Busy but not Wore Out!

I’m still way behind on my devotional readings.  I read the one for Aug. 10^th in Our Daily Bread, “The Power of Compassion”, Is 42:  “Francis Schaeffer, author and Christian apologist, struggled to spell words correctly because of dyslexia.  At the college he attended, spelling errors lowered the grade on all written assignments.  During his first year, a professor told Schaeffer, ‘This is the best philosophy paper I’ve ever read, but it’s the worst spelling.  What am I going to do?  I can’t pass you.’  Francis replied, ‘Sir, I could never spell.  Could you please just read what I’m saying and not worry about the spelling?’  After a long pause, the professor replied, ‘You know, Mr. Schaeffer, I think we’ll do that.’  His wise, compassionate response encouraged a gifted young man who would later help many of the searching generation during the 1960s and 70s to find their way to faith in Christ.  Isaiah said of the promised Messiah, ‘A bruised reed He would not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth’ (Isa. 42:3).  The image is of a gentle, yet powerful Person who sets prisoners free and encourages those who are fainthearted and tempted to despair.  Jesus came to free us from sin, not to condemn us for our condition.  Today, He offers salvation and encouragement to all who turn to Him.” – David McCasland

This is awesome – it is how we should treat each other – not with condemnation and judgment, but seeing that we are all in the ‘human condition’, and that we need encouragement, not condemnation.  That’s what I hope I am to everyone I meet; I want to be an encouragement and build others up, help to lead them in a correct path.

Below is our neighborhood.  We live right behind the boarded up building.  We were fortunate enough to get into this place.  A lot of families live here, lots of kids (and their pets!), but I am surprised on how quiet overall it really is.  It is right next to the highway, but even so, there isn't as much noise as I expected.  We need to pray for these people and for us, as we minister to them.  We see a lot of pain and brokenness here and we want to be a blessing however we can.

I got back to the art gallery/studio and decided to get disciplined again.  Last week was so chaotic and I was running everywhere.  Exhausted myself; however, did manage to get us moved into an apartment with a few things to function with.  Our bed is still on the floor (air mattress), storage tubs as our tables and such.   So I have to make this gallery/studio my ‘job’ and start setting schedules of art lessons, painting every day, bible studies, etc.  I worked on and finished the painting I started at Neil’s.  It’s ok, not the greatest.  I was encouraged when Krystal came in to paint with me today.  I had seen her walking around town the past week and waved to her.  I had hoped she would come back.  She showed me her sketch book of what she likes to draw (she likes geometric shapes and designs/lettering, and such) and we took it from there.  I had her start on a watercolor of a topic she likes – isometric perspective/optical illusions.  She’s got somewhat of an idea, but needs help with the technical aspects.  She then wanted to try oils, so I gave her a canvas, showed her the color wheel and explained mixing primary colors, then let her explore on her own.  She needs instruction.  I’ll start lessons with her tomorrow.

We had prayer meeting tonight;  Krystal and Josh came – William gave a bit of a message about the Samaritan woman at the well who met Jesus.  It wasn’t about her sins that was the focus; but rather, that Jesus had been fasting and praying when he had met her, and therefore, was ready to meet her at her greatest need – to ‘see’ and be given the spiritual food and water.  That is the way we need to be – always ready ‘in season and out of season’ to give a Word to those God places in our path.  Not only that, but from the other perspective, it was the ‘sinner’ who brought others to Jesus by her testimony, not the chosen ones, the disciples who went into town to buy bread – going about their daily, ‘fleshly’ lives – not that it is bad to go to the store, take care of the kids, go to work, cook dinner, etc. and etc., but rather, we need to be on the lookout, constantly filled with the Holy Spirit, ready to give a word of encouragement, be a witness, give a testimony, etc. and etc.  I need to remember this, to be in the Word daily, to seek after the will of the Father and commune with the Holy Spirit in order to share Jesus with everyone I meet no matter what daily, ‘fleshly’ life I am living each day.