I've Always Been Rich: The Pathway of Blessings

I've Always Been Rich: The Pathway of Blessings: On a trip to the Holy Lands a few years ago my husband and I watched these women make bread.  It was about noon and  we were hungry.  The ...

The Pathway of Blessings

On a trip to the Holy Lands a few years ago my husband and I watched these women make bread.  It was about noon and  we were hungry.  The smell of the bread baking in this open oven was interesting but we were more concerned in getting a slice of bread so we could eat it and satisfy our hunger.  All the time we knew  where our bread was coming from. There was an abundance of bread and our hosts were sure to fill our needs, that we didn't doubt, there would be plenty of bread to eat.
This morning I heard a story that had a totally different message in it.  It told about a poor women who lived alone in poverty and didn't know where her next bite of bread would come from.  She had a little peanut butter and jam in her cupboard but no bread to put it on.  She was a women of faith so she started praying for bread.  She was so intense in her prayer that she cried out to God for just a little bread.  She opened the window, probably thinking God could hear her better that way.  Well, an atheist man lived next door to her and he heard her lifting her voice in anxiety still praying for God to  give her some bread. He thought he would prove to her that God did not answer her prayer so he took a loaf of bread, climbed up on her roof and dropped the loaf of bread down her chimney.  Instantly the women started thanking God for the bread.  The man came to her home and told her that her God did not give her the bread, he had slid it down the chimney.  God had nothing to do with the bread.  God did not answer her prayer for bread, he had . At this the women started shouting praises to God and the man could not figure out why and he asked her why she was thanking God.  The women answered that God had given her the bread and even had a devil deliver it to her.
While the story is humorous it does point out a valid lesson for us all.  During the course of a day or week or month we live our lives in such a way that we anticipate God will lead us.  How wonderful to rest in the assurance that God has a plan all laid out for each one of us.  In my early years I don't remember making a lot of future plans for myself or setting lofty goals but focused mainly on what the duties of the days required.  As I related in my book, I've Always Been Rich, I grew up on a farm where chores had to be done 24/7.  The luxury of having more education or a different occupation was read about but didn't make much of a connection to life as we were living it.  However. I have learned that just because we don't dream of becoming much more than  we are God often has a much different plan for us.  And how do we know when God is speaking to us or is he speaking through someone else to give you His message?  It may even be a calamity or unexpected person. Again, the book details  this much further in depth.  The story above was explained in conjunction with the story of Joseph in the Bible. It makes for an interesting read and is found in the book of Genesis.  Joseph had many difficult, bad, sorry as well as unexpected good events in his life.  But still in the end he could say God had used all the horrible events to bring about His great plan.  Joseph could only know that in hind site but he still remained faithful to God enduring a difficult life.  Be open, discerning, attentive to how God may be calling you.  Step out in faith and know God will enable you for the calling.  He will supply the bread but  we don't always know what or who He will use to make it happen.
Marilyn Rensink    mjrevmom6@aol.com   Praying you all are experiencing His grace each day.

I've Always Been Rich: Giving And Receiving

I've Always Been Rich: Giving And Receiving: This past week I spent a day in the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN.  The reason for the surgery was not life threatening but it still nee...

Giving And Receiving

This past week I spent a day in the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN.  The reason for the surgery was not life threatening but it still needed to be done.  I was not worrying about it but I did appreciate all the prayers that were offered up for me.  I need some after-care yet but that should not be a big deal either.  What I had done was remove several kidney stones that could become problematic if not removed.  While being examined I met many different doctors, nurses and other  health personal.  What I want to share with you is one of life's basic interactions and how we miss that particular point.

The picture above is a weak example of giving and receiving. 

As a chaplain I visit with many people who are in the hospital with various illness and diseases.  Some are life-threatening and some not.  Patients are scared, tense or just wondering how and when this illness is going  to end.  When can I eat?  When can I go home?  Will my family understand my illness?  Will they help me or make it more difficult for me to do the necessary things for me to get better.  These are all valid questions.  Our health is important and the patient needs more than just the doctors medical expertise to give them answers to their questions.  Remember, I am in no way belittling the doctors or nurses role, they ae vital. Still most patients need encouragement, prayers, love and hope.  This the Chaplains can do and it is privilege to be a part of the whole illness.  I understand that part and see that often in the hospital. It is also portrayed the picture at the top of this page.  Given in love and received in love is an ideal situation.

And that is the part I learned this week.  I find it is easier to give than to receive.  Receiving graciously means I need someone elses help.  I have always been able to do for myself, why not now.  But learned quickly Friday morning that I would need help, a lot of help, to make this whole surgery deal complete.  How was I going to respond to their help?  Graciously or rudely  At this point Friday morning I would be gracious and put myself into the hands of  those that treated me.  It has been said that when you leave your house to go to the hospital you should  pound a nail into the garage wall and hang your modesty on the nail.  And I find  that to be true. How else could they do their job? With the kindness of everyone of the staff I felt love and well taken care of .

Going back to the picture above I believe it is possible most of the time for both to show love and respect.  That is what I see in that picture. 

So, how does that relate to our everyday live and not just in the patient-chaplain role.  I can't help but think of the tremendous sacrifice God made in sending his son into the world so that thru his death we as Christians can spent eternity in heaven with. him.  How can I expect to pay him back for such a huge price he paid  for me?  No we don't compare prices, all God wants from us is to accept his son and live for him in gratitude.  No matter age, color, background, sinful past, God forgives that all.  And the riches of God's grace don't just start when we die, no, they start immediately.  It is a glorious life to experience the richness of God's grace and enjoy the fellowship with those who are also joint heirs with Jesus.I talk much more about this in my book, I've Always Been Rich, which was published in June last year.  It is glorious life when we know that God is guiding us thru every step of the way.  The book is all about life lived in fellowship with him. 

Marilyn Rensink  email  mjrevmon6@aol.com   But the book in any good bookstore near you.  

I would love to hear from you. 

I've Always Been Rich: IT'S LOVE

I've Always Been Rich: IT'S LOVE: Valentine's' Day is just two days from now.  Florist around the country are gearing up for one of their best weeks of the year to ...

IT'S LOVE

Valentine's' Day is just two days from now.  Florist around the country are gearing up for one of their best weeks of the year to sell beautiful bouquets of flowers as the one seen above.  In addition, chocolates, jewelry, and other fine gifts are bought for loved ones.  And this is all in the name of love for the recipient.  Such love is defined as an intense feeling of deep affection.  Wikipedia describes it as a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that range from interpersonal affection to pleasure.  It can also be described as a virtue representing human kindness, compassion, and affection. The red roses in the picture were given to me by my husband.  I know they came because of his love for me, certainly a marriage that lasts for 63 years has to be based on love that is mentioned in one or all of the definitions above. 
While the love that humans give and get from one another ,wonderful as that is, there is a love that passes all that in kind and dimension.  I want to quote a few verses about God's love, God's love  is available to all and  He never takes it away from us no matter what we do.
"The steadfast love of God endures all the day."  Lamentations 3:22.  "I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever;" Psalm 52:8. "Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God forever and ever".  Romans 8:39. "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9.  The  love expressed in those few verses surpasses anything we can even imagine and is greater than we can achieve.  But the best verse to describe God's love for each and every one of us is from John 3:16.  "For God so loved the world (your name) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (your name) believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.   (KJV)
That is love. So as we remember and celebrate the love that we have for one another this week let us be mindful of the even greater love that God has for each of us. Jesus gave His life for us in a shameful death on the cross to show how much He loved us. Let us reflect  that love to others in this often divisive and angry world that we live in today.  Only God's love will change hearts  and change people's actions. My prayer is that we will unite our hearts in love to God, then He will multiply our efforts  and we all WILL bring glory to Him.
I speak of this much in my book, I've Always Been Rich. In the book I go into detail of how I have experienced God's grace as shown in His love for me.   I've experienced it and I pray you have too.  Marilyn Rensink    email mjrevmom6@aol.com   Books available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com and your local bookstore.

I've Always Been Rich: Washing Feet

I've Always Been Rich: Washing Feet: Weekly my husband and I attend Bible Study Fellowship on  Monday night.  It is a powerful way to study the Bible without the use of a com...

Washing Feet

Weekly my husband and I attend Bible Study Fellowship on  Monday night.  It is a powerful way to study the Bible without the use of a commentary or other reference books.  For sermon preparations I like to read and use other written information to understand the text better or see it in a new light. This Bible Study method is just to intently read the scripture and then study it for meaning.  We find it refreshing even though it takes deep concentration, but that is good.  Then as we gather within our small groups we share what the scripture means to us and how we can apply it to our lives. 

Last week we studied  the 13th chapter of the book of John.  In the scripture the disciples of Jesus are  celebrating the Passover or as it in called in the other gospels, the last supper.  Everything has been prepared for the meal.  The disciples expected the same "script" as always but Jesus had a few new ideas He wanted to share with them.  I have often said that when you follow the Lord and are open to His calling that you must expect the unexpected.  That certainly was true for the disciples as He had already turned their whole world around  in profession and lifestyle.
Before the disciples began the meal Jesus got up, took a towel and wrapped it around himself, took a

basin of water and started washing the disciples feet.  Remember in that day the roads and sidewalks were not very clean or paved so feet got very dirty.  The lowest of lowly servants normally were tasked with washing the feet of people.  Jesus was their leader and their teacher (rabbi). He had too much of a standing to wash feet.  Nevertheless, Jesus humbled himself and took the form and demeanor of a servant.  All the disciples were amazed but Peter simply rebelled and said "not my feet Lord".  After Jesus' explanation Peter said "well then wash my hands and face also." While this conversation seems innocuous it portrayed a vital lesson for Peter and for each one of us. Jesus said if you have had a bath you are clean but you need to have your feet washed. Those two words are important for each of us.  Metaphorically it means that if we have taken a bath, we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and our sins were paid for when Jesus paid the price on the cross. But we still walk in this polluted and sinful world and are tainted with sin that needs to be confessed each day, thus the need to wash the feet. The disciples did not catch the meaning of this symbolic activity as Jesus had not yet given His life on the cross.  That was going to take place in a few days and they had not grasped  that concept either.  Jesus goes on to tell them the spiritual significance of his actions which were mostly lost on them too - until later.  Another aspect of this story is that Judas, one of the disciples, had not been washed in the blood and he betrayed Jesus by selling Him out for 30 pieces of silver. Yet, even tho Jesus knew Judas would betray Him he still washed his feet.
That is an interesting story but what do we learn from it?  The example Jesus gave us in  the story is really a lesson in humility. No matter our status, position, rank or unique talent we are to humble ourselves and serve others even as Jesus did.  We are to lay ourselves down for the sake of others, love them, and wash their feet, so to speak.  Jesus had a unique relationship with His Father, God, but he did not count that something He wanted to  use to His own advantage.  He had the very nature of God but still humbled himself for others.  He took on a servant role.
Besides humility we are also admonished by his act to forgive one another, encourage one another, pray for one another and show genuine concern for their well-being and walk humbly with the Lord.  The bar looks very high, right?  It looks impossible, right?  I can't attain that level of love for one person let alone all people!  We think we can't do it so we don't even try.  And you are right.  You and I can't do it.  It is an impossible way to live.  However, we don't have to do it on our own strength.  We need the help of God each and every day.  An  old hymn is entitled, "I Need You Every Hour".  What about changing that to every minute.  When we have accepted the Lord and have been washed in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) he gives us the help we need to live a victorious life, a life that will help us do the things listed above.  In my book, I've Always Been Rich, I relate how I was called to various duties in ministry throughout my life.  I was an extremely shy person growing up, not much better as a young adult and  did not have the skills needed to follow God's calls.  I also relate that I did not do an exemplary job.  I know He gave me a desire and passion to follow Him and do the task which was before me to the best of my ability.  I found that what I thought was impossible was doable.  My greatest hesitation was thinking that I would not do a good job and would make myself look foolish.  Pride. When I looked to Him and forgot about how I looked it was a totally  different experience.   I have a new speaking challenge coming up.  He will be with me.  
Find my book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com and your local bookstore.  Marilyn Rensink   email  mjrevmom6@aol.com 
Appreciate comments and questions.