Weeds

A couple weekends ago I pulled some weeds in my backyard. I've only been a homeowner for two years, and we usually have a gardener come to do our yard work. But our weeds had gotten so out of control, and the gardener was just weed-whacking them down to the roots, not pulling them all the way out. I always hear that you have to pull weeds out by the roots or else they'll just keep coming back, so I took it upon myself to pull my own weeds.

It looked like a daunting task. They were covering about 40% of the yard. But when I actually got down on my hands and knees to take care of them, I found that they were spreading weeds. Each weed was spreading out to cover about 3 square feet, but I could actually just sweep around and collect all those sprawling tendrils that were all connected to one root, pull them out by the root, and in this way I was able to clear the lawn pretty quickly. I noticed that when I pulled them out, I would feel the roots start to give, and then the whole plant would come up out of the ground whole. It was actually really satisfying! And then underneath those weeds, all my grass was still there, growing and perfect.

It made me think about "weeds" in our spiritual lives. We might think it's too hard to pull them out, but when we really address it, there might be just one root sin we can pull out and then a bunch of others will go with it. Underneath we'll find our healthy soul, still green and growing, just waiting to be exposed to the sun again after the weeds are cleared away. Is there gardening that you can do in your own spiritual life today?

Jill Addison
Online Video Producer
www.JillAddison.com

Tortured Bananas

While watching a food show one day, my husband saw the host wielding a blow torch for the purpose of caramelizing a dessert. Of course, from his vantage point, he saw a very cool toy and just needed an excuse to buy one. So, in the name of sacrifice and dedication to my love of sweets, he set out to the nearest home improvement store to acquire a blow torch suitable to his needs. In my mind, anything that is purchased in the home improvement store (other than a major appliance) is not fit for playing in the kitchen, but he saw things quite differently.

Now that he was armed, he needed something to caramelize (read: torch). He decided to test his abilities on some unsuspecting bananas. He sprinkled a little sugar on them, lit his torch (as we all took cover) and he was on his way to discovering one of our family’s favorite desserts. We never named his coveted recipe, until recently. My daughter who has a refreshing way with words, asked him to make her some “tortured bananas” – named in honor of the now infamous blow torch. My husband and I had to restrain audible belly laughs realizing that she really meant to say “torched bananas”, which of course was really just as funny. Nonetheless, the name has stuck and we love to eat tortured bananas.

As I thought of the process of torturing those bananas that transformed them into a delicious treat, I thought about my life. While I’m certain God doesn’t torture us, I do think that He sometimes allows tests in our life that feel like torture. However, we can rest assured that He’s got His eye on us and won’t let us scorch under the intense heat. Just as my husband has to watch carefully that the bananas don’t burn, so too God has His protecting hand over us. And, if we allow His work in our life, we can be transformed and exude delicious character and beauty in our life. I challenge you to embrace your trials, look for God’s guiding hand and be transformed in His image. Oh what a delight you’ll be to Him and those around you!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Cindy Schufflebarger
Author and Speaker
www.cindyshufflebarger.com

Grow in Love

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise? Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times! ~ Psalm 106

 His steadfast love endures forever! As we wrestle with obedience inspired by love as opposed to performance based on poor self image - HIS steadfast love endures forever! As we struggle with desiring loopholes for the parts of HIS word that we want to edit with the black highlighter - HIS steadfast love endures forever! When we grow impatient with the pace HE has for the transformation of our lives, as opposed to the magical overnight fix we might really want - HIS steadfast love endures forever.

 In the face of HIS love, there is only praise and trust. In the face of HIS request for obedience, there is a deeper understanding of why it matters so much to our God. It matters because our Lord desires the best for us. He desires a deepening of character and love from us. In order for that to be a collaborative effort we have the opportunity for our lives to follow HIS guidelines, just as a plant follows the rules (slats) of a trellis.

 When plants that need a trellis don’t get one, two horrible things happen: 1) the fruit rots on the ground and 2) the root system is shallow. We are much the same, until we are willing to follow the loving guidelines of our Jesus, as outlined in scripture; we live without legacy fruit and a dissatisfaction of our shallow relationship with Christ.

 Perhaps today is the day to dive into the heart of Christ in a new way; meditating and treasuring the Word; especially the Promise Scriptures that are attached to a request for obedience. This spiritual discipline can become a powerful key in seeking a more meaningful and robust life with Christ.

 Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!

Pamela Barker
Speaker/Consultant
Genesis Strategic Planning
www.gsplanning.com