The following is a response to an e-mail that
I received from a neat mom
at Zach's grade school:

Hi M,

So good to hear from you. Yes we do have a closing date it's March 16th at both places. And then the moving service will arrive on the 17th to unload all or our stuff. It's hard to leave with so many amazing people around here, but God's made it so clear that Peoria is the right thing for now.

Keep shining His light at School!!!!

On His amazing journey,

Liz

M wrote:

Yes, Liz, I have to admit - when I met you and realized your deep spiritual roots, I was SO sad when you guys made the move.
Any advice you have for shining that light would be appreciated. You have a lot more time invested, and spiritual wisdom I'd love to learn from. I know now is crazy - but anything you have to offer - I'll take it!

Praying for you all,

Mary

Liz wrote:

M,

It's never too busy/crazy to talk about one of my favorite subjects.

I think the main piece of advice I could give it is -

Be REAL

Be TRANSPARENT

(we're not perfect or without fear, sharing our humanity draws us together)

LOVE PEOPLE

I don't love because Jesus first loved me.
(Later commentary on this outrageous statement: When I love people I don't think to myself, "Jesus loved me, so I must love this person." "I love people as a response to a changed heart.)

I don't love to fulfill an evangelical agenda.

I love because my heart desires to love.

There are so many formulas out there. I think they're all a load of CRAP.

Oops! Was that too transparent?

Jesus was so simple in His words:

Love Him, love others,

serve Him, serve others.

I used to feel so guilty that I wasn't the "present The 4 Spirtual Laws" type of person. It all seemed so pre-packaged, uncomfortable. There were the steps I needed to memorize...

then I had to find the right transition....... blah, blah, blah, blah.

By simply living your life in front of others - your light will shine.

First they see your actions.

Your ridiculous honesty in all situations will seem strange to them.

When you return to Target to pay for that marker

that didn't go throught the check-out

the light will flash.

When you take cookies to a new neighbor,

shovel your older neighbors stairs,

offer to pick up someone's kids, ........

Your compassion,

Your willing heart,

These are acts that shine.

I see my kind of life as normal, average. That's just the way I live.

But ... it's very different from the way most people live.

I also used to think that the only way to become a Christian would be to have the
"Damascus Road Experience".

But I see many people ease into faith.

Part of easing into faith is seeing consistent faith in action.

They see peace in your eyes

and hear kindness in your words.

When the waves of pain flow into their lives - you will be the one they turn to.

You will be the one who cares.

When you ask them if you can pray for their situation, they know you are real in your faith.

Not a stranger on their doorstep speaking Christianeeze.

You're a friend. (You're a friend to them and they're a friend to you.)

The beautiful thing is that you don't even try to change them.

You just love them.

You live Jesus in front of them .

An amazing thing begins to happen on this journey -

your faith strengthens .....because you see their miracle of spiritual change.

You love

..........but in the end you are loved back.

Slowly the light begins to shine in another life

It's a GOD THING.

Well, that's my sermon for today!!!! I hope this encourages you!

On His amazing journey,

Liz Barnes