Monday of Holy Week:
Offering Our Best to the One Who Offered Himself

"Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil, pure and expensive nard, and anointed Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair." John 12:3

Jesus had done an enormous miracle for Mary. He had raised her brother, Lazarus, from the dead. Mary, her sister Marth and Lazarus were very close to Jesus and loved Him dearly. So, one day, near the time when Jesus was to be crucified, Mary offered the very best she had to Jesus. She poured very expensive oil upon his feet. This oil was worth an entire year's wages for the average worker. Can you imagine giving such a costly gift to someone?

Yet, Jesus offered an even more costly gift to each one of us. . .His own life! As we contemplate our Lord's journey to the cross this week, let us consider our willingness to give our very best to the One who gave it all for us!

This was written by Pastor Dee Dowdy of Flint Hill UMC in Alexander City, AL. His devos bless me and I thought you all would enjoy it too!!! Happy Holy Week!!!

I am proud to be a donkey. . .

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38)

I don't really like donkeys. There is really nothing awesome about them. . .I mean I would much rather ride a marvelous wild Mustang or a terrific Tennessee Walking horse. . .wouldn't you? Of course, riding a donkey just looks stupid! Well, guess not. . .ever read about Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Jesus entered riding this awkward, unintelligent animal the people cheered and sang praises. . .they weren't praising the donkey. Their praises were for the King of Kings. . .Jesus, the Christ. The donkey wasn't anything special, but we read about that dumb 'ole animal and listen to sermons about him every Easter season. Why? The dumb, awkward donkey was a servant who fulfilled a great purpose in God's plan. There is no greater calling! If God can use an ugly, awkward donkey. . .he can use me too! What about you. . .are you proud to be a donkey?

Loud Mouth Sugar. . .

This scripture picture is so cute! It reminds me of our little miniature "wienie" dog named, Sugar. She is tiny but she can certainly make a loud noise. We also have a full grown lab named Dixie. Our little Sugar is louder than Dixie when she wants to be. What does this have to do with this scripture? It doesn't matter how big or how small you are. It doesn't matter how old or how young you are. It doesn't matter how rich or how poor your are. We can all shout for joy unto the Lord our God. Go ahead. . .see if it doesn't make you feel good. Let out a loud shout of praise to the King of Kings. Go ahead and be a Loud Mouth Sugar. . .have a blesssed day!

ISS. . .

So today I had to substitute for ISS (In School Suspension). I have done this before and let me tell you it makes for a very long day. The students are to sit and work. . .no talking. . .bathroom break twice a day and just lunch. I can't help myself. I always end up talking to them. . .not chatting. . I ask them why they are there. Today a couple of students were there for fighting. We talked about the fact the fighting does not solve a thing which then led to a conversation about choices and consequences. Now, I have no visions of fairy tales. I know I can't "save" every student. I do think that I might just reach one and that one would be worth it all. Pray for me this week because I will be teaching in ISS all week. . .what if just one crazy woman acting as if she actually cares could change one student's ISS (In School Suspension) to ISS (I'm Seeking Success)?

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." - Dan Rather

Is it really ok momma?

"Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." (Ephesians 5:17) MSG

Last week my family had the pleasure of traveling to Arkansas for one of my speaking engagements with Hopewell Ministries. We stayed with my friend, Sandra, and her family. Sandra took us by Gulpha Gorge in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. It was beautiful. She packed us a picnic and instructed me to bring the boys' water shoes so they could play in the water. My youngest son Nathan was unsure of this at first. He just wasn't sure it was ok for him to play in the water when it wasn't even summer yet! I got so tickled at him. I cherish these moments. He questioned me several times to discern whether or not I approved of this activity. He even looked to me several times as he splashed and played for reassurance and approval. Nathan wanted to understand what I wanted him to do. We need to understand what the Master wants for our lives and just like Nathan we need to look to Him for reassurance and approval. . .look to him. . .He will cherish those moments!

Splish Splash

"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2)

We are water rats! Yes, we love to swim, go boating, and even just float. It is one of the main reason that we moved in 2007 to be near the beautiful Lake Martin.

Have you ever thought about how important water is? Biologists studying primitive organisms all agree on one thing. Liquid water is absolutely essential for life to evolve and survive. Well, we all know that. . .look at Genesis 1:2. Before the earth was formed the Spirit of God hovered above the water!

Water is essential to our life and it is needed for us to evolve. Scripture calls all who are thirsty to come and drink. I invite you to follow this blog and its sister website http://www.hopewellministries.org/ for some daily Splashes of Living Water. I will share bits and pieces from my own life and share great tips and ideas that I come across.

Get ready to get soaked!

Wells of Hope,

Misty Wilson