See For Yourself

"God designed us to live in community, first with him and then with one another.  According to the Bible, personal change is a community project.  In fact, it is in the process of change that we really begin to see our need for one another."  Paul Tripp


Too many times, we do not see our need for others.  Honestly, I don't think I started living in community because I was humble enough to see my need.  I think I started because I believed others when they said enough times You have to be with others to grow.  I took their word for it, although cautiously, and had to see for myself.  I have to agree with Tripp: Once the heart is transformed in community, we see our need. Maybe we don't see our need because we haven't taken that first step into real community.


Others see in us what we can't see in ourselves.  Other believers provide grace, direction, and encouragement at just the right time.  In seeing these things for myself and finding community to be an agent for change, no time soon do I want to step out of the safety of community - not until I'm in the safety of eternity.

Can Someone Help Me Out Here?

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  James 1: 22


Have you ever known that certain changes need to take place, but you didn't know how to make them?  Maybe you even made steps but felt defeated and quickly gave up.  Have you ever known that certain changes need to take place in someone else?  Have you stood back shaking your head as they struggle for their confessional and functional theology to match up?


We have all probably been on both sides.  Some of us hear the word and want to change but we're not really sure what action to take.  Some of us know the actions to take, but instead of helping, we watch from afar hoping not to get our hands dirty -- we want others to change without it costing us.


In making disciples of Jesus, we have to be willing to show one another how to do.  Find that struggling someone and make a date.  Help them apply biblical truth to their lives, teach them their identity in Christ and provide them the accountability they need.  


"Faith only becomes faith in the act of obedience."  Bonhoeffer

The Layers of SOS

SOS or Service Over Self is a ministry in Memphis that exists to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed through urban home repair camps.  Our family has had exposure to and been somewhat involved with the ministry over the years, but this week, our church, "adopted" SOS114.

Layers is what comes to mind when I think of yesterday.  Service in layers. The word picture of service Over self unfolded for me in a way that expanded across generations, community and races.
Here are a few ways:

1.  High school kids are in town serving middle-aged to elderly home owners in Orange Mound.  College-aged kids intern with SOS to lead the high school kids.  Children ranging from ages 5-12 serve the high school kids and leaders by handing them popsicles while they work in the heat.  Layers of generations.

2. Our church signed up to serve the campers at SOS114 this week.  That means, each night, a small group will serve the high school students and leaders in Orange Mound by preparing the food already provided or providing food and cleaning the kitchen.  Someone also shows up with popsicles each day for the hot workers and prays for them before their day begins.  Layers of community.

3.  With each home we visited, an SOS leader shared the story behind their work.  Shelley told the kids about the neighborhood and the needs of the people in such a way that I hope is forever imprinted on my mind.  At each stop, we heard the name of the home owner.  Our children prayed for them and their needs.  At the last home, my 7 year old prayed.  Abby prayed for Teddy.  White Abby for African-American Teddy.  How many times has my child seen the broken-down home of a man in Orange Mound and felt moved to pray for restoration, crossing racial barriers that she may not even see?  Opportunities of SOS, providing layers of... grace.

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad...Maybe

When hanging out with three couples the other night, one of the husbands was trying to get his wife to come around to his way of thinking.  The other wife and I agreed with him, and he said, "See, two out of three moms agree!"  So that should always seal the deal, right?  Well, let's just say the other wife and I are a what my husband calls "a little rough around the edges."  Would that make a difference?  Maybe the two out of three aren't the best two to ask.

Let's shift the situation to more serious matters.  Who are the 2 out of 3 you turn to when seeking advice?  Do they offer worldly wisdom or Godly wisdom?  Do you even know the difference?  We like to have our ears tickled.  We're encouraged by the world to only spend time with those who give us "positive energy." I don't even know what the heck that is.  What about those who challenge us with the Word of God?  It is okay to walk away from a friend feeling like you may not be making the right decisions because you may not be.  Do you run from that or embrace it? 

Isaiah's time was no different:

These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction.  They say to the seers, "See no more visions!"  and to the prophets, "Give us 

no more visions of what is right!  

Tell us pleasant things, 

prophesy illusions.  Leave this way, get off this path, and 

stop confronting us 

with the Holy One of Israel!  Isaiah 30:9-11

If your 2 out of 3 are always agreeing with you that you're doing the right thing, you may want to add a fourth or fifth.  Stick close to people who challenge you spiritually.  Seek wise counsel.  And, ask the Spirit to discern for you if their "counseling is rooted in the revelation of the Creator."  Paul David Tripp

Small Group Dessert

I love getting together with my new small group.  They are dependable and encouraging.  They have reminded me of the importance of Magic Shell, which we now keep in our pantry.  One way they have shown their affection for me is by allowing me to share recipes that I enjoy or am trying for the first time.  We will be trying one of those tonight.  You can find it here.


Any recipe that allows me to pipe ingredients through a Ziploc bag is usually a favorite.  Cone-olis were fun and easy to make.  (I left out the almond extract and orange zest).