Tag Archive - call

Stay Thirsty, Share Hope: A Simple Way to Do Good

June 25, 2010 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 0 Comments

Please, can I have a drop to quench my thirst?

People Are Thirsty

Every time I come in from this Africa-hot Texas weather I beg for water, sometimes in a not-so-pleasant manner. This heat makes me sticky and irritable. I’ll be “glistening” all summer while searching for refreshment.
waterglass
Others also look for cold water. Some head to rivers and lakes (my prayers for those involved in Arkansas’ flash flood). Others turn to vendors and waiters. I heard of a rich guy that was burning up in the heat. He could not buy a drop of water and was desperate for a cold drink. No one helped. “Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue” (from Luke 16:24), he begged, while knowing he was shut off from the life-giving water.

Drinks All Around

His desperation created in me a desire to help. I wanted to dig a well, pipe in some relief, do something. It was too late for him, but I could share my life-sustaining drink with others before they reach the same horrifying end.

I decided to tell as many as I could about the water that flows deep, puts out the heat and satisfies our thirst. Such water is found in Jesus. He offers living water and to the one who drinks it, no more thirst (John 4:10-14). I want to be the pipe bringing life, the well that overflows, the spout that pours sweet words of hope, life and redemption. I want no one to go thirsty like the rich guy. I promise to share my drink.

The Choice to Drink Deep, or Not

I may not be able to make others taste, but I can be a pleasant, enticing glass that holds cool and refreshing water. My acceptance and love can leave people with a desire to know more about me and my God. In these irritable, hot, hazy days of summer, fill my cup Lord, and make me a pleasant presentation of your living water.

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ ” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him.) (John 7:37-9)

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Name Calling . . . Our Reality?

February 10, 2009 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 0 Comments

God calls names. Hard to believe, but in both the old and the new parts of the Bible he called people names. He called the righteous, "sinners"; wimps, "mighty heroes"; and stones, "big rocks" (Lk. 18:9-14, Jg. 6:12, Mt. 16:18). Each time he is stating something that is, but is not yet revealed or seen. God calls an Ace an Ace, whether others see the spot or not. The ones being named don’t see it in themselves and often no one else sees it either.  I guess if the name-calling is to point out reality or truth as God does, it’s okay.  

Bad kid or creative genius?

Bad kid, or creative genius?

God sees our reality better than we do and guides us to realize it ourselves. While hiding from the enemy Gideon must’ve felt much more like a wimp than a “Mighty hero” (NLT, Jg. 6:12). Gideon didn’t jump up out of the winepress with inflated chest instantly becoming a great leader, but he trusted God enough to begin obeying him. Gideon’s transformation or step into his reality didn’t happen overnight. But in time and through daily obedience to God he found himself full of the Spirit of God and leading the people of God victoriously—a mighty hero.

Since each Christ follower is called, what is that God whispered into your spirit? What has God called you? Leader. Follower. Encourager. Warrior. Pray-er. Speaker. Server. Helper. Writer. Mentor. Teacher. Are you trusting him to make it real to you by daily obeying his promptings? If so, like Gideon, one day you will look back in amazement, wondering how cool it is to trust God and see that he’s done amazing things in and around you.

Daily trusting and becoming . . .

 

Should I STAY? Or Should I GO??

January 14, 2009 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 12 Comments

Staying means comfort, risk-free, known terrain, but going …

Go, Robin BryceI hate change.
No I like change.
Uh-uh, change is disturbing.
No, it’s exciting. (there’s nothing like inner conflict!)
Gosh! I hate my life.
No, no. I really love my life, but these decisions are killing me.
Should I stay? Or Should I go?
 

While the beat of that song plays in your head, I’ll tell you we struggled. We struggled within ourselves. And we struggled with God. Then my husband and I finally came to the conclusion.

“Okay. We’ll go.” We’ll give it all up and follow God. (not like we weren’t totally given to ministry already!)

“It could never be better to stay once He [God] determines otherwise.” Streams in the Desert January 14th.

That may be right, but it doesn’t help the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of the future, the misunderstanding of others placed on us.

“He [God] goes on ahead of [us]” John 10:4

That’s more comforting. God is leading the way, going in front of us, and showing us the way.

F. B. Meyer states, “All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us.”

Now that’s a shield in which I can get behind and forge ahead.

Maybe going is the best answer when God says, “Go.” (check Matt. 28:19-20)

So we find ourselves taking an Abrahamic call. My husband resigned a great pastorate of over eight years. We don’t know where we are going. We are unsure of what we’re doing. We simply answered the call to go.

We didn’t come to this decision lightly. The struggle took a while and we often switched places with one sensing the call stronger and the other not. We never struggled with each other. But were united in intense struggle to do only what God wanted. My security was challenged. His identity challenged. This was all so new, and well…challenging!

Our last Sunday is January 25th. Then . . .

I have no more to write. I don’t know anything more. Going . . . with eyes wide open!

 

The Love Call

July 19, 2007 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 0 Comments

I feel short of breath, like I can’t breathe deep. The weight of the world’s worries crashes in on me. The pain and suffering of others crushes my capacity to fill my lungs. Why did I ever say to Jesus, “Here am I, send me?” (Isaiah 6:8)

“Count the cost,” he says. (Luke 14:25-34)

How could I have known the cost of love? Do you or anyone else know what love costs? I didn’t ask for this, he called me to it. All I asked for was more of him.

“Lord Jesus, here am I…uhm, can I stay with you? Yeah, remain in you like your word says. (John 15) Can I have more of you, and stay with you? This sending thing hurts. It is a sacrifice and is very costly. My heart is crushed and broken for the many. Please let me stay with you. In you is safety and refuge”

God says, “Staying with me means going where I go. My heart is also filled with compassion for people. If you come with me, you will share in my suffering, but, my yoke is easy and my burden is light for I am with you and we bear the burden together. Breathe deep in me. I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30) Walk in my still waters and as you pass through this valley of the stench of death, (Psalm 23) I will fill your nostrils with the fragrance of deliverance. (2 Corinthians 2:14) I will give you hope. Lie in this boat and rest beside me. (Mathew 8:24) This storm will rage on, but you rest in me, breathe deep…”

“Come dear one. There’s another who needs love. Yes, it will be painful and costly. Come, share in my sufferings.” (Philippians 3:10, 1 Peter 4:13)

True love aches, sacrifices, and dies. Real love rejoices, triumphs, and lives. Are we willing to accept it? Are we willing to be it?
Can you say, “Here I am. . .” It’s worth considering.

Resolved,
Robin