> Hi, Peter, Rickster writes: > Welcome to HCC discussion list. Like Max, I would consider it > a matter of serving in a variety of ways, rather than the actual ritual of > washing feet on a regular basis. <snip> loving your "one anothers" [fellow > believers] in ways that all men might observe & thereby know that you are > His disciples (Jn. 13:35). This kind of love needs to be practical. It is > serving, not just thinking or even feeling: "I love you." It is a doing > kind of love -- it helps, serves, meets needs. I concur. Outwalking/outworking in action of the inward agape love resident in us. Footwashing is humbling one self in service, rather than Adamic demand of looking to be served. As a lowly server would be "spiritual" bowing to wash some ones feet, that would place the served "as higher than oneself." A Mother, having a child sick, sits in the front room selfishly reading her "Sunday Bible Teaching", the child in the adjoining bedroom, is crying due to fever and pain. The Mother raises her eyes, glances towards the bedroom, and crys out - "I love you." But immediately returns to finishing her lesson. Something wrong w/ this picture? "I love you message" is sweet, but action reinforcing it, is sweeter and accomplishes far more. You meet a drunk on the streets. He obviously is in need. He sees his need as taping a source for his next "fix", not understanding the "fix" he is in. You have this "unexplainable love for him, inspite of him! O;>) You turn your head and walk to the other side of the street, recognizing you are limited in "your ability"? Or you reach in your purse, give him a $10. to get rid of him? Offer to buy him a meal, without the roman road message, but simply "fixing" your eyes upon him, and he plants firmly his eyes "into you" - eye to eye you allow him to "read you" and "that" true caring shines out ! Who was it wrote? I believe I will go preach a message. If necessary, I may use words? Subtly, as JGuy offered the circumspect search of ones own heart and motives - is this charitable act, "a feel good" simply for me? Well worth seeking an answer for . How does He see me? Brethren gathered in a "*Living* Room".. haha - all have desire to grow and understand Him. Everyone participating and sharing - seems to be a major component to this dynamic. But most of us are at different "mile markers" on this walk... Some honestly have juvenile understandings at this juncture (not deficiency), and the "advanced gluttons" (of which I am but one) make for an interesting mix. Will the gluttons "eat at home for we are always hungry for the deep rich things of God" - allowing the children to be fed, as they "serve"? 1 Cor 11:33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, For the strong an dominate, to bow low, allowing others to "let theirs out" without correction, and heavy hands - may just be some of the best "footwashing" I have witnessed.... But Peter, where one person only see's the assembled as a "stage" that they might perform, and strut their stuff - even in Bible Study format in the home setting - then we have IC mentality and need desperately His deliverance... Sometimes deliverance comes in folks having to walk away and be separated - Right Myrna? Then the dominate can be heard saying "Well they just don't get it." Huh? Come again! As I glean "every word" from JGuy's letters to us, I marvel at the discipline I read, as he tenderly "watches over" from a "lower seat"... That is the "footwashers heart"... While I have heard many many "great messages", well arranged and dynamically worded - from the IC - per "Faith w/out works is dead!" Love seeks NOT is own!" You got to go out there and LOVE ONE ANOTHER - class begins this Wednesday Night - meeting begins 7: PM sharp in the "Lecture Hall"... and all spectators are encouraged to attend! I marvel and yes I weep - noise vs. sound - you be the judge. JimP - footwasher in kentucky Israel has two large bodies of water. These speak a truth, for even those who can't read books... Sea of Galilee.. and Dead Sea... Love flows into the "head waters"... and flows back out "the Lower seat/end" carrying "living and life" with and in... Not so, O dead sea... Living waters flow in and are selfishly held, and that goes nowhere other than becoming dead. As dead as it's "meeting environment".. Selah! Out of your belly (inner most being - being is who you are in Christ) shall flow "life giving" waters... Sometimes we may have to address the "beaver dams" which would obstruct flow - But for the most part just "BE" who you are in Christ and Christ will flow out w/ power impacting as you go - as Terrell was speaking richly of... and Path says, that always thrills my heart - we work best from a position of REST...
