le pain quotidien

It means daily bread in French. It is also the name of an international Belgian cafe chain that serves organic products. They have communal tables to promote community which is a popular concept in Europe but I am not so sure how well received in other countries as the United States. But as Christians, this should be welcomed. How perfectly divine to dine with someone you don’t know. I would say that it is an ideal set up for a Christian witness. I love the mission organization Live Dead’s witnessing strategy which is simply to introduce God into the conversation within the first 3 minutes of an encounter. Try it and see where conversations may lead. After all we all need our le pain quotidien or daily bread.

We need both our physical and spiritual sides well fed and who knows that conversation you strike up while you are eating some of your own physical daily bread, might just breathe life into another and feed their soul some spiritual “bread”.

And another thing, I believe the word choice was intentional in the Lord’s prayer. He left it as an example to pray daily for what is needed. Don’t get too far ahead with your needs. Instead, focus on the needs for just today. God knows what you need before you even pray anyways but He wants us to come with them daily to Him . Be thankful for your needs being met each day and use that prayer as a reminder to ask…

“Give us this day our daily bread” Matthew 6.11

Daily strive to…

be.the.church

the modern day wallet

In days past, proud grandparents and parents would whip out their wallets to show off their pictures. Nowadays it is sharing a post or picture on social media.

What if God was online or had a wallet? You know what? You would be in it and He would be constantly posting about you.

Loving parents and grands are just a touch of understanding the depth of God’s love for us.

There are different meanings for the word love in the Bible. It brings more clarity and insight into all this word encompasses.

Take agape for example. It is the unselfish love of laying your life down for another. God through Christ left the ultimate example and this love encompasses all humanity. Thus, as Christians, we can love others directly correlating the love of God for humankind.

That’s some kind of love and that was some kind of sacrifice when Christ came to give Himself in place of the death we deserve.

Come be apart of the fold if you are not already. It is very simple to be forgiven, you just need to be willing to believe and receive the free gift of salvation.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:14-19 HCSB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZl3gy6oA_I&app=desktop

Yes, our modern day wallets have become people whipping out their phones to share pictures or by posting on social media for all the world to see.

But, how about for a moment you think about who would be in your wallet if you were old school and put pictures inside.. now go love on those you hold dear but, more importantly, all you meet and greet. That is how to…

be.the.church

in a world where you can be anything – be kind

That was my teaching theme for several weeks but in week 2, I was the one that needed its lesson.

An intern for whatever reason had taken to correcting me and came across so brash to me, clients, and other staff alike that it actually was beginning to throw me off my game a little.

On this particular day, I arrived early as usual to get all the supplies in order, board ready, and print out what I needed for that’s days lesson. I still had a few minutes before one group began so I took advantage of the time and prepared the clients’ books so after group I would only have to fill in their response. (This is a state mandate.) Anyway, I try do as much before hand because I am tight on time and my schedule is just that – scheduled!

Well, when I came back to finish after teaching, I noticed one book didn’t have my writing which was odd as I only had 11 clients this day. It would not be like me to miss a book and I knew I had time to write in all their books before I lead the session.

When I came across another and another, I realized that any book where I started a new sheet had been removed and the intern put their group info on it. Okay, so they are a letter of the law person and technically that group was before mine, but really!!!

In the past, I have left a spot open for that group or even began it but it was not used or appreciated so I just used the next available space as I was told by this individual that is what is preferred.

Now I wondered where the sheets went.

They were not in the recycle pile or garbage bin in the office. Then, I remembered seeing this intern coming into my group and stuffing the locked recycle bin with what I assume are the papers I had written on!

What a waste!

What a jerk move!

But the bigger issue was what was I going to do about it.

Well, nothing.

Honestly, what was there to do.

I just taught a lesson about being kind and even used the quote: “You can’t change how others act, only how you react.” But, to be frank, I was aggravated and didn’t want to act kind but rather give that person a piece of my mind.

And all I could think and pray was: “Lord, what can I do to win this person over? How can I cover them with kindness? And how can I not take offense to such childish shenanigans.”

And the answer was simple. It was the lesson I had just taught.

In a world where you can be anything just be kind for love is to be patient and love is to be kind (I Cor 13.4) period!

So, I will do my best to portray this even when my nature says otherwise.

And you know what, God loves a surrendered heart and I vow to surrender this situation and any more that might be like it to not rob me of my joy or take away my peace.

We talked about that in the lesson I shared that morning too…how you can not force your peace on to someone else and the importance of letting anger or resentment go.*

Was I angry? Well, sort of! Resentful? Absolutely! But what I needed again was that simple lesson to just be kind.

Later that afternoon I was at a stop light and a poster on a telephone pole caught my eye. I had seen the exact one across town awhile back but today God was reminding me again to be kind. It said: Why not try kindness ~ GOD

And that is so true.

When conflict comes, may I look at the difficult situation as an opportunity to strengthen my ability to remain peaceful* and simply be kind for kindness’ sake.

May I be so filled with grace that even people that can be annoying, over bearing, just down right nasty without justification will be met with my kindness.

May I daily be able to say that in this world where I can be anything, I was kind.

Now you go do the same so others see you….

be.the.church

“…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:32 NLT

*inspired from a post by ME

today’s the day – never let something hold you back

Got your fun socks ready? It is Down syndrome awareness day (read yesterday’s post to learn more.)

This can be a reason to strike up a conversation especially if you are conservative and normally wear the traditional navy or black socks to the workplace.

All our children loved fun socks. One liked them before they were even a thing especially for boys and another always wore mismatched. Now you can buy fun socks almost anyplace and even sets sold intentionally mismatching.

I loved their confidence in wearing them even when no one else was.

One of those crazy, fun-loving sock wearer wrote a poem when they were little. It went something like this:

Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.

Oh how I hate excuses.

Excuses are mean. Excuses are lame.

Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.

We used to poke fun at it, but it holds some truth. Well, sort of. Not sure about the mean part but we should hate excuses. Making them or accepting them. We should strive not to let an excuse keep us for the intended purpose of good we were created for.

Take the million dollar sock entrepreneur John Cronin. He hasn’t let Down syndrome stop him spreading happiness.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-42353259

I love this: never let something hold you back or make an excuse for why you can’t do what you want to do.

Dream big and make your dream become reality.

Crazy socks spreading happiness even works!

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Ecclesiastes 9.10.

That is what John is doing with his socks and what we should do daily. No excuses that let something hold you back.

“Think of Down syndrome as ‘up’ syndrome.” said Steven from TV series Born this way.

And when you do, you will…

be.the.church

by accepting those around you.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-42353259

it is fun sock day tomorrow

Happy spring. Not sure if where you live this rings true but several chain eating establishments give out free treats today. Reminds me of the free hugs and smiles those with Down syndrome liberally give.

How appropriate that the 21st of a month would be designated as world Down syndrome awareness day since those who have this congenial disorder have an extra 21st chromosome.

And it is not by accident the month of March was picked either because someone with this also has a third copy of that chromosome. So 3-21 represents this trisomy genetic condition perfectly.

But here’s the thing, I think someone who has Down is perfect because of it. We can learn much especially how to choose joy. I believe God gave us these special people to help us live life a little lighter. If you have been blessed to know someone with Down syndrome in your life strive to grow that relationship and what you will find is a faithful friend.

They love hard. They work hard. They enjoy life to its fullest.

Those with Down syndrome have the human right to work, be accepted, and to be fully integrated into the communities they live.

Work to make that happen if you are able. It will speak volumes to them, their parents, and all those who know them when we are inclusive of everyone including people with Down.

A true way to live love out loudly and…

be.the.church

Redefine success and happiness – make a friend with someone who has Down syndrome and don’t forget tomorrow…

fix versus listen

So often, men want to rescue or solve a problem while the women just want to talk something through or process.

I have learned to ask when working with others: do you want me to help fix or just listen? When we clearly ask or communicate needs, it makes life a bit easier to deal with and relationships filled with less tension.

Obviously, men and women are wired differently; yet, together can accomplish much. We were made for community and yes, together we can do more than apart.

So the next time you are trying to decide should I fix or listen, just ask because sometimes it is true: men want to give advice and women just want a listening ear.

I was told this years ago and it is so true, don’t you agree?

Now, go figure out the difference in the relationships in your life and depending on the day or situation, what’s needed (fixing or listening) can change too so again, just ask!

Men want to give advice and often women just want to process.

Figure out what’s best for each scenario and you will…

be.the.church

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-12 will NIV‬‬

be friendly with everyone but you don’t need to be friends with everyone

I am not sure where I first heard this. I am assuming from a friend. Together we have quite a few sayings like this we have repeated over the years as we sought to raise our children in righteousness. Another is if it is not your story, don’t tell it. We also randomly walk by one of our offspring at home and say things like: don’t do drugs; no sex before marriage; etc. Shock and awe can be a good tactical resource when raising kids that I highly recommend.

But the phrase: “be friendly to everyone but you don’t need to be friends with everyone” is applicable to more than just teaching kids. I think it is prudent advice all of us can apply in the workplace, in a school setting, in our neighborhoods, even in church.

This expression is good to remind us all to stay out of drama and stay in our own lanes.

I also think it is wise not to make friends with others too quickly. Take time to observe first. If you go all in, it may be hard to back track because in real life it is much harder to defriend someone unlike on social media.

I had this happen to me in college week one freshman year I became friends with another who had similar name and ethnic background. Week two I realized this person was possessive, one friend only minded, and hard to separate from so I could not branch out to make a bigger circle. So take this prudent advice – be friendly but wait to become code friends until time has shown you character.

Don’t take my word or idioms on friendship. Look into THE Word to find how to live and conduct yourself. That is how to…

be.the.church

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Proverbs 19.20

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.“ Proverbs 22.24-25

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” I Corinthians 15.33

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.“ Proverbs 13.20

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.“ Proverbs 18.24

it is all about the clover

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. It is on March 17th as it is believed that is the day Patrick died in 461.

Why do we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day anyways?

Glad you asked. It is actually celebrating the arrival of Christianity coming to Ireland.

Patrick was born as a Roman but kidnapped at age 16. He became an Irish slave for six years. During that time, he was a shepherd. It was also when he found God and connected to Him.

God is not playing hide and seek with us. He is not hiding, He wants you to find Him just like Patrick did.

What I love about Patrick is he was a survivor. Kidnapped and taken to another land but he was determined to not only make it but make a difference where he now found himself. Shouldn’t we do the same?

Even after Patrick was granted freedom, he had a plan to evangelize Ireland. He went back home to get educated as a minister so he could return to teach others about Christ.

His simple illustration for teaching on the trinity was with a shamrock which is another name for clover. The word comes from seamróg, the Irish name for the plant.

And the idea of luck stems from the fact that four leave clovers are so rare. I spent many hours as a kid searching for a four leaf clover. Again, that reminds me God is not playing hide and seek with you. He is not hiding, He wants you to find Him just as I was blessed along with my childhood friend in seeing a four leaf clover.

Back to the significance of the day and the shamrock clover. It typically has three leaves and Patrick used it to explain the trinity.

Three leaves can also represent faith, hope, and love.

Green has been associated with Ireland for centruries as the land is so rich and fertile. Many traditions around world incorporate green during this time to celebrate. The city of Chicago even dies the river the winds through the downtown green.

I believe green became the tradition because of the use of the shamrock to teach others about Christianity.

The color green to me offers hope. It is also the color of spring as new grass grows and leaves sprout. It can represent new beginnings just like the many who have gone before that have put their faith in Christ leaving their pasts behind as they step out in faith with a new beginning.

What Patrick did those years herding sheep as a slave was figured out for himself God’s existence.

Figure out how you want the rest of your existence to be. I say choose to be a difference maker. Be a Patrick.

One thing that troubles me about Saint Patrick’s Day is this: it always falls during lent and sadly Lent is lifted for this day. So perhaps that is why it became such an out of control party day which is never how we should live life nor was it ever in Patrick’s plan of sharing his faith. Funny how traditions often stem from Godly roots yet morph into something else.

We should live in moderation and a “party” day should never be in our cards. Unfortunately, the focus now is not on who Patrick was or what he was trying to teach anymore. Now, on March 17, we have a day to celebrate being Irish usually accompanied by heavy drinking. Ironic that this was not that what Patrick was all about at all.

But, now you know the rest of story. So, when see a clover or the color green, remember what it stands for and strive to grow in knowledge and truth (2 Peter 3.18).

And I really do think Patrick was a difference maker for here we are almost 1600 years later still talking about him.

There is power in one life and each of us can make a difference in the corner of the world we reside.

Some other things people might associate with Saint Patrick’s day are leprechauns and pots of gold. Perhaps it stems from finding four leaf clovers and people saying the luck of the Irish. I say they were lucky because Patrick came and taught them truth.

The truth I know is we should not go dig up dirt on people but find the gold inside instead. Always look for good not the bad and believe in the best.

I watched a video that showed people hungry and in need asking others for their extra food at a food court. They were all refused. Then food was given to one homeless person and money to another and just moments after they were asked to share. Guess what they did? Shared!

Sometimes those who have less give more. We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. Patrick gave his life so others could learn about Christ. What are you willing to do to…

be.the.church?

hi – neighbour

Not sure if you can tell this is a car bumper with a sticker, but I never saw this one before!

A simple message that says so much.

We are neighbours with others we haven’t even met.

Greet others with a friendly smile, a courteous hello, a head nod, or a sincere gesture.

Just be kind and understanding.

Be humble and loving.

Don’t insist on having things your way.

Yield your rights.

All these things say: “Hey, neighbour, I am thinking of you. You are more important than me. And I am considering you.”

I often say feelings saved are better than being right. Easier said then done sometimes. Our selfishness can kick into high gear in an instance.

When it does, take a moment to step back from the situation. Try to see the other’s point of view. Breathe a moment before responding and when you do start with a simple “Hi, neighbour” might just put all at ease and help others see what it means to…

be.the.church

lend a helping hand

“Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand” Philippians 2.4

Think of others better than yourself and look for ways to help.

Someone is in need; lend a helping hand.

If you lend a hand, the work will get done faster.

If you lend a hand, others will feel valued.

If you lend a hand, you will have purpose.

If you lend a hand, your assistance will be looked upon as caring.

If you lend a hand, others will see you…

be.the.church

Lend a hand and be a blessing to someone.

We were made for community so look for ways you can lend a hand to those around you.

And don’t ever become the person on the left! Lend a hand and help your neighbour even if thanks are not given. Your reward may just be waiting for you in heaven.

be.the.church

so the world can be a better place.