tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post9068725649196862479..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Helping Helps UsTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-7336023732029594382010-06-08T19:48:59.066-05:002010-06-08T19:48:59.066-05:00Claire, thank you! I'm headed your way to disc...Claire, thank you! I'm headed your way to discover what you found; it's always a feast over there. And I can't resist saying, What a treat to have you here!<br /><br />Blessings, dear friend,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-44121249087344697662010-06-08T12:57:35.112-05:002010-06-08T12:57:35.112-05:00I have just written about this. I like your educat...I have just written about this. I like your educated take on it. I need to read it again.<br />Ah what a treat to come here!<br />Blessings.claire bangasserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12380558962103134334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-72899050688797860462010-06-08T12:05:24.908-05:002010-06-08T12:05:24.908-05:00Thanks for the compliment Tim. It cwertainly ring...Thanks for the compliment Tim. It cwertainly rings true for Sherry.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397335545286040472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-57643584379635206512010-06-06T14:15:42.476-05:002010-06-06T14:15:42.476-05:00Tom, I tell people this all the time: the best way...Tom, I tell people this all the time: the best way to bless me is to let me help you. It opens the floodgates of God's goodness and mercy. It is selfish and selfless at the same time--a contradiction, and thus in total keeping with the nature of our God!<br /><br />Sherry, "therein is the face of Christ I suspect we miss so often." I like that! It's so true. Helping those we'd rather not gets us outside ourselves to see the reflection of unconditional love and mercy in our lives. This morning our pastor paired Elijah's widow with the one in Luke, who's on her way to bury her son and encounters Christ. She called it "bumping into Jesus," and reminded us when that happens, we're bound to be surprised. I think you and she are on the same page!<br /><br />Blessings to both of you,<br />Tim<br /><br />PS: Sherry, I always promise myself I'm going to scoot by your place--same for you Tom--see what you're up to and move on. But you guys both get the wheels turning. So it's not a compulsion, per se, but a joy. I hope I'm not making too much work for either of you (or the other blogs I comment on)!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-54442769611967040902010-06-06T13:28:30.595-05:002010-06-06T13:28:30.595-05:00YOu know it's funny. When I read that passage ...YOu know it's funny. When I read that passage my first reaction was anger--how dare Elijah order this woman, a perfect stranger around! And I also was angry that she would be so gracious especially in the face of her son's obvious need. Yet, you are most right that it is the faith of both that calls to us. Faith by Elijah that God will provide in the unlikeliest of ways, and faith on the part of the widow that somehow, hospitality is still the best way. The lesson is huge for us all. Perhaps in the anger, we learn the lesson even more deeply--it gets us to see that indeed, we must extend it, even when the person asking or demanding rubs us exactly the wrong way. Therein is the face of Christ I suspect we miss most often.<br /><br />thanks Tim. Your insights are so great. Your gifts so huge. <br /><br />You have left a slew of comments on my blog, and please never feel the need to comment so much. We are all busy as heck. I am lucky some weeks to visit anyone more than once, other weeks I get around often. I appreciate of course all your remarks because you always force me in a new direction and more thinking...lol..<br />Blessings dear friend.Sherry Peytonhttp://afeatheradrift.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-58664190348068224792010-06-06T13:06:05.194-05:002010-06-06T13:06:05.194-05:00Another interesting analysis, Tim. For me, it'...Another interesting analysis, Tim. For me, it's simple. Helping is selfish, and that's OK. When I help, I like the me I become. When I don't, I don't.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397335545286040472noreply@blogger.com