Wisdom of the Woman at the Well

Graphics from the Spirit
by Iona Hoeppner

The woman at the well is seated, at rest with hands in a position of poise and peace...for she has had a drink of that Living Water only God can give.

Her garments are white and she is clothed with a righteousness imparted by the blood of Christ Jesus. Her face is aglow as was the countenance of Moses after he spent time with God.

She seems to be sitting in the Light. Her Master is the Light of the world, and her face reflects Him. She is following the admonition to "Be still and know that I am God," and in a pensive mood awaiting His voice.

Wisely, she keeps her water pot close by, wanting it to be ever full and overflowing.

The Seven Days of the Week

Monday - Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my
selfishness and vanity, so I may
serve You with perfect humility
through the week ahead

Tuesday - Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out
all the wrinkles of prejudice
I have collected through the years
so that I may see the beauty in others

Wednesday - Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways
so I will not set a bad
example for others.

Thursday - Cleaning Day
Lord, help me to dust
out all the many faults I
have been hiding in the
secret corners of my heart.

Friday - Shopping Day
O God, give me the Grace to shop
wisely so I may purchase eternal
happiness for myself and all
others in need of love.

Saturday - Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a
big kettle of brotherly love and
serve it with clean, sweet bread of
human kindness.

Sunday - The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house
for You. Please come into my heart
as my Honored Guest so I may spend
the day and the rest of my life
in Your Presence.

Author Unknown

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

We sent this about a year ago, but are sending it again by popular request, as a reminder to all of us, and especially for the thousands of members who weren't part of our group a year ago!

1. Our thumb is nearest to us. So begin your prayers by praying for those
closest to us. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty".

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. We might also pray for those we point fingers at, especially those who sometimes hurt us. They need our prayers very much, too.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the President, leaders in business and industry, and administrators, our pastors, our Pope. These people shape our world and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance very much.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need our prayers day and night. We cannot pray too much for them.

5. And last of all comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and to others. The pinky should remind us to pray for ourselves. By the time we have prayed for the other four groups, our own needs will be put into proper perspective and we will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. And sometimes, we don't even have to pray for ourselves. While we're busy praying for others, God is already at work, taking care of our own needs!

("And the Lord blessed Job when he prayed for his friends." Job 42:10)

EIGHT GIFTS THAT COST NOTHING

1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds.
Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.