She wanted an "Expired" parking meter on her grave

Saw this, where else?, on Facebook, and the poster said: "A woman who died wanted a parking meter on her grave that says "Expired". Her nephew got one on ebay and set it right on the road next to her grave for all to see."

And I wrote this little quatrain in her honor:

She gave up the ghost, her meter expired,
She laid down and died, her body was tired;
The bucket appeared, at last did she kick it,
She parked in her space, and left with her ticket.

Pray for Dona Ritinha on verge of decision for baptism

In our home group Bible reading tonight, Dona Ritinha's two daughters came and mentioned that she was on the verge of deciding to be baptized. Vicki had taught her the gospel, and she also sat in on the study with her daughter Fernanda. So we're glad to see some movement of hers in the direction of a decision. They mentioned she might wait until our return to Brazil in September, but Vicki told them that when she decided to obey, she should do it without delay. Pray that she will indeed make the decision.

Tonight was a busy night. At 6:30 p.m., Sr. Benedito came for supper and stayed for the Bible reading. He's an elderly Christian, widowed, and has been a great encouragement to many. Then we had our reading from Hebrews 5.11-6.20. Afterwards, I drove Sr. Benedito home, since our bus service at night out our way isn't so good. When I got back we still had people at the house, and we did some counseling. They finally left about 11 p.m. So that was 4 1/2 hours straight of interaction with people. Not terribly unusual for here.

Tansy went to the hospital today with high blood pressure. Doctor has her resting until Monday. Looks like labor will be induced sometime early, how early yet to be seen. So little Eden may be arriving before we make it to Tenn.

Diligence or decadence, quote on Hebrews 6:11-12

 
If they [the Hebrew Christians] are not diligent in this respect they will become slothful ([Heb 6:11-]12). It is always one or the other, diligence or decadence. When a congregation has lost the glory and the fire, it will soon lose the truth and the way.
-- Richard S. Taylor, "The Epistle to the Hebrews,"
in Beacon Bible Commentary, vol. 10: 75-76.
 

The phrase in 3 John 6, 'You will do well'

In The Johannine Epistles, Ruth B. Edwards states, in parentheses, that the phrase, "you will do well" (3 John 6), is "often associated with a request" (Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996: 23-24).

This request, coming as it does, not from "John" (he does not use his personal name in the letter), but from "the elder," possibly indicating not merely a personal letter but his capacity as spiritual guide, seems to point to the main purpose in writing: to encourage Gaius not to be cowed by Diotrophes' prohibition, but to (continue to) support the preaching of the gospel through hospitality and financial help as they work in his city and travel beyond.

By saying, "you will do well," the apostle gently urges his friend to ignore one who set himself up as an authority and had forbidden what Christ specifically commanded, that the gospel be preached to all. Diotrophes, said John, "loves to be the leader" (v. 9, NLT; Edwards: "is hungry for power"). Gaius should help the preachers in spite of what the Leader had determined.

Unfortunately, Diotrophes' tribe still exists in the church. And John's short letter remains as a call to resist tendencies to subvert the mission by illegitimate power structures in order to continue the work of God in the world.

We will do well to hear John's request.

[bibletalk] How to Hear

4. With caution -- 1 John 4:1 tells us not to believe ".every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God". Why shouldn't every "religious" person be believed? Because ".many false prophets are gone out into the world". It is indeed a sad statement that not everyone can be believed. Sincerity does not necessarily equal truth.
via freegroups.net

A truth needed more than ever, if that's possible. The challenge is not to lose the "hearing with gladness," Steve's third point, but to be always discerning. And to be discerning without being always suspicious.

Culture Shock Article, Stand4Kids, TCK Books « Missions Catalyst

  • FEATURE ARTICLE: Culture Shock? We Don’t Have It!
  • RESOURCE LISTS: Thirty Tools for Raising a Mission-minded Family, and More
  • BOOKS: Three on the TCK Experience
    • via missionscatalyst.net

    This evangelical e-zine I find sometimes helpful, sometimes not -- as a non-evangelical. This issue is more helpful than most with some resources and ideas on culture shock and TCKs.