Thursday, February 26, 2009

On My Mind : 22609

Read this yesterday morning... pretty much knocked me between the eyeballs... one of those needed reminders, yet one that is also painful to receive... sort of makes you analyze things.

The real test of the saint is not preaching the gospel, but washing disciples' feet, that is, doing the things that do not count in the actual estimate of men but count everything in the estimate of God. Paul delighted to spend himself out for God's interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. We come in with our economical notions - "Suppose God wants me to go there - what about the salary? What about the climate? How shall I be looked after? A man must consider these things." All that is an indication that we are serving God with a reserve. The apostle Paul had no reserve. Paul focuses Jesus Christ's idea of a New Testament saint in his life, not one who proclaims the Gospel merely, but one who becomes broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for other lives. [ Source: Oswald Chambers ]

===============

"Summer-time"...

Last Sunday morning, while at a hotel in Atlanta, we were getting ready for the day when Summer picked up the phone in our room and struck up a conversation. Nicol heard her but thought she was just playing around, talking to another imaginary friend. "I'd like to order a pizza please." And then, "Do you have any Froot Loops?" And, finally, "Yes, she's right here." and she proceeded to hand the phone to Nicol. Somehow, she had managed to find the front desk call button and was actually talking to one of the ladies there, who understandably asked, "Is your mommy there?" So Nicol had to explain everything to the woman. But that's not all. A few minutes later Summer got back on the phone and called the front desk again, this time saying, "I'd like to talk to Lilly and Lise please." (Lilly and Lise are her cousins in Maine who, of course, were not available in the lobby!)

Later that day, we drove to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to catch a flight. I dropped off Nicol and Summer at check-in and went to park the car. When they got to the counter, Summer stepped up onto the baggage scale. Nicol noticed the agent suddenly begin to laugh out loud. Assuming Summer had said something, Nicol asked the agent what happened. The woman said she asked Summer how old she was, to which Summer replied, "I'm gonna be 3 in May." Guess the agent wasn't expecting that answer. Yep... she's 3 all right... going on 23!

Until another time, see ya later alligator... or, as Summer said the other day, "AdiĆ³s alligator!" :-)



5 comments:

Katie said...

I'm usually a lurker here, but I just have to tell you - your daughter is something else. She is just too precious!

Katie in Dallas

Anonymous said...

You reminded me of a smile that didn't start out that way...when my daughter was 3-ish she dialed 911. The police officer stopped by to see if everything was okay. My daughter ran and hid, as did her two-year older brother, since he was the one who dared her to call...a few days later we were in a local shop and the same police officer walked in saying someone there had dialed 911. I looked at my daughter and gave her a horrified look (as I am sure the officer recognized me). We then realized that the phone number from the 911 call wasn't this store owner's, but the previous tenant of the shop. thankfully my daughter was off the hook. thanks for sharing the Summer stories!

Jessica said...

Greg, I love your little story about Summer! I could just see my little one who is 4 going on 30 doing the exact same thing! We met a couple weeks ago at the Trinity retreat and I came across your blog a couple days ago. Please tell Nicol I said hello and I'm still praying your house sells.

Anonymous said...

Nice to see how Summer is filling your lives with so much fun, joy and laughs!!! It's so hard to believe how fast they grow up....our oldest will be 14 on March 14, starting high school next year!!! Enjoy this time it is so precious! Not that you don't already know that! Summer will always and most certainly keep you guys on your toes at ALL times!!

Your thoughts, words and advice continue to bless me in many ways! I always look forward to what you are going to teach me.


Love in Christ, Julie Doody

Anonymous said...

Thank you Greg for sharing and making time in your bussy schedule to write your thoughs about things that the Lord is letting you learn or maybe take a closer look.
You are right about looking closer in how are we serving the Lord, with reservations in how much I will get paid ? and things like that, where it shows more what are we getting out of this service to God?
But anyways I can't judge to harsh but I know how husbands have that great responsability to provide for his family and sometimes that its one of their questions when they want to serve.
With this in mind I can tell you the Lord has made clear that to us, my husband and I are geting ready or in the path to serve HIM overseas.
And the most beatifull prayer that I did hear was from my husband asking for guidance, opening his heart to GOD, scared to take us, his family on a journey that is not a fancy one and where maybe his life and ours will be in danger at some point, either for being in a third world country where things are completely different or for the locals not realy liking foreigners in their land.
He grew up in the jungles of South America as a missionary kid so is not new for HIM.
But anyways I went to long with this, but thank you for reminding me, is easy for us no to worry about money because we don't have any ut we still worry:)
Typical missionary family but we are learning to trust God with every provision that we need, sounds cheesy and crazy sometimes :)
But HE is so faithfull that sometimes I do cry just because I think he even goes over what I asked for.
Blessings in your family Greg and prayers that will not stop.
Maggy