CARROT, EGG OR COFFEE BEAN

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. 

She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed as one problem was solved and a new one arose.

Her mother without answering led her daughter to the kitchen.  She filled three pots with water.  Without saying a word she placed a carrot in one, an egg in another, and coffee beans in the third.

When the water came to a boil she carefully removed each items and placed them in separate bowls. 

The curious daughter looking intently asked, “What’s the point, mother?” 

Turning to her daughter she asked “Tell me what you see”

Carrots, eggs, and coffee.” She replied. 

Her mother said, “feel the carrots.  She did and noted that they were soft.

“Break one of the eggs, her mother directed.  After pulling off the shell she observed the hard-boiled egg.  Finally she sipped the coffee.  The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. 

Ok, Mom, what’s the point? 

Her mom explained that each of the objects had faced the same adversity (circumstances, or unwanted change), boiling water, but each reacted differently.

The carrot, strong, hard, unrelenting going in.  After being subjected to the water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile.  Its thin outer shell protected its liquid interior.  After sitting in the boiling water (the adversity) its inside became hardened. 

The ground coffee beans were unique, in the boiling water, they changed the water.

“WHICH ARE YOU?” The mother asked her daughter.  WHEN ADVERSITY KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR, HOW DO YOU RESPOND, ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN.

by Leona M. Kidd

PART I 

INTRODUCTION

Godliness outside of the Word of God and an intimate relationship with Jesus and others will not happen.  God’s Word is how he reveals himself to us…..His word is our plumb line, our standard. 

TITUS 1:1-2

          “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.”

Principle:  KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S TRUTH LEADS TO GODLINESS

TITUS 2:1-1

In verse 1 Paul is exhorting Titus in his responsibility to “speak the things of sound doctrine” 

Just as a little baby needs the right conditions to grow and develop, so must we as Christians be in right relationships for the feeding and rooting of ourselves in the Word of God.  We need to be in an environment and relationship that nurtures the Word of God IN us. 

Principle:  SOUND DOCTRINE will produce a rooted Christian who then will produce fruit.  The renewing of our minds comes from reading, hearing and meditating on the Word of God.

TEACH-TRAIN-BE AN EXAMPLE is what Paul is instructing Titus to train Christians to do. 

To teach, train, and be an example requires a teacher, student relationship.  This is the relationship of a disciple, or a mentor, and a mentee.  We need these close relationships to develop into a godly woman of God.

JOHN 13:35

          “By this all men will know that you are my DISCIPLES, if you have love for one another.”

We are exhorted in Matthew, “A disciple is not above his/her teacher, nor a slave above his master.”  There is no higher ground in God’s kingdom. (Matt. 10:24)

Principle:  DISCIPLESHIP/MENTORING IS THE TEACHING OF SOUND DOCTRINE AND IS COMMITTED TO THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF GOD’S WORD IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES.

Today we will talk about the P.M.S. of a mentoring relationships:

PURPOSE, METHOD, & SATISFACTION FOR MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS

RELATIONSHIPS for the purpose of Mentoring is to be BASED ON SOUND DOCTRINE and has a GOAL……This then brings us to the purpose

1.    PURPOSE FOR A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP

Ø    Train to love

Ø    Spiritual growth

Ø    Accountability

A.    TRAIN TO LOVE

Jesus in the book of John commands us to Love one another (John 13:34-35, John 15:17) and in Matthew

Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus tells us, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND….YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

Principle:  Our relationships with others is the manifestation of God’s love in our lives. 

1 John 4:12….”If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.”   “From our innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.”

When we are in relationships with another – we will reflect the love of Jesus.

B.    SPIRITUAL GROWTH

   OUR INNER PERSON will Grow when we are in A right relationship with God and one another.  It will develop fruit. 

 In Gal. 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Principle: You know you are producing fruit from the inner manifestation of the Holy Spirit IF others defer to your purity/godliness.

 Spiritual Growth Promotes:  ACTION

                     The fruit KINDNESS involves an outward

                      action and is gentle. 

      In Luke 7:13 Jesus demonstrated kindness, He SAW the widow bringing her only son out of the city for burial, He FELT compassion, then He ACTED in saying “Young man arise.”

  Spiritual Growth will:

Stretch us out of our comfort zones.  We will grow spiritually when we get involved in another person’s life.  It will develop our patience, acceptance as we learn to love one another. 

Principle:  A close relationship with another will grow us up spiritually, and deepen our faith in God.  We will learn to respond properly to stress, pain, and suffering in our lives. 

          C.  ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountability to another leads to confession.

We are to confess our sins to God, and one another. 

Confession holds us accountable….we are to have an attitude of readiness to admit our failures and accept responsibility.  Be HONEST

We are told in the scriptures to “share our burdens with one another”, and to confess our sins.

Confession requires repentance.  Repentance is a complete turning away from our sin. 

Guilt over sin will be used by the enemy of our souls as a stronghold to accuse us day and night, weaken our faith, and render us ineffective.

When we confess our sins to God He is faithful to remove them as far as the east is from the west.

When we can be truly honest with another, confessing our sins, and praying with another.  God’s healing is promoted.

Our Tendency Is To Confess FOR one another, and pray AT one another.

     CONFIDENTIALLITY – In any relationship is vital.  What is said to you is never yours to share.  We are to “Share OUR burdens,” not someone else’s.

GOALS OF THE PURPOSE OF MENTORING

Ø    Train to love God and others

Ø    Spiritually grow in our inner person, promote action towards others, & stretching growth

Ø    Accountability to another includes confession, repentance, and confidentiality

Verses Luke 7:40-49

This is the best part.  Jesus wraps it all up.  He tells Simon that he is going to tell him a story or a (PARABLE – this is an earthly analogy to illustrate a spiritual truth.)

Two men owed money to a man.  One a large amount and the other a smaller amount.  Both debts were cancelled. 

Jesus’ question to them “WHO DO YOU SUPPOSE LOVED HIM MORE AFTER THAT?”

Simon answers “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

Jesus answers ‘THAT’S RIGHT”  Turning to Simon he says, “Look at this woman kneeling here.”

Jesus continues telling them what the woman did for him and they had failed to do. 

It was common courtesy to provide water to wash a guest’s dusty feet.

Jesus was their guest yet no water was provided.

“She has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.”

It was customary to greet a guest with the Kiss of Peace.  It was a greeting, it was an offering of peace be to you.

“The woman has kissed my feet continually.”

As an honored guest it was a practice to anoint their head with oil.

Its significance showed special honor, and God’s blessings.

“You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven. 

“SHE HAS SHOWN ME MUCH LOVE, BUT A PERSON WHO IS FORGIVEN LITTLE SHOWS ONLY LITTLE LOVE.”

SCENE 4 – ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED

VERSE 50

Then Jesus turns to the woman and says ”YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.  YOUR FAITH HAS SAVED YOU; GO IN PEACE.”

TODAY HAVE YOU BEEN ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED

ARE YOU SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS

“An alabaster box held the costly perfume

she anointed Him that day

as the fragrance filled the room

She washed His feet with tears

And dried them with her hair

I know how she felt

As she was kneeling there  

 At your feet

It’s hard to understand

When life seems unfair

I’m carrying this load

That I’m not meant to bear

But you said in Your Word

That peace could be found

If I could find the courage

To lay it all down.

   At your feet.

I humbly bow before You

And with honor I adore You

There is no place that I’d rather be than

   At your feet.

                                       Study by Para-chaplain Leona Kidd

SCENE 1

READ:  LUKE  7:36

  Jesus was into the home of the Pharisees.  The Pharisees were a Jewish sect, upholders of tradition, lovers of display (show n tell), they were cruel persecutors; they perverted scripture, were blind to spiritual things and refused to accept Christ.         Jesus later described them in

                        Matt.12:34, 34, as SNAKES

                        Matt 15:12-14, as BLIND

                         Matt. 23:13-19, as HYPOCRITES

                         Matt. 23:33, as SONS OF VIPERS

                         John 8:13,44 as CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL

YET - JESUS WENT IN AND DINED WITH THEM.

WHY would Jesus who knew all of these things about them willingly go into the home of Simon the Pharisee?

 Because Jesus is a “FRIEND to the worst sort of sinners, and he was also willing to be a friend to the Pharisees who would LISTEN to Him

JESUS ACCEPTS ALL WHO WILL COME TO HIM.  THATS WHEN WE ARE ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED

SCENE 2

READ Verses (Luke 7:37-39)

Close your eyes - picture a small room - Several men stretched out around a low table covered with food.  Their feet point away from the table. They are talking - when a woman enters the room - she is a known prostitute.

Yet  No one chases her out, which would have been customary, as a prophet did not allow a sinful woman to touch them.

This immoral, sinful woman begins anointing Jesus’ feet. Her tears fall on His feet; she takes her hair and begins wiping them with her long hair.  (proper women did not undo their hair in public) But she doesn’t care. 

Then she breaks the Alabaster jar of expensive oil and fills the room with its sweet fragrance.  She breaks the jar – symbolic of breaking away from her sins.  Her actions are an expression of her deep devotion to Jesus.

DID YOU GET THE PICTURE -

This woman was a prostitute.  We all know the definition of a prostitute.  You might be thinking WELL I’M NOT A PROSTITUTE But did you know that it also means someone devoted to corrupt or unworthy purposes.  Or a person who deliberately debases his or her talents. 

If we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness - Jesus will forgive us -  in the Greek forgiveness is  (Salach - saw-lakh)   He “Blots them out”, “Pardons us” and “Heals us from wounding”

 He removes our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.  (NOT NORTH TO SOUTH - EARTH REVOLVES IN THAT DIRECTION- BUT FROM EAST TO WEST - NEVER TO MEET UP WITH YOU AGAIN)

ROMAN 4:8 “…WHAT JOY FOR THOSE WHOSE SIN IS NO LONGER COUNTED AGAINST THEM BY THE LORD.”

God does not continue to credit unrighteousness to the sinner who repents, but forgives him.

I JOHN 1:8-9, “IF WE SAY WE HAVE NOT SIN, WE ARE ONLY FOOLING OURSELVES AND REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH.  BUT IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS TO HIM HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US AND TO CLEANSE US FROM EVERY WRONG.”

Asking for forgiveness provides us with a forgiveness that restores our communion with God. 

There is an old saying that says, “If you feel like God is not near, Guess who moved?” 

If you want to FEEL close to Jesus - STAY close to Jesus. 

When we have believed that Jesus is the Son of God, that he lived, died on the cross, and on the third day rose again, removing the bondage of our sins, and today sits at the right hand of God —– then WE ARE ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED. 

    (To be continued)

1.     Recognition of an Unpayable debt (19) Paul’s promise to make restitution – restore what was taken.  (example: Time, money, broken relationships, etc.) This requires Grace

2.     Possibility of Being a blessing (20)  Paul’s appeal is for Philemon to refresh his heart3.     Necessity of Obedience and accountability(21) Paul appeals to his knowledge of Philemon’s character – and his obedience to what was spiritually right “confident of your obedience”4.     Importance of Maintaining Fellowship (22-24) Paul begins conclusion of his letter with the expectation of hospitality, and sends greetings from fellow laborers Paul’s closing prayer is for their health and peace is an expression of love and respect.He then ends with his salutation:  (vs.25)“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”Grace -  Is God’s free favor and love for us because of what Jesus completed on the cross   The spirit – influences the whole person and is tobe an outflow in gracious and holy living Jesus is in communion with our spirit Thought:  WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT LOVE AND FORGIVENESS CAN YOU FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED OR OFFENDED YOU. ***Can you let it go?***Can you before a Holy God go and say FATHER      FORGIVE ME, FATHER I FORGIVE THEM? ***Can you in your heart of hearts forgive and receive that       person back? True Forgiveness means to treat the one we have forgiven as we would want to be treated. Is there someone you have forgiven but you need to show kindness or receive back? Do you need to demonstrate self sacrifice towards another?  Do you need to show grace to somebody else - Not because they deserve it.  But the same way that God gives us grace when He welcomes us into His arms and takes us in as His daughter/son, an heir to the throne? The greatest commandment of all was when Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with your soul and with all your mind.  And love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-38, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28) Our relationship with God will enable us to have restored relationships with one another.   

We are called to demonstrate Agape love, unconditional love, that God showed and it is only through that love we can exhibit love and forgiveness

What are some things you have learned about love and forgiveness?

Ø     Onesimus was condemned by law – but saved by Grace.

 Who should you be open to forgive today

I was reading an article about Christian author; Mike McManus who just co-authored a book with his wife Harriet called Living Together: Myths, Risks, and Answers. The article is called Cohabitation a ‘trial divorce,’ not a trial marriage, written by Ed Thomas.

While I haven’t read Mike McManus’ book about Christian marriage today and am not familiar with the statistics used in the article by Ed Thomas, I find that Mr. Thomas infers sweeping generalizations regarding the numbers supposedly put forth in McManus’ book Living Together.

I was disappointed in this article on OneNewsNow.com and wish that Mr. Thomas’ examples were more understandable in relation to the point he was trying to make. Unfortunately all he did was generate comments of anger toward the author of the book for questioning the methodology set force that we need a trial run at marriage before committing.

Mr. Thomas would have done better to tell us his point of view on Christian marriage. Is there something wrong with Christian marriage today? Is there a reason to attack supporters of a union of two people under God? Do you have a point to make or a solution to a problem?

On the other side of the coin…

While thinking about Christian marriage I found this incredible read written by John Wall, an assistant professor of religion at Rutgers University. His thoughtful article Marriage Today reviews in great detail a book by Adrean Thatcher called, Marriage After Modernity: Christian Marriage in Postmodern Times.

Thatcher it seems has written a book most Christians would not think as being pro-marriage as it addresses living together before marriage in a new light. It is one that refers to the church as being accepting of a union before marriage in the past; a betrothal. This was quite common in the late 18th century.

His review of the book covers many issues related to the reasoning behind a betrothal and the healthy aspects of it, as well as the down side; if children were produced before marriage. It lends itself to the belief that a Christian marriage is a process, as any marriage should be.

I would have to say that I was quite surprised that the church had a tradition of supporting premarital sex and am saddened that this is not apparent in the way the church represents its views on related matters.

It seems Mr. Thomas could learn something from Professor Wall.

I have to know, did you know the church was accepting of this? How do you think this attitude affects your Christian marriage today? Do you think there is some credence to what Adrean Thatcher talks about in her book, Marriage After Modernity?

Let me know your thoughts…

Although familiar with the Horizons Bible Study having spent two years on the topic of Job for a Women’s Association Bible study, I wanted to check out the collection that has been so thoughtfully put together by our church librarian.

Of particular interest to me was the copy of Tried and True: Job for Modern Man. It is the Book of Job in Today’s English Version of the American Bible Society from 1971. Outside of this being an easily read translation, it is complimented with sketch drawings throughout the text. These drawings evoke the very essence of Job, the grief of man, the desire to call out to God “why”.

The beauty of this piece brought back to mind some favorite works from school, a work of great epic proportion, making this a true piece of literature to be appreciated for its prose and poetry.

The book Deep Things Out of Darkness is a collection of essays and a New English Translation. Although I would rather read forty chapters of Job as opposed to 500 pages of detailed essays on the topic this book has some merit. The first chapter, The Art of Mistranslation, is helpful in iterating the job of a translator versus the job of an interpreter.

And the tapes…are you looking for something while you are on the treadmill or exercise bike?

This multimedia collection can serve a variety of needs to any individual. I would say if you were looking for a small group study or Sunday school piece you might consider looking around your church library to compile a collection here and there by topic. Pull articles from magazines, group together different study guides and tapes, look for commentary, and varying bible versus. Then advertise the addition to your library in your Sunday worship bulletin or your church newsletter.

What special offerings does your church have in its library? Is the library used for study groups often? Do you have a dedicated librarian or church group to oversee the growth of your library?

Fruit of the Spirit - The Love Podcast
To read along…

Matthew 12:18 from the NIV

Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

That is my favorite verse. God gave this gift to Jesus and he in turn gave it to us. How incredible is that. He gave it to “the one I love.” Does that not speak volumes about love? We can empower good through loving others.

Is there someone you can love where you think love could make a real impact on another’s life?

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Love was the first fruit listed in Galatians 5:22. Why? Because it is the most important. We have to love God with all our heart, love ourselves and love our neighbor. Without this love it seems hard to accomplish any of the fruit of the Spirit.

How should we love? As God loves us.