Pruned

Sometimes, don't you feel liked you've just been pruned?

The ice storms the past 10 days dropped several limbs and branches from our aus-trees. The aus-tree is a hybrid willow, and their branches were all down to the ground, loaded with ice. After the melt, many are broken down. It's been a long clean-up. Many years ago my son went out after a similar ice storm and broke some of the ice off the branches off, and those branches died. We don't let him out anymore.

This reminded me of John 15:2, where Jesus is talking about the vine and the branches. We've all heard sermons on this verse. The branches that get cut off were still ones He called "in me". They were part of the vine. They just didn't produce fruit. That has to be a scary thought for some of today's "Christians".

Still more. He prunes the ones that are fruitful, to be more fruitful. We should each pray to be pruned, to be more productive for our King.

Daniel

I have a very good friend who lives in a shantytown outside of Lima, Peru. He has a huge heart and a big grin. I have spent two weeks with him, one last year and one this year. But we will be friends until the Lord returns. Daniel is nine years old.

He lives in an area that is all sand and hills, next to the Pacific Ocean. The area gets about an inch of rain each year. The homes might be made of wood pallets, or old bricks, or wood boards. Some have concrete floors, and some have dirt. Some roofs are metal or fiberboard, and some only blue tarp. Most have electricity.

The children in this area might get two meals each day if they are lucky. Some families live on a dollar a day, and may be gone for days, living their children alone.

Daniel has eyes that have seen sorrow, and reflect a nervousness that comes with an uncertain life. He also has a mischievous side, as all nine year old boys do. His smile is a 1000 watts. He likes to be tickled, and to play soccer. Despite having two sisters and two brothers, his two cousins, Arianna and Nicole, are his best friends.

I have learned lessons about love and life and God in the time I spent with Daniel. I have pictures of us together, and a bracelet and picture he made for me. The last time I saw Daniel of Peru , he had stopped running after a long chase of our bus down the hill. A solitary figure watching his friend leave.

As the New Year comes, please take the time to stop and pray for Daniel. As you watch the celebrations around the world this week, know that the world that God sent us is so much bigger than just our daily lives. There are places that need God's love and grace that still need workers in the harvest.

It Would Mean Nothing

The birth of our Savior is what we celebrate. Can you imagine being a shepherd trying to describe to your family and friends that you saw multitudes of angels, saying the much anticipated savior was being born that night. A bright, magnificent star burning for almost two years, guiding some learned men from a far country. A young girl who never knew her husband sexually, pregnant with child. That same husband staying by her side and not divorcing her, after an angel explained everything to him. And, finally, God on the earth, 100% human and 100% God, in the body of a baby.

That's what we celebrate. But it would mean nothing if it wasn't for the fact that 33 years later, that same baby, 100% human and 100% God, would be hung on a cross as a man, to die for our sins. Christmas gets its real meaning because of the cross.

When you reflect on that night in Bethlehem this Christmas, also reflect on that Friday on the cross. Know that you're saved because of it.

Merry Christmas.

Shepherds, Magi and Donkeys

The night of Jesus' birth, why did the angels proclaim the glad tidings to only the shepherds? Why not to the governor, or to the merchants? It was because the shepherds were considered the lowest of the low, and it was the pure faith of such as these that would carry his kingdom. Why, later, did the Magi appear to the child? Because the Magi were wise men, but they were seekers of knowledge. A lesson about how we should seek Him.

The wise men were not present at Jesus' birth, but visited Him sometime up to two years later. The Bible never mentions Mary riding a donkey to Bethlehem. Probably pretty hard for a pregnant girl. It is more likely she rode in a wagon. Do you know, O Christian, that a stable in never mentioned in the Bible? It mentions a manger, a feeding trough, that he was placed in. Early traditions thought he was born in a cave, which were commonly used as stables. Did you know that an inn in those days was usually just the second floor of someone's home, not a commercial establishment.

Not quite the nativity we think of, right?

There are so many things in the Bible, or things taught about God, that we think we know. But how many are right? Or are they like these Christmas facts, not exactly right. It is up to us, to read the Word and know what it teaches. Don't take a friend's idea, or even what your pastor thinks, as gospel. Test it your self, and prove it right in the Word.

Like the Wind

The wind is an interesting force of nature. It can pack the power of an explosion, destroying things in its way. It can fill the snapping sails to propel a boat across the water, or make a kite dance in the sky. It can soothe on a hot summer day, lightly caressing the skin.

No one knows where it comes from. No one can see it. But you can see the effects of the wind, and you can feel the wind. It's alot like God in that way. You can't see Him but you can see His effect on things. And you can feel Him, His presence, calming you or pushing you along.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "ruach" means spirit or wind, the breath of God. David used it in one of my favorite verses, Psalm 51:10-11, "Create in me a clean heart, O God..........take not your ruach from me". The New Testament Greek for Holy Spirit is "pneuma", wind, to lift up.

Be uplifted today by God's wind, by His Spirit. Revel in it, and let it guide you on the path God wants you.

Just Stop and Think

Just Stop and Think is a great little 15 minute video by Francis Chan. Great way to get a conversation going with a seeker, non-believer, a believer seeking the world, etc. Check it out at:

http://www.juststopandthink.com/


Tell me what you think.

My Jesus

In today's society and in Christianity itself, many gloss over who Jesus was and how He ministered. The scriptures talk about Jesus going to Pharisees homes for dinner. He talked to a woman who was considered an enemy of Jews. He went places we never would dare today, and associated with people we never would.

The following are lyrics to My Jesus by Todd Agnew. A real prayer for the humble today. Try to find this song, it's even better heard than read-

Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ
Then why do you look so much like the world?

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant
So which one do you want to be?

Blessed are the poor in spirit
Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins
He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the rich
So which one do you want to be?

Who is this that you follow
This picture of the American dream
If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins
But the Word says He was battered and scarred
Or did you miss that part
Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and the least of these
He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable
So which one do you want to be?

Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet
But He reaches for the hurting and despises the proud
I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd
And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud

I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

Not a poster child for American prosperity, but like my Jesus
You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity
I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus
Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me
Can I be like You Jesus?
I want to be like you Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

repost

Abide

Fear seems to be the word of the day. Fear of the automaker's bailout. Fear of the banks and the stock market. Fear of the new president. Fear of war in the Middle East, or between India and Pakistan, or a new cold war with Russia.

Fear and worry means that we don't think God is big enough or powerful enough to take care of our situations. When things look grim, or an international scale or in your own home, we need to rest in Him.

One of my favorite King James words is abide. Abide in me, and I in you. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

To me, abide not only feels like a place to live, but talks of a place of rest. No fear, just laying close to the Lord, surrounded by His wings of protection.

Don't be afraid. Abide.

Extreme Makeover

Ty Pennington and gang were on the other night. I enjoy watching that show.It's amazing how they can rebuild a house in that time frame. Most of the houses have a bad roof or bad foundation. There might have no siding or moldy windows. They demo the old house, and build a new one. Roomier, fireplaces and always hardwood floors. A new creation.

There also have been plenty of make-over shows for people on over the years. Lipo, new teeth and a tuck or lift here or there. It might be a remodeled exterior, but underneath still the same person. But that's the way our society is, all about the outside. One exception might be the Biggest Loser, where they teach and try to change life habits about food and health. Still, it's not about changing their character, what's inside.

Some people try to take that approach with God. Look good for my church or in public, but no real meat and potatoes relationship with the Lord. Great paint and siding, but still a bad foundation and leaky windows. Good curb appeal, but a mess inside.

I know, I talked about a similar theme in Dead Tree, Live Tree . I just feel this is important is the current state of Christianity.

What to do? Follow Ty Pennington's lead. Demo the old, in this case the old man as the Bible says. Become a new creation. You might not get to go to Disney World during the process, but the reward is eternal. A mansion in the new heaven.

Move that bus!

Walking in the Dark

My home is back a long lane, more than a half mile. The lane wanders through the woods and over a creek, round a bend by the woods and thicket, and up to the house. One of our favorite winter activities in to take a walk after dark down the lane, over the creek and through the woods.

The snow crunches under your feet, and the golden retriever darts through legs and trees, stopping to sniff and dig. As you enter the woods the trees rise on both sides, but the lighter sky is above and straight ahead. It makes the woods look like a valley. It's dark on both sides, lighten only by the snow on the ground. We try not to use a flashlight- some nights the moon wash guides us. You can only see shadows and shapes.

It's an interesting feeling. The adrenaline of not being able to know if there are animals nearby watching us, of the unknown. And the peace and calmness of the still night. It always reminds me of a verse-

Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I fear no evil- for God is with me, His rod and staff will comfort me-

Peace in the midst of the unknown. A walk with God is like that.

Solomon- God's Greatest Disappointment ?

God is sovereign. He knows what happens before it happens. He can see past, present and future at the same time. I wonder if He can be disappointed.

If He can, I wonder if Solomon was God's biggest disappointment. Here was the son of David, a man after God's own heart. God appeared to him twice. God was so pleased with Solomon's request for wisdom that He blessed him with great wisdom. He watched him become a great and wise king.

Then He saw him turn his back. Solomon worshiped other gods. His love for his wives was greater than his love for God.(we won't go into the fact that women caused his problems). He failed to walk with God as David had. His people, who had clamored for a king before Saul, now had the kingdom split because of Solomon. In the end, Solomon turned away from God and God divided the kingdom he had given David.

Lessons here? Don't have 700 wives. More importantly, be evenly yoked. Another, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind- keep Him first.

Any other lessons here?

Fallow Again

Fallow ground can be a good thing. When the ground is not tilled or planted and just left to rest for a season, it is called fallow ground. It was important enough to leave ground fallow that the Israelites were commanded to leave the land unplanted for one year each 7^th year.

But fallow ground can be a bad thing as well. Today the Conservation Reserve Program can keep acres out of production for up to 10 years. The rain falls and lays, and the sun bakes it hard. Weeds grow, are mowed short, then grow again. There is no tilling, no planting or weeding, and no harvest. When it’s finally put back in production, it takes some time and work to get it producing.

Sometimes we Christians are like fallow ground. Occasionally we need a season of rest. We need a time to pray and wait on the Lord without ministry responsibilities. If we are Christians we have ministry responsibilities.

Christians can also be like the hard fallow ground as well. We know all the scriptures and sermons. Trials have beaten us down, or beaten us hard, or both. Weeds grow in our life, but they are trimmed to respectability, not hoed out. We aren’t producing. There are many fields of this type ground filling the pews every Sunday.

My prayer for myself and each one of us is that we allow God to be our farmer. Let Him refresh you while you wait and rest in Him. Or, let Him plow you anew. Let Him break up that hard crust on your topsoil, fertilize, and plant new seed in you. He will water and nuture so you can be fruitful again.

Reposted for someone that needs to hear it.

Intimacy

No deep relationship can last unless there is intimacy. This intimacy takes several forms, but some is needed. Holding hands with a spouse or a knowing glance. Knowing the dreams and being there for the life lessons of your children. The familiar voice or shared secrets of a dear friend. Real intimacy is something that is developed by spending time with that person, to know how and what they think and feel.

Do we really feel intimate with God? Do we tell Him our innermost thoughts? Do we long to spend time with Him? Do we ache to learn more of Him?

That's what He wants from us. Intimacy. The intimacy of a spouse, of a child, of a friend. He is the creator of the stars and the ants, and the painter of the skies and the mountains.

And He wants to spend time with us.

Dead Tree, Live Tree

It's time to put up the Christmas trees. The smell of the tree and the beauty of its decorated branches can make the oldest person feel like a kid again.

I have apple trees in my lawn. This is a pretty slow time for them. There are no leaves, and no apples. Even though they are still living, it's all going on under the surface. They've been pruned, and are looking bare. In winter, not the most beautiful tree.

But now is the season for the Christmas tree. The tree gets a makeover with tinsel and ornaments, with ribbons and stars. But inside the tree is dead. Isn't it funny that we dress up a dead tree? In a couple of weeks or in a month, it will be gone.

Does this remind you of any Christians? If we let God prune us, we can be exposed and bare at times. But His life is still working in us, and in His time, we will bring forth fruit.

Or, we can just dress up what is dead, knowing that some day it will be thrown out, and burnt up.