"Not called!'" did you say? "Not heard the call," I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help.

Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there.

Then look Christ in the face ~whose mercy you have professed to obey ~ and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.

~William Booth


Friday, July 9, 2010

~living water, refiners fire



Great news! When we returned to Parrojas on Wednesday, the houses we had built were still standing!

We returned to install a water filter and stove for each of the families. (See before and after pictures.) Until now, the water they have been drinking has been contaminating, causing frequent illness. Cooking has been done on an open fire stove in the same room the family sleeps. The risk of burns, eye injuries and respiratory problems are great. Now with a new home, the family can sleep in their secure shelter, and use their old house for cooking.

As we carefully measured and poured sand and gravel into the water filter, I was reminded of the description of Christ as living water. He brings life to our souls, and causes us to thirst no more. I thought about the times in my life when I tried to quench my spiritual thirst with something or someone other than Christ... and was reminded how futile those efforts were. He is the only one who can satisfy me.

And as we (and by we I mean they) lifted the concrete blocks that would become a new stove,I was reminded of Christ refining me by fire...

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my Master
Ready to do Your will

~cr
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