My house is full of little things… but it’s also got some larger more significant things too!  One of those items is my camera which can generally be found near the sliding doors which look out into our backyard.  I like having it handy there because you never know what’s going to wander in for viewing.  This past week we had a bear visit the bird feeder!  But I photograph more than animals.  In fact, when we’ve had a lot of rain, we get some pretty interesting mushrooms popping up all over the yard and they’re fun to photograph too.  In 2011 I joined an online photography group called the "365 Project".  Photographers of all levels of ability search out pictures that capture their daily routines in a creative and unique way.  The idea is to learn to look at the common, everyday things with a new perspective.  You don't need fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to do this.  All you need is eyes to see and my camera has certainly developed my ability to do that.
            The Christian walk requires us to look for God in a similar fashion.  Years ago (1984 to be exact) David and Karen Mains wrote a book called The God Hunt.  In it they encouraged families to search for "God sightings".  Seeing God in your everyday routine is much like developing the eyes to see a photograph each day.  I read about one young mom who used the walk to the school bus with her children as a way to see God at work in the world around them.  They looked at the birds and saw God's creativity.  They said hello and smiled at people they knew and saw His love.  What a wonderful way to inspire children to recognize that God is with His creation!  This woman is instilling a wonderful habit in her children- spiritual eyesight.
            Developing your spiritual eyes is a must on the walk of Christian maturity.   The author of Hebrews proclaimed spiritual eyesight to be the tell-tale sign that one has faith (Heb. 11:1-6 and following).  It's a challenge to see life through a spiritual lens, because as adults, we've been conditioned to be concrete and practical.  But if we do not learn to see things from a spiritual perspective, we may end up like the servant of Elisha, who could only see the enemies encircled around his camp (2 Kings 6: 8-17).  It took the prayer of Elisha to open his eyes to the spiritual realm.
            The Scriptures are full of people like you and me who experienced God-sightings.  Sometimes they we glorious (Ex. 33:18-23; Is. 6:1-4; Mt. 17:1-8; Acts 7:54-56).  Sometimes “seeing” was the result of determined individuals who were seeking Truth (Lk. 19:1-10; Jn. 12:20-23) or healing (Mk. 10:46-52; 2:1-12).  And on other occasions it was an invitation from someone who had “seen” (Jn. 1: 40-41, 44-46; 4:29).  Some people saw but did not understand what they were seeing at first (Dan. 3:24-28) while others knew right away that what they were seeing was the Lord Himself (Rev. 1:9-18).  While we may not physically see the Lord (Father or Son) as they did, we have the Indwelling Spirit who enables us to see Him at work in everything He has created (1 Cor. 2:10-13).
            Hebrews 11 has often been called the “Heroes of the Faith” chapter.  But I would contend it is not only a record of some amazing people in amazing circumstances who demonstrated and amazing faith.  Many of them had quite a few not-so-amazing moments.  Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Moses all had major failures in their journey of faith.  But in spite of these disasters, they still had the ability to see beyond their immediate circumstances and believed that ultimately God would be faithful to keep His promises (Heb. 11:13).  Their faith was evidence of their spiritual eyesight.  They could see ahead to what God was going to accomplish through them even though they could enjoy the end result in the present time.  They were convinced God’s blessings were for more than just themselves (Heb. 11:39-40).
            Cultivating your spiritual eyes is not difficult, but it does require that you look beyond the ordinary and the usual.  One day, while I waited for my friend to check out her groceries, I was charged with the task of entertaining her 3 year old daughter.  How do you keep an active toddler in a shopping cart in a busy supermarket?  In a moment of inspiration I began a game of "I Spy".  Cloe loved finding the different colors and objects and I was amazed at her powers of observation!  The same is true in seeing God.  You are more observant than you think!  Seeing God at work does not always mean we will be looking at "supernatural" events in our lives or that we will even see immediate gratification at “seeing” Him in our circumstances.  More often it is learning to see those everyday events from a new vantage point.  It doesn't take fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to catch sight of God.  All you need is eyes o see (Ps. 66:5).
 thttps://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            My house is full of little things.  Some are meaningful; some not so meaningful.  Some are useful, but some are losing their usefulness.  That would be true of the drawer full of maps I’ve collected from different travels over the years.  Some of those maps were specifically designed by AAA to get me to and from places I was going to visit (They called them Triptiks).  Some maps are in atlases which were up-to-date when I purchased them but are totally out-dated now.  One of these days, I’ll remember to clear out that drawer but today, its contents are reminding me of another “little” thing I have in my house.
            There is a picture hanging above my desk that I found in an issue of Life magazine back in the 1970’s.  It depicts a hapless couple in a sporty convertible stopped at a T intersection.  Spread across their dashboard is a map and the driver appears to be scratching his head.  Why?  Because across from them is a literal wall of signs indicating roads and highways, destinations and traffic instructions; but apparently they do not match the map.  Since this picture was taken long before the advent of Photoshop or digital cameras, I have every reason to believe this intersection existed at some time (although I’m sure it’s been improved by now!).  Even though I’m not sure exactly where it is/was, I’ve had many people tell me it could be somewhere on Long Island.  It doesn’t matter to me what the exact location was, it’s the caption on top that grabs my attention: “Life just isn’t that simple anymore.”
            Life certainly can seem like an intersection with too many signs and a map that doesn’t match.  You set out to travel along a road, feeling like you’re following the GPS directions without a hitch, when suddenly the journey comes to a screeching halt and you have no clue where you are!  Wouldn’t it be nice to always know where you are and where you must go?
            Real life Triptiks, GPS and Mapquest can be faulty and laden with mistakes.  They are only as good as the human hands that typed them into the computer or satellite system.  The best directions you can get, of course, are given those by someone who has been “there” (that is wherever you are going).  Jeff and I still get a chuckle over the time his brother was coming to visit us.  We’d warned him that GPS systems did not work well in the Poconos, but he insisted on using it rather than the directions I’d given him.  About 30 minutes after his expected arrival time we received a phone call from him stating the GPS had brought him to an entirely different location.  “Why did you use that when we told you it wouldn’t work?” Jeff asked.  Followers of Christ do not have to worry about faulty directions.  The writer of Hebrews put it this way, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  (Heb. 4:14-16)
            Life throws us a lot of roads to navigate.  However we have several “tools” at our disposal to use as a navigation system.  First we have God’s Word and God Himself (Ps. 119:105; Pr. 3:1-6).  We also have the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:25-26).  We have other believers who set an example for us (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thes. 3:6-9).  But most importantly, as the author of Hebrews noted, we have Jesus.  He has been where we are and He knows where we should be going.  Just as He called His disciples, He calls us to follow Him too (Mt. 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; Mk. 1:7; 2:14; Lk. 5:27; Jn. 1:43; Rev. 3:20) so that we can arrive at our destination.  The cost of discipleship (that is following Jesus) may appear to be difficult or demanding (Jn. 18:22; Phil. 3:7-8), but the destination and rewards are far greater (Jn. 1:50; 14: 1-6, 11-12; Rev. 3:21).
            As disciples of Jesus, we do not have to wander aimlessly on the road of life or end up at a T intersection with no clue as to which way we should turn.  We can look to Jesus for direction and guidance.  He can show us the way to go, because He Himself has been where we are and He knows which path to take.  Unlike those human resources we use for our daily travels, His information and guidance is perfect.  When you come upon an intersection in your life that makes you feel like the poor folks in that old picture, remember Jesus is waiting for you to turn to Him.  He will give you the right directions to your destination (1 Thes. 5:9-10) and make you more than ready for the road ahead (Phil. 3:12-14; Heb. 12:1-2).
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div
 https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            I was on a mission.  I was in a toy store in Boston searching for a souvenir to bring home for my granddaughter.  There was a colorful array of stuffed animals, games and assorted toys and gadgets to delight any child of any age.  My eyes landed on a display bin full of bath tub toys.  There were little yellow ducks, green frogs, blue sharks and a little pink pig with a tube around her tummy.  I found some glitter stickers for Leigh, but I kept looking back at the little pink pig.  I finally went over, plucked her out of the display and bought her- not for Leigh, but for me!  In my mind I could see she’d be fun to photograph and that proved to be true.  She has appeared in countless photographs as part of my on-line photo club and since her purchase, has been joined by several other companions.  My photo friends always look forward to seeing what “Piggy and the Critters” are up to.  Some have even contributed to my “collection”!  And I confess, I do enjoy the excuse to play with toys once in a while!  Finding a playful outlet for oneself can be a good thing, even as an adult, but when adults behave more like children and are obsessed with playing more than taking on adult responsibilities, it’s a sign of immaturity- and that’s NOT a good thing!
            All living things are meant to grow and mature, especially people.  For example, the Book of Proverbs is full of admonitions and instructions on how to raise children (Prov. 22:6) and what a mature person should act like (Prov. 11: 19, 25, 27).  This is true in our walk of faith as well.  The Apostle Paul was perhaps one of the most passionate people to see faith come to maturity and there was no church he was more interested in seeing this take place in than the church at Corinth.  Corinth was a virtual playpen of earthly delights.  Its prosperity afforded the residents the resources and leisure time to take advantage of that too.  In 1 Cor. 3:1-3 Paul lets the church know he is disappointed to still be feeding them “milk”.  Their obvious favoritism, immoral behavior and over-emphasis on certain spiritual gifts has revealed their level of immaturity.  In writing to the Corinthians, Paul used the adult/child analogy to explain what Christian maturity looked like.  He commands them to “not be children in their thinking” but to be “mature” (1 Cor. 14:20).  This word, teleios is an adjective based on the noun which means goal or purpose and  in this passage it basically means “something that is finished, come to an end, reached its goal or finished its term”, in other words, meaning something that is complete.  In 1 Cor. 14:20 it specifically means a person who has reached adulthood and is full-grown in mind and in knowledge of the truth (see also 1 Cor. 2:6; Phil. 3:15; Heb. 5:14) and in Christian faith and virtue (Eph. 4:13) set over against those who are “babes in Christ” (1 Cor. 2:6; Heb. 5:14).
            Some would argue that maturity is a relative rather than absolute concept in the New Testament.  Perhaps this is because maturity is something that occurs in stages (just like a child who first crawls, then stands and holds on to the edge of a couch, and finally lets go and takes a few steps) and it will appear to be slightly different from person to person.  Or it could be that no individual will actually achieve sinless perfection in this life (1 Jn. 1:8-10).  But there are some characteristics that even though they will vary in appearance from individual to individual, will identify the mature/maturing Christian to someone who is not.  Lawrence Richards wrote, “The mature Christian is one who by obedience to God has trained him/herself to distinguish good from evil (Heb. 5:14), presses on toward the goal of knowing Christ and becoming more like Him (Phil. 3:10-15), and makes a full commitment to do the will of God (Col. 4:22)”.  Simply put like the child who says, “I want to be like _____ when I grow up!”, believers pursuing maturity say, “I want to be like Jesus when I grow up!”. 
            But it’s not just the Corinthians who need to be reminded that faith is not a stagnant thing; it is meant to grow and flourish.  One look at the church at large today and you can easily see we face the same maturity issues they did.  Indulging in disputes (I’m with Paul!  Well, I’m with Apollos!  1 Cor. 3:4) and other un-Christlike behavior, such as the immoral relationship described in 1 Cor. 5 demonstrated the Corinthians were infants in Christ.  Paul commanded that they put their childish behavior behind them (1 Cor. 13:11) and practice a higher love to build one another up (1 Cor. 13:7).  Why should that be any different for us?  Maturity is possible for all believers, but it is not a given (compare Heb. 5:11-6:1).  To grow Christians must be involved in the church (Eph. 4:12-13), persevere in their faith despite trials (Jas. 1:4), and apply Scripture obediently to daily life (Col. 1:9-11; Heb. 5:14).  An active prayer life, regularly giving to God’s work, and serving others in the body of Christ are also signs of a mature/maturing Christian.  So now it’s up to you.  When you grow up, who do you want to be like (1 Cor. 13:11-12)?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            You’ve probably got this phrase memorized by now, “my house is full of little things”… but instead of the useful and meaningful contrasts this week, I’ll start by saying that some of those little things would be considered “unusual”.  Take for instance the smooth, round stone that sits on one of my bookshelves.  It’s rather non-descript except for the fact that it’s very smooth and fits nicely in the palm of your hand.  While unusual, it is significant because it came home with me after my second trip to Israel.  I picked it up in the same location where David would have searched for the stones to use in his slingshot before he met the giant Goliath on the battlefield.  According to the professor who was guiding us on this particular tour, David’s stone would have been roughly the size of a baseball. 
            We don’t really think of a sling shot as being a life-threatening weapon because the picture we have of them comes from TV shows like Dennis the Menace and Mayberry RFD.  The toy versions were just that- toys.  But the kind of sling shot David would have used to protect his father’s sheep and those used by ancient armies were much more lethal.  In fact, before spears, swords and daggers became a part of ancient warfare, a man who was adept with a sling shot was the most prized soldier.  It took two years of training to become a skilled “slinger” and even now, those who use them are quite impressive.  Stones hurled from slingshots have been clocked at speeds equivalent to a pitch thrown in a major league baseball game, up to 90 mph!
            But why keep a stone which appears to be more of a souvenir than a tool of destruction on my bookshelf?  It’s not just a nice piece of memorabilia for show and tell.  It’s what it reminds me of.  We are all familiar with the story (1 Sam. 17:1-54).  King Saul and his soldiers are camped near the Philistine city of Azekah.  The Philistine army is camped across from them.  The battle is at a stand-still.  The Philistines have put forth a challenge.  Their champion warrior, Goliath of Gath (another Philistine stronghold) will battle against a soldier from the Israelite army- winner take all.  Goliath is a monstrous height and has a pompous attitude to match it.  He stands at the edge of his camp every day and taunts the Israelites waiting for a man to meet him on the battlefield.  King Saul, who was noted to be an excellent warrior in his own right (1 Sam. 11:1-14) and tall compared to his fellow countrymen (1 Sam. 10:23) should have been the one to answer this challenge, but he is reluctant to fight.  This is nothing new for Saul.  He is often found hiding (1 Sam. 10: 20-22)!  David arrives on the scene with supplies for his brothers who are serving in the army and is incensed that this arrogant Philistine has been allowed to literally thumb his nose at the Lord (1 Sam. 17:26) day after day.  What follows is rather comical as Saul tries to offer the conventional armor of the day to assist David when David volunteers to take on Goliath (1 Sam. 17:32, 38).  The armor was too cumbersome for David.  He was used to and skilled with a sling shot.  So, the armor is shed, his sling shot is taken in hand and five stones are collected and placed in his pouch.  But only one was needed to do the job (1 Sam. 17:49).
            David’s “battle” against Goliath is not the only epic battle in the Bible.  Perhaps the most epic battle occurred on a lonely, barren mountaintop just outside of the New Testament city of Jericho.  Only that battle was not fought with weapons.  Jesus has been fasting in solitude for 40 days and now at the conclusion of this time, Satan approaches with 3 “offers” but each time Jesus declines citing Scripture (Mt. 4: 1-11).  Why?  Satan has offered food, fame, and power.  Who wouldn’t want those?  But Jesus knows full-well that Satan’s offers are lies and the best way to battle a lie, as tempting as it may be, is with the Truth.  You and I are faced with battles every day.  We may not be fighting the same battles, but no matter what kind of battle we face, our weaponry is as effective as a stone in a sling shot, if we use it.
            Justain, our group leader, stood before us one evening during Bible study and said, “I was reading in Ephesians today and it reminded me of this”.  He proceeded to put on his helmet and vest from his days in the army.  His (disabled) rifle leaned up against the fireplace.  His gear was an illustration of Paul’s words.  We are not left unequipped for the battles we face (1 Cor. 10:13).  Like Jesus, we have powerful weapons at our disposal, the most potent being God’s Word (Eph. 6:10-17).  When the battles you face present you with lies you are tempted to believe, use God’s Word to combat them.  You will be amazed at what happens when you do (Jas. 4:7).
Ann H. LeFevre, M.Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre           

            STICKY NOTES!  They are one of the things I find to be most useful in my life.  When I was in seminary my textbooks were filled with them.  A fellow student called me “the sticky note queen” but they sure came in handy when I needed to find information quickly.  The original yellow color was not planned.  It just happened to be the color of the scrap paper which was available the first time they were printed!  Sticky notes come in a variety of colors and designs now, but no matter the color I’m using, they are helpful tools when it comes to reminding me of what needs to be done, information I might need to know or even a little dose of encouragement throughout the day.
            Sometimes I think of the Bible as God’s grand sticky note to me.  It is full of reminders, information and encouragement.  In the New Testament He spoke through His Son (Heb. 1:1-2), His disciples and particularly through the writings of Paul which comprise half of all the New Testament books.  Paul wrote to the believers in Rome saying, “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness and filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.  Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again because of the grace God gave me.” (Rom. 15:14-15).   It is in the same spirit I share a list of “sticky notes” that I spent some time compiling here with you.  Although this list is by no means exhaustive, it has some gems that have been very meaningful to me on my journey of faith.
            Rom. 12:9-21 is a list of actions every believer should aspire to do: love without hypocrisy, abhorring evil, clinging to good, devoted to and giving preference to other believers, and more!  It’s a tall order, but worth the effort.  1 Cor. 13 is perhaps one of the most well-known New Testament passages which exhorts every believer to demonstrate a higher love which reflects the love Christ demonstrated toward us.  In 2 Cor. 13:5 Paul instructs the believers to “examine themselves” to see if they are in the faith.  If the spirit of compromise is present, they are forgetting that Christ is in them and this should be evident in their lifestyle.  Gal. 5:16, 22-26 features the tell-tale evidence that a believer is “walking by the Spirit”.  When you look at a tree full of apples, you know it’s an apple tree.  When someone looks at your life and sees love, joy, peace, patience and the other fruit of the Spirit, they know you are Christ’s.  Eph. 4:25-32 contains instructions on living which include: laying aside falsehood, speaking the truth, dealing with anger, and being kind and tender-hearted.      Phil. 3:14; 4:4-6, 9 admonishes us to press on toward the goal of Christ by placing our thoughts on things which are right, true and several other virtues.  We are not to be anxious about worldly concerns as these distract us from the goal.  Col. 3: 5-10 is all about putting on the “new self” and shedding the “old” which is tangled in immorality and impurity.  New life in Christ is free from those heavy weights of sin.  1Thes. 5:14-22 concerns the way we deal with one another when we find sin present in our lives.  Examining oneself is the start of that process.  2Thes. 2:3 informs us that we are not immune from deception, so it is wise to be alert about what we hear and see.  1Tim. 6:11-12 contains Paul’s instructions to his young protégé Timothy.  “Fight the good fight of faith” Paul writes along with a command to pursue a number of attributes pleasing to God.  2 Tim. 2:15 stresses the importance of being a diligent servant in all we say and do for the Lord, particularly in understanding His Word.  Tit. 3:9 contains a stern warning to “avoid foolish controversies” as they are “unprofitable and worthless” and Phile. 1:5-6 encourages the demonstration of love, faith and forgiveness toward those who have sinned against us.
            Five other writers, James, Peter, John, Jude and the unknown author of Hebrews also have some “sticky notes” to share.  Jam. 5:13-18 speaks of the power of prayer.  1 Pet. 1:13-16 reminds us to prepare our minds for action and to be holy while 2 Pet. 1:1-11 commands us to live by high standards above and beyond worldly ones.  1 Jn. 2:15-17 also tells us to “love not the world” while 1 Jn. 4:1-3 instructs us to “test every spirit” so that we will stay true to the Lord.  2 Jn. 1:6-7 encourages us to “walk in love” and 3 Jn. 1:11 challenges us to do good and not to imitate evil.  Jude 1:20-23 is another list of action verbs concerning the out-working of our faith:  build, love, wait anxiously, have mercy and save those trapped in sin.  Heb. 11:1-12:2 extols faith and cites examples of those who live by it.
            Take some time this week to go through some of these passages.  You will be challenged, strengthened and inspired by them!  And, if one particularly strikes you- write it on a sticky note and put it up somewhere where you will see it every day!
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre           

            There is something wonderful, almost magical, when you look at an ancient piece of art and imagine the craftsman who made it creating it with his/her hands.  That was how I felt looking at the beautiful bowls and urns in the museum at ancient Corinth.  What surprised me most was the perfection of the shapes.  We are so used to the precise abilities of machines and computers it was surprising to see how accurate the potters were.  Not only that, but also the perfection in the art that decorated them.  They truly were objects of beauty. 
            I have numerous bowls in my home too.  Most of them are rather plain compared to the ones I saw in Greece, but in some ways their simplicity has a beauty of its own.  I have glass bowls, ceramic bowls and even a set of classic Tupperware bowls that were a gift I got at a bridal shower!  My bowls range in sizes too.  I have a HUGE bowl I use for one particular coleslaw recipe that is always a hit at picnics and I have some tiny ones too that I played with in my dollhouse when I was a little girl.  One bowl, a gift from my daughter-in-law when she was dating my son, sits on the dining room table and is usually holding fruit; another bowl sits on the book shelf holding a collection of coins from all around the world.  Some bowls are used in the kitchen for cooking and food storage; others are merely decorative.  In summary, there are a lot of bowls in my house and they have many uses and each serves its own purpose.
            Paul addresses the issue of spiritual gifts in a similar manner in Romans 12:3-8.  He begins by encouraging the believers there to live in humility towards one another (v.3).  He then likens the fellowship of believers to a human body.  Paul says a body has many members, but they do not all have the same function (v. 4).  He illustrates this in his letter to the Corinthians as well (1 Cor. 12:12-31) stating that though the body has different members with different functions, each part is necessary for the body to function properly.  Paul encourages the Roman believers to use their gifts “accordingly”.  In other words, use them for the purpose they are best suited for.
            What exactly is a “spiritual gift”?  There are several well-known lists in the New Testament that describe them (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11) as special abilities the Lord places in the believer to serve others in the community of faith and to send forth the Gospel.  These abilities are more than just a knack or talent a person has.  They are placed in the believer at the moment of salvation when the Holy Spirit takes us residence in us (Eph. 1:13-14).  Spiritual gifts are found in the Old Testament as well, but they were only given for a time and a specific task (Ex. 31:3; Jud. 3:10; 14:6).  Just as the Lord endowed the faithful in Old Testament times with a specific gift for a specific task, the spiritual gifts now present in the church are also specific in that each has a particular function in building up the body of believers (Rom. 12:6-8).    Lawrence Richards observed, “It is important to note that each NT passage on spiritual gifts focuses our attention on the Christian community.  Gifts are exercised within the context of a caring, loving fellowship with the purpose of building individuals and congregations to spiritual maturity (Eph. 4:12-16)”.
            How does a person discover his or her spiritual gift/gifts?  Several people have developed “tests” which help to determine one’s spiritual gift through a series of questions and while they are beneficial, not everyone has access to them.  While a test can be helpful, the best way to discover a spiritual gift is in the context of serving others and building close personal relationships with other believers.  Just as a toddler discovers the muscles in his legs that help him to walk instead of crawl, we learn of our spiritual gifts when we see how God uses them to minister to others and when others see and acknowledge them at work in us.  Muscles do not get stronger when we do not use them.  The same is true of our spiritual gifts.  In order to know what they are, we must use them.  This means we must become involved in some sort of ministry or service in our congregation or fellowship.  There may be a bit of trial and error that takes place as we discover the gifts God has given us, but the more we serve, the more evident those gifts will become.
            It is also important to note that in each of the aforementioned lists, no hierarchy of value is mentioned.  Simply put, all the gifts are important, although not all of them may be as obvious, and some certainly carry more responsibility/accountability than others.   Using the body as an illustration is a good lesson (see 1 Cor. 12 again!).  Like the assorted bowls in my home, the spiritual gifts have different functions, but all are necessary and useful.  When it comes to spiritual gifts, each one of us is a bowl.  Which kind are you?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            They say when you heat with wood, it warms you three times.  Once when you cut it, once when you stack it and once when you burn it.  This week I have been stacking the first load of our source of heat for next winter and although I’m not looking forward to the heat wave they’re predicting for the week end, I’m in no rush to experience the cold days when it will be necessary to burn it in the wood stove either!  Our wood stove is designed to get the maximum amount of heat out of our wood.  It has a baffle inside the fire box (the place where the wood actually burns) where a “second burn” occurs with the gasses escaping from the wood.  Not only does this keep the pipe running up through the chimney cleaner, it produces more heat to warm the home.
            Fire is not only a source of heat it is an agent for riding impurities in metal.  Metals, both precious and non-precious, are mentioned in several passages concerning the land of Israel (Job 28:1-2, 6, 15-16; Dt. 8:9).  While the Israelites did not have the vast resources for metal production that their neighbors did, they still used items made from iron and copper for household utensils and weaponry (Is. 44:12).  Precious metals were also important.  The Bible contains almost 400 references to gold, often pairing it with silver.  The most illustrious use of these metals was in the construction of both the Tabernacle and Temple.  They were used for the structures as well as the pieces used in worship and were usually the first things carried off by conquering armies (Jer. 52:19).
            It is not surprising to me that life can be like the fire used to purify metals at times.  We face struggles and suffering throughout our days here on earth.  Struggles and suffering can occur when we make poor choices or sometimes they happen because we take a stand for our faith.  But many times God is using our difficulties to mold and shape us to be more like Jesus.  The best image of this type of fire comes to us from the prophet Malachi.  The refiner’s fire of Mal. 3:2-3 (which has been greatly sanitized in many worship songs) was a fire of such intensity that only the purest of metals would remain after it was done.  The refiner was skilled in knowing when to apply more heat, and what metals would separate at different degrees.  By skillful application, he was able to rid the ore of its slag or dross, but the fire had to be large and hot.  The main purpose of the refining process is not to destroy but to purify.  The metaphor illustrates that suffering fulfills a divine plan to remove impurities of character.  The picture of a refiner is a persistent one in the prophets (Is. 1:25; 48:10; Jer. 6:29-30; Ezek. 22:17-22).  Joyce G. Baldwin wrote, “The beauty of this picture is that the refiner looks into the open furnace, or pot, and knows that the process of purifying is complete, and the dross all burnt away, when he can see his image plainly reflected in the molten metal.”
            The Lord’s work as a refiner of men is also described in Is. 1:25, Is. 48:10, Jer. 6:29, Jer. 9:7, Zech. 13:9, Dan. 11: 35, and Dan. 12:10.  The process of refining metal occurs in stages.  As each layer of slag is burned off the fire is intensified so that in the end only the purest metal remains.  Interestingly the process is both one of destruction (getting rid of what is undesirable) and purification (keeping that which is desired).  It is a theme which is picked up by Paul in 1 Cor. 3:10-15 where the purity of one’s “house” will be tested by fire.  What remains here is a “home” that has the Lord as its foundation.
             There a two great lessons about the Lord that we can learn from His role as a Refiner.  The first is that like the smelter who applies different degrees of heat to separate the purest part of the metal from the dross, the Lord will also apply a separating process to His people upon His return to separate those who truly serve Him from those who do not (Mt. 13: 24-30; 25:31-46).  The second is that God’s refining fire is meant for our good (Heb. 12:3-11) and that the outcome of our fiery struggles is glorifying to God (1 Pet. 1:6-7) and has an eternal benefit (Js. 1:1-3)
            I recently ended up in the ER due to the excruciating pain of passing a kidney stone.  Thinking of how our bodies are designed to daily purify themselves and the painful consequences of when they don’t really drove home the picture of God as a Refiner.  Cleaning out the sin in my life can sometimes feel as painful on the emotional level as removing a kidney stone on the physical level.  But as Baldwin noted, when the Refiner looks into my “purified metal” after He has applied the fire of my trials, He knows I’m at my purest when He sees His reflection.  May it be so with me (Heb. 9:11-14; 1 Jn. 3:1-3)!
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            I see it every time I walk into my house.  It’s right there by the door.  You can’t miss it- a slate plaque that proclaims “Welcome!” and I must say it’s true.  People are always welcome here.  It reminds me of another place I always felt welcome- the fellowship group of college students I joined during my years at Bethany College.  It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since I walked that campus as a student, but it has!  I did not choose Bethany because of its academic program, its location, or its resources for life after college.  I chose it because I sensed God was leading me there, and for no other reason!  To say there was a definitive moment which explained why God wanted me there while I was studying there would not really be true.  But now years after the fact, I can certainly see some of the benefits from being there, and surprisingly, they are not academic!  Instead, Bethany College probably contributed more to my spiritual life than my professional development.  And the place where that growth took place was in that fellowship group which we called Agape.  We met on Wednesday evenings with guitars and Bibles, filled the meeting room with song and laughter, and dug deeply into God’s Word with the intent to live out its lessons in our dorms, our classrooms, during our activities and even in the cafeteria!
Agape, like small group Bible studies, youth groups and Sunday school classes are all grounded in the Biblical principal of “koinania”, a Greek word which simply means to share in, fellowship with or participate together.  The Old Testament is written in Hebrew so we don’t see the word appear there.  However, the concept of koinania is definitely a desired component in the relationship between God and humanity (Ex. 25:1-9), and between people (Ps. 133:1-3).
Since it is written in Greek, one would expect the word koinania to appear throughout the New Testament, but surprisingly, koinania is absent from the Gospels.  However it does occur 13 times in the writings of Paul.  Of course the most well known illustration of koinania appears in Acts 4:32-37.  In this passage Luke records a picture of the early church’s practice of sharing their goods among the believing community and their devotion to being together.  We are always impressed by their unity, but we often forget that in Acts 2:42 koinania was an essential part of a life of worship.  The unity of their fellowship proved God was in the midst of them.  When Paul uses the word koinania in his letters he never uses this word in a secular sense.  It is always in a religious context.  For Paul koinania refers strictly to the relation of believers who share a faith in Christ (1 Cor. 1:9, 10:16; 2 Cor. 6:14; 8:4; 13:14, 17; Gal. 2:9; Eph. 3:9; Phil. 1:5) and the kingdom activities of those who belong to Him (Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 9:13; Phil. 2:1, 3:10; Phile. 1:6; Heb. 13:16; 1 Jn. 1:3, 6-7).
Jesus may not have taught specific lessons on the subject of koinania but He certainly modeled it with the disciples.  In today’s technologically saturated world we have a tendency to isolate ourselves from one another.  Busy schedules, text messaging, work demands and commuting pull us away from coming together rather than leaving us more time to be with our fellow Christians.  Times being as hard as they are, we need the mutual support and encouragement that we receive from being together.  More importantly when we are gathered together, Christ is in the midst of us (Mt. 18:20)!
At the end of my freshman year at Bethany College, Agape held a picnic.  I told everyone that my mother’s recipe for potato salad was the best in the world and I was assigned the task of making it for the entire group.  I called my mother, got the recipe, and set about making the potato salad.  On the day of the picnic everyone raved about the taste and consumed the entire bowl.  But something was terribly wrong in my opinion.  I’d never seen my mother’s version look so brown, or taste so crunchy.  Yet my friends insisted it was perfect!  So afterwards I called my mother.  I told her I chopped the potatoes, celery, and hard-boiled eggs and put them in the bowl.  I mixed the mayo and the milk and then blended it together.  Why did it turn out so brown and so crunchy?  “Did you cook the potatoes?” my mother asked.  “Oh, you have to cook the potatoes?!” was my reply.  I don’t know if anyone ever figured out I’d fed them raw potatoes, but the sweetness of that fellowship certainly overpowered their taste buds that day!  Are you in koinania?  If not, you might be missing out on some awesome potato salad and fun stories to go with it!
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            According to Antipater the Greek historian there were 7 “wonders” in the ancient world.  I think some of our modern marvels might rival theirs.  But I’m not talking about buildings.  I’m thinking of conveniences like duct tape!   It was invented by Vesta Stoudt, a factory worker who wrote to FDR in 1943 about her idea to seal ammunition boxes with a fabric tape saving soldiers precious time during battle.  The idea was forwarded to the War Production Board and a contract was eventually struck with Revolite the division of Johnson and Johnson which produced surgical tape.  Duct Tape has come a long way since then.  Once available only in its traditional silver-gray, it now comes in any color of the rainbow as well as a number of patterns. 
            Images of the inventive things people have done with duct tape abound on the internet.  Why is it so versatile?  It’s because duct tape is made of a finely woven lightweight fabric like the canvas used on theater sets and then coated with polyethelene which gives it more durability than your average packaging or masking tape.  Although its name indicates it can be used on industrial heating and cooling ducts, experience has shown it does not work that well on heated surfaces.  But for the most part duct tape is a great binding agent and by looking at all the creative things people have done with it, one realizes it can really hold a variety of things together!
             Duct tape has reminded me of one of the most amazing attributes of Jesus Christ.  When the apostle Paul was writing to the church at Colossae he was concerned about their understanding of the Son of God.  Battling the influence of several Greek philosophies which denied Christ’s deity, Paul writes that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation (Col. 1:15-20), all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by Him and for Him (v. 16), He existed before all created things and holds them together (v. 17), is the head of the Church (v. 18), has first place in everything including the resurrection from the dead (v. 18), God the Father was pleased to allow His fullness to dwell in Christ (v. 19) and He has reconciled the broken relationship of the fallen world and God through His shed blood (v. 20).  Every point on this list of course is amazing but as I think about that roll of duct tape in my kitchen drawer verse 17 stands out.   An alternate way of reading this verse could be “He is in all things and in Him all things hold together.”
            But what does this mean?  The Greek word which we translate as “hold together” is sunistemi (sue-nis-stem-eye).  It is a compound word formed by two words which mean “together” and “to set, place or stand” and literally means to stand with or to stand together.  Of course this applies to the literal, physical action of standing alongside someone or something.  In Colossians Paul is using the term figuratively and this brings out the idea that parts or pieces are being joined together as a whole as they are being brought into existence much like ingredients are brought together in a bowl to make a savory meal.  A false religion called Gnosticism was infiltrating the church.  According to the Gnostics creation had been carried out by an inferior god who was ignorant of and hostile to the true God.  Paul claims that God’s Son was not only the agent of creation (all things were created by Him) but that He is IN everything He made and actually holding it together.  In other words, He is not only the duct tape, He is the very fibers and polyethelene which give the tape its incredible holding power!
            This may sound high and lofty but there is actual evidence within creation itself.  Your very body is a testimony to this fact.  We have billions of cells in us made up of billions of molecules.  Some of these molecules are “cell adhesion molecules”, also known as “laminin”, and their job is to hold the different membranes in your body together.  When viewed under a microscope the very distinct shape of a cross can be seen in its structure!*  Like an artist’s signature, laminin identifies not only the One who created it, but the One who intrinsically holds all things together.  It’s even more amazing than duct tape.  When we think of Jesus in light of His “adhesive” quality, how could we not join the psalmist in praise of our Creator (Ps. 22: 9-10; 71:6; 139: 13-14)?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
*Want to know more about laminin?  Listen to this short clip by Louie Giglio.  You’ll be truly inspired!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSR8z_OuW5E

            I have salt and pepper shakers on my kitchen counter that get used daily.  They bring to mind a fun story concerning the LeFevre family.  My husband grew up with four brothers and one sister.  Mealtimes were always lively and his mom did her best to feed them on a limited budget.  One time she’d served tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches to her hungry crew but the soup was hot so Jeff and his siblings dug into the sandwiches first- all except his brother Scott who proceeded to “cool down” his soup by adding salt.  Tablespoon after tablespoon was dumped into the bowl but the soup didn’t cool down!  Finally, when it was salted beyond human consumption, Scott lamented he couldn’t eat the soup because it tasted bad.  His mother took a sip and realized what he’d done and asked why.  “Because it takes away the heat” Scott insisted.  Mrs. LeFevre managed to put together another bowl for him and emphatically told him, “Salt does not cool down hot soup.  No more salt!”  The family still gets a chuckle out of that story.
            Salt is not only good for adding flavor to a meal it is an essential for life.  Composed mainly of sodium chloride, this crystalline mineral in its natural form is known as rock salt.  The purified form we use for our food is either mined or gathered by evaporating sea water.  Some salts have proven to have benefits beyond adding flavor to a tasty dish.  Two of the more popular salts, Sea Salt and Himilayan Salt, have risen in popularity for the numerous advantages they have when added to your diet.  According to the popular health physician Dr. Axe Sea Salt is rich in trace minerals, helps avoid dehydration by balancing your fluids, is an excellent source for electrolytes which regulate the heartbeat during muscle contractions during activity, is essential for proper brain, muscle and nervous system function, aids in digestive health, alkalizes the body, eliminates mucus build up, and helps to the build the body’s immune system.  Himilayan Salt also regulates water content throughout the body, eliminates food particles through the intestinal tract, supports respiratory health, promotes sinus health, strengthens the bones and supports the libido.  Both promote blood sugar health, reduce signs of aging, and regulate sleep and blood pressure.  I don’t know about you, but after reading all that information I ordered some!
            Salt was a common seasoning in the Bible too.  It was an important addition to a diet that was comprised mainly of grains and vegetables.  It was obtained by evaporating the waters of the Dead Sea which is seven times saltier than regular sea water or mined from a great ledge of rock salt in a nearby valley.  The purer form of this salt was used in flavoring food and rock salt was spread lightly on soil as a fertilizer.  Salt could also be used medicinally as in Ezek. 16:4 where it is used as a solution to wash a newborn infant.  In NT times salt was used as a form of payment by the Roman army to its officers and men.  Salt is mentioned 35 times in Scripture in a number of settings, the most unusual is probably the story of Lot’s wife who turns into a pillar of salt when she glances back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:26).  Scripture also uses salt symbolically as a representation of purity, loyalty and either desolation or fruitfulness.  It was a required part of the OT sacrifices (Lev. 2:13; Ezek. 43:24) and the prophet Elisha used it to purify a poisonous spring (2 Ki. 2:19-22).   Salt was also associated with the land, especially in connection with the negative impact it could have (Jud. 9:45; Dt. 29:23). 
            But it is Jesus’ words about salt that most people remember (Mt. 5:13).  In this passage Jesus is referring to the rock salt which was used as a fertilizer.  When it contained minerals which gave it some form of taste, the salt added nutrients to the soil.   But those minerals could be leached from the salt by moisture causing the salt to deteriorate under high heat.  Without its “saltiness” the salt had no value to anyone.  Jesus is admonishing His followers to keep the value of their salt at its most useful level.  Paul also used salt to describe the conduct of believers.  In Col. 4:6 he writes, “Let your speech always be with grace as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person”.   Whether it is rock salt or table salt, each kind is useful; one for agriculture, the other for food.  But the key is that the salt is useful.  Lawrence O. Richards noted, “As our lives reflect our personal relationship with God the Father, we “fertilize” others, stimulating their spiritual growth, enabling them to taste and see the goodness of our God.”  I want my salt to be just as beneficial to others as Sea Salt or Himilayan Salt is to me.  The only way I can do that is to let Jesus be the Salt that fertilizes me (Gal. 5:16-13; Phil. 2:1-8; Col. 3: 12-17). 
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre