Getting Ready

Building One Another -  Vol 12 No 28

Dear Friend,

A lot of the country has already experienced severe winter weather and the season is barely underway. How did you go about preparing for an event you knew was coming?
in getting ready for winter, my mind runs through a quick checklist.               
                Are the hoses coiled and indoors?               
                Are the outside faucets turned off?               
                Has the deck furniture been stacked?               
                Is salt or its equivalent ready in case of ice?               
                Does the car have an ice scraper?

 The season before Christmas, known as Advent, is a season of preparation – a time of getting ready.

 So we have some version of another mental checklist.
                 Is my/our home decorated?                 Do we know what events I/we will attend or host?                 Have I/we obtained gifts for Christmas?

Advent is especially the time to prepare our hearts. “Let every heart prepare him room!”

Spend some time alone this busy season. Prepare yourself, get ready, to open your heart more widely to Jesus. Focus your mind on this Lord who loves you. Acknowledge and confess your sin and rely on our Lord’s forgiveness and cleansing. Formally offer room in your heart to him. 

Make Worship with God’s people a priority.  Allow the joyful music of the season and the power of our Lord’s Word to speak to your deepest heart – and share that heart with the Lord who shares his heart with you! 

“Come thou long expected Jesus” – E. Stanley OttCopyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott

Thanksgiving

Building One Another - Vol 12 No 27

Dear Friend,

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 92:1^*

When you give thanks to the Lord, your mind shifts from the anxieties that so easily consume you to the loving Lord of the universe who loves to refresh you.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord.”

The Psalmist tells us why, “For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy." Psalm 92:4

God loves to bring gladness into your life, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.” Psalm 16:9

The very act of thanks-giving brings gladness to the heart. 

This week I encourage you to be especially alert to the works of the Lord that have brought gladness into your life – be specific:           People who have brought you gladness,
                 Events that have brought you joy,                       Things that have brought you delight, and especially,                             God’s incredible love and affection for you,                                                                                         –and give thanks.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord!

With joy - E. Stanley OttCopyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott*Scripture from the NRSV

Say Something

Building One Another - Vol 12 No 26

Dear Friend,

In the “theater mentality” of our day, we attend movies, sporting events, and other forms of entertainment, expecting only to experience something from the event. We speak to our close friends and pay no attention to other people though perhaps offering a brief nod.

Consider the guests who will attend a worship service you attend.  It’s an odd and lonely feeling to walk in to a church building for the first time while surrounded by a group of total strangers.

Yet guests come because they are accompanying members of their families or good friends. Other guests come out of some inner urge inspired by the God who loves them. 

For whatever reason they come, their presence is your opportunity to offer a warm welcome.

Have the grace and courage to say something to those who sit near you, who walk beside you.

Consider this:

When a woman approached Jesus sitting by a well, he spoke to her (John 4).

When Philip saw the Ethiopian in a chariot, he ran over to speak to him (Acts 8).

When Paul met some women who were praying by a river, he spoke to them (Acts 16)

When you attend a worship service, put on a “ministry mentality” and allow our Lord to encourage other people’s hearts through you, knowing He will encourage your heart as well.

Be alert to the people God places in your life -- especially this week – speak to them – say something!

On behalf of our Lord, be a host and welcome those who find their way into worship services as those venturing into unknown territory. All you have to say is, “Welcome, I am glad you are here,” and take it from there.

With joy - E. Stanley OttCopyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott

The Lingering Meal

Building One Another -  Vol 12 No 25

Dear Friend, 

Do you eat your meals rapidly or do you take your time? Mealtime today is often something we rush through, an interruption between Activity A and Activity B.  For Jesus, mealtime was an Activity A all by itself. Jesus often ate with his disciples and with many others.

“Here a dinner [deipnon] was given in Jesus' honor.  Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.” John 12:2*

The Greek word deipnon is translated feast, banquet, supper, dinner.  Years ago I remember reading someone translate deipnon as “the lingering meal.”  It’s the opposite of “fast food!”

The deipnon was the main meal of the day and not just inserted between activities. It meant three things:  food, conversation, and lingering – and the food was secondary.  The primary function of the deipnon was to talk – to be "with" one another - to speak of what was happening in your lives and in the world around you.  

Furthermore, when we eat with fellow believers, our Lord joins us, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  Matthew 18:20

There are few more effective and delightful ways to grow relationships and to build people than to enjoy a deipnon, a lingering meal with them. When you eat, slow down and linger:                with anyone who lives in your home on a daily basis.                                with those who are already friends of your heart.                                                with those whom you would like to grow deeper in friendship.

One day you will share in the most wonderful lingering meal of them all: “Then the angel said to me, 'Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' ' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'" Revelation 19:9

With joy - E. Stanley OttCopyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott*Scripture from the NIV

Anointed Ones

Building One Another - Vol 12 No 24

Dear Friend,

A common practice we discover in the Bible is that of anointing. The physical act of anointing is to touch, smear, or pour oil or some other substance on a person. The prophet Samuel anointed David with oil to be king. I Samuel 16:13 Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume. John 12:3

The word Christ as in Jesus Christ actually means “anointed.” Jesus is the Anointed One. He was baptized by John the Baptist, an anointing. The Holy Spirit settled upon Jesus as a dove, an anointing. Mary poured oil on his feet, an anointing. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”* Luke 4:18  

Here is a wonderful thought. Jesus, the Anointed One, anoints you! “But you have been anointed by the Holy One.” 1 John 2:20  “But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us.” 2 Corinthians 1:21 We see this clearly in the act of baptism, the water as the visible expression of the anointing presence of the Holy Spirit.

Three words help me remember the significance of anointing:  sign, seal, and sending.

A sign. As a sign an anointing is the visible expression of an invisible reality of love. When I kiss my grandchildren it is a sign of my love, a visible expression of my love. Through the anointing of your baptism, your Lord is saying to you, this is a sign that I love you. 

A seal. As a seal an anointing is a mark of belonging, of ownership. When you sign a legal document a person called a notary public puts a seal on the document to verify that the signature belongs to you. When you are baptized it is a sign that you are God’s beloved and it is also a seal marking you with the Holy Spirit as belonging to God.

A sending. The prophet Samuel anointed David with oil to be king and the Spirit of God came mightily on David. God had a mission in mind for David and God has a mission in mind for you in the power of the Spirit! Our Lord has shaped you for loving service and given his Spirit to sustain you.

In your anointing our Lord is saying, “By this sign I tell you I love you, by this seal I mark you as my own, and by this sending with the Spirit I have work for you to do!"

With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NRSV

Quiet Time

Building One Another - Vol 12 No 23

Dear Friend,

As we launch into a new fall season it's time to ask ourselves, do we practice a Rule of Life that puts first things first?

Devotional writer E. Stanley Jones once told of being in the Himalayan Mountains. “One morning I arose at three o’clock, walked to a mountain peak in The Himalaya to see the sun rise on the most glorious panorama, I suppose, in the world. There as the day began to dawn, we saw arise before our enraptured gaze, within a complete semicircle, twenty peaks, each above twenty thousand feet in height, snow-capped with virgin snow. For half an hour the curtain was lifted and we inwardly worshipped. Then the mists began to fill the valleys between, and the view was gone. Gone? Forever laid up in our green and grateful memories. It was ours forever.

“That is what the Quiet Time does for you. You get up earlier before the mists of worldly happenings close your view of God… After the mists close in, the vision [of God] is there within. You live in two worlds at once. You are a two-dimensional person, drawing sustenance from a world around you to keep you going physically, and then drawing sustenance for God to keep you going spiritually, mentally, physically—totally.”[1]  

When we spend regular alone time with our Lord through prayer and Bible reading we enjoy the wonder of the God who loves us and we worship. Then we go about our day. As the mists of activity arise and demand our attention, seeming to obscure our view of God, we carry the memory of our meeting with God throughout the day. 

Decide when you will be with your Lord on a regular basis. First things first!

With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott

---

[1] E. Stanley Jones, How to be a Transformed Person, (Nashville, TN: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1951), p. 275.

Chasing Donkeys

Building One Another - Vol 12 No 22

Dear Friend,

There is a fascinating story in the Old Testament. A man’s donkeys wander off and he sends his son and another young man to find them. The donkeys wander this way and that and the young men nearly give up. The young man says, “There is a man of God in this town; he is a man held in honor. Whatever he says always comes true. I have some money to pay him.”

Meanwhile, the Lord spoke to Samuel the prophet and said, “I am sending you the future king of Israel.” See I Samuel 9.

I was reading that story one morning and found it fascinating to realize that what from a human perspective were some rambling donkeys and wandering boys was from God’s perspective the formal “sending” of the future king of Israel!

This speaks to me. We do our best to make wise decisions in life with the “mind of Christ" (I Corinthians 2:16) and seek to discern the will of God as we work our way through the many confusing situations in life.

We do that knowing our Lord always has his loving steering hand involved in where we are and what we are to be about.  If God can do it with rambling donkeys and wandering boys he can do it with you! 

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28*

I find that rather freeing. Make the best decisions you can while trusting in the wisdom of wise people and of scripture. Know that regardless of what you decide to do that the Lord who loves you will never leave you, will always guide, uphold, and sustain you. Always!

With joy - E. Stanley OttCopyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott*Scripture from the NRSV

The Mess

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.21
Dear Friend, On July 26th The Washington Post carried a fascinating article about baseball star Darryl Strawberry. He tells of his descent into drug and alcohol addiction and the change in his life after turning to Jesus. Darryl concludes by saying, “Here I am, a baseball superstar, falling into the pits, having everybody write you off and then having God say, ‘I’m going to use your mess for a message.’ How beautiful is that?” Our Lord will use your mess for a message too! We do live messy lives. One of the great realities of our walk with Jesus is that he walks with us in our mess and through our mess! Jesus will actually work through the mess in your life in ways that reveal God’s love, presence, and power. “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7* I spoke with a woman today who is having difficulty landing a job. She told me her friends don’t understand how she maintains a hopeful spirit through disappointment after disappointment. It was obvious to me. She absolutely trusts in the Lord who loves her to see her through what she is going through. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Peace

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.17
Dear Friend, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18* I have been musing recently over a funeral I conducted for someone years ago. I don’t recall who it was or whether it was a man or a woman. What I do remember is standing in the front of a tiny chapel with four or five family members in the front pew on one side and four or five more sitting in the front pew of the other side. It seemed normal to me – people wanting to sit near the front while I talked about their loved one and spoke about the resurrection of Jesus and the real hope of resurrection offered to anyone who embraces and follows Jesus by faith. It was only after the service as people were milling around and getting ready to leave that one of the family members pulled me aside and said, “You may have noticed we sat on two sides of the chapel. There has been a bitter split in our family for many years and while they were willing to attend the memorial service for a family member they are not willing to associate with each other nor speak to each other!” How very sad. The apostle Paul was very clear when he instructed us to be at peace, “so far as it depends on you.” Indeed family members at times say or do things that are incredibly hurtful. There is no denying the depth of the pain and rupture of relationship that may engender. At the same time, our Lord, who died on behalf of we who constantly behave in ways that hurt people and offend God, leaves us no wiggle room. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 So reconciliation may not be possible – yet forgiveness on your part is possible – and in so far as it is possible, do be at peace with all people.
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Rope Holders

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.19
Dear Friend, Something Walt Ungerer, a pastor and a friend, said to me many years ago came to mind while I was reading Acts Chapter 9, the story of the conversion of Saul, who became known as the Apostle Paul. After Saul had his dramatic encounter with Jesus and began to preach, a plot to kill him arose. “But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.” Acts 9:25* Walt asked the question, “Who are your rope holders?” Who in your moment of crisis are the people who will stand with you, who hold on to the ropes that hold you up in some situation, who trust our Lord to guide and sustain you? Rope holders are among the most precious people in our lives. They may be friends, relatives, associates, neighbors, or people we know in the church we attend. Whoever they are, their heart is to support your heart and your heart is to support theirs. If you become aware of a person you know facing some rough situation, will you be his or her rope holder? Jesus said to his followers, “You are those who have stood by me in my trials.” Luke 22:28 The Apostle Paul said, “But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” 2 Timothy 4:17. For whom are you a rope holder, standing by in the time of trial and offering strength? Consider who your rope holders are and if possible, thank them for standing by you!
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Praise

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.18
Dear Friend, Perhaps you watched on television or heard of the feat of Nik Wallenda as he walked on a cable stretched across Little Colorado River Gorge in the area of the Grand Canyon some fifteen hundred feet above the bottom of the gorge with no safety wire connecting him to the cable. As I watched Nik’s careful progress across the high wire in the midst of stunning scenery, I was captured by his quiet voice and that of his Father. As Nik took step by measured step on the cable he was saying over and over, “Thank you Jesus. Praise you Jesus. How I love you.” His Father was saying, “You’re handling it well, Nik. Slow your steps down. That’s good.” You can watch it on YouTube if you want to see a replay but as I replayed it over and over in my mind, I realized how much it was a picture of the Christian life. As Jesus said, “For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:14 There are many moments in your home life, your work life or your personal inside-your-head life where you walk a tightrope seeking to value people and honor the Lord who loves us. At the same time there are forces both inside and outside ourselves that would pull us off the wire. So like Nik Wallenda we also are praying, “Praise you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. I love you, Lord.” When the road is difficult, such as when Nik experienced the shaking cable and the wind and he prayed, “Help this cable to calm down,” so we also pray about the issues we face on our own high wire. And what happens if you start to fall off the wire by engaging in some behavior not worthy of the Lord who loves you? Nik Wallenda said if he lost his balance he would hold onto the wire until help came. So when we stumble we hold on to the Lord who loves us and who is our rescuer. When you confess your sin, know that our Lord Jesus, who took the impact of your fall upon himself on the cross and has never stopped loving you, forgives you and welcomes you home!
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Awake

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.16
Dear Friend, When my son and I were in Japan a few years ago we saw a Shinto Shrine for the worship of what its followers believe to be the spirits of nature and of past heroes. In front of the shrine was a rope, maybe three inches thick, that went from eye level up to a bell mounted on the ceiling overhead. We asked our guide what the rope and bell were for. He said the Shinto belief was that you had to ring the bell to “wake the god” – to “wake the spirit.” It so happened that at the time my son and I were working on memorizing Psalm 121, which begins: “I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:1-4* Our God is always alert, never sleeps, never needs a bell to awaken to our lives and our needs! Whatever is going on in your life at this very moment our Lord is closer to you than your next breath, fully aware of all that concerns you. As another Psalm puts it, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 Seek him and trust in his love!
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
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Encourage

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.15
Dear Friend, What do you do when, as a friend of mine put it, “You feel so low that your rear end is erasing your own tracks!”?  How do you go about stirring up your own spirit when you are down? After the Amalekites captured the families of David and his men, we learn:  “Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept, until they had no more strength to weep.” I Samuel 30:4*  David was feeling as low as a person can get! Furthermore, “David was in great danger; for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit for their sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 David focused on his Lord for strength and encouragement! Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun of the sixteenth century who was asked by her superiors to write a book on prayer, which she didn’t feel like doing at all. “Few tasks… have been so difficult as this present one of writing about matters relating to prayer: for one reason, because I do not feel that the Lord has given me either the spirituality or the desire for it; for another, because for the last three months I have been suffering from such noises and weakness in the head that I find it troublesome to write even about necessary business.” In other words, “I’ve been commanded to do this. I don’t feel qualified. I have a headache. I am not in the mood. It’s a hassle!” “But, as I know that strength arising from obedience has a way of simplifying things which seem impossible, my will very gladly resolves to attempt this task [She is encouraging herself in God].” “Although the prospect seems to cause my physical nature great distress; for the Lord has not given me strength enough to enable me to wrestle continually both with sickness and with occupations of many kinds without feeling a great physical strain. May He Who has helped me by doing other and more difficult things for me help also in this: in His mercy I put my trust.”[1] Encourage yourself in God! [1] Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle, (New York, Image Book,) p.23.
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
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Soften

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.14
Dear Friend, On Saturday morning I dug a hole in the backyard for a large tomato plant I’d picked up at a farmer's market, sprinkled in some fertilizer, and put in the plant. Thinking about it later I realized the ground I dug the hole in was very hard clay and that it would be difficult for growing roots to penetrate and to find nourishment in that soil. So I dug out the tomato plant, made a larger hole, added some potting soil, and re-planted the tomato! The softer soil will make it much easier for the plant’s roots to grow and be fed. Sometimes our own human hearts can be pretty hard and simply not open to the reality and presence of the God who loves us or to new ways of thinking. If arterial sclerosis is the hardening of the arteries then attitudinal sclerosis is the hardening of the attitudes. Scripture often refers to people as being “stiff-necked” which again suggests hearts that are simply closed to our Lord, closed to people. The good news is that our Lord loves to melt human hearts. In speaking about restoring the nation of Israel we read, “I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19-20 Pray with me: “O Lord, where my heart is hard, brittle, and closed to you, closed to people and closed to your call on my life, I ask you, the Lord who loves me, to soften my heart. May I be more fully aware of your presence, of the people you have put into my life, and of the purpose you have for me.”  Amen.
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
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Grow

Vol. 12, No.13 Grow
Dear Friend, I was out running this morning in the early stages of preparation for a 5K run.  There is something glorious about chugging along in the early morning with the beauty of God’s creation all around you. I know my serious runner friends look upon a 5K (three mile) run as nothing more than a warm up.  For me it feels more like a run across the country!  Of course the issue for me isn’t how physically fit everyone else around me may be but how fit I am. It’s easy for us to fall into a kind of stuck-ness in the areas in which we could grow, develop, and get better. Whether you are a person of faith, a runner, golfer, chef, teacher, preacher, parent, policeman or whatever, the question is not, “How well are other people doing at this?” The question is, “How well are you doing?" Are you stuck, pretty much at the same level you were a year ago? Five years ago? Or are you growing? Getting better? Becoming more effective, more fruitful? One of the greatest promises ever made is simply, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6*  Embrace the good work our Lord is doing in you.  Become God’s partner in the development of the person that God sees in you! And remember.  A parent loves the child as much when she crawls as when she takes her first step.  God’s love is not contingent on our growth.  God loves you, period!  Whether you are at the top of your game, or find yourself stuck in some way, or have diminished in some way due to age or infirmity or some life-situation, God loves you just the way you are!
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Awesome

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.12
Dear Friend, In recent weeks I have been in Virginia, Iowa, Nebraska, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Arizona, and California. In every location I have found the beauty of the country to be astonishing. It is literally awesome! Every single place has its unique beauty to be enjoyed and appreciated. I often find myself with something on my mind or checking my email or talking on my cell phone whether I am walking down a sidewalk or sitting on the porch. I suddenly “wake up” and think, “What am I doing here?" The email can wait. The conversation can usually wait. Whatever is on my mind can wait. It is time to just feel awe and to pray to my Lord, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:1* When you are outside, “push pause” on the usuall things you think about and appreciate the awesome world around you! “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NIV
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Say Something

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.11
Dear Friend, If you “see something say something” is becoming a catchword in American society. While it refers to vigilance in an insecure world, the phrase has me thinking about the reticence of many Christians to “say something” about the Lord they follow. Nearly one hundred years ago, G. Campbell Morgan was to write: It has become very difficult for Christian people to talk of the things of Christ to each other.  They meet together in ordinary life, and they talk of everything except the deepest things of their spiritual life; and that not because they have not deep experience, not because they are unfamiliar with the things of God and His Kingdom, but because they never learned how to help each other in mutual converse concerning them.[1] I find it fascinating that Morgan was speaking of Christians speaking of their faith to other Christians, a supposedly safe environment, much less to those who are not followers of Jesus. When he refers to “ordinary life,” Morgan was speaking of the conversations we have on a daily basis and not of the specific setting of a Bible study where matters of faith are discussed. In the vast majority of cases, American Christians today do not speak about their faith in personal conversation even when given an obvious opportunity to do it.  One way for you to gain confidence in speaking of spiritual matters is to be a part of a face-to-face small group Bible study with other Christians. In daily life, when you realize you may appropriately  speak of the Lord you love, take courage and say something! “For we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20* [1]G. Campbell Morgan, The Acts Of The Apostles (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1924), p. 92.
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV.
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

Cherrapunji

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.10
Dear Friend, Have you ever heard of Cherrapunji, India? The Guinness Book of World Records calls it the wettest place on earth. During the monsoon season Cherrapunji can receive nearly a yard of water a day. Imagine that! A Mr. Yule called attention to Cherrapunji in 1841 when he reported that during five successive days, thirty inches of water fell every twenty-four hours. [1] Amazing! Now consider this pivotal word from Jesus: "On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.' As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:37-39* Jesus intends you to be a Cherrapunji of the Holy Spirit! "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water." The Holy Spirit indwells, lives in those who trust in Jesus. As you open your life to the Spirit of God you will discover the Spirit’s desire is to fill you, surge through you, cascade out of you! This is not something you necessarily “feel” but rather know to be true because you trust the Lord who promises the Spirit to those who trust him by faith. Of course, when you resist the Spirit and engage in behaviors you know are not holy, the Spirit still indwells you, but the blessed influence on your life and actions is diminished. In that case, instead of being filled with the Spirit you have “quenched” the Spirit. Turn to the Lord who loves you, open yourself the filling of the marvelous Spirit of God, and be a Cherrapunji of the Spirit! [1] Axexander Frater Chasing the Monsoon (New York: Henry Holt and Company 1992) p. 254.
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV.
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Spring Snow

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.9
Dear Friend, I awoke yesterday morning to a beautiful spring snowfall, the kind that coats every branch, every twig, and every surface. It created the kind of magical moment that gives snow a good name even when it messes with our schedules and our driving. It seems especially appropriate that it arrived on this the last Monday in the season known as Lent and in the week known as Holy Week. The prophet Isaiah offered this wonderful word, '“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”' Isaiah 1:18* As we walk this week take the time to dwell on the great moments in the life of Jesus:     the celebration of the Last Supper this Thursday,       Maundy Thursday;           the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday;                  the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning. Then remember the promise that, “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
Hallelujah and Happy Easter! - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV.
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Friends

Building One Another -  Vol 12 No 8

March 12, 2013

Dear Friend,

Last week I received two email messages from friends who are each ninety-six years old.  I enjoy texting with friends who are in their thirties. That got me to thinking! How many people do I know who are at least twenty-five years older than I am? How many people do I know who are at least twenty-five years younger than I am?
Typically we hang out with people near our own ages.

 Perhaps that’s a carryover from our years in school where most of our friends were classmates and our own age. Perhaps it's because we are going through similar life situations with kids in school or empty nesters or in the middle of our work life or perhaps in our retirement years and so on.

 I certainly affirm having friends who are our own ages and with whom we share much in common. At the same time I have been immeasurably encouraged by friendships that cross the generations. Those older than us offer their wisdom, spirit, and love and those younger offer their wisdom, spirit, and love.

Ask yourself if you are in groups and activities that will allow you to meet and to grow real friendships with people across the spectrum of age and if not what are you going to do about it?

One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. Ps. 145:4* 

Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold  (The Girl Scouts). 

With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NRSV

The Fritter Factor

Building One Another -  Vol 12 No 7

March 5, 2013

Dear Friend,

The verb “to fritter” means to reduce, waste or squander little by little. “She frittered away the afternoon.” “He frittered away his inheritance.” Think about the many ways contemporary life intrudes on whatever you are doing and the many ways you do things that fritter your time away.

Do you find yourself checking email every few minutes and if a shadow of an email message appears on your screen, do you shift to it immediately?

Do you find yourself checking Facebook “just briefly” several times a day?

Are you a texter involved in many mini-conversations that have no real end  and that may extend well past the time you are in bed?

While you may not personally engage in any of these particular behaviors, it is worth asking to what degree the “Fritter Factor” controls  your life. As Edward Bosworth said years ago, “What gets your attention gets you!” So what is getting your attention?

Since studies of efficiency and effectiveness would show we can be much more purposeful with our time if we choose to do so, will you continue to allow the Fritter Factor the control you give it?

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul, “This one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14*  May our Lord’s love and our Lord’s purposes be what gets your attention, and so get you! 

With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NRSV

Seek

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No. 6
Dear Friend, You could think of the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter as something of a gloomy time, a time of “giving up” something, but I have always seen Lent as a time to take onsomething… to take on a fresh seeking of the Lord, to acknowledge that my spiritual life can feel run down just like everyday life and that I want to refresh my relationship with my Lord. For that reason, I have always found Lent to be a hopeful season.  Yes, it is a reflective time to consider the life of Jesus, however it is also a time to re-discover the passion and love our Lord has for us today. The very word Lent is a hopeful word. It comes from a Middle English word meaning springtime. We may not see spring yet, there is snow and ice everywhere, but spring is coming. Our God promised the Jews in Exile in Babylon, “When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me…” Jeremiah 29:13-14a.* Just as we know spring is on the way, so we know that when we seek, we will find the Lord. Be a seeker. Renew your own inner desire to know God more deeply and personally. Take on some specific spiritual discipline, some deliberate pattern by which you may seek the Lord during these few weeks of Lent.  For example, simply read a half-chapter a day of one of the four gospels and allow the ministry of Jesus to touch you personally. And/or keep a daily spiritual journal recording your own thoughts about your own experience of God and reflections about your Lord. May you seek and know more deeply the God who loves you this Lent.
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV.
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org