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Are you hurting? Then you've come to the right place--the place where long ago a woman from Samaria found help and healing. From human answers? No--from the One Who IS the Answer! Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, awaits us all at the Well today--come with me, and let's meet Him there!
A Hurting Word...
A 13-year-old amateur magician lives at Peggie's REAL Place--and he loves to entertain. He's a whiz at sleight-of-the-hand tricks, and delights to spellbind an audience, whether at school or church. He's even learning how to communicate the gospel to children through illusion, and it's a joy to watch him develop.All this "hocus-pocus" is trickery, skill, illusion, and fun--the "dark stuff" is off limits! Jason is a master illusionist, so MOM thinks; therefore, his favorite practice audience, of course, is his mom. I am quite gullible, for while I focus on the trick itself, he's got a hand in his pocket, or a coin slyly placed behind my ear--Mom is FUN to trick!
Magicians never tell their secrets, and sometimes *I* wish I were a magician to KNOW the magic formula of dealing with the hocus-pocus of real living! It can get pretty crazy--or is it only at MY place that happens? We live in a stressful world--at home, at school, in the workplace, and even at church! Some of us keep lists to try to function with some competency--and I've heard of people who actually include "make tomorrow's list" on today's list--now that's funny! But it does gets frantic--and we panic...there HAS to be a secret to survival!
And there is...but it's not magic! Come to the well, and let's all learn from Jesus and His wonderful, godly principles for successful living!
A Helping Word...or Two!The secret word is not "magic"--it's "focus," and if we can get "see-through honest" for a minute, on SOME days, the FOCUS looks something like this:
- Frenetic frenzy!
- Out of Control!
- Call 911!
- Upset the Apple Cart!
- Stress out!
I cannot imagine my Lord in that sort of panic...He had a perfect focus in mind - the Cross - where He was about to redeem all mankind from the curse of sin. His life and ministry focused on that one goal, and if we were to do a TRUE acrostic of His life, it would look something like this:
- Faith in Action!
- On-Target Plan!
- Christian Principles!
- Understanding of Personal Needs!
- Servanthood Personified!
Now if *I* will focus on HIM instead of the problems and the stresses, as I "turn my eyes upon Jesus," and follow His plan, life will become workable and manageable for me--AND you! If I focus on keeping my sanity, I will lose it. I need faith--in God, in His Word, in myself. I need a plan--one that's workable--and it will be, if I FOCUS on one project at a time. I must practice Christian principles; I must understand my need for quiet time, recreation, exercise, fun, getaways, breaks (I LIKE this one--but it's easy to skip when you're under stress!). And I must model the servanthood of Jesus in my life--even if it means BREAKING the routine and schedule to minister to a needy person. If I will F.O.C.U.S. this week--I'll have a better week--and so will you!As I had planned to do this devotional, into my mail box came a warm, touching story of a family who FOCUSED on servanthood--on doing it God's way. It was Mother's Day weekend. They were blessed, a stranger was blessed...and I don't want to give away the story...I will let Robin tell it for herself. We will begin with picnic time in the lovely Hoffmaster State Park by Lake Michigan!
We picked up Wendy's and parked at the beginning of the boardwalk. Local boaters immediately came up to us to talk about their dog and then returned to a group of boaters. We were finally going to sit down and eat, but then I noticed a new guest at the other table. His gaze and intense interest in what we were doing somehow was no match for my stomach or heart.A family--AND a stranger--got to FOCUS on the love of Jesus that day...and it made all the difference in the world...and that's just a thought or two--from my heart to yours!You've seen them maybe before, mostly in large cities. Clothes slightly over-used, a little physically unclean, possibly misplaced that razor, always hungry, and looking for the next meal to be laid down. The contrast between the rich and famous to the wretched and infamous. Some people might turn their noses up, shake their heads, ignore or avoid this type of individual all together.
To finally sit down after a long hard day of fun, there wasn't that physical hunger. It was replaced by the emotions of my heart and spiritual hunger. His cry for help, or others might say his waiting to see where we would file our consumable remains, was processing into a course of action. An announcement was made about this new guest and emphasis on "he looks like he's hungry". What would you do?
Looks and stares were returned to this individual from the crowded table of six. My four-year-old forfeited two nuggets and a handful of fries, and was offered a smile and the sweetest words to most ears, "Thank you." But what was wrong with my hamburger? "This was not what I ordered", "Did you take the wrong burger?". "This isn't what I usually get!" "It's so much bigger!" "Are you sure this is mine?" Half of my burger was offered to this weary traveler. Delivered by an eager little 7-year old boy and once again receiving a most pleasing, "Thank you."
A proud traveler left with papers in hand after his meal. He had a great excuse to visit the next holding tank of possible consumable goods. But maybe, just maybe, his hunger will be filled sooner that day. And maybe, just maybe, he will enjoy the glorious day and beauty that God created. And my family was filled with a very rare consumable that nurtured their bodies and soul.
By Robin Scheel, President
Fun-Attic Sports and Toys
His Healing Words"...but this ONE THING I DO...I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13,14 KJV)."
Please e-mail me to say hi.
Thanks for visiting a place where
"Christians aren't perfect; they're just forgiven!"
Have a great day serving
the Lord!
Featured, fun links Jason would recommend!
Interesting stress management links!
a Christian-based nature tape for your devotions time!
(Check out the cool SOUNDS/Storms of Life demo!)
Peggie's Place banner was "Made in Hawaii"
compliments of my friend Madelein of His Praise Maui!
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