Comments on: It Was JUST A Box of Cookies People!

By: Gail

Gail — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:57:18 +0000

I totally understand your reticence in accepting all those wonderful accolades. I too find it far easier to acknowledge my shortcomings. In fact reading your description of your less than stellar responses to the world reminds me of myself. I easily could have written many of your words and I too know how heartbreaking my shortcomings are.
I too agree with loving the Lord as the focus of one’s life. Sometimes I wonder if I do love the Lord as much as I know that I do then why do I act contrary to this love. I often have to remind myself that I am human and I don’t like my humanness.

Somewhere in there though I am convinced that God provided each other to be able to be encouragers of each other. John Michael Talbot wrote a song that we are God’s representatives on this earth. Perhaps those who are speaking of your gifts and talents are speaking from the heart of God.

By: anita

anita — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:45:54 +0000

Kevin—> My preaching is unremarkable though what I lack in skill I make up for in enthusiasm and heart which explains why I pelted the congregation this summer with mustard seeds and spent an hour after church sweeping up! Seriously though, while I accept my skills are limited please know I would never minimize what God can and do through any of us who are willing and longing to be used. As the Bible clearly confirms in every story, God can do the most remarkable things through the most unremarkable people.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:29:47 +0000

I’d have to argue the “my preaching is unremarkable” part. I know what you do here is “teaching” and not preaching, but in my experience, the difference is not THAT significant and I’d have to say what you do here is quite remarkable! At least it has been for me! I know that is not the point of your post, but I just couldn’t let this go by without adressing just how remarkable I think you really are! God absolutely works through you, and by my estimation, nothing can, or should minimize that!

By: anita

anita — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:04:15 +0000

Susan–> How very kind of you and in you saying so and in being here, you add to my joy as well!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:23:06 +0000

You left out that you are a wonderful writer and bring joy and blessing to all that read! thanks for your contribution to my joy!

By: anita

anita — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:04:15 +0000

Laura—> Oh I agree. In fact, I enjoy the photos long after the cookies are gone and the satisfaction I get is just as great with a whole lot less calories.

By: anita

anita — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:03:06 +0000

JRC–> There’s no secret to loving God more than loving God more. It grows with time as long as you keep your eyes and your heart open. As to knowing God loves you, well….God’s Spirit will keep nudging you and I’ll keep nagging you until you get it

By: anita

anita — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:01:29 +0000

Stephanie—>AFTER my surgery and recovery I’m indeed planning a cookie contest on the blog. This contest will be closed to all relatives and employees of this management…and John Shore. Now watch this. Thank you for all the rest you said. And thanks to God for you right back. Truly.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:04:50 +0000

Darn. I thought you were having another contest for cookies.

I hear what you’re saying but you know, you do rock, whether you like the attention or not.

Your love, your heart and your good deeds shine through and one thing I admire about you is what you are good at, you don’t hold back. It’s in your words, in your face, in your cookies, in your love for others.

I thank God for people like you.

By: jrc

jrc — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:54:33 +0000

Hi Anita – thanks for sharing the prospective on yourself “my preaching is completely unremarkable, I’m not a great conversationalist”. I think if I met you or heard you preach, I might not agree. But what do I know.
I do know that I wish I could love God as much as you do and I wish I believed that God loves me as much as you believe He loves you and all of us.
I sometimes battle with what I know in my head and what I believe/feel in my heart.
Peace to All.