Guests:
Karen & Terry Batts tell stories starting from “Forgiveness Builds
Character.” Theme: Kindness Builds
Character – Series 15
Proverbs
11:17 “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on
themselves.” Max Lucado quoted, “When
you extend hospitality to others, you’re not trying to impress people, you’re
trying to reflect God to them.”
I
would like to share Karen’s Batt’s story that is a tremendous example of
kindness builds character as well as forgiveness builds character. I want to thank Karen for sharing with us
because it will glorified God when we finished reading the stories.
Reading this one last Saturday....Romans
2:1-11......bring another clear point of contact.....so happened
which I will point out as the Lord told me to add this event which had happen
over the weekend.......two of our neighbors had been force to moved out....all
of our neighbors had a sharp eyes on what had been and huge talking in row had
taken place. Three neighbors had been talking to Cyndy who lives next
door to us, and she strongly suggested that they pay me a visit and ask the
same questions which they had asked her.
The happening: The Landlords to
these two houses/homes having been behaving mean and strong demanding....and
one had broke the Illinois Laws on timing frame of moving out. One landlord had
boosting about how she is a "Christian person"......but nothing would
fit it’s "Christian Characters" and most of the neighbors have been
looking and viewing her behaviors. They all can hear what she saying....which I
could hear but I cannot understand what was said....
Holy Spirit told me to cut their
grass, pick up all the trash, clean out the garage which appearing very dirty
and smelling! Even asked me to go in and do their dishes which was four days of
dishes and mountains high of dishes that needed packing. Which Terry and I had
done and at times were overwhelmed by the work that was set before us! With
praying and asking for forgiving how this land and house/garage was treated and
prayed that God our Father would speak to the couple who lived like
this......and GOD DID SPEAK TO THEM! I even was asked to pray right now for
their request and I did loud voice with kindness and tenderness requesting
this would be turn around in their favor as You are so Merciful and so Kind!
And He did! He gave them what they had asked for!
Now the neighbors who had questions
about why we helped them when they were living trashy and did not respected our
neighborhood as we all strives to keep our area clean....Holy Spirit which that
voice I know very clear...told me to open go to Romans 2:1-11..explain
that it keeps me in line with the Holy Bible and keep us in Good Fruits as we
both are in The Vine and we are the Branches...bearing Good Fruits....helping
those who really did need help. After reading this verses from Romans
2:1-11....the neighbors said that woman (Landlord) who said she is a
"Christian", and a horrible landlord doesn’t have this stuff dwelling
in her as this book said you are to do! But you both (my husband and me)
never told anyone that you were "Christians" but it is clear you both
are! Humbled I was direct by the Holy Spirit to show them two more
verses... by their fruit, you shall know them. Matthew 7:20
to him that knoweth to do good and
does it not....to him, it is sin! James 4:17
This neighborhood has seen us doing
other people yard work, snow removable, leaves pick up, trash pick up (we are
in the area where there are several raccoons, owls, crows, squirrels and
cats! )They do make a mess on trash day. Giving our mail carriers and trash
guys, candy and drinks daily/weekly....we give them verses and words of
encouragement with smiles and love to them directly..... our neighbors are
watching us.
Let us therefore be doer of
the Word instead of hearer of the Word..James 1:22-25 ....as you
never know who may be watching!
In this Forgiveness Builds
Character...is set in many ways.....this events that has happen to us,
did build us, Terry and myself up, along with the renters and the neighbors to
see this verses in action done in humble way.....indeed build up a stronger
neighborhood and kindness has been seen in action. We both LOVE how the Holy
Spirit quietly worked in us....when we felt over worked....see God Hand at
work. We both were so glad that our mouth were quiet and our action was
"loud". May God be glorified in this neighborhood! God
is interesting in everything that is happening in our neighborhood and indeed
interesting in us Building Character to will draw people to Him.
I will added the raccoon with cat on
our street that is one house from us. It will be into another email as I don’t
know how to add attachment! Sorry! Enjoy!
Your brother and sister in the
Lord,
Karen and Terry Batts
PS.
There is one more.......here it is
One of my neighbor came over and
started to ask
"where are you from?"
"How you
meet each other? "
"Why
you guys are here?"
So
to answer the questions.....we both show pictures of us going to school when we
were very young.....and gone to Jacksonville, Illinois School for the Deaf and
got married, show where we first lived, and where we raised our daughters for
school years, and "retired" here, where we are now.
"But
why are you here in this location!?" You lived in very good area and in
fast growing area...now you in "dead end" area!
Had
to explain that our health had taken a downturn and we needed to be closer to
our daughters so we are in their care....lo behold! We got triplets for great
grand kids and they lives three houses up from us.....that alone taking a lot
of energy to keep up!
Questions
still asking ... but you took a step down from where you lived for 38 years and
you brought it new! Both of us looked and telling more of why we really
here!
We
are send by God to be here! God asked both of us if we Dare to
TRUST Him! Yes this is the step down but what a wonderful feeling about
trusting God in providing that feeling of very satisfied life this area gave
both of us. Wonderful people working hand in hand.....this is the best place
for us as we have a voice to work with....this area where we are now at … had
problems that no one would listen to them...God open the door to us and used us
to voice our concerns and many things are now starting to change! Those
who Dare to Trust God always in the Center of His Will. All Terry and I
want to be is in the Center of His Will.....even if it is step down in
locations, step down in people, step down to quality of life.....the main Key
is to BRING SOULS BACK TO THE FATHER....ONLY BY JESUS CHRIST. God LOVES these
people! So do we!
SUBMITTING TO THE HIGHER POWER IS NEVER
A STEP DOWN...This world not our home....we just in harvesting in souls.
What a HARVEST!
This area is our calling....forgiveness
was a start....several were in bitter feeling toward each other. Moving into
helping in grass cutting, leaves raking, snow cleaning, trash pickup and such
as doing dishes for other....end up being
sowing the Kindness of God.
What a life! Dare to TRUST GOD really a
price of work! But we would NOT trade this life for another!
Karen and Terry Batts
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