Faye Bryant

Unworthy

I have been challenged the past several weeks by some words. 

"In the same way, when you obey me, you should say, "We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty."

In my black & white mind, I agree wholeheartedly. I confess, though, in my flesh, I want more. I want people to see what I've done "for" God and pat me on the back. I really look forward to that time when God says, "well done." 

I have written that book that I believe God told me to. It's all but on Amazon. 

My mind and my heart are at war. I want to see people read it and whatever God's purposes for it happen. I want to see people learn the simplicity of loving Christ and living for Him. And I want to appear on stages. I'm not sure about sitting with Oprah, but I'd love to see it make a big splash. 

Does that conflict with the thought of "I only did my duty"? 

It's a GIRL!

Jack and I are so excited! We're parents again! Okay, not truly parents, but sponsors. Together with our friend Kristina Birkhead, we are now sponsoring four-year-old Judine Pierre. 

Isn't she just the most beautiful little girl? She was born on July 2, 2005 and lives with her mother who is sometimes a seller in the market. There are two children in the home. 

Ever since Jack went to Haiti in February of this year, his heart has been captured by the faces of the children there. So far, God hasn't set up for me to go -- possibly because He knows just how my heart will be affected. 

I can't wait to get the packet from Compassion International so that we can begin writing to Judine and her mother. As I recall the words of the young man at the Catalyst Conference just a few weeks ago, I can imagine that one day, Judine will know Christ as her Savior and will be serving Him wholeheartedly. She will be healthy and happy and we will be overjoyed at the fact that God has allowed us to be a part of that. 

If your eyes tear up when you see those pictures of the children in the countries where we've served on mission, or when you see the commercials -- stop sitting around doing nothing. By becoming a Compassion International sponsor, you can make a difference for only $1.25 a day. For less than a cup of coffee or a soft drink, you can bring health and happiness to a child -- and thereby that child's family. How can it get any better? 

Owwie!

The problem: arthritis in my hand -- at the moment my left thumb. The pictures said there's little cartilage in the joint at the base. The solution of the moment: cortisone. 

I don't know how many of you have experienced a cortisone shot. I got one Wednesday in the relatively tiny joint at the base of my thumb. It's not a huge needle that they use. It is the sensation that comes with it. 

The doctor had me lie down for this shot in my hand. I told him he thought I would try to run. He didn't deny that. I think it had to do with having my hand in the right position, but that's a different thought. 

Funny thing when the needle goes in, you feel the prick against your skin and there's a sort of heat. For me, it's the next sensation that just tears me up. I'll let this video describe it for you. 

Yeah. That's about what it felt like. After that, it hurt. A LOT. 

Next day? Oh, it's great! No more stabbing pain when I try to pick up a coffee cup or a dime even. 

I didn't want to -- now I am & loving it!

I don't know if you know about Margaret Feinberg. I'd heard her name and seen her picture before, but at Catalyst I was introduced to her when she stood on the stage and declared that her book Scouting the Divine would be given to everyone attending. Just to give you a clue -- that's roughly 13,000 copies that she and her publisher GAVE away. 

Now, to be perfectly honest with you -- I had "seen" Margaret before -- on The Nines. Frankly, I heard a bit of what she said, but what I heard mostly was about her book and I felt a bit put off. So, I made sure I got my free copy. I mean, I could always give it away or eBay, right? So, here we are a couple weeks since Catalyst Conference and I've read where people have talked about the book and my curiosity is up. 

I knew what the book is about, from the summaries both on the book and from Margaret herself. 

A woman living a modern life. A Bible full of ancient truths. Join critically acclaimed author Margaret Feinberg as she invites readers on the spiritual adventure of a lifetime. In her quest to better understand what God wants to communicate through the Bible, Feinberg explores the symbols and metaphors within the stories. To discover these deeper meanings, she spends time with a shepherdess in Oregon, walks the fields with a farmer in Nebraska, explore a vineyard of California, and talks with a veteran beekeeper in Colorado. Along the way, she gains deeper insight about how scripture applies to life today and discovers answers to puzzling questions. Do sheep really know their shepherd's voice? How often does a grapevine need to be pruned? What does it mean for a land to be described as overflowing with honey?

Not content to just read in the Bible, Margaret made the effort to better understand, and then she shares that understanding with us. From the first chapter, I was hooked. 

This is not a book to be raced through,however. There is too much meat. Rather like a big juicy Porterhouse. Such insight into portions of scripture both Old Testament and New. 

I'll share more about it in coming days, right now, I'm still chewing that steak and enjoying every bit of flavor and nourishment.