Category: Faith and Spirituality

Water- life’s greatest need

How important is water? It’s what we all need every day #Jesus#wells#safewater#CHaRA

John, chapter 4, MEV, Modern English Version 

  Now it was necessary that He (Jesus)  go through Samaria. 
 Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, therefore, being exhausted from His journey, sat down by the well. 
A woman of Samaria came there to draw water.
a community well built and donated by a relief agency and donated
Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 
 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?”
For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
“Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water that I shall give him will become in him a well of water springing up into eternal life.”
The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
Scripture taken from the Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

About the pictures

 I photographed these Zanzibar women drawing water from a well when I travelled there with a medical team to assist CHaRA Mission. CHaRA is
“a USA faith based 501(c)(3) organization focused on the needs of people, especially children, mothers, babies and midwives in rural villages, where resources are limited and hope is deferred.”
CHaRA’s projects include construction, health, and relief.
It’s mission is  to improve the lives of the people of East Africa through
  • good health,
  • safe water,
  • education,
  • care of orphans, and
  • the love of God.”
I felt honored and privileged to use my medical knowledge and skill to assist the founders of CHaRA and the beautiful people they are helping.
group of people sitting under a tree
villagers waiting for the relief outreach  activities  by CHaRA
group of people, some in African garb
our team from Oklahoma with the Tanzanians we worked with

 

 Please share with someone you know who might be interested in volunteering to help CHaRA. Maybe it’s you!

man and woman next to a wooden boat on a beach
My husband and I enjoying the beach on our last day in Zanzibar

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faith, hope, and love. 

Dr. Aletha 

FAITH LOVE HOPE
These three remain, faith, hope and love, and greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13( Lightstock.com image)

 

 

 

 

 

A Sword and A Shield

The content discusses the spiritual battle against evil forces, emphasizing the importance of wearing the “armor of God” for protection. It outlines essential components like truth, justice, faith, and God’s message as tools for defense. The text also mentions Saint John Cassian, a historical figure noted for his mystical writings.

The Fight against Evil

10 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 

11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 

12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 

13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.

statue of an ancient soldier with an old clock
photo origin-Lightstock.com

14 Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. 

15 Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. 

16 Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

17 Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.

Ephesians 6 
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
the foe is within us, quote John Cassian
graphic developed by Lightstock.com

Saint John Cassian was a monk and theologian. Born in the region of Scythia Minor (today’s Romania and Bulgaria). As a member of a wealthy family, he received a classical education, learning Latin and Greek). He died in Marseille in 435. He is celebrated in both the Western and Eastern Christian Churches for his mystical writings.

Other quotes by John Cassian 

The Armor of God – a Bible study by Priscilla Shirer 
WAR ROOM-PRAYER IS A POWERFUL WEAPON

“Join Priscilla Shirer of War Room for a Bible study that will bring to light the war around you and challenge you to sit up, stand firm, and secure victory in your life. “

 

 

 

Exploring the HEART of Health

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