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Seeds
The samara fruit reminded me of Jesus’ Parable of the Sower from Mark 4:3-20. In the parable, Jesus speaks of four different conditions for the seeds the farmer is planting. Seeds that fell along the path, in rocky places, and among thorns did not survive into maturity. Only those seeds that fell on good soil “came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times (v. 8).” In my mind, I have always had a limited idea of the number of attempts the farmer tossed out there for growth….a handful of seeds, maybe a couple of handfuls. However, seeing the multitude of helicopters falling…
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Slow Down
Slowing down isn’t just for driving to avoid an accident or speeding ticket. It’s a lesson for life. We are busy with activities from one end of the spectrum to the other: work, sports, household chores and improvements, volunteering, taking care of others, and the list goes on. Endless activity creates stress and often pushes out the things that really matter.
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Letting Go
Several weeks ago, I began working with a life coach. I wanted to get my priorities straight and be productive. I had let too many days go by without getting “enough” done. Summer is coming, and I wanted to balance work and family without pulling my hair out.
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Our God Listens
Even here on Earth, Jesus wasn’t too busy for those who believed in Him. He listened to them. In Mark 5, Jesus was teaching to a crowd when a synagogue official sought Him out to heal his daughter, who was dying. While on the way to the official’s home, a woman with a bleeding condition touched Jesus’ robe, believing he could heal her. Jesus stopped, but not in frustration or anger, that He was delayed in saving the young daughter. Jesus responded in patience and love, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering (v. 34).” Then He continued on His way to…
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Go
After hearing of Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples arrived in Galilee in trust. They had no idea what to expect. And they certainly didn’t understand what had just happened. Jesus’ message to them about the next step was clear: Go and share the Good News with everyone. All four Gospels write about this “Great Commission” in one way or another (John 20:21, Luke 24:46-48, Mark 16:15-16), but the most detailed is in Matthew 28:18-20. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of…
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Go Ahead
Jesus and His closest friends had just finished their Passover meal together. He challenged the disciples with some cryptic predictions about betrayal and remembrance. Then they left for a walk to the Mount of Olives. On the way there, Jesus told His friends that each one of them would betray Him (Matthew 26:31). This was a shocking prediction to those who had stood with Him day and night throughout the past three years. But then, without skipping a beat, Jesus continued saying, “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee (v 32).” This last part should have produced some questions: What do you mean by…
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Trust the Process
This past weekend I attended an awards assembly for one of my kids. During the program, the organizer shared a message with the group. He spoke to the kids and explained that this is a time in their lives when they seem to be under a microscope, especially as athletes. It is a time in which, they may be corrected or criticized at every turn. Although the end goal is good, they might not be able to see what their parents and coaches have in mind with all the drills and decisions, chores and check-ups, practice and planning. These kids are in the midst of the process of growing up,…
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Neutrality
March Madness...Can I admit that I don't care one bit which team wins the NCAA men’s basketball championship? I can mindlessly fill out a bracket without any attachment to it whatsoever. The games can be on television, and I’ll even watch a little. But I really don’t care about the outcome. This year, my daughter was keeping track of the tournament for the first time. She had me fill out her bracket while she was away for the weekend, so I paid a bit more attention than usual. I like basketball and find it interesting, especially when it’s a good game. But it still doesn’t matter one bit which way…
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Sweet Success
How do we measure success? Success is defined in many different ways and largely depends on the circumstances in which you find yourself. I often described success when teaching by seeing my students increase their knowledge. My husband considers a service call a success if he has fixed the customer's problem and doesn't get called back for the same issue. A salesperson may determine they are successful when they can meet their quota, and a lawyer, if they win a case. But what about as a Christian? How do we...how should we measure success?
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Beyond Forgiveness
Have you believed that you were beyond forgiveness? I’m here to tell you that there is really no such thing in God’s eyes. God forgives. Jeremiah tells us in Lamentations 3:31-33, “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” God always forgives, but there is a catch.
