Water for the Soul

Like pure, fresh water to one who is thirsty, truth brings life to our souls. In the past week I have sat under some wonderful biblical teaching and read many things that have refreshed my soul. Most of it will take time to process, but the following truths that have been presented to me this week, I pass on to you, with a prayer that you, too, will find refreshment.

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Love is our primary calling on any given day. So our question should be, "What is love calling me to do in this particular situation?"   ~ Ruth Haley-Barton at the Pastors Prayer Retreat I attended at Warm Beach Camp 

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If we stand where others have fallen, it's to raise our hands to heaven in praise and to spread our arms as shade for the weary. The Lord enables us to be a tree of rest for others.  ~ Julie Ackerman Link, in Our Daily Bread 

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Any old bush will do, when the Lord shows up.  ~ Nancy Nelson, leading the prayer time for our Soulcrafters Sunday School class yesterday. She was talking about all believers being grafted into the same vine (John 15), and how the Lord will accomplish his work through "any old bush" that he chooses. He's just looking for available people to pray and to do what he puts before them.

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The best thing the church offers our world is our own transformation. ~ Pastor Sam Schaar in his sermon yesterday

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Soul formation is Christ being formed in you for the sake of others. Transformed, we are the good news that the Good News works!  ~ Pastor Pat Vance, responding to Pastor Sam's sermon yesterday

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Here's one more thought from Ruth Haley-Barton. She suggested that when we get distracted with other things when we are waiting on the Lord, it's just our minds causing the trouble. We can address the problem like this: Mind, I appreciate you; you've serve me well. But that's not what we're dealing with right now." Push the distractions aside and get back to waiting on the Lord.