#gileadites

[grandpadinosaur]

Spanish Shibboleth

1937:At the beginning of October, President Rafael Trujillo of the Dominican Republic ordered his soldiers to round up Haitians living on the Dominican side of the border between the two countries. To distinguish between Creole-speaking Haitians and Spanish-speaking Dominicans, the soldiers would hold up a sprig of parsley and ask, What is this? Those who could not roll the “r” of the Spanish…

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[marialives4christ]

Take Initiative and be Grateful

Judges 12:2-3 NIV

Jephthah answered, "I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn't save me out of their hands. When I saw that you wouldn't help, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave me the victory over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?"

Ephraim clan fought against Gileadites. They questioned Jephthah that they fought the Ammonites without calling them. They were jealous with the victory that the Gileadites receive because they are not part of it. Jephthah answered them the above scripture.

Maybe Ephraim already knew that there will be a battle between the Ammonites. But they are expecting that the Gileadites will call them and ask for help. Both of these clans were oppressed by the Ammonites. It might be that the Gileadites dont have much time in telling it to the Ephraim clan or maybe they are expecting that Ephraim will help them without telling them.

If we really want to help someone we must have an initiative to make the first move without waiting for the person to call us. We need to be humble and swallow our pride. This incident could have been avoided. A lot of Ephraim clan died.

Having an initiative to help someone is not everyone's strength. Sometimes we dont know how to determine if the person already needs help. But we can work on it and being more observant with the needs of others will really help rather than focusing ourselves with ME and OUR OWN NEED. Jesus life on earth is always focus on the needs of others. He wants to serve rather than to be serve. People's needs first rather than His own.

Another point is being humble when someone gets the reward or victory rather than being jealous. We maybe happy sometimes but deep inside we felt jealous. Telling ourselves, "It should have been me getting that reward." We wants to be the one being recognized. And all these jealousy will eat you up. It is a sin to be jealous or envious with someone. We can change our mindset to always feel grateful about things instead. As for me, this is my conviction, "As long as I did my best whether I win or lose, I already attain victory because I did my best. Working with all my heart as working for the Lord, pleases my Heavenly Father in heaven. His smile is already my reward that is more valuable than any rewards in this world."