Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve

Through His word, God taught me a very valuable lesson this week. A good majority of my job is dealing with conflict. Conflict with guests, conflict with employees, and conflict with homeowners (we manage 16o independently owned homes that we rent out nightly to guests). At times it is exhausting and at other times is just plain "rip your hair out" fustrating (I'm balding by the way). At a Bible study this week our pastor read the following verses out of Mark and Luke and we discussed how Jesus commands us to serve one another. Not just the people we love, but everyone. Those verses really opened my eyes to how selfish I am when it comes to dealing with other people.

I have had many opportunities to put it to practice this week at work. I succeeded at some and failed at others. One thing is for sure, it has really reduced the stress of having to deal with conflict. Instead of going into it with the "I have to win" mentality, I try to think "how can I make this a win for them." For example, if the cashier at the grocery store is talking for a long time with the customer in front of me instead of keeping things moving (we have all experienced this), I generally will think about how inconvenient it is for me and how "if this store had customer service then I would have been through this line 5 minutes ago." Instead, I could ask, how can I serve her/him today. Maybe it is by being patient. Instead of getting to the front and being short and ticked off, maybe I can ask how their day is going. Maybe I could assist in bagging my groceries or thank them for standing on their feet all day to help customers like me.

When someone calls my office and is being very rude and unpleasant, instead of getting self righteous and rude and unpleasant back, I can serve them by being pleasant, understanding, compassionate, and giving.

I could really use this in my marriage. If Holly has had a rough day and is tired an irritable. Instead of snapping back at her, I could give her a back rub, cook dinner, help around the house, or look for other ways that I could serve her.

Jesus gave up his throne to come to Earth so that He could serve humanity. If God is willing to serve the likes of us, it shouldn't be a problem for us to serve each other. Most importantly, by serving each other, we are also serving God. - RB

Mark (Chapter 10: 42-45)

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Luke (Chapter 22: 24-27)

Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

Screen 'em Before You See Them

There is so much junk on the big screen these days that it only makes sense to do your homework before you spend your whole weeks salary to see a movie. Holly and I stumbled upon this excellent Christian website called "Christian Spotlight On Entertainment." Not only do they review and rate all of the new movies, but they also have a section where readers can post their opinions about the movie. Often its the opinions from viewers that more accurately describe the movie. There are a number of Christian websites that review the top movies, but Spotlight is the only one we have found that allows its readers to post comments. Check it out at: http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/

-RB

Canoe Trip

Our friends Nate and Kelly have a cabin along the Umpqua River in Roseburg, so Robert and I decided to join them there on our days off this week. We borrowed Gene and Penny's canoe, tied it up on top of the Jeep, threw our tent and camping gear in the car, and headed off for our two day adventure. When we got to the cabin Nate and Kelly weren't there so we thought we'd drive up river about 10 miles and float down. What started off as a calm, tranquil river soon turned into a very fast-flowing river with some serious rapids. Let's just say we were the only canoe trying to white water raft. We made it through the first set okay and thought we were in the clear, but by the time we actually got back to the cabin, we had been on the river for 4 hours and maneuvered our way through 8 or 9 (I lost count) more sets of rapids. I was sure the canoe was either going to tip or fall apart, but surprisingly enough we made it back with the canoe still in tact and Kai still in it!

On our drive back to Bend we stopped at Clear Lake and decided to paddle around in still waters:) In the ease and relaxation of that canoe ride, we decided to snap some photos (and save a butterfly that was drowning).

Eeeek!

While I was out watering plants the other day I stumbled upon some rather unique looking spider eggs. When I saw the big black mama clinging underneath them, I ran in the house and googled "Black widow spider eggs" on google images. The photos were a perfect match. I put Robert on spider-killing duty so he grabbed a sledgehammer and went to get her. Well, for a spider, she was pretty smart: saw Robert, and headed straight under the deck. We waited about an hour and went back for her. Like a good mama, she was back with her eggs. This time we brought the gardening tools. With one fell swoop Robert dug her out with the shovel, and sliced her in two with an ice scraper. Her babies met the same fate.

I guess her husband is now a Black Widower.

Gardening

I have found the new joy of my life: gardening. Yesterday Robert and I spent the entire day working in our yard; he mowed and edged while I planted flowers and weeded. I don't know how I went 24 years without weeding, but yesterday was truly my first weeding experience and I love it! The results are immediate, and it feels so good to pull them out of the ground. Robert is building a raised garden plot for me in the back of our yard where soon I will be able to grow vegetables and herbs!

Today we are painting our fireplace room a lovely earth color and tonight we will celebrate the great summer weather with salmon barbecued on cedar planks - yum!

Here are some pictures of my flowers...