tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456670233907291804.post8593231355165314713..comments2023-12-13T20:36:12.188-05:00Comments on Can you hear the birds sing?: los pinosCan you hear the birds sing?http://www.blogger.com/profile/13426825328047099300noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456670233907291804.post-87701127369256414412014-07-21T23:07:13.485-04:002014-07-21T23:07:13.485-04:00This is so exciting. I love that this ministry is...This is so exciting. I love that this ministry is touching the hearts of our Woods Chapel family while bettering the lives of our friends in Los Pinos.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456670233907291804.post-51725370902585051832014-07-20T17:46:14.644-04:002014-07-20T17:46:14.644-04:00Thanks for the post Jeff! It raises a topic we ta...Thanks for the post Jeff! It raises a topic we talked about in Sunday School today and in the attached ariticle that Marilyn McSpadden passed on. The topic is 'blessings' and the article "The One Thing Christians Should Stop Saying". So, the author writes (expanding on what you wrote), after sharing Jesus' definition of "blessing" in Mat 5:1-12: <br /><br />The truth is, I have no idea why I was born where I was or why I have the opportunity I have. It's beyond comprehension. But I certainly don't believe God has chosen me above others because of the veracity of my prayers or the depth of my faith. Still, if I take advantage of the opportunities set before me, a comfortable life may come my way. It's not guaranteed. But if it does happen, I don't believe Jesus will call me blessed.<br /><br />He will call me "burdened."<br /><br />He will ask,<br /><br />"What will you do with it?"<br /><br />"Will you use it for yourself?"<br /><br />"Will you use it to help?"<br /><br />"Will you hold it close for comfort?"<br /><br />"Will you share it?"<br /><br />So many hard choices. So few easy answers.<br /><br />So my prayer today is that I understand my true blessing. It's not my house. Or my job. Or my standard of living.<br /><br />No.<br /><br />My blessing is this. I know a God who gives hope to the hopeless. I know a God who loves the unlovable. I know a God who comforts the sorrowful. And I know a God who has planted this same power within me. Within all of us.<br /><br />And for this blessing, may our response always be,<br /><br />"Use me."<br /><br />The article can be found on: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-dannemiller/christians-should-stop-saying_b_4868963.html<br /><br />The many comments included point to the fact that this is a debatable topic! <br /><br />All I know is that I beleive we have been a blessing for the people of Los Pinos, Nicaragua, and that, somewhat surprising, we have been so blessed by them having seen we have much to learn about faith.......as we live out our lives of plenty.Pam and Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02898497188659690275noreply@blogger.com