Hebrews 10:24-25 - Jeannie Waters, Writer & Speaker

Reach for Refreshment & Savor Your Summer: Connect with God and Each Other

June 13, 2023Jeannie Waters35 Comments

How can “Connecting with God and Each Other” refresh us and help us squeeze all the goodness out of summer days?

Did you notice the title change in my website banner above? I still plan to brighten your day with encouraging posts based on God’s Word and practical tips, but we’ll focus on relationships and how to strengthen them.

As I read Scripture and talk with friends, ideas are splashing onto the page like a waterfall on the river rocks below it. I can’t wait to share posts with you and read your ideas.

A challenge

Let’s reach for refreshment and savor our summer days before the season slips away. Vacations, family visits, and the restful days we treasure at home all renew us. Still, these sunny days will vanish as quickly as watermelon at a picnic.

No regrets

Instead of saying, “This summer, I meant to …,” let’s plan to enjoy the days and the refreshment God gives us when we build our relationship with Him and with others.

Table time for refreshment

My favorite place to connect with our heavenly Father is at the table on my deck. A cup of coffee and a bird chorus start my summer days off right—with refreshment I can savor all day.

One morning, I walked onto the deck to pray and read Scripture after the temperature had reached 84 degrees. I returned to the kitchen and poured my coffee from one ice-filled cup to another until it cooled.

I walked back to my table on the deck and sipped the iced coffee. The drink’s coolness refreshed me physically and God’s Word refreshed my spirit.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.

Psalm 19:7 ESV

The early morning summer air is crisp and cool where I live, but when the day races ahead of my time with God, it gets too hot and sticky to sit outside. (The humidity here sometimes makes me feel like I’m wrapped in plastic wrap. Seriously.)

When my day gets into full swing and I’m deprived of my time with God, worry or stress sometimes heats up too. We can read our Bibles and pray anytime, but spending time in God’s Word early on summer mornings refreshes our spirits and brightens our day. (If mornings don’t work for you, try another time of day.)

Sharing God’s blessings

After we’ve talked with Him in prayer and filled our hearts with His Word, connecting with others is easier and more enjoyable. Whether we’re introverts or extroverts, Scripture teaches us to reach out to others.

After we’ve talked with God in prayer and filled our hearts with His Word, connecting with others is easier and more enjoyable.  Share on X

Let’s consider three verses about fellowship.

The first verse gives us a biblical example. After the Resurrection and Pentecost, when God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in believers,

they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:42 ESV

The inspired writer of Hebrews tells us how to cherish our time to build relationships and encourage fellow believers.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Paul’s writing teaches us how to connect with those who may not be Christ followers. Look for two strategies in this passage. How can they guide us this summer?

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:5-6 ESV

From these three verses alone, we find an example and strategies to help us strengthen current relationships and build bridges to create new ones for the purpose of sharing Christ.

Whether you’re reluctant to reach out to others or you’re the first one to say, “Come join me,” future blog posts will hold biblical truth and practical help I’m learning for connecting with God and each other.

Before you go, I have one small favor please, and then I have a gift for you.

Would you send a link for this post to 3 friends? If the posts are blessings to you, tell them. Also, let them know for a limited time I’ll continue to send a free PDF to new subscribers entitled “10 Easy Appetizers, Ideas & Recipes” to enjoy around the table with family and friends.

A new resource about friendships will replace this one soon.

Your Turn

What’s your favorite way to connect with God and with friends during the summer months?

A summertime gift for you

Our daughter is offering you two summertime treat ideas to enjoy and share with friends, old and new. Savor your days and reach for refreshment.

Iced Coffee

Brew a pot or prepare a cup of coffee.

Add milk or cream and sugar or sweetener if you prefer.

Allow the coffee to cool.

Pour it into an old-fashioned ice cube tray and place it in the freezer.

When you’re ready for a cool treat, place the coffee cubes into a thermal cup. Stir as they begin to melt and enjoy your visit.

Refreshing Broccoli Salad

Add ingredients to a large bowl.

fresh broccoli florets
chopped red onion
crumbled goat cheese (Or substitute your favorite.)
raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries
chopped walnuts or pecans

Add balsamic vinaigrette dressing to taste. Mix gently for a colorful and tasty salad.

Summer News

This summer, I plan to start a monthly newsletter for subscribers. I’ll pack it full of refreshing value and include additional summer treats.

See you next time.

If you need refreshment, click the link to this former post.

Quench Your Thirst

“Gather” from a Distance

April 15, 2020Jeannie Waters30 Comments

The childhood memory of going to a summer drive-in movie with neighbors produces an ear-to-ear grin on my face. The moms sat in lawn chairs and shelled butterbeans. The kids fished icy bottles of orange or grape sodas from a cooler to wash down salty, butter-laden popcorn.

I don’t recall the title of the show, but I remember the excitement of gathering with neighbors at the drive-in theater.

Fast forward several years to last month…

“Hurry please, so we can sit–I mean park–on the front row,” I said to my husband as we visited a local church’s drive-in service. We stayed in the car (social distancing, you know) and listened to praise music and the sermon via an FM radio station. Voices soared from car interiors as we held cell phones and followed song lyrics posted on the church website.

When drivers started their engines after the final prayer, joy bounced from one car to another like rays of sunshine as we waved to strangers and listened to music. Warm smiles from parking lot attendants spoke the final “Amen.”

At drive-in church, coordinated outfits and the familiarity of our normal seat mattered not. Gathering with the family of God did. The Bible addresses fellowship.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25

Current mandates prohibit congregating physically, but many of us can gather in cyberspace, and we can certainly encourage each other in a variety of ways.

Isn’t connection via technology a blessing during these shelter-in-place days? Last week we joined our Sunday School courtesy of Zoom technology and participated in our church’s live-streamed time of worship. I’ve enjoyed Bible lessons, pretty memes, encouraging posts on social media networks, and e-cards.

How has technology enhanced your isolation days?

As we enjoy “gathering” on devices, my heart hurts for those who cannot join us due to a lack of computer access or the inability to use it. My ninety-six-year-old mother-in-law, a godly saint, doesn’t own a computer and can barely use the telephone due to neuropathy in her fingers and failing vision. Do you know others like her?

Fear creeps through healthcare home hallways and stalks elderly residents who can’t go out or entertain guests. Some fail to understand why family members and friends don’t visit.

A video of a friend and her sister greeting their mom through a large window of the assisted living facility thrilled my heart. After checking with the staff via phone, they yelled messages to their mom and held up corresponding signs. What joy their creativity sparked!

For some, human interaction and gathering are severely limited or non-existent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Does God’s Word address this dilemma and offer guidance? Consider these verses:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Romans 15:1-2

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Maybe we need some old-fashioned ways to connect or “gather” from a distance without technology. How about these?

Wave enthusiastically to those we pass.
Call those who cannot text or receive emails.
Send cards and letters to those who can’t communicate electronically. Tuck Bible verses or homemade bookmarks into the envelopes. Call to chat and discuss the verses once the mail has arrived. End in prayer or sing a hymn.
Post encouraging Bible verses on signs in the yard or hold printed messages up to windows.
Add family and pet photos to care packages. Chat about the photos over the phone.
Order a meal to be delivered and include dessert if diet allows. Plan to talk over coffee and dessert and pray together.
Start a magazine subscription for someone who can’t access the issues online. Call after each issue arrives to discuss a favorite article or photo.

Do you think these ideas would soothe lonely hearts and include folks who aren’t tech-savvy into Christian fellowship? Initiating conversation requires little. I always say, “A teaspoon of effort yields a cup of joy.”

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 10:24

Won’t you please share examples of reaching beyond technology to “gather from a distance?” I look forward to your ideas or observations.

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Bible verses are from the ESV.

Stir Encouragement into Fellowship

March 3, 2020Jeannie Waters25 Comments

Butterflies danced the rumba in my stomach.

What will they think?

This may be embarrassing.

Do I even belong here?

Have thoughts like mine ever pestered you?

Two years ago, my friend, Robin Dance and I started a local chapter of Word Weavers International, a Christ-centered writing critique group. At the first meeting, I was excited until it was my turn.

As per Word Weavers guidelines, after someone read my words aloud, the group critiqued my writing. Old patterns of people-pleasing surfaced as I wondered what the responses would be. Although I sat among kind women, I felt vulnerable instead of thankful for help.

I breathed a sigh of relief when my turn ended. The group pointed out strengths in my writing I hadn’t noticed.

Great! I’ll keep using that technique.

They also made suggestions to correct or clarify my words.

Oh, I didn’t notice that. How much better the piece will be with their input. Thank you, Lord.

Now I see that as fellow group members highlight strengths and offer help for weak areas, we grow stronger as writers in a nurturing environment.

Isn’t the purpose of Christian fellowship similar—to encourage fellow believers, thus strengthening our walk with Christ?

Not only does spending time with other Christ-followers kindle friendships and help protect us from Satan’s attacks (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12), but it also provides a forum for giving and receiving encouragement and sharpening biblical insight.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…
Hebrews 10:24-25

Why is “stir up” paired with encouragement in this verse? In food preparation, utensils like spoons, whisks, and mixers incorporate air (think meringue peaks) and combine ingredients for palate-pleasing tastes and textures.

If a teaspoon of cinnamon remains at the bottom of a bowl filled with banana nut bread ingredients, the flavor will go undetected and the baked product won’t be as tasty. Stirring lifts that flavor and aroma to the top and gently blends it with others.

Christian friends can “lift” the gifts of others to the surface by pointing out strengths. They may even highlight opportunities for service while being cautious to suggest and not coerce.

Group members can also whisk in biblical wisdom and hope when challenges arise. A hand on the shoulder and the promise of prayer add sweetness to fellowship.

Consider the results of mixing encouragement into companionship. Individuals gain strength as they share Truth. Also, as each person sprinkles in unique ingredients of God-assigned gifts, the taste and fragrance of His love permeates the church and wafts outward to others.

Has the spoon of Christian fellowship stirred you to love and good works? I had a lesson to learn before that could happen to me.

As a young adult, after years of wanting to be more like my friends Susan, Cynthia, and Connie, I learned that God wants me to identify and imitate the characteristics of Christ I see, not other people who display them.

Association with these ladies did, however, show me the error of some of my ways as well as provide pictures of gentleness, patience, and love. Spending time with dear friends led me to ask God to add those aspects of His character into my life.

How kind of God to institute the precious gift of Christian fellowship as a stirring tool for our good and His glory.

Would you join me as I evaluate my participation?

Do I engage in fellowship that prompts me to love and serve more faithfully?
Am I promoting love and good works in my circles of influence? Am I listening well to others as I seek to encourage them?
Which characteristics of Christ does my life reflect?

I do hope you’ll share today in the comment section.

How does spending time with other believers strengthen you?
How do you or how could you stir encouragement into Christian fellowship?

To read more about my friendship with Robin, click here Robin Dance. Please share the link with writers you know who may be interested in the information about Word Weavers International that Robin includes.

Bible verses are taken from the ESV.