Canvas Rhapsody

Acts 2:46-47 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were saved.

My favorite part of this time of year is being with friends and family. There isn't anything like gathering together with people that love and care about you. It is an even more beautiful experience when you know that the host/hostess has a genuine desire to share all the blessings God has given them.

I love the thought of the first church meeting together for their meals everyday, sharing the blessings of God everyday. Imagine how it would change our sense of belonging and community if we met together with like-minded people at the end of every hard working day.

No McDonald's drive through or tv while we eat our meal. Good conversation, laughter, accountability, sincerity and honest is what I see at a table of believers sitting down to a meal. A sense of belonging to something bigger and more powerful then all of the things that would have to be rescheduled in our world today in order to have relationships with people.

Matthew 18:20"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am
there in their midst."

Invitation (Family Challenge)
You were invited into the family of God at some point in your life. Someone shared with you the beauty in our Lord and Savior's sacrifice. Doesn't everyone you know deserve the same invitation.

Find some time in your hectic schedule to invite someone you know that maybe isn't already a believer and share a meal with them. Invite one person or an entire family but reach out beyond yourself and share the blessings you have with someone. They will know that Christ is in your home.

People are looking for hope. Share yours with them and once again the Body of Christ will be meeting together in gladness and sincerity of heart while sharing a meal in our homes.

Please add Daniel, Rachael and Hannah to your prayer list. May we all be a small part of the great work God has invited them to be a part of in China.

Some days it is just easier to point fingers at everyone else. Taking personal responsibility for my own life, my community and lets not forget my nation is a heavy burden to bear. Why can't I just focus on me? Why do I have to show love to everyone, they don't even like what I believe?

Because we are called to do just that....

Phillipians 2:14-18
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so
that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God
above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you
appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in
the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor
toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon
the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you
all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with
me.

Light in Darkness (Family Challenge)

Get yourself a flashlight. In a dark room have everyone sit in a circle. Pass the flashlight around. Whoever has the flashlight should hold it under their chin (don't forget to turn it on) and give an example of how they can be a light in their world......Encourage you children to use their unique personalities and talents for ways they are light.

Matthew 28:18-20 (msg) Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

Who, Me? Is he talking to me? Make disciples, teach, baptise. That isn't my job.

There was a long period in my faith where I felt incapable of leading people. I felt too imperfect and not smart enough to answer the questions people had about Salvation. My internal dialog was great at reminding me that I am just a wife, just a mother. Mission field; ministry, I don't think so. I am not sure what had given me the idea that I wasn't capable of sharing God's love with others. Maybe society, maybe my own lack of self-confidence or I was just scared to get it wrong.

Without the dedication of a few wonderful people I would never have stepped out and shared my testimony with others. (Fellowship) My confidence in sharing the gospel gets stronger and stronger the more I read and learn His Word. (Study) I have a "new" life. I don't just have a better life because of my Salvation. Living in Christ has given me an entirely new life. My testimony, my past baggage are proof of how great our God is. My life has been transformed.

My ministry is in being a wife and mother. (Worship) I may not be flying to a foreign country any time soon but my commitment to my Savior is just as important to the people in my everyday as it is to the people in Africa. I have learned to be careful in judging what God can do through people when their hearts are open. Sometimes when I don't feel so friendly and want to keep to myself, I try and remember that Christ himself asked me to go out in His name and share His grace. What right do I have to keep all of God's blessings to myself? Regardless if I think they deserve it, God thinks they too are worth the sacrifice that He made.

Stepping Out (Family Challenge)

I think our children could probably teach us a thing or two about unconditional acceptance. Have you ever noticed how children that just meet are instantly friends, capable of sharing everything. With no thought to how they will carry on a conversation and how they instantly find things they have in common.

This week lets get messy with a little craft.

Get a couple different colors of washable (water based) paint.

Craft paper (long enough to fit your foot on)

Paint brushes (sponge will work to)

Okay, clear a space on the kitchen floor. If you bought the right kind of paint you should have nothing to worry about, but keep a few paper towels handy. Maybe a bowl of water to rinse feet off in.

Pick who will go first. One at a time, each of you make a commitment to step out into your communities (school, work, sports teams, etc) and make a difference for Christ. Talk to your kids about being called to share what Christ has done for them. Help the younger ones paint the bottom of their feet and place them on the paper. Maybe let them paint the bottom of your feet.

When you are standing in your kitchen, feet covered in paint remember to thank God for the blessings He has given you.