Sufficient Self's Bible Study Group

[BarredBuff]

Tell us! Tell us!

 

[FarmerJamie]

Please tell us all about it if you can! I love to hear about sowing God's seeds and reaping the harvest of that!

Well, this is a long story, and I don't want to bore everyone. I've previously made veiled references to the situation with a "friend" of my DW (a special very few here know the gory details). The situation has been hard for me and my marriage. I'll try not to be too long here.

This person has gone back to school and needed assistance with a subject I came one course short of minoring in when I went to college myself. My DW cautiously queried me if there was *any* way at all I could help, since the degree would help this person make more secure financial life for this person and her family. I've tried to help with coaching/mentoring with more simple things in the past and always felt I was ignored/disregarded. So I put that all aside and decided I would do the best job I could do - it went well, I was able to really help her break through the assignment and understand it.

I've mentioned here before, I am a "closure"-type of guy in conversations. As she was cleaning up her books, getting ready leave, I found myself saying (almost like I was in the room watching me say it).... "I'm really proud of this step you are taking, particulary after the way your life has gone. This is a good step in becoming a role model for your children as God wants us to be. It's hard work, but He rewards us when we do things that please him."

Maybe not the most eloquent "open your heart to the Lord" speech, but she did stop in her tracks and just stare at me. Then she smiled, and said "maybe you're right". My reply was "I know I am".

Would have never happened if I hadn't softened my heart. And then this afternoon, my mom tells me I can have my late Grandma's hand-written recipe collection....

 

[BarredBuff]

Pretty cool Pa Tater!

 

[Beekissed]

Wowsa! I'm impressed, FJ! Like dropping a pebble in a pond, the ripples could go far and wide. Thanks for that story...it brings the other one full circle.

There are all kinds of ways to give in this world and not all of them are money or even time....sometimes it is merely the softening of the heart and compassion shown for someone who has a way of ruffling your feathers.

Snaps for FJ!

 

[Wannabefree]

Jamie The Lord works in mysterious ways, and sometimes we get to be a part of that. Count it an honor to have served

 

[bambi]

I finished reading chapter 6 of Ecclesiastes and thought I would get everyone who wants to put there thoughts into verse 1thru2. I looked up vanity in the oxford dictionary and it can be used two ways as a noun or adj. my thoughts is it is being used as a adj. (denoting a person or company that publishes works at the author's expense) so I am thinking Solomon is pointing out our vanity is @ the cost of God. What is your thoughts?:/

 

[BookWorm77]

Chapter 6...the last 2 verses stood out to me .."seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? for who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?". Ecclesiastes really points out how everything in this life can become vanity..we are all human, and all will have things we are vain about...but even good intent could become vanity if not done with the heart of Jesus

 

[BookWorm77]

by the way ..Awesome farmerjamie!

 

[Farmfresh]

Just in general when someone is vain they think most highly of themselves. They believe they are "better" that other people and depend most on their own wits and talents. God wants us to depend on Him and trust His judgment over everything.

Walking in faith, believing that God knows what is best and listening to Him for guidance - both through his Word, and the Holy Spirit through prayer - is a difficult task that takes a lifetime of practice. It takes humility.

There is another verse that really illustrates the concept well IF you know the background behind it. We had a good book years back that told the background behind a lot of these illustrations. Sorry I can't remember the name of the book.

In Biblical times the cities were "gated" or surrounded by defensible walls. In addition to the main city gates there were along the wall in different places, small gates for pedestrians to pass through in order to trade and shop. These were small openings making them easy to defend in a time of war. They called these openings Needles Eyes. They were just big enough to go through single file carrying a burden.

Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (American Standard Version)

You COULD get a camel through one of the pedestrian gates, but they had to "cush" the camel down and make him basically crawl on his knees!! What a picture of humility THAT is. A rich man (or woman) full of vanity would need to release it all and "go to their knees" before God.

 

[BookWorm77]

good insight farmfresh! if i have vanity its usually with things i have or want...my goal this year is to grow up more spiritually