In Response To Andree Seu

About this time last year I found myself without money for my son's birthday. So, like Paul confronted with the empty hand of a lame beggar it was a situation of "no silver and gold but such as I have I give to you." Paul's gift in the name of Jesus was to give a lame man the ability to walk, run, jump .... a full recovery. My gift was to give a blessing. I prayed, typed and prayed some more. Then dropped it in the mail. He would have to tell you what it meant to him.

'

Since then it has become a tradition to give my children and grandchildren a birthday blessing. When Jacob pronounced a blessing over his 12 sons he considered their personalities ... one was like a lion another an ox .... included in these blessings were things they would achieve. Since names and holidays have always been something that God has used to speak to me I factor these into a written or spoken blessing. I consider the gifts of the individual and I pray for the power of the Spirit to come into their lives. It is not some kind of numerology or study of the stars It is knowledge with love, wisdom, vision, insight and prayer aligned with scripture.

'

Everyone needs vision to give them a sense of purpose, calling and direction. I could keep my vision to myself and for myself ..... the all important ME. Or I can give the gift of vision to people who need to know and be affirmed in their calling.

Beloved

You are 31 this Sunday, February 28. My precious boy. The child who made me a mother. There is total clarity in remembering your birth. You slipped from the confines of your hatchery into incredible open spaces your arms flung in startle reflex, eyes wide taking in lights and shapes .... men like trees standing over you. Your father holding you.

'

I can't help tears. I would have kept you by my side forever. But you were a child under my roof so long ago. And this is as it should be. You had to move on ... become a man, have a wife and children of your own. Know what it is to have your children grow away from you. Trading that small trusting child asleep in your arms for the young man or woman running to meet their future.

'

I still remember your backward look at me from the backseat of a van that was taking you to your first year at Covenant College. Your children will look back too. Even when they are moving on they will want to know that mom, dad and the homestead are still there like invisible foundations to their well being. You will no longer be teaching and guiding them as directly but your continued example .... a life, all though sometimes rocked, standing firm in the gospel. Joshua David Bird, Jehovah is your salvation, beloved son.

'

Both Joshua and David were men that were promised a kingdom and a good land. They both also went through wilderness training periods .... narrow, confined places where God developed and prepared them for the work they were to do ... incubation periods before birthing into the fullness of their domain. A calling they had been prepared for, so when they were fully ready it was received. I have been through many of these narrow passage ways and every time I emerged with larger spheres of wisdom and influence. It is an ongoing cycle.

'

While these men were chosen for great tasks they were far from faultless. But through trust, humility and repentance they remained. Joshua a courageous leader and David a man after God's own heart.

'

You and Amanda will be an encouragement to your family both financially and spiritually. May you impact your culture with God's love and the gospel. May you love as you have been loved and forgive as you have been forgiven beginning in your own home and moving out from there. Use your freedom to serve. Maintain common sense. "All things are permissible but not all things are beneficial .... seek the good of others." God Bless You

The Sweatheart Angel

Little Gabrielle Ashley Herndon Bird, you were born the day before Valentines Day. But you also carry the name of the Angel Gabrielle .... the messenger angel whose message was the gospel .... "Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.... and thou shalt bear a son and shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sin .... the Holy Ghost shall overshadow thee and thou shalt conceive." You are a Christmas Valentine! And like Gabrielle you carry a message of God's love for sinful man and encouragement for humble hearts. God bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and give you peace.

Mission Morocco

Dear Friends & Family,

'

I have been presented with the opportunity this summer (July 8-26, 2010) to travel to the country of Morocco in North Africa with Compassion Corp*. Once there we will be holding a summer camp in the mornings at Village of Hope an orphanage of about 30 children. During the afternoons of the first week we will be travelling to other villages and cities to work with at risk children living in orphanages and detention centers. In the afternoon of the second week we will be conducting a sports/arts/drama camp. The children there do not have physical education or art classes and will be very excited to come. We are expecting about 300 children to participate this week. At the same time some of the women of our group will be working with village women teaching them handcrafts and doing seminars on nutrition and hygiene. We'll also have the opportunity to spruce up a building that will be turned into a women's center just for them! All in the name of Jesus.

'

The cost of the trip is $2,500 which I need to raise. In a way you will be going with me to Morocco through your financial support and prayers. If this is something you would like to do please send a check payable to Compassion Corp, PO Box 103, Chester Heights, PA 19017 and a note designating the gift to my ministry account (Melanie Bird). Your contribution will be tax deductible.

'

Please pray for:

~ Team unity

~ Hearts prepared to receive God's love through our compassion

~ Stamina and protection from illness

~ The ability to effectively serve the women and children there

~ God's Spirit poured out in all our hearts communicating itself in all our relationships

'

If none of this is working for you perhaps you can help me iron my clothers before I go.

'

*Compassion Corp is a growing body of concerned individuals who desire to make a difference for those who are suffering in Muslim Africa's most difficult places. Our vision is to resource and partner with African Christians in holistic projects of compassion in the African Muslim world by engaging a corp of caring and committed activists.

'

Read the following articles for more information about why I am going on this trip.

'

Best Regards,

'

Melanie R. Bird

So Who Is Paloma

I was in the kitchen store looking for a cast iron pot to cook apple butter. Most of these cauldrons reminded me of green bubbling concoctions and the women of Macbeth. So I was looking for something with a little more cheer perhaps in a cherry red or butterie yellow. Anyhow it all turned out to be rather expensive so I opted for some recipe cards and some novelties for my grandchildren and had gone to the check out. The clerk there was very chatty and helpful. She asked me if I had seen the sale section and the recipe cards there. I thanked her very much and turned around to take a quick look before she was done ringing my order. But directly behind me was a young, dark haired woman who had no intention of moving. I hesitated, then stepped around her to take a quick look at the sale, scooped up what I wanted and returned to the line as the sales woman continued to ring my order. While I had not held up the line of one the dark haired woman was annoyed. Since the clerk and I had been chatting away rather cheerfully I turned and smiled and attempted to bring the disgruntled woman into the conversation. At this she unleashed a torrent of angry words with the gist that I should leave her the f___ alone. The clerk fell silent. Again I thought to improve the situation and asked if she was having a bad day. More angry expletives followed after which she continued to mutter and spit under her breath. It sounded like she was putting a curse on me and maybe she could use one of those cauldrons.
'

I left the store more startled then angry or scared. "Like a fluttering bird, an undeserved curse does not come to rest." (Proverbs) ... I do believe in curses and I prayed for God to confront that woman. But it is possible that another person might hold a legitimate complaint against me. God hears the cry of the poor and the complaint of the needy so we are accountable as to how we treat others even if it is simply ignoring them. Though to be fair, they may be expecting too much,"Save me O Lord from those who would eat people as bread ... whose reward is in this life." (Psalms) And so the scriptures tell us too that it is impossible to keep the law. We may please one person and yet offend another or maybe we just suck the life out of people with our expectations. So I keep to the foot of the cross ..... the law being an unsafe vehicle, and plead the blood over my life. "The blood of Jesus speaks a better word then the blood of Abel" (St. Paul). One calls for forgiveness and one for vengeance. Makes me wonder about those long imprecatory psalms and scriptures that call down curses upon one's enemies ... there is a place for that. With his dying breath, Jesus called for forgiveness on his enemies because of their ignorance ..... you see they thought they were right. But there are those who choose evil with their eyes wide open embracing it to the grave and judgement day is coming. A curse and a penalty will be pronounced and it will be fierce and it will be right.

'

So little Paloma is my enemy. If we deny access to evil within our own hearts and minds Satan will find another route of attack .... do not fall back ..... let us go in and take the land.

Play It Again, Sam

What a difference a day makes. In many ways I look ahead and know where I am going. Don't always know how or when but then bam something unexpected happens. Saturday was the usual, then comes Sunday and I am going to Morocco.

'

This came about because I had recently started this little habit of reading the church bulletin with the question; "What should I do and where should I go?" The first time this happened a request for babysitting from a young family group that meets in Hockessin tugged for my attention. My first response was, "NO!" ... why would I leave my warm little home on a cold Wednesday night and drive to some strangers house and take care of a bunch of kids for two hours once a month. After a moment spent on all the reasons why not I thought maybe I should just say, "yes" ..... and God seemed to really like that answer. Later that week God gave me the impression that there was a little girl that needed me specifically. My heart was touched and my curiosity piqued. So like Abraham I set out for God knows where. When I got there I got to know some new people and give some grandmotherly advice.

'

The second time I looked at the bulletin with this question in mind I spotted a request for knitted hats and scarves to be donated to sailors on the Newport Docks. I had just finished a hat and scarf and the thought of some sailor wearing it out to sea gave me no little amount of pleasure.

'

By the third time of asking this question I am getting familiar with God's little tap on the shoulder. But Morocco .... good Lord! I can think of any number of reasons why it just isn't practical and I did ..... then said, "yes" and went to the two hour informational meeting during the afternoon. Naturally if I'm not supposed to go to Morocco the financial support simply will not be there ..... come to find out that this never happens. Also I was expecting primitive conditions like a hole in the ground for the bathroom and I was ready to camp out if necessary but apparently they put us up in the best accommodations that they have. I was a little embarrassed by this ... why not stay home and send the money? But then we are not just giving .... we have to be willing to receive from people and money is a poor substitute for coming along side someone and showing them the love of Jesus.

'

So I am travelling with Compassion Corp and will be flying into Casablanca then travelling about 5 hours inland to Fez. Since Morocco is a Muslim country, missionaries are not permitted. Christians living there are not allowed to proselytize. But if you are asked a question you may answer it. "Just like the public schools!" my mother responded brightly when she heard this. My mom was an elementary teacher in both public and private schools. Anyway, we will be working with orphans and disabled children doing crafts and skits. The people here think it a great disgrace for a child to be born out of wedlock so children are rarely allowed to remain with their mothers but are placed in orphanages. Sometimes the little girls are adopted into families to be servants ..... some fall into prostitution. I want one of those little girls ... I have already named her Paloma (it is a Spanish name that means 'dove')... now that would be a miracle. Morocco will not adopt out their children to Christians. There are also a high number of disabled children in orphanages because, all though this is changing, people here tend to believe that a disabled child is a sign of God's judgement on a family and this is a great embarrassment. We will also have some social time with the Moroccan women. Apparently they look forward to getting out of the house and maybe sharing some crafts.

'

So what a difference a day has made and yet .... I have a long standing goal to get to Spain and maybe run, not a gin joint but a small hotel ... and Morocco is in the vicinity.

Anger Management

This is a clever bit of work from the Knit Shop. When I think of an octopus I think about a spirit of vengeance ..... someone has wronged me and there is something that wants to pound them into the ground and pay them back seven times ... or maybe eight. The little twerp. Such times we need the Spirit of God to seep into those wounded places of the heart and we need to hand the situation over to him ...."Vengeance is mine, says the Lord." and he really does a much better job of it and we remain in a safe place until the storm has passed.

'

The times I have lashed out in anger I have said things that not only put my opponent in a bad light but myself as well. The measure of forgiveness we use will be measured back to us and no one wants their faults put under a microscope. So refrain from wrath and retaliation. Anger is a justified emotion but untempered and unmanaged it can lead to helter skelter. Love and pray for your enemies. I have come to believe that God gives us enemies because there are folks that need prayer and we wouldn't think to do it if they never troubled us. The Scriptures tell us that we battle not against flesh & blood but against evil spiritual forces. This does not absolve personal responsibility. Finally when you see God rebuke or deal with your assailant turn away and do not gloat for then God will need to deal with you.