Pretty, Dirty Feet

Katia (a seminary student, wife and mother from the Good News church) Brenda and I went out to make a few visits this morning.  Our purpose was to follow up on some previous visits and confirm days and times for the beginning of 5 new small groups.  As we were walking through the three neighborhoods we were visiting we met several adults, youth and children who frequent the church. Two siblings began walking with us.  Actually, Villo was riding his bicycle and Arelys was walking.  We went to a couple of homes, talked, shared and prayed.  Villo and Arelys in tow.  These two children are Gnobe Indians.  Their parents who emigrated to Chitre from the neighboring province of Chiriqui, prayed  to receive Christ two weeks ago. 

Our last visit would take us a little further from the neighborhood where Villo and Arelys live.  As we walked along the pavement nearly a quarter mile, it dawned on me that Arelys didn't have shoes on.  She was accustomed to going barefoot and evidently the hot pavement didn't bother her.  Like most older brothers, Villo didn't offer to carry her on his bicycle.

At the last visit, we agreed on a day and time for the small group to meet.  After I shared a story from Mark 2, Katia was praying.  All morning long, Arelys had not said anything.  As we prayed, "I peaked at Arelys".  She was praying with her eyes closed, hands clasped and then I noticed her feet.  Pretty, dirty feet.  Although Arelys is just a little girl, with calloused, dirty feet, she was "helping" us to carry the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am totally confident that God sees those feet that helped carry the Gospel as some of the most beautiful in the world.  They weren't pedicured, painted or well groomed, but yet precious and lovely in the sight of God.  They were genuinely, Pretty, dirty, feet.

Disciples Discipling

"Hey, I was the one that taught you that!"  That is a strange and egotistical statement I admit.  Especially when it goes through my own mind.  It happened twice this week.  First was Sunday morning when Cirilo, a third year seminary student from the Good News Church in Chitré was preaching at our church.  He said something that I had taught him in one of our many discussions & classes.  Then it happened again on Tuesday night. Stephany, a recent seminary graduate, was teaching a class on Life Stewardship that I recently taught her at the FWB Seminary in Chame, Panamá. 

As Cirilo and Stephany were speaking I was intrigued by their growing level of confidence in what they were saying and the conviction with which they talked.  It was also obvious that they had dug deeper into their respective topics and had done some preparation prior to engaging their audience. 

As they both developed their messages, I realized that they were coming at the subject in a way that fit their personality and style.  Both, a bit different from mine.  Another thought came to me that is a bit more pleasing. As they spoke, I thought joyfully, "Hmm, I wish I had thought of that, I wish I had said that!"  Quite a change from the first thought, huh!

Seeing disciples discipling.  Thanks for praying.

Discipling Jesús

God still speaks to us.  That is a simple statement.  Yesterday I was seated at our table in a discipleship talk with Jesús (the Divine and a new convert with that name)  The topic of our discussion was "God speaks to us."  As we talked I was a little bit sidetracked in my thoughts as I thought of the profoundness of that statement.  Some serious questions came to my mind, and I confess that I found my mind wandering a bit.  "How long has it been since God spoke to you Stan?"  "How has God spoken to me lately?" 

Jesús and I discussed the power and relevancy of God´s Holy Word.  Jesús mentioned a passage that had really spoken to him in recent days.  It was one of those ".... shall not inherit the Kingdom of God passages."  Interestingly, we had just discussed the fact that the Bible was written over a period of a few thousand years by various inspired authors, yet it is like the Bible has a mystical way of knowing everything about us.  Those of us who have been on The Way for a while know that the Holy Spirit makes the Scriptures alive and active in our lives.  Jesús learned that yesterday.  "how did God know which passage to bring to my mind and have me read?"  he asked.  I explained that God knows us, down to every small detail, and he uses his "God breathed" book to reveal to us, hidden things, shameful things, embarrassing things, humorous things, etc. etc. for the purpose of conforming us to the image of Christ.

I am glad that God still speaks.  I look forward to hearing from Him again today.  I am also thankful for the opportunity to disciple Jesús.  Blessings to you.