?
E-Book Now Available!
After more than a year of gathering material, studying, praying over the project, and putting it into written format, I am pleased to announce that THE ABC’s of T2:3 is now available for download as an e-book!
Yes, I would love for women to read it and use it in their individual or group studies! However, I can honestly say that I feel God has used and will continue to use this material to strengthen me in my walk as a Christ-follower; therefore, it was worth all of the work!
To God be the glory!
Please click on the picture of the cover photo or on the title in large print below to go directly to the e-book page for this new study. This study integrates the names, character qualities, and attributes of God with the principles taught in Titus 2:3-5.
The ABC’s of T2:3
is now available as a .pdf downloadable e-book!
Please click here for purchase information or
to go directly to the page for THE ABC’s of T2:3!
Sneak Preview, Part 2
Paul doesn’t waste any time in his letter to Titus. He writes a brief salutation in the first three verses, and then, in verses four and five, says “hello,” and states his purpose for writing:
“To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.”
Titus was then given instruction in both areas: 1) selecting church leaders and 2) teaching the new believers on the Island of Crete the things that were still “wanting” (lacking) in their spiritual lives. In chapter two, Paul further tells Titus, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.”
Notice that I called them “new believers.” Most likely, they were. Many of the instructions given by Paul to Titus imply this. His instructions to them were quite basic, but necessary. They were spiritual babies that needed to learn to apply the truths they were learning.
It’s important to understand that the Cretans (also called “Cretians”) were known for their sinful lifestyle. This reputation was not just true of one or two leaders on the island. No, it was a general statement that could be made about the culture as a whole. In fact, that statement that describes them was made by one of their own, as recorded in Titus 1:12, “Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”
My favorite part of this description comes next, with Paul’s summary comment at the opening of verse 13: “This witness is true.” [That cracks me up every time!]
I am probably at the very least a fourth- or fifth-generation believer. I have seen Christianity fleshed out in everyday living. I have role models, mentors, and examples to follow. I have godly counselors from whom I can seek wisdom.
In contrast, the people that Titus was to instruct were first-generation Christians. Most likely, they had only recently learned of Christ, never having had spiritual role models, mentors, or examples to follow. Titus was there to teach them how to live in a way that reflected the things they were learning about Christ, the One Who rescued them from the life of sin—the only life they had ever known.
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Beginning tomorrow, June 20th, you can download the entire study, entitled THE ABC’s of T2:3. If you’re a subscriber to petalsfromthebasket.com, be sure to check your email before making your purchase!
Pricing and general information is available in yesterday’s post.
Only one more sleep! 🙂
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Thank you for taking time to read today’s post.
Please feel free to leave a comment or question about THE ABC’s of T2:3.