Archives for September 2012

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Apple Picking in the South

We Southerners require creativity to welcome in the fall; especially considering central and southern Floridans. We substitute artificial leaves and pumpkins for the real deal, and burn Pumpkin Spice candles hoping the fragrance will bring on a cold-front for the Friday night football game. Any excuse to wear a jean jacket and cowboy boots will do as well. Not to mention the obsession with seasonal drinks and forgoing the swimming pool just because it is September!

Now I think I have hit an all-time low, or high, in spurring on the season: taking the kids apple picking at the local Publix “orchard.”

We observed and identified over seven varieties of the 7,500 available world-wide and also acquired the finest apple butter and apple chips that the Publix harvest boasts. To say we had a bushel-full would be a stretch, but the tasting party was quite fun.

We also put our local selection to use as an alternative paint brush.

keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

~Proverbs 7:2

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,

~Psalm 17:8

Our “farm to table” (maybe that’s farm to factory to table) pickings were first read about in the following books:

A note to parents: the last two books, especially the later, present a time frame for the origin of earth being within the last two million years. I believe that the Bible teaches a younger earth: roughly 6,000-10,000 years old. Rather than avoiding these books, I use such statements to demonstrate that not all “facts” in non-fiction genres are factual, but can be biased beliefs or assumptions based on the worldview of the author.

We also watched this childhood favorite, The Legend of Johnny Appleseed.

Finally, these two books make nice additions to the mix:

Looking at all the beautiful apple skins, smells, and textures of the inner flesh of the apple, I marvel that David prayed for God to keep us as the apple of His eye. Ponder the thousands of varieties of apples compared with the uniqueness of man. What does the science behind mere apples suggest about our Savior, His creativity, His scope of knowledge and the glory due His name?

Now grab a cart and get to picking!

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Where to Look for Help



Often when we are in need of emotional or physical help our eyes shift from one problem to another. The Bible tells us that our help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

On Thursday’s, we venture into God’s creation as a family. Gazing at the intricate details of blooms, blossoms, and bugs turns my thoughts towards God’s creative genius. Is it any wonder that genius and Genesis- a word that means beginning– look so similar? God’s creative genius was the genesis that set our world in motion. With his spoken word He created all that our eyes see…and all that they are unable to see.

 

Cardinal Flower

American Beauty Bush

Palmetto

God does not despise a contrite heart for that is the heart that He delights to use. When we are downcast, and in need of help, our gaze should look up for strength, help, and direction from the Maker of all that we see before us.

If, in trying times we focus on that which is our obstacle then our self-pity may get the better of us and defeat will be our mantra. However, if we lift up our eyes to the LORD we see the One who has overcome sin and death on our behalf, and He will faithfully guide us in the path of righteousness and wisdom. We are to lift our eyes up, then walk in His ways.

No work is too great for the God who has created everything from nothing. Let’s lift our eyes today friends.

*The beautiful plant photography is complements of Ron.

 

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A Daily Reminder

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. ~Psalm 119:130

Psalm 119 is a rich text which teaches the why of reading, memorizing, and meditating on scripture. When we stray from reading God’s words and memorizing His commands we dull the Sword of the Spirit in our own lives thus placing ourselves at risk of succumbing to temptation, seeking selfish gain, and forgetting why we are here.

Continually we must remind ourselves this home is temporary; God’s word is the perfect daily reminder.

Home is a place called heaven.

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No Second Chance at Today

The presence of eager anticipation filled the car as we piled in and buckled up. Thoughts of donuts and coffee prompted us to press on even as we realized we had left the coupons in the house. Sunday we drove together to Sunday morning services for the first time as a family. Certainly other pastors and their families can attest this is a special treat as pastors most often arrive earlier and stay later than the congregation. To celebrate the occasion we promised the children Dunkin’ Donuts for breakfast if they were dressed with little complaining and were in the car on time.

Success!

The pictured trip was from our last donut stop while visiting family in Alabama; but viewing these images while contemplating the question Emily posed yesterday, solidifies the point of our temporary status even more.

“Mom, will we ever have another day like this one?” Emily quipped the question while we were enjoying a “game” of checkers in the church library prior to its hours of operation.

“No, not exactly like this one. We are going to come with Daddy to church early some weeks, but no day will be exactly like this one again. ”

Elements of our days are the same but an exact replica of today will never be experienced; be it good or bad.

This day, the people we encounter,  and the circumstances mulling in our mind will pass only to be visited in our memories during our finite time on earth. This begs the question: Are we setting our gaze on eternity so that the decisions we make, the discipline that we provide, and the memories that we create will make a difference in the lives we impact? Or, are we pressing the present enjoyments and neglecting the future good?

There is never a second chance at today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you that you are both the Alpha and the Omega: the beginning and the end. Thank you that you see and know all that encompasses our every minute: past, present, and future. Thank you Lord that in light of eternity you bless us with today. Help us to transcend the temporary and press the points that matter for eternity be it a gentle process or disciplinary in nature. We ask this for your glory and our good.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Water Sports in Heaven?

 

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. ~Mark Twain

Earlier this week we enjoyed a great day on the lake with a beautiful family. While out tubing Emily asked her daddy, “Do you want to do this in heaven?” I offer a hearty yes!

Enjoy your weekend friends! We serve the God-man who walks on water and calms the sea.

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Talking to Children After the Death of a Loved One


Emotions surrounding death weather sudden or expected are difficult for adults to process let alone little hearts who are not accustomed to the pain of loss.

Our pain may manifest itself in anger, withdrawal, or a lack of focus. Theirs may or may not look similar. Underneath whatever behavior is on display are little hurting hearts that miss their grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, friends, or siblings.

How do we talk to these hearts at their greatest point of need? How do we address their fears and feelings? I would offer, with much prayer, affection, and an open posture towards talking about the deceased.

Recently we had a family member pass away very unexpectedly. While our youngest doesn’t truly understand death at this point, or maybe this loss wasn’t close enough to impact him very much, our oldest is having difficulty letting go.

I have found it helpful for her to express her emotions by asking God to, “Please tell Mrs. Carol that I love her and I miss her and thank you for the presents you gave me.” She has also drawn her many cards and played with the toys that were gifts from Mrs. Carol.

This summer we helped the kids to memorize the 23rd Psalm. In this passage David states: “Event though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” As we state this passage often I sense that our children will one day draw strength and comfort from these words. This perhaps is a good time for us to expand on what these verses are saying.

In the midst of death, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is with us. He comforts us and extends His mercies toward us. The 23rd Psalm may be a source of comfort for your children as they walk through the days in the valley.

Finally, reading stories about death provides a window in which we express, “This is a good time to talk about how you are feeling.” These are the books that we found helpful to our children in dealing with loss:

We will not always have the most eloquent words to say to little hurting hearts; that is not the point. Out of our overflow of grief and sympathy  it is most important that we are open to communicating and comforting. Being the arms that hug, the lap to sit on, and the prayer of prayers that seek comfort and wisdom, this is our gift and our strength in talking to children after they loose someone they love.

Praying the God of all comfort will comfort your heart and your child’s at your point of deepest sorrow.

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Labor and Contentment

 

Joshua Cone 2012 034

As we celebrate Labor Day, a day to honor the workers of America, there are some points of contentment for us to consider.

In Acts chapter 17, Paul is explaining to the Greeks in Athens that God placed man in his determined dwelling places at their appointed times so that they would seek after Him and find Him though He is not far from us.  God has placed us here at this time for His purposes and our good. Likewise, He has blessed us with the resources that we now posses in order that we would use them for His glory.

The resources that God has granted us are a gift from His hand that can be removed at any moment. Today as we rest from our labors, why not reflect on our present level of contentment with what we have and take time to be grateful?

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” ~Luke 12:15

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ~1 Timothy 6:6-8

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~Hebrews 13:5

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. ~Psalms 119:36-37

I am very grateful to live in the land of opportunity and freedom. I want to protect these God-given rights and offer up the sacrifice of praise to God, the giver of all good gifts, with a heart of contentment and as a worker approved.

Happy Labor Day friends! Thank you for how you serve your fellow-man and the Risen Savor with your labors. May we continue to work in such a way as to bring Him glory and our brothers and sisters good. May we serve out of a contented heart; grateful for all that we are given.

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