tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post7851117259884812745..comments2023-10-10T08:16:01.333-04:00Comments on Truth 4 the Journey: Ministering SpiritSonya Lee Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784256044418169518noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-32839619394769632092008-09-19T08:03:00.000-04:002008-09-19T08:03:00.000-04:00It's so funny that I read this today because of wh...It's so funny that I read this today because of what happened yesterday. Like your husband, people approach me all the time, only for a different reason. Total strangers will tell me their troubles and their life stories while waiting in line at the grocery store, in an elevator, or anywhere else in public. Once a relative that hadn't seen me for a long time came to visit and after we'd been out and about one day he said, "Do total strangers always just walk up to you and tell you all their troubles?"<BR/><BR/>Yesterday I was called upon four different times, once in person and three times on the phone to offer counsel for people's troubles. I've always thought I just appeared like a "safe" person, but maybe this is a calling on my life. Thanks for the insights.Bonitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13945043297139219733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-57554913090874324442008-09-18T01:04:00.000-04:002008-09-18T01:04:00.000-04:00I was just approached a few weeks back by a woman ...I was just approached a few weeks back by a woman with her little girl. She wanted $4.80 to call her mom. The Holy Spirit whispered to me, "if they ask you for your coat, give them your tunic as well."<BR/><BR/>I felt confident that I was being a blessing instead of an enabler. But that was the first thought that crossed my mind. <BR/><BR/>Something about being there and experiencig that was "invigorating"Kathy Schwankehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575973280157910643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-22414115259849179082008-09-14T06:08:00.000-04:002008-09-14T06:08:00.000-04:00As I read this and thought about it, the first thi...As I read this and thought about it, the first thing that came to my mind was Joseph and his brothers. Joseph saying to his brothers that what they intended for evil, God meant for good, and God used this evil for His good purposes!<BR/><BR/>I have had a lot of abuse in my own life--mental, verbal, physical--and God has led me to use these circumstances which were evil to help work good in others' lives.<BR/><BR/>I think what your husband did was wonderful. Since this seems to happen to him often, I would say that God is leading these people to him.<BR/><BR/>Bethsailorcrosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14378552999540084798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-60960845002277686092008-09-13T09:09:00.000-04:002008-09-13T09:09:00.000-04:00A woman at a gas station once asked me for money t...A woman at a gas station once asked me for money to fill her tank enough to get home. I gave her money because I felt $10 was worth losing, even if she was taking advantage of me. If I had been in her shoes I would have been glad someone had mercy on me.<BR/><BR/>Your husband is a wonderful guy! I'm with you however. I am very careful with strangers for safety reasons.About Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07459135904808824136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-69483141027263288432008-09-12T23:52:00.000-04:002008-09-12T23:52:00.000-04:00DOn't you love this about your husband. I have str...DOn't you love this about your husband. I have struggled with this over the years, and trying to model a giving spirit in these situations without enabling and I finally came to the conclusion that it's not up to me to be their Holy Spirit. I can only be accountable for my attitude and then the rest is left to the Lord. It's always a great life lesson/talking opportunity when the kids are with you, isn't it?Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09152743288585898776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-72614090221422628602008-09-12T19:54:00.000-04:002008-09-12T19:54:00.000-04:00I love this post. Makes you think of all the 'litt...I love this post. Makes you think of all the 'little' things that we do all the time in a different light. This happens to my hubby ALLLLLL the time as well. <BR/><BR/>Another thing that happens (and your post made me think of this more deeply) is that people come to us when they have serious issues going on in their lives. Every time this happens it's usually at night and we've always been home and able to sit and listen and stay up as late as needed.<BR/><BR/>God is good. We just need to pay more attention and make sure we nuture the gifts He has given us and give Him all the glory!<BR/>Thank you for sharing it. :)<BR/><BR/>~melody~Pennies In My Pockethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15064698793414279967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-69916504402483230632008-09-12T18:42:00.000-04:002008-09-12T18:42:00.000-04:00I beleive a lot of us are doing what God called us...I beleive a lot of us are doing what God called us to do and just don't realize it. I think some are meant to reach others through blogs just like this one. <BR/>I have been meaning to read the book " A Purpose Driven LIfe"...has anyone read that one? I might be the only one who hasn't.Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10525022534268765494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-81609291259782192652008-09-12T17:09:00.000-04:002008-09-12T17:09:00.000-04:00I call it "My Sweet Spot" being right smack dab in...I call it "My Sweet Spot" being right smack dab in the center of God's will...there is a comfort, peaceful, amazingly powerful, energy filled, awesomeness that surrounds me in the moment I am speaking His words and sharing His love with the people around me!!<BR/><BR/>Its almost too awesome and amazing to try and put into words...<BR/><BR/>I just know its defintely a "sweet" place to be!On Purposehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14288128432071679901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-13554320620069423042008-09-12T12:40:00.000-04:002008-09-12T12:40:00.000-04:00I think I would be scared to do what your hubby di...I think I would be scared to do what your hubby did, but as a woman, I think it is different. I think our lives journeys are about finding our ministries...which God has created in advance for us to do. Discernment and spiritual gifts play in here, as do thougthful friends who tell you "you excel at this, you should turn it into a ministry." Sometimes it takes someone else to bring our gifts to light for us.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00458659497370768232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-62037360164730613522008-09-12T08:26:00.000-04:002008-09-12T08:26:00.000-04:00Through out the New Testament people come to Jesus...Through out the New Testament people come to Jesus for help, and even though he is usually on His way somewhere to teach He never turns them away and never seems "put out" that they asked for help. Even the demons know He is the Christ Son of God. In saying that I do believe that spiritually we are all connected. As Christians we are all part of one body, Christ's church. But I can not help but feel, perhaps lost souls are out there, seeking us out, and God places us in their paths so we can minister to their needs. Your husband rises to the call of those in need and keeps these divine appointments!The Patterson 5https://www.blogger.com/profile/11365182817547393631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741348094812201616.post-7340374176068382592008-09-12T08:23:00.000-04:002008-09-12T08:23:00.000-04:00That verse in Ephesians is definitely one of the m...That verse in Ephesians is definitely one of the most powerful to support what you're saying--that God has absolutely prepared things for us to accomplish here. And it's by His power through the Spirit, and through the gifts that He gives us for ministry, that we do those things.<BR/><BR/>The spiritual gifts passages in Romans and I Corinthians put the emphasis on the Spirit having given us unique gifts--different varieties (even within the gifts themselves) and different effects, but the same God. If anything, they emphasize OUR need to act with those gifts, or else to abuse the privilege of having them.<BR/><BR/>Whether the door opened is for your husband, for the strangers in his life or for them both is God choice. Surely, not all of us have the gift that your husband has been given!Sue J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08668691234427771146noreply@blogger.com