Whats In Your Hand

My fire almost went out today. I wasn’t paying attention and the heat just dissipated. I had set it up correctly earlier in the afternoon, but it just didn’t have enough oxygen or fuel.  All that was left was a few charred logs and some embers, a few were red but most were black. The raging fire I had expected was all but lost. I didn’t have enough kindling to make a new fire so I threw the last little bits I had on, gave it a bit of a fan and …. Nothing. Oh well, that was all I had, I guess we aren’t having a fire tonight.

I had walked away from the fireplace into the kitchen when I heard “Mum, Look!!!”. All of a sudden my fireplace was ablaze with flames. And as we watched, and warmed ourselves by its heat, we discovered that the extra burst of flames provided by the sticks was enough to re-ignite the logs and my fire has been burning hot ever since. So hot, that I had to take my hand away when taking this photo because it was burning me!

  

  

Who would have thought that my little handful of sticks could have contributed to this blaze. In fact, without my little sticks, the fire would definitely have gone out.

Sometimes you might look at what's in your hand and think that it isn’t much at all. In terms of a fire, maybe your little bundle of sticks wouldn’t even last a minute. You might look at others who seem to have great big logs and feel like throwing your sticks away. But can I ask you to have a look again at what is in your hand.

 Your words, your acts of service, your time, your touch, your gifts. 

Some encouragement for a friend. Helping a stranger. Washing the dishes. Buying a gift. Shouting a coffee. Simply asking “what can I do to help?”.

You never know what effect your input will have in stoking someone's fire. You might not notice when someone is being snuffed out, laden down with cares. You cant see when there's not enough fuel for them to keep going as they had been.

My fire has most definitely been stoked by each of those things recently. Words of encouragement from a friend. A stranger taking time out to help. Someone washing the dishes for me. A coffee when I really needed one. A meal paid for. A wonderful offer of “I’d like to help, what can I do?”

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for throwing your sticks in and stoking my fire. I know you didn’t think it was much, but to me each was like a breath of fresh air, like adding fuel to the fire so I can keep doing what I do.

So look again at what's in your hand. They might look like twigs to you, but when given to someone else, they could fan into flame something magnificent, which warms many more with its continuing fire.

Donna  

For Granted

I had been super busy with lots on my plate. I was loving studying for my bookkeeping qualification, almost managing to keep a tidy house most of the time, had been cooking a few good meals each week (as opposed to the kids eating breakfast cereal for dinner), enjoying work as a bookkeeper for a few hours a week, and getting the kids to school on time, amongst other things. {that may have been the only week I could actually write all those things!}

I had also had quite a few opportunities to help people. Nothing life changing and no super accomplishments, and they hadn't even taken much of my time or effort. A friend was concerned that I might be doing too much and said "Make sure you don't get taken for granted".

I am grateful for the concern, but I think I might dare to ponder the question of whether we are in fact MEANT to be taken for granted?
One definition says to take for granted means that you fail to appreciate the value of a person. A literal translation might be, 'to be used for free, without receiving anything in return.'

But the Bible says "If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have?" (Matthew 5:45) and The Message Bible puts it this way:
"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you dont make a performance out of it. It might be good theatre, but the God who made you wont be applauding. When you do something for someone else, dont call attention to yourself...When you help someone out, dont think about how it looks. Just do it - quiety and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." Matthew 6:1-3
And Jesus experienced the epitome of being taken for granted - he came to die for the sins of people and they ridiculed and killed him with thieves and murderers.

I have heard it said "God wouldn't want me to feel like I'm taken forgranted". I beg to differ.

God doesn't want you to feel resentment for the things you are doing,
but he may want you to keep doing them!He doesn't want you to stress out,but He may still ask you to give that last bit of time to help someone else,
that last bit of money you had put aside, or that last bit of effort in a relationship.

He will give you everything you need when you are serving Him. If you are doing it for Him, you have His appreciation, encouragement and praise. 

I know it wears you out being taken forgranted. But be encouraged - "for it is God who works IN you to will and to act according to His good purpose." (Phil 4:8) Did you catch that... he gives you the desire and the ability to do what He has called you to do. And He wont be taking your service for Him for granted.

Having said that, if you see someone faithfully serving, thank them for their service for God. God might send his appreciation, encouragement or praise through you!

Donna

Shine Conference - Lovely are You

ConXion Issue 2 2014

Here is the Winter edition of ConXion Magazine!
Click on picture:

ConXion Issue 1 2014

Its here! ConXion Magazine's Autumn issue is available here and is being posted out to our contacts this week.

Click on the image to view!

Bringing The Light Of Christ into Online Communities

ConXion Magazine's facebook page brings you inspiring articles, important event reminders and shine the light of Christ into your newsfeeds. We can all using our social media platforms to bring the light of Christ into other people's lives.

Just as the world is watching how Christians respond in public they are watching how we respond online. Ron Edmondson gives us 7 tips about how we can be salt and light in our online communities.

Be Positive-We are told to “do everything without arguing or complaining.” (Philippians 2:14) That doesn’t mean we can’t support causes we believe in, but they should be moral and Biblical issues, not personal agendas. 

Be Private– Unless you’ve practiced Matthew 18 principles, and even then it would be rare, don’t address your problems with others online. It’s not helpful and never promotes peace. (Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14) 

Be Peaceful – We shouldn’t say things about others that may be misinterpreted as a stab against them. Guard your online tongue. (James 3) I see this especially as a passive aggressive tactic. We feel “safe” evoking insults or cuts to another person online that we would never say to their face. 

Be Particularly Encouraging – Social media can be a great way to encourage others. We shouldn’t spam with massive amounts of posts. Few appreciate the person who reshares everything they see, but most everyone likes to read an encouraging word pointed especially to them. (Ephesians 4:29) 

Pause Before You Post– Do unto others as we’d have them do to us. We should always think before we post. Pause. Breathe. Think. Post. Ask yourself how you would be impacted by the post before you post it. (Luke 6:31) 

Guard Against Pride – We have to be careful with self-promotion and bragging about ourselves online. It’s one of the best ways currently to engage people for Kingdom building. But, this is a reminder for me too. We must check our motives, guard our hearts and never allow our egos to rob glory from what God wants to do through our online presence. (Proverbs 11:2, 13:10) 

Be Present– It’s easy to post “Happy birthday” or reply “Praying for you” without really doing so. We shouldn’t trade the functions of the Body for an online presence. (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24). And when we are with people IRL (in real life), we need to put away our devices and be present with them! 

And if you are doing all that shining, pray that you’ll have an opportunity to share the Light with them, perhaps over a ‘real’ cup of coffee!

You can read more from Ron at www.RonEdmonson.com

Donna

conXion 2014 - coming soon!

Well Ladies, we will be starting the new year with a few changes.
Our witty and passionate Editor, Andi Owen, will be passing the flame to the talented Donna Savill. Starting with our first 2014 edition which will be coming out in March.
I hope you will enjoy Donna's style and fresh approach to the magazine.
ConXion will be published quarterly.
Look out for it!

December conXion

December conXion is now available on the Churches of Christ website

Click this link to download the December edition of conXion