Great Givers

Great givers hold nothing back,
They go the extra mile -
Cheerfully.
Their motives are pure,
Their commitment is sure.

Sacrifice is not a stranger,
Nor is it a burden;
They gladly spend and are spent.
They've seen the end of the matter
And count that joy
Worth every investment.

The reward they seek
is an eternal
"Well Done!"

Great Givers:
JESUS
Stephen
Paul
Mary
(with her alabaster box)
Jonathan

Protecting the Harvest

An uneasy restlessness grips me.
Finding no simple solution, I begin to probe deeper,
Touching tender places, bruised and sore,
Seeking the core, the roots.
On my knees, I crouch low.
The hot sun scorches my back,
And I sweat in the heat.
It's hard work;
Work that I'd rather leave for a more convenient season,
When the sun's rays weren't so hot,
And the ground was softened by rain.
But the angle of the sun tells me
That I haven't much time.
So I poke and sift, pinching off insects,
And driving away the pesky birds and bunnies
That would harm my harvest.
My heart is cheered when I pause -
And realize that the Lord of the Harvest
Is also working close by.

~ MJKinnee

Spring Gardening

It's spring in Michigan! Our normal windy March and rainy April didn't happen this year. But May is making up for the lack. Now and then, interspersed between the windy/rainy days, the sun peaks out and warms the ground, coaxing buds to blossom and lilacs to bloom. With clingy fingers, reluctant winter gives way to the inevitable. Those who've hunkered down indoors throughout Michigan's snowy beauty begin to venture forth, take leisurely walks, and enjoy the breath of spring. Seems everyone likes a Michigan spring.

The only complaints I've heard this year have to do with the rain delaying the planting of gardens and sprucing up the landscape. A number of friends plan to break ground for a garden; flowers, fruit trees, strawberries, tomatoes, onions, herbs, melons, and vegetables they've never tried to grow before. Some are opting for container gardens while others are devoting more space than ever before. All this waits on the promise of sunshine and frost-free days.

One friend has even braved the rain to get a head start on what can only be described as the most ambitious garden I've ever seen in a suburban lot. But then her garden is always something to see and to enjoy, for she is a master gardener. Her diligence is already evident. It's obvious when you drive up to her door, she's got everything under control - fruit, vegetables, shrubs, ground cover, wildflowers - you name it, it seems eager to thrive under her tutelage. Somehow, when visiting my friend on a summer evening, I can sense the presence of God in a special way in her garden.

Another friend is into flowers. Spring flowers come and go in waves; first the crocus and snowflowers, then daffodils, with tulips close behind. Pansies skirt their stems. She's planted impatiens among the pansies, knowing the pansies will be overtaken. A sacrifice, yes, but she's very fond of imaptiens. Iris flank to the right and left of all this color and they'll bloom all summer. Her house stands out in the neighborhood - evidence of her forethought and planning - and of the Creator of all things bright and beautiful.

Got to thinking about all this. Gardening is not easy. Muscles ache, knees and hands get dirty, shoveling and raking are back-breaking tasks. Pulling weeds is unpleasant but essential and fertilizing is a smelly job. Yet the satifaction I see on my friends' faces when they sit out in their garden, or cook up some tasty dish from their own fresh produce, lets me know they find the results well worth all the effort. I believe God smiles on gardeners and their endeavors to work with His creative genius.

One of my mom's friends, Anna, was also a master gardener. She lived on a little over an acre of ground and had a sizeable garden. As summer progressed, mom frequently brought home baskets of produce grown by Anna. Mom marvelled at her success and asked her how it was that she rarely saw weeds among the plants. Anna confided early each spring, before planting, she went out and sifted through the ground filtering out the weed seeds. As a result, her garden was a showplace with an abundance of good things to share with others. Anna's kindness and generosity came out of a willing heart and a love for God.

I've also posted a poem in conjunction with this little piece - hope it's a blessing to you!

[Note: See the next post above.]

~ mjkinnee

Incendiary Remarks

Washington Post Political Cartoon

September 9, 2008

Incendiary remarks stir up strife and focus negative attention on people of faith and obedience.

See link:

http://wpcomics.washingtonpost.com/client/wpc/po/2008/09/09/

This cartoon is highly offensive to Pentecostals everywhere. It brought quick letters of protest to the Post and has garnered a generally negative response by people of faith everywhere. I've heard that a number of letters have been directed to the editor. But in checking the Washington Post website this morning, I found these letters of protest had not been posted. Instead, only e-mailed comments supporting Mr. Oliphant were on display. But as I thought on all these things, the following Scriptures came to mind...

1. "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used." (Hebrews 10:32-33)
2. "Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be [treated] as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth but for the truth." (II Corinthians 13:7-8)
3. "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." (Luke 6:22-23)
4. "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them which trouble you." (II Thessalonians 1:4-6)
5. "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lust, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead." (I Peter 4:3-5)
6. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit and glory of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified." (I Peter 4:12-14)
7. "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good..." (Genesis 50:20)
8. "In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:18)
9. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

I am not a fatalist, nor am I passive. But we need to exercise caution, to take heed that our response to persecution of any sort is measured and seasoned with the very Spirit of the One they mock and deride. We dare not retaliate in kind or bring railing accusation. This would put us squarely in the place where angels fear to tread.

We proclaim that our trust is in the Lord Jesus. We declare He is God all by Himself. Building on these two premises - my conclusion is... He is well able to defend Himself.

In this cartoon, Mr. Oliphant has not lampooned an individual, (as he may think,) he has mocked the Spirit of God. In matters public and private, wherever and whenever great wrong has been done, God has declared, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay."

I submit to you today, that even though Mr. Oliphant's cartoon is egregious and offensive, and even though it focuses negative attention upon Pentecostals as whole, it just may be that what Mr. Oliphant intended as mockery and ridicule will turn again and bring great good! Whatever the outcome, God is well able to take care of mockers and we can trust Him to protect His church and prosper the truth.

Therefore, if men are going to call us into question as was done in the book of Acts, let us respond with an Acts-inspired holy boldness!

• "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word, By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the Name of Thy Holy Child Jesus."' (Acts 4:29-30)
• "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets." (Acts 24:14)

We are the people of the Name. We claim to be thoroughly Apostolic in belief, practice and teaching. That means we take our cues from the patterns set forth in the book of Acts...

We pray for holy boldness; we rejoice when counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name's sake; we fight not against flesh and blood but against rulers and principalities, against spiritual wickedness in high places; the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty to the pulling down of strongholds; our minds and our thoughts have been renewed and transformed by the very power Mr. Oliphant mocks; we are clothed in the whole armor of God.

Our method of counterattack is not one of railing accusation, it is the Lord who raises the standard against the onslaught. When His Name, His glory, His Spirit comes into the fray - He will defend and make it abundantly clear not only Who He is, but also the difficulty inherent in "kicking against the pricks."

I feel more than a little sorry for this man - he must not know Jesus. If he did he would not treat the Holy Spirit of God with such disdain, nor would he presume to put words in the mouth of the Almighty. As it is, if he does not seek and find a place of repentance, it might be wise not to be anywhere in the vicinity of Mr. Oliphant.

Then again, who knows? At the moment it is almost the unthinkable considering his track record, but Mr. Pat Oliphant just might be about to have a Damascus Road experience. It wouldn't be the first time an enemy of Christ was transformed into a bold defender of the Truth. Just think, even now the Lord may be preparing some presently unknown Ananias to show him what he ought to do...

Is anything too hard for God?

Protecting the Harvest

An uneasy restlessness grips me

Finding no simple solutions, I begin to probe deeper,

Touching tender places, bruised and sore,

Seeking the core, the roots.

On my knees, I crouch low,

The hot sun scorches my back,

And I sweat in the heat.

It's hard work;

Work I'd rather leave for a more convenient season,

When the sun's rays weren't so hot,

And the soil was softened by rain.

But the angle of the sun tells me

I haven't much time.

So I poke and sift, pinching off insects;

Driving away the pesky birds and bunnies

That would harm my harvest.

My heart is cheered when I pause...

And realize that The Lord of the Harvest

Is working close by.

~ By Marjorie Kinnee

Blogging... A Beginning

This blog's intent is to be an encouragement and strength to those whose desires are inclined toward good. It is being launched into the vast unknown - casting your "bread on the waters" so to speak. The wise man, Solomon, spoke these words thousands of years ago, yet they are still worthy of study today.

The entire passage is interesting... "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)

So much of life is fraught with unknowns. We do not understand how life begins, no matter how much we learn about the mechanics of it. Physicians, pharmacists and researchers often say, "we don't know how this medicine works or what long term effects it will have." All they know is that it seems to bring about a desired result, i.e. the relief of symptoms, or suppressing some response. But because mankind wants relief, they forge on; tests, trials, experiments and research - ever learning, striving, struggling.

If you were to fret over how you will be received or what the reactions will be - you might never start. The timid soul rarely ventures forth into risky waters, Some would say that is wisdom. Others accept the challenge and boldly head off into the unknown. If you've done your homework, you know that the world is not flat and you won't fall off the edge. The important thing is having a sure foundation from which to proceed and then proceed - cautiously, not in haste or in gullibility. Keep checking, maintain course, correct what has to be corrected so you can stay on course.

Contrary to popular opinion, there are absolutes. Here's one... You will reap what you sow. The law of sowing and reaping has never been rescinded. What you plant is what will grow. Planting onions will bear onions, not pole beans. And if you want a good harvest, you must sow abundantly. Note that when one plants a kernal of corn in the ground, he does not receive one kernal at harvest time - Oh no! That kernal springs forth into a stalk of corn on which two or three ears of corn will emerge. Each ear can contain as much as a thousand kernals. Simple math says your return may be 3,000 kernals from the one kernal you planted!

This added law of reaping more than you sow has great bearing on life. When you sow evil things, when you sow things which are self-centered and self-gratifying, what you will reap is far greater than the original planting. Hosea said, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..." (Hosea 8:7) A disobedient child may live long enough to see even more disobedience in his own children.

You can no more avoid the absolutes than you can stop the sun from rising in the morning. God's Word is the absolute absolute. We will all be judged by it. Its teachings and tenets are measuring tools and we either measure up or we fall short. God's Word is clear on the consequences of falling short. Obedience and faithfulness are key factors in measuring up. Sowing seeds of obedience and faithfulness ensures an eternal harvest beyond your fondest dreams.

Some argue, contradict and deny but they cannot escape the inevitable. They may wax vigorous in their learned discourses, but in the end, their arguments won't matter. Their logic is as a soap bubble in the hands of a toddler.

So, with this first blog comes the first casting out of "bread." May it find good soil in which to grow.