Reminder from a teapot-

I have a friend who collects teapots of all sizes and kinds. Miniature tea sets and life sized usable teapots. I had her as a secret sister and wanted to give her a 'pot' for her collection. So one Saturday while wandering around in a thrift shop I found a small teapot and cup, one of those stacking sets. It was used but in good condition and both feminine and usable. So, I bought the teapot for a couple of bucks and took it home. I cleaned it up and wrapped it nicely intending to leave it for my secret sister the next morning at church. Then I remembered I hadn't bought a card for the gift. So, I sat about writing a short note to attach to the gift. This is the result:

Reminder from a teapot!

I'm just a little teapot,
Not very much to see.
Short and round
A handle, a spout
And a lid to steep the tea.

Like you I serve a purpose.
Like you a job to do!

So, add me to your collection
and as you make your tea,
Remember the reason that
You and I were made.

Since that time, I have often thought about the job of that little teapot - just steeping the tea, and yet it brings such enjoyment and comfort. Our own jobs are just as simple - just doing His will, and yet we often set aside His purpose in order to pursue our own will. How often have you seen a teapot refusing to be a teapot and do it's job? Silly question, you may say since that little teapot has no will of it's own, no choice in the matter. But we as Christians need to learn from that little teapot the lesson of 'being what we were made to be'.
We were made to be like Him a reflection of Him. We were created to be His own.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Remind Me of the Cross

Remind me of the cross
Let me see myself there.
Remind me that my sins were
The nails that held you there.
Remember Lord I’m human
And sometimes I forget
That it should have been me
And yet…
In love you took my place.

Remind me that on the cross
I was purchase by your blood.
Remind me that my sins are gone
For in my place you stood.
You took the slander and
Counted it not loss.
Remember Lord I’m human
Remind me of the Cross.

Take a little time to LISTEN

Another day....I seem to be pretty far behind in posting to my blog. Life in the Chance household has been pretty hectic and I seem to need more "vegging" time now days. Life seems to be rushing by at lightening speed and I am not doing a very good job of keeping up. So let's see if I can 'share' what's been happening in my 'world'.

About mid-2008 James, my other half for the past 40+ years, and I decided to make a change in where we attended worship. We began going to the Promise Center in Santa Rosa - a church that is on the move, growing and reaching out to the community. This church has been around for a number of years, but about 3 years ago a young minister and his wife came as pastor of the church and in the past 3 years there has been enormous growth in the congregation. We have a great youth department, dedicated Bible Study teachers, growing attendance in our small group ministry, and we are just beginning a bus ministry. The pastor is an excellent Bible teacher and an inspired evangelistic minister. We are baptizing new people in the name of Jesus on a weekly basis and seeing an outpouring of the Holy Ghost in our altars every service. This congregation is comprised of folks in all phases of learning to walk with God as well as those who have been in that walk for 40+ years. God is blessing us and fulfilling promises at the Promise Center.

So, we are busy working in the Kingdom and enjoying the fellowship of God!

In addition to the change in our place of worship, I have taken a new job. I moved from the position of loan officer at the credit union into the corporate office as a department supervisor. I am beginning to think I should have allowed God a little bit more time to answer my query about whether or not I should take the 'promotion'. I am on a steep learning curve with the new responsibilities and have a very short period in which to get on top of things. The good news is I will either pass or fail in a short time and the pressure will be over. The bad news is I don't exactly do well with failures and like to do all things well. So, since I jumped into the promotion without sufficient conversation with God, I am throwing myself on His Mercy and hoping He has a handle on the 'Electronic Services' department.

There is a lesson in all of this! My mom used to tell us that if something seems too good to be true...it usually isn't. Now God would say, take time to seek me in all of life's decisions and after seeking, take time to listen.

So slow down, don't be hasty in your listening and let Him make your decisions. Life seems to work better that way. Now, if I can just follow my own advice. Hmmmmmm....