Turtle Tuesdays: Out of the Box!

Meet B, the messenger turtle. She is not a big part of the story today. Actually she never is: ) She is truly just a reporter, sharing the things she has seen and heard from God. B felt compelled to share this good news story with you.

Four homeless men came to our worship service at Flounders Restaurant on Pensacola Beach Sunday. The problem was they arrived a tad late. They overslept and the service had already ended. I recognized one of them immediately as he removed his sunglasses. Sean had attended our services earlier in the summer. Several people offered them water and snacks. I decided to stop what I was doing and visit with them.

While we were talking, an image of this shoe box flashed across my mind. My friend Laura had given me a brand new pair of running shoes to share with someone in need. I had passed out lots of school clothes in the Village a few weeks ago where I serve, but I held on to this box. I felt these shoes were supposed to go to someone homeless. I inquired about their shoe sizes. Sean was the 'Cinderella' in this story. The shoes would fit him!

When I returned from my car with the shoe box in hand, Sean and his friend were at a table crying. "What's wrong?" I asked. They had a story to tell B. Sean had thrown away his old worn out tennis shoes before they came to our worship service. These homeless men realized God wasted no time providing new shoes for him. I was floored hearing this and so were they. B'ing a good reporter, I realized there was MORE to this shoe story.

"Sean " I stated, "God is after you! You better let Him catch you, because you can't outrun Him!" He hugged me with tears stinging his eyes. You see, Sean did not really miss the message by b'ing late on Sunday. God spoke to him 'out of the box'. Sean knew it too. I believe the Lord was smiling the whole time. God gave Sean some running shoes in case he wants to run from His plans for his life, knowing they will never be fast enough. God has not finished His story with Sean. I pray one day B, the messenger turtle can share the rest of his story.

Sean's story reminds me of this truth. We can run but we cannot hide! He sees and knows ALL.

God, investigate my life; get all the facts
firsthand. I'm an open book to
you;even from a distance, you know what I'm
thinking. You know when I leave
and when I get back;I'm never out of your
sight. You know everything I'm
going to say before I start the first
sentence. I look behind me and you're
there,then up ahead and you're
there, too — your reassuring presence, coming
and going. This is too much,
too wonderful — I can't take it all in! Is
there anyplace I can go to
avoid your Spirit?to be out of your sight? If I
climb to the sky, you're
there!If I go underground, you're there! If I flew
on morning's wings to
the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute —
you're already there
waiting! (from THE MESSAGE) Psalm 139 1-10

B His Girl

Turtle Tuesday: Are you from Sirius?

If you think B, the turtle is clowning around on Turtle Tuesday, keep reading. Things are not always as they appear. Today B shares part of a funny story God used to speak to her. Actually it wasn't funny at the time. It was serious. Very serious.

B was working in the world when she made a stop at a stranger's house. She noticed the older man with the Einstein like gray hair sitting outside in his lawn chair immediately. At first glance, she thought he was taking a nap. The moment her foot touched his driveway, his eyes popped open . B only needed to ask him a question and she would b on her way. This man clearly had other ideas. He wanted to talk to B more. She was trying to be nice but she felt uncomfortable as he rose from his chair. He began walking toward her as he gazed into her eyes. He was invading her comfort zone big time! The man told B he had been time traveling. ( Yes, he said time traveling. )B didn't know how to respond to his comment but she was getting a clearer picture of the situation she had walked upon. With her hair sticking straight up on her neck, just like it did when she saw Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, B wanted to hide! The man said "Can I ask you a question?" B nodded her head as she kept backing up trying to keep some distance between them. "Are you from Sirius?" he asked . B's voice shook as she answered "No". Then he began talking about B's white, snake like teeth. He knew she must be from Sirius. B freaked out. She bolted from his driveway and recovered from her 'encounter' in her locked car.

This man had some mental issues B was not prepared to handle. She was thankful it all ended well and prayed for him. His intention was not to harm B. After the initial scare, she began to see the humor in it. She does have a couple of sharp pointed teeth. (B looking for them in an upcoming video: ) To add to his case about her b'ing from Sirius... her name means 'alien'. There is also a star called Sirius B. And to take this thought further, this turtle is also called to let her light shine before men. Mayb he could see more than she realized. Hmmm. Mayb he wasn't as off the mark as she thought.

B was sharing her 'from Sirius' story with a friend. It is funny now, but a strange thing happened one day while B was pondering this story. God invaded B's space. He came close to her and whispered, "Are you from serious B?" B immediately knew what the Lord was asking her. You see, B, the turtle, is called to be 'out there' shinning her light in a dark world. The only way she can B what she is called to b is to focus. She needs to draw closer to Jesus and fix her gaze on Him. The Lord is serious about His call on her life. She can't run away and lock herself in her shell. She has prayed about what God wants her to do.

B answered, " I'm from serious Lord." B, the turtle girl, is serious.

Today, the Lord wants you to ponder this question in His call to follow Him.

Are you from serious too?

B His Girl