A Leaf Blown Across the Road
Father, as I sit here with You, may my mind rest in Your presence. May Your thoughts and wishes guide me. Bring to mind whatever You deem fit. Amen.
Romans 8:9-11 (<<click here to read the passage)
This morning, in the middle of my elementary route, something crossed the road as I was coming up a country lane. At first, I thought it might be a mouse but as my eyes focused on it I realized that it was a solitary brown leaf being slowly pushed across the road by the wind. Seeing those kinds of things quite often makes me think, “I’m the only person that saw that.” I already had several kids on the bus, but no one else saw that leaf blow across the road…but me.
I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel like that leaf…small, blown by the winds of life, with no control, defenseless against the world. No one sees me. No one understands. No one cares.
But the thing is, Someone does see me. I am not alone – God is with me. And because He is with me – always with me, I am not defenseless, for He is in control.
Because of who and what we are, we feel vulnerable. So many people take risks with their lives – bungee jumping, driving recklessly, climbing sheer cliffs – knowing that their lives could be snuffed out with one wrong move.
This jar, this tent, this fragile vessel we call our bodies, is the way it is because of the sin we perpetuate in the world. It will cease to function someday. Our lives will come to an end. But as this passage clearly points out
…Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. vs10-11 NLT
We are not nobodies blowing across space and time that no one ever sees much less acknowledges. We are somebodies! And with Christ in us, we can be all we were created to be.
So, take heart, my brothers and sisters! With Christ living within us, even though we may feel small and insignificant, we can be victorious! As Paul says in Romans 8:35-37,
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
…..“For your sake we face death all day long;
….we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. AMP
Amen!
Feb 15th, 2023, Wed, 12:41 pm
Minds Set in Concrete
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Things have been rumbling through my mind, Father. You know what they are, and we will work through them together. But may tonight be what You need it to be to reach those who need Your word for such a time as this. Amen.
Romans 8:7-8 (<<click here to read the passage)
Think for a moment. Do you know anyone who is stubborn, or maybe, better yet, is set in their ways? Certain personalities are not going to budge. If their minds are fixed on something, even though it may not make a whole lot of sense, they are not going to even begin to accept another mindset. They believe what they believe and that’s that.
More than likely someone (or maybe someones!) popped right away into your mind – family, friends, acquaintances, fellow workers, and on and on.
Unless they make the decision to change how they do something, it probably isn’t going to happen.
There are times when we grow increasingly concerned when people around us resist any attempt to hear anything about God or anything about our relationship with Him. That’s the way it is, and we can try to break down that barrier repeatedly, but we’re not going to change their mind! Fighting against them might even cause them to reinforce that barrier!
This is what Paul has to say in verses 7-8. The Amplified Bible translation helps me to think it through more thoroughly.
…the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.
First of all, don’t give up! Yes, they may be adamant in their opposition to anything of God. It’s not just a matter of refusing to submit, it is more a matter of not being able to submit. Their sinful pursuits, appetites, and impulses all stop them from going down that path, much less taking off on a journey of life following Christ.
Secondly, and by no means is it of less importance, pray for them! The Holy Spirit is the only One that can break through that barrier. He alone can squeeze through the cracks of their minds and hearts, where He will begin to soften up minds set in concrete.
Thirdly, don’t just sit back and do nothing – love them! Actively, genuinely love them! And there is no pretense allowed! You might have to pray for yourself on this one! Love them unconditionally, with no strings attached. Love until it hurts. Don’t bristle at being taken advantage of, or of having your kindnesses rebuffed or even thrown back in your face. Love as Jesus loves them. He will help you, just ask!
God is still very much a God of miracles! An old Don Moen worship song (written in 1992) goes,
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
I think Moen was directing it more to God making a way for us individually, but I think also that it is very applicable in our thoughts, actions, and prayers for others who need to know Him.
Lord Jesus, use us to reach others for You. Amen.
Feb 14th, 2023, Tues, 6:40 pm
Of Tufted Titmice and Hair
A very full morning as usual but a relaxing afternoon. Father may our time together be productive, as You would have it. Amen.
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I’ve been very bad about feeding birds the last couple of years. Weather and varmints (raccoons and squirrels) have wreaked havoc on my feeders, and most need repair. We found a nice one on clearance recently so yesterday, being a pretty decent day out I filled it. While I was at it, I cleaned up another one and decided that and third one could probably be used.
It usually takes a couple of days for birds to find feeders and begin using them. So far today I’ve seen a tufted titmouse and a white nuthatch zooming back and forth from the feeders to trees in the area. While I was watching a downy woodpecker enjoying one of the suet cakes and larger, red-breasted woodpecker flew in to partake of the cake on the other side of the feeder! Oh, the beauty of wildlife!
I love watching titmice flit about (and though titmouses is equally acceptable, they have no connection to the furry little critters – the second syllable is based on the Old English word mase, which means “small bird.”) They remind me of miniature cardinals dressed in grey with a hint of rusty-red under their wings, but they aren’t related to them.
I also very much enjoy learning about birds. The Cornell Labs All About Birds website is full of interesting information. One thing I learned is that you’ll often hear the high, whistled peter-peter-peter song well before you see the bird. (That’s a biblical connection, right?)
Another interesting tidbit I gleaned from Cornell Labs is that Tufted Titmice often line the inner cup of their nest with hair, sometimes plucked directly from living animals. The list of hair types identified from old nests includes raccoons, opossums, mice, woodchucks, squirrels, rabbits, livestock, pets, and even humans.
With that in mind, I got to writing this afternoon. I knew that there was a verse talking about sparrows in particular and that there was one about God knowing the number of hairs on our heads. And lo and behold, they were in the same verse! Matthew 10:29-31 records Jesus saying,
Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge]. AMP
God loves his creation, and us in particular. He knows if a bird falls to the ground, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and I’m sure He knows if any of your hair lines the inner cup of a tufted titmouse’s nest!
There are so many things in life that can bring us fear and anxiety. God is already there and already knows about those things. All we have to do is trust Him. Jesus’ command is short and to the point. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows – or titmice if you will!
Feb 12th, 2023, Sun, 4:22 pm
Out of the Aisle!
It was a full weekend, with an all-day bus trip and all we did today, Father. Thank You for safe travels and good fellowship. We are blessed on all fronts, to do what we do!
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My trip Saturday was transporting middle schoolers to a robotics competition. I enjoy interacting with their advisor, and I have no problem with the kids either. They are polite, appreciative, and for the most part, listen and abide by the rules and regulations of traveling on a school bus…for the most part.
All students, regardless of grade, tend to lean out into the aisles to talk, play, or share some entertaining tidbit on their cell phones. I’m constantly on my elementary students to get back in their seats. “No heads! No legs! No arms!” they hear me shout. Only occasionally do I have to do so on my older students’ route. But on yesterday’s trip, I think I corrected them three times on the way up, and then after the second time on the way home, I had had it!
I flipped the lights on (which is understood to mean you shut your mouth, the driver has something to say!) and I laid into them! I had had enough, and they were going to sit in silence for a while – torture for just about any student!
After three or four minutes (and passing an Amish buggy!) I got on the in-bus walkie and very straightforwardly gave them what for regarding how they were endangering themselves. I cannot control what may run in front of me and I cannot control someone who might cross the double yellow line, hitting me head-on. They alone can keep themselves protected.
Before turning the lights off, I finished by saying I’d most definitely drive them again. I enjoy taking them to their competitions…they just needed to abide by the rules and regulations.
I didn’t say it out loud but all in all, I like the kids I drive, on my routes, and the many other groups I transport. In fact, I love them all, and if it came down to it I’d probably lay down my own life to ensure their safety and survival.
Too many times I think a lot of humanity has the idea that God may say He loves us, but in reality, He doesn’t like us very much and is actually just waiting for us to screw up so He can nail us for it. We have this picture of Him standing in the heavens, lightning bolt in hand, ready to hurl it at all trespassers of his laws.
I genuinely believe that that is not who God is. He may use things in our lives to discipline us, but by no means does that mean He doesn’t like us. His love is deep and wide, covering over a multitude of sin. He wants us to succeed. His greatest desire is for us to be victorious. And He wants us to be safe from the harm that sin can wreak in our lives. And the safest place we can be in His sheltering arms, not away from His guiding arms and gentle directing voice.
May we find the love and protection You afford, Father. May we strive never to leave Your side in all the comings and goings of life. Amen.
Feb 5th, 2023, Sun, 7:15 pm
It’s More Than a Bracelet
Today has already been full, Father, but a lot of things have been accomplished. May our time be fruitful and may casting my bread upon the waters be greatly multiplied! Amen.
Romans 8:5-6 (<<click here to read the passage)
I’m sure at this point in our lives most of us have heard the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” or at least its acronym – W.W.J.D.? You may have even owned a t-shirt or a bracelet with those words on them. The concept is assuredly sound, but it has been repeated and commercialized to the point where it no longer produces any authentic responses to it, or at least very few.
About 30 years ago Janie Tinklenberg, a youth group leader at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan, began a grassroots movement to help the teenagers in her group remember the phrase; it spread worldwide among Christian youth, who wore bracelets bearing the initials WWJD.
She had good intentions for sure! But do you realize that “What would Jesus do?” didn’t start with her?
Reading through my Life Application Study Bible notes on these verses brought to mind a book I read several years ago, entitled In His Steps written by Charles Monroe Sheldon way back in 1896.
That was Tinklenberg’s inspiration. It was impactful for me, as well. (If would be worth the effort to read it yourself!)
A general storyline is that a local Midwest minister while preparing his Sunday message, is interrupted by a homeless man seeking assistance. The minister is busy, so he quickly brushes the gentleman off – thinking nothing of it.
The next Sunday, the gentleman appears in the church after the Sunday sermon. Walking up to the front of the sanctuary, he frankly confronts the congregation. There was no animosity on his part but he clearly lays things out for the comfortable congregants. He speaks of their apathetic lack of compassion for the jobless like him in their community. When he’s done, he collapses, and dies a few days later.
His passing greatly impacts the minister who then challenges his congregation, before any action they take, to ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” Many, who witnessed the events of the previous Sunday, take his challenge to heart and the story goes on to share the many hard decisions made by them and how their actions impacted themselves and so many others.
Paul’s writings to the church in Rome extend a challenge to its recipients, ourselves included.
For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]… AMP
So many times, we set our minds on the flesh – it’s the natural thing to do. But…as followers of Christ, we are called to live according to the Spirit. So what will it be – a pursuit of death – for that is the end result of sin – or a quest of life and peace – in giving ourselves over to Christ? We are called to do – to live, as Jesus did. Amen.
Feb 1st, 2023, Wed, 12:26 pm