NPCC - Streams of Living Water - Inspirational thoughts

After being to a party and working for four hours to compile a CD for a friend (I did not go to sleep until 7am) I did not think that I would make it to church for 11am but I did. I was anxious to hear the second part of the implications of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well and her encounter with Jesus Christ (Book of St. John in New Testament) .

The sermon was presented by Matthew Sweeting (I used to play soccer with him in high school at Queens College). His message primarily dealt with people wearing masks and appearing to be perfect when God knows that we are broken and can only work with us as long as we decide to appear broken to him and each other. It was amazing how his message paralleled my earlier morning experience because I was wondering what to wear to church and how it would be perceived. I decided to put on my washed out clothes, tired jeans, flip-flops, dress comfortable, and not be ashamed of how I look or care about what others think. Last week I got several compliments on my matching outfit and Brazilian shirt but I did look good. Today I was tired and wearing no masks. God is good.

Last week I dropped a stranger to town after church and gave him $15 that I had originally intended to give the church but I decided to give $100 (tithes in arrears) at the offertory. What inspired me was that God had prepared my heart to be in a giving mood and the stranger needed someone to provide him with transportation and funds. I am usually very stingy with money and I don't usually give ride to strangers. Once again God used people, even me when I least expect him to aid someone else in his or her daily physical/spiritual walk.