Constant Evaluation

Melissa and I are constantly reevaluating ourselves.

Not in an internal way, but with a real conversation starting with things like ‘what are we doing that’s working’ and ‘what are we doing that’s inconsistent with what we believe?’

Money is always on the list of things to talk about.

Are we using God’s money correctly?  Are we indulging ourselves too much?  Are we being so frugal that we’re missing out on the wonderful world that God has given us?

Right now we don’t know what those answers are.

I think we’ve found a nice balance with our money.  We’re being frugal but still allowing ourselves a bit of money to enjoy life.

But we don’t know if we’re effective at anything.

Really, what are we doing here?

We know that we want to serve God because we love him and have an intense desire to follow Jesus’ instructions.  But what does that look like?

We haven’t found it yet.

We’re not out here saving anyone.  Even our acts of kindness are few and far between.

We’re still developing the boldness to talk about anything.  We’re still trying to figure out how to meet someone and start talking about Jesus.

We’re not going to put on white short sleeve shirts and go from door to door.  But we haven’t figured out how to sit down at a bar and strike up a conversation about Jesus either.

We don’t even have the bullocks to talk to bums we pass on the street.

At this point, our evaluation has determined that we’re not doing anything wrong or inconsistent with our belief.  But we’re not doing anything right either.

We have had no effect on the world, no soul has a better eternal future because of us.

It’s time for us to get motivated to boldly share Jesus.  But how?

Comments

I did ck/o the web site you mentioned,OneWorldEverybodyEats.org
Ummm Yummy looking-And what a concept, to make sure everyone eats.
I got a suggestion for you, if you have time, since you’re in Utah:
Start ing with your internet, do a search on the movie/DVD, “Desert Bayou.”
The short of it is that this documentry is about the New Orleans Katrina evacuees.  Without their knowledge these 600 Blacks were dropped shipped in Salt Lake, Utah.  Master P is either the director or producer.  It could be interesting for ya.
One other thing.
Don’t understimate what a small blog can do for your readers that know (of) you.
Pray that you get the “flow” that God wants you to have in your servin, travellin and your bloggin.

Keep on
patti g

I’ve eaten many times at the One World Cafe in Salt Lake City. My children and I love it.

Today my friend Jane introduced me to your site and what you’re doing. I am here in San Diego visiting her for my birthday. After showing me what you’ve done and telling her own story about how you served and lifted her, she read this entry to me.

You say in this entry that you don’t know if you are effective at anything, that you want to serve God because you love him, but question what that looks like. You also say that you have had no effect on the world, that no soul has a better eternal future because of you, and wonder how you meet someone and start talking about Jesus.

I have found that every stranger I meet is struggling with something in some way.  Sometimes it takes a few questions to find out what that is. Sometimes people are unwilling to say. But if you are of a heart to serve God, God will lead you to those people with whom you may speak easily of Him and His ability to make the way for what they need. You may not be the solution to whatever their problem is, but He is, and He will make the way for the solution, whatever that is. He is out on the path ahead of us, making the way for what we need. That is a message about Jesus you can share with anyone, because almost everyone is worried about something they need help with.

I wrote something about this that I want to share with you. “With the chariots of Pharoh’s army behind them, the Lord parted the waters of the Red Sea for the children of Israel to pass through on dry ground.” He makes the way where there is no way.”

My 22 year old son, Jackson, says, “Yeah, sometimes life SUCKS, but it always sucks FOR you, for you benefit.” Things work out. And they “work out” because Jesus is out there ahead of us micro-managing the details of our lives in ways we can’t see. He takes care of all of it. That’s His job. His ways and means are limitless, so He’s pretty good at what He does.

With regard to you thinking you have no effect on the world, every soul you touch with your lives and what you’re doing has a better eternal future because of you. I do, and I know there are many others who have been uplifted by you.

You live the words of one of my favorite scriptures, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are in the service of your God.” Mosiah 2:17

The service you give to whomever you give it and in whatever way, is serving God.
Please don’t underestimate the good of the work you are doing through your loving and giving lives.

With love,
Kathleen & kids

Patti - We’ll check that documentary out.  We also watched a Spike Lee documentary on Katrina that was interesting.

Kathleen and kids—Thanks for checking out our site.

We appreciate the encouragement.

I can’t say I’m familiar with any scriptural text by the name of Mosiah, but we do appreciate your kind words.

You should try praying!  Ask for the strength and courage to share the word of God.  Then, pray for guidance in finding those who are ready to receive the message.  If you will do this with sincerity, you will be led to those with open hearts, and you will be able to share your message of God.  If you pray about this worthy desire, it’s amazing all the opportunities that will arise (casual conversations, etc.)

In addition to prayer...continue being good people!  Continue to assist and serve others--and even if it feels like the opportunities are “few and far between” at least you are attempting to make a difference.  Serving others is an effective way to make a profound effect on the world.

The Mosiah reference was from the Book of Mormon.  It’s a good scripture, but kind of random and isolated for those who aren’t familiar with these scriptures

Good luck, and enjoy your journey!

To quote the OT, non-mormon style Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths” ~ remember El Paso?

Jsyk . . .
Melody