OK, One More Thought

The more I thought about the last Lesson of the Goose, the more I thought about Mark 14 and Jesus at Simon the Leper’s house. Here’s the story...

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. Mark 14:3-8 (NKJV)

Why is it that we who follow the Great I Am, are the ones who are first to shout, “You can’t” every time a new plan arises? For those who see the world as the half empty glass, notice that these people “criticized her sharply.” It is so sad to see fresh ideas and enthusiasm dashed with the cold water of legalism and orthodoxy, even when it’s a half glass. Stop barking discouragement and start honking encouragement!

This woman’s passion was for Jesus and she got pounded for it. Notice Jesus says that she did what she could. What could she do?

Could she sing? That seems to be valuable in the church world. I don’t know.

Could she teach? Another commodity desperately in need. Again, I have no clue.

Could she give lots of money? This seems as the only criteria some have for judging worth in the church. Obviously she had means, because the perfume was expensive, about a year's salary. Probably $35,000 in today’s economy. But it is also possible this represented her life’s savings. But again, I don’t know.

What I do know is that she could love Jesus. And she did.

Oh how I long to always be the opposite of the Ephesian church of Revelation 2, full of correct doctrine, but cold in its application. How I long to never lose my first love, to have correct doctrine, yes, but also to see it fully implemented in my life.

There are many who see the glass half empty. Half empty treasuries. Half empty pews. Half empty ministries.
There are few who see the pews half full. Full of potential and simply awaiting someone to fill them. You know, I serve the Great I Am, not the Great I Can’t. Through Him all things are possible. I’m just gonna keep on honking encouragement until His appearing.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

Last Lesson From The Goose

Time to move on.

We can take many lessons from the nature God created. Here are a few lessons from the formation Geese make as they fly North and South seasonally.



#5. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.




Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging- -not something less than helpful. Don't tear down--build up. Don't criticize--encourage.


Check out the "Goose" label for other lessons.

Lessons From The Goose

We can take many lessons from the nature God created. Here are a few lessons from the formation Geese make as they fly North and South seasonally.

#4. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.


Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership responsibilities. Burn-out is the most common clergy killer and a plague among the laity.


Check out the "Goose" label for other lessons.

Lessons From The Goose

We can take many lessons from the nature God created. Here are a few lessons from the formation Geese make as they fly North and South seasonally.


# 3. Whenever a goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.


Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.


Check out the "Goose" label for more.

Lessons From The Goose

We can take many lessons from the nature God created. Here are a few lessons from the formation Geese make as they fly North and South seasonally.

#2. When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down. They stay with the goose to help and protect it until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out with another formation to catch up with the flock.


Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other.

Check out the "Goose" label for more...

Lessons From The Goose

We can take many lessons from the nature God created. Here are a few lessons from the formation Geese make as they fly North and South seasonally.


#1. As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird behind it. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent more flying range than if each bird flew alone.


Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier when they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

I'll add another in a few days. Look for the "Goose" label.

Blessings,

Steve