Gracie

"I'm going to name her Ruthie" I told my husband as we drove to pick out a new puppy.  I thought I had picked her name but Ruthie was not her name. 

On the car ride home, I knew what her name would be.  I'd heard her story. She had been a member of a litter of pups dumped with her mother on a desolate farm road on a cold January night.  Two sisters lived in a nearby farm house and took in the new mother and pups.  They fed them, gave them shelter and their first vaccinations.  I saw the advertisement in the newspaper, "Free pups to good homes."   When we arrived, and chose our pup, one of the sisters gave me the information on the vaccinations, a bag of dog food and the assurance that if the pup didn't get along in our home to  please bring her back.

Her name was Gracie.   Gracie had been brought back twice because she didn't fit into a family.  That's when I knew her name was Gracie, not Ruthie.  She'd found grace several times.  Later I found out that the mother of the two sisters who rescued the pups was named Grace.

Her name and her story always reminds me of my faith journey with God and how He rescued and rescues me with His amazing grace.  Gracie lived up to her name, at least to me. God always takes me back when I try to fit into the world.

In Philemon 9b- 11, Paul introduces his reason for the letter to his friend Philemon.  He appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.  He begins by sharing that Onesimus had been useless but now was useful.  He had become a believer in Jesus while with Paul.  Paul was now his spiritual father and Onesimus was Paul's spiritual son.  Onesimus had served Paul while Paul was in prison.

Onesimus means useful, beneficial, and profitable.  Now he was useful in the ultimate way-useful to God and His mission. Bible commentator, Matthew Henry, said of Onesimus "Now he (Onesimus) will answer to his name."

The same Greek word for useful is found in 2 Timothy 4:11 referring to Mark's assistance in Paul's ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:21,  Paul compares the use of household articles which have noble purposes and ignoble purposes.  In the Living Bible, "If you stay away from sin you will be like one of these dishes made of purest gold--the very best in the house--so that Christ himself can use you for his highest purpose."

My name, Janice, means "God is gracious". (For real, I didn't make that up, just ask the internet!)  In 1953 when my mother choose my name, Janice was the 23rd most popular girl name.  In 2015, Janice is the 1238th most  popular name.  Obviously I have a vintage name and some days I feel like I live up to being vintage.

Today I am challenged by Onesimus, Matthew Henry and Gracie.  Will I answer to my name?  Will anyone know of God's grace as a result of my story or my ministry?

 Regardless of what our names mean, God has given us our true name, Loved, Chosen, Rescued and Useful.

2 Timothy 2: 15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed...." NIV 

OR

"Work hard so God will say to you "Well Done...." Living Bible

OR

Be useful to God and hear God say "Well done, my child" - Jan's paraphrase.

The Secret of Three Dots

Once upon a time there were three little dots.  \ No one knows their origin.  Only mathematics types use the dots on a regular basis.  I've always enjoyed using the three little dots.  They introduce the final answer.  They are the drum roll before the big unveiling.   Now I know why I've been attracted to the three little dots. 

"Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love..."  Philemon 8-9a NIV

OR in my journal I wrote these verses as

\ I could be bold in Christ and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.

I've always enjoyed using the "therefore" symbol I'd learned in a math class as a child.  Math gave clear and definite, "black and white" answers in a world that taught there were no right answers.

Therefore means for that reason, because of that, on that ground, to that end.  (Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.)  Therefore in these one and one-half  verses is the prelude to  God's final answer to "How should I live in today's world?"

Remember, I heard that the letter to Philemon had a message that could change the world.  Here it is:  Make love the basis of life.

This is revolutionary in a world based on economics.  We judge by numbers so we strive to build more of everything material.  In the preceding verses Paul has expressed his appreciation for his friends, he's prayed the best on his friends and he inspired them to live according to God's way.  In worldly thinking he is building his case, amassing the evidence, compiling his numbers. 

The final answer  is a total surprise.  It is not the answer the worldly types would expect.  Worldly types might interpret Paul's preceding expressions as "Philemon, you owe me".  Yet the big surprise is what rocks our world.  Paul rejects the "you owe me" and concludes by asking Philemon to live by the rule of love.

Two worlds collide in this verse and one-half.  One world is guided by who  has the most, keeping track of favors, while the other world is based on relationship, with each other and with God and love is the key ingredient.

\ we think we prove, deserve, earn, expect but instead we should go against the world and let love inspire us and influence our friends.  What if we lived out our relationships on the basis of love, Love of others, Love of good, Love of God?

The three little dots inspire me to live life based on what God has done: loved us beyond measure.  After all, "...the greatest...is love." (I Corinthians 13:13)  and "Love never fails." (I Corinthians 13:8)

Now I know why I've always liked those three  little dots. They remind  me of the real answer as to how to live in this world.  Live life with love as the goal, the prize, the final answer.

\

Suppose it's a coincidence that the symbol used to introduce the final answer to life is a triangle of dots, kind of like how you often see the Triune God sketched during a bible lesson.  Hmmmm.  Maybe I know the origin of the symbol... just thinking.

Get a GRIP

"Count your blessings." My doctor shared.  The comment subtly reminded me "it could be a  lot worse."  Then he concluded our appointment with "Thanks for making my first appointment of the day the best one."  I was surprised that I had given him encouragement while he encouraged me.

Paul encouraged his friends in the letter to Philemon while their faith in Jesus,  their love for him and their work to refresh the faith of other believers encouraged him.  In verses four through seven Paul reminds me that our daily walk with Jesus will influence other believers.  Paul urges his friends to live their faith such that other believers will be refreshed and that faith in Jesus alone will grip their lives.  In the Living Bible verse 6 Paul prays that sharing their faith with others would grip their lives so they would see the wealth of good things that come from Jesus.

A friend shared a challenging day and how it made him feel.  When he got in his car a particular song was on  the radio and he was assured that God was in control.  We encouraged him when we rejoiced in his testimony.

God's

            Goodness Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

A friend shared the diagnosis she'd received.   We encouraged her when we all exhaled relief!

God's

            Greatness Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

A friend shared how she had been affected by a lengthy challenge and how she just wanted her  life back.  Her friend called and had made arrangements for a first step in making her life normal again.  I encouraged her with an enthusiastic Hallelujah!

God's

            Guidance Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

What I hear the wonderful work of God in the lives of believers I get a grip on the good in my life, the good which God has blessed me.

G od's Goodness, Greatness and Guidance

R eally

I s

P resent

and my friends make sure I remember to get a grip on my true wealth in Jesus!