“Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:10
The robins have returned! I see at least 50 of them this morning as I look out my window. My chair and computer are next to a fair-sized window and it is such a blessing from heaven to see the robins when they migrate through Florida on their way north for the summer. Not far from my window I can also see my birdfeeder that attracts lots of birds that God gives me to enjoy. Cardinals, finches, warblers, woodpeckers, and way too many doves.
I am telling you this to encourage you to look out your windows! Put down your cellphone whether you are in your home or the car and look out the windows at the blessings God has poured down from heaven for your enjoyment.
People are also God’s blessings. If you are always checking your cellphone instead of talking with others face to face, you miss windows of opportunity to really get to know them. Eye contact and body language say much more about a person than a text message.
Malachi 3:10 says that the blessings will come to you when you give your tithes. I am a firm believer in tithing, and I do so, but God has blessed me far beyond my giving.
One special blessing I have been given is the privilege of writing a blog that Rafiki posts for me each week. I have been writing for more than two years now and I know that there are at least some who still read my LAST LESSONS. But after 127 blogs, I wonder if I still have anything to say. In praying about that this week, the thought came to me that you might like to tell others about your experience in Rafiki. If you like this idea, then please email me at: RMJ@rafikifoundation.org a short note (less than a page!) telling me two things:
- How you are involved in Rafiki
- Why you became involved in Rafiki
Here are ways you might be involved:
- Long-term missionary
- Short-term missionary
- Rafiki staff member
- Prayer group leader
- RBS leader or member
- Rafiki schoolteacher
- Curriculum writer
- Level writer
- Orphan or schoolchild sponsor
- Volunteer
- Donor
- Pray regularly for Rafiki
I know your experience would encourage others to get involved in Rafiki. It would definitely be one of God’s blessings to me and maybe open some windows for others.
Yes, you still have something to say, Rosemary. You could live another 90 years and not run out. You have hundreds of stories to tell. Big and little stories about the glory God and how you have seen it. We need to hear them, for in the darkness of this world we need to see His glory more than ever. Seeing His glory gives us hope.. It motivates us to service, for fruit and God's glory are nearly synonymous.
ReplyDeleteRegarding my connection with Rafiki, I help to sponsor a child, and I buy from the Rafiki exchange when I can. Small thing
Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration to me! I am pretty sure I first heard about Rafiki in Spokane, Wa at a leader’s retreat and you were a speaker. I don’t know if you were the Director at the time, but I think you were. We sang “And Can It Be” which put me into tears, and still does today. At any rate, Infirst heard of Rafiki there. Our BSF class met at North Seattle Alliance Church and prior to the lecture we would often get updates about Rafiki, as well as opportunities to support it and/or go on short term mission trips. I am still an annual donor, and I still pray for the work. And I pray for you, too—- early on in your blog you mentioned you are not afraid to die, but concerned about how that would happen. I pray about how God will call you home, I pray that you will be encouraged and I pray that you will know what to write each week. May our Lord continue to bless you, and your readers will reap blessings as you write.
Rosemary, one more thing…Thank you, thank you for recommending “Come to the Waters”! It has been a daily blessing to me and I think it is the best daily devotional I have ever read! I continually find myself sharing the readings with my family and friends…and some who are not (yet!) believers! I wish I could give you a big hug!
ReplyDelete