Thots from the Hen House

  

December 15th, 2012

Have you Eaten Rice?

My thoughts on the Connecticut Tragedy

I have a fairly new friend from Africa, a godly man named Arthur Song. His last name is so fitting because his words have been music to my soul on so many days. He is actually Chinese; I guess Africa has its own melting pot of cultures, but this morning Arthur’s culture played a role in soothing my broken heart.

The Connecticut shootings from yesterday were on my mind the second my eyes opened this morning, if not before. I know God is sovereign, I believe Romans 8:28 ~ For all things work together for good…” but deed, how will those parents and families wrap their hearts around that this Christmas? Losing a child is hard enough to fathom, losing a child to murder is just too painful to even try.

Arthur’s Facebook blog this morning was a lesson in culture and compassion. Here is a short excerpt from his writing: “One of the usual greetings Chinese use is: "Have you eaten rice?" This question reflects the important role that rice plays in Chinese history and culture. In the Bible, the role of Bread plays a supreme role in the teachings of Christ on daily needs ("Give us this day our daily BREAD" [the Lord's Prayer] Mat. 6:11) as well as on Spirituality ("I am the Bread of Life...John 6:35).

What an interesting way to show your concern for your friends. “Have you eaten rice?” In other words, “has the Lord provided for you?” I’ve been a little disheartened lately because of my financial status this Christmas. It’s frustrating at times. But in the wake of yesterday’s events “Have I eaten rice?” God has provided in such miraculous ways! I have friends and family in abundance, a roof over my head, the means to go when I need to, gifts beneath my tree… I have so much more than daily bread or rice.

Matthew 6:11-13 ~ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Our Father in Heaven – He sits high and looks down low. He knows the horrific condition of this world. He is not responsible. We as a country have turned our back on God, refusing to stand for Him when He so willingly died for us. We forget. He too has lost Son to a murderous generation.

Hallowed (or Holy) – His ways are not our ways, His thought are not our thoughts. The one thing you have to keep in mind about the events of yesterday is that those children are in the arms of God, forever out of this wicked world, no more pain, sorrow or fear. For that we can be eternally grateful. If their parents know Jesus, they’ll be reunited one day, we have a hope!

Thy will be done – If it were not for the will of man, how much better would life be. Man’s will is filled with selfishness and pride on a good day. Omit the Holy Spirit out of a person’s life and yesterday’s happen. Pray for God’s will, not our ways.

Our daily bread – More than we deserve…

Forgive us/forgive them – there is no “their” sin. It’s our sin and it is no different in the eyes of God. We’re to forgive the young man that took those children’s lives. That’s tough, but that’s God’s way.

Deliver us from evil – If this is not in our daily prayer, it most certainly should be. God delivers us from the evil of everyday, and not until we get to Glory will we understand the forces that were against us. There may have been a yesterday in our lives that we were spared, give Him Glory forever. Amen.

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July 16, 2012

In obedience to the Holy Spirit, and in celebration of my 50th year of life, I've decided to write a little more in depth about my experiences "Along the Jubilee Road." I'd love and appreciate your prayers as this new venture begins; it's exciting and scary as you put your heart on the line in a very public way. I'll still post but they'll be sporadic until this venture is completed. I hope you'll keep me on your heart and should you need a little "Jesus Chick" fix, peruse the archives 1 through 8. See ya in a bit...

  

 

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Jane wrote:
Saturday, November 24, 2012, 07:28 PM
You are so right Shari...Christmas has become so commercialzed that it isn't even funny...it's this time of year that I wish I could go back to when I was growing up...when children appreciated the things they got and didn't expect the expensive things like they do today...I am now teaching my grandson the reason we have Christmas...and that on Christmas Day that when he gets up that he tells Jesus Happy Birthday...I hope he remembers:)...the good thing is that he has a compassionate heart and I can't wait until I can teach my granddaughter Aderra this...I taught my granddaughter Brodie this...I wish I could take them to church...but at this time that is not to be...so I try to let them know that it isn't all about Santa and the Easter Bunny....that we celebrate these holidays because God gave his only begotten son so that we won't perish but have everlasting life...I will be calling you soon...Love and prayers, Jane...
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