the bags... {D}

my book bag...

Jessica's book bag...

Annie's purse...

These are the bags I was talking about. My daughter Jessica needed a bag to carry her books, stethoscope and blood pressure reader in for school so I used an old book bag of mine for the dimensions and made this one for her. The "oh so pink" purse is my daughter Annie's. She wanted something that was just big enough for her wallet, keys and cell phone. All the bags are fully lined and have a couple of pockets inside to help keep you organized.

We just started a new series at church called "A Tall Order - Where Christ is the Conversation". It has to do with sharing with others about Christ, not as some far off, long time ago, person but as a personal relationship right now kind of Person. This first week we have been asked to explore our lives with and without Christ. When did we first call out to him? What baggage has he asked us to deal with to move closer to him? What would we tell others he has changed about us and how has that impacted our life?

The scripture reference for day 5 was from John 4:7, the story of the woman at the well. Jesus stops in the afternoon heat for a drink from a well in Samaria when a woman comes by to draw water. This woman has been married five times and is currently living with a man. After some conversation with her Jesus tells her that he knows all about her and he tells her of the living, refreshing, grace giving, water that comes from knowing Jesus.

John 4:10 -14, "Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said," and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?" Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. it becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

The woman's life is so transformed by this encounter that she runs off to tell her whole village of her encounter and the gift of the living water. She was once ashamed of who she was and know because she has been made clean, she wants to tell everyone the source of her transformation.

When was the last time we were so enamored, so emboldened by Jesus and what he has done for us, that we wanted to go out and tell everyone or even just one person about him and his life changing love?

It is so easy to get caught in a rut and accept the status quo for our spiritual life but when we do that we lose our desire and effectiveness in telling others of Jesus and his transforming love. No relationship will flourish without effort,without going out on a limb, without sacrifice. That is true of our relationship with Jesus, too. If we are living our lives in love with Jesus the opportunity to tell others about him will come naturally and it will be a fresh new testimony because we will be reminded each day, by everyday occurrences of how Jesus is working and changing our lives.

If I long to know Jesus in a way that makes me naturally want to talk about him, I need to start living my life in a way that won't crowd him out, to not be satisfied with how things are. I need to deal with my baggage and move closer to Jesus. I need to live my life ready to share my honest testimony so that I might lead others to move closer, too.

Blessings,

Patty