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Dead or Alive?

8/8/2014

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A few weeks ago, our home was in disarray, with water damage and water damage repair. It seems that the drying out process was a bit more painful than the damaging part. Through this whole process I have learned even some spiritual lessons. Funny how God can teach us things in the most unusual ways!

The plant you see in this picture is a bonsai that Todd and I purchased on our honeymoon in Kauai fourteen years ago. This plant has lived through four moves. Until just a few weeks ago, it was a very healthy botanical wonder. All I had to do was water it once a week. It grew and maintained its green, healthy state for a long time. Its life was forever altered, though, with the presence of heaters and dehumidifiers in our bedroom, which had come to the rescue of our walls and hardwood floor. I didn't think. I didn't remember that 90 degree heat and no humidity would suck the life out of a living organism. Maybe I was too concerned about my own level of coolness and humidity!

As life returned to normal (somewhat normal, anyway!), I noticed the bonsai wasn't looking too good. I moved it into the kitchen area where it could receive more sunlight and where maybe some words of encouragement would fall upon its leaves. The days passed and the green leaves were being transformed into something not so pretty. Brown. Brown spots ate up the smooth, green covering of life. Soon, the branches began to be filled with heaviness. Life was vacating the premises.

If you notice, though, there is one bright green branch, complete with 7 life-filled leaves - and if you can get a magnifying glass, you just may see a tiny baby shoot with six hope-filled, thriving green leaves! Amazing! All odds were stacked against this plant... but it did not give in to what looked like a losing situation.

You see, even though this plant looked like it was certainly full of death, I continued to provide water for it. I refused the thought of tossing it in the trash. I had hope that maybe, somehow, some part of this plant could survive. AND IT IS!!

This plant is so much like life in human form. We can be surrounded by the heat of hell. It can be unrelenting in our soul. If we continue to hold on to whatever glimmer of hope we can, and if we drink the Water of Life, that comes through Jesus Christ.... miracles can happen. Life can be re-born within.

If you are at the end of all hope, take hold of the hope that comes through Jesus. Just start by whispering His name. Revelation 21:5 says,

"And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

This is truth. He can bring life from death. He does indeed, make all things new!

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This Body...This Temple

8/6/2014

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The gym calls our name. We struggle within at the grocery store, as we choose the fresh produce over the Oreos. Our alarm clock goes off much earlier than it should, in order to get the "workout" in today. We obsess over what goes in our mouth - whether too much or too little. Every time we pass a mirror, or a window, we slow down a bit and check out the reflection. Self-talk begins.

Let's stop for a minute. What, exactly, is this thing we call our body? We all have one, but what is its purpose?

When I look to the Book that contains our "owner's manual", I begin to see more clearly what we were created to be. I Corinthians 3:16-17 says:

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are."

That is pretty sobering... for all of us. If we believe in Jesus and have given our lives to Him, our body is not our own. It has become His dwelling place.

Let's think about a physical church or temple. The structure must be maintained and taken care of, but the people who go there to worship should not worship the structure itself. It is a place for worship to take place and for people to draw near to God. Jesus is the focal point, not the building.

Our bodies house the Spirit of God. We need to make sure we maintain the temple and take care of it, but we should not allow our body to become our god. This can happen by caring too much for our bodies and spending too much time at the gym and focusing on every bite that goes into our mouth. It can also happen by not caring enough for our bodies and practicing very little discipline and self-control and putting every morsel into our mouths that appears in front of us. Balance is so important.

Join me today to reflect over our temple management skills. If you struggle with finding balance, start with a prayer to Jesus, asking Him for strength and guidance as you begin making changes. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength - that includes taking care of His temple.

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Tomorrow...

8/3/2014

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The warm, lazy days of summer are quickly coming to an end, here in sunny Georgia. In my school system, teachers return tomorrow and the students will follow at the end of the week. It's pretty amazing to reflect over the summer and all that was accomplished and experienced. It has been very good.

Now, though, it is time to look ahead. As we scurry to buy notebook paper, pencils, and book bags, it's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of it all. It's easy to be stressed and short-tempered with those we love. Maybe it's because we don't enjoy change, or we know that expectations will be higher during the school year, than during the relaxing time of summer. Whether we are ready for it or not, though, the new year is steadily plodding our way.

As a new page is turned, it's important to seek God's direction for our lives, set goals, and start moving towards them. One thing I've learned in the last little while is that if I face each situation I find myself in with the mindset of "God has placed me here for His purpose", it is much easier to handle the bumps and bruises. Seeking Him first makes it all worth it. If you are a teacher and you know Jesus personally, you aren't just a teacher of academics. You are Jesus' hands and feet to the children you teach and you are His words of encouragement to the teachers you work with. Pray that He will set purpose in your heart and make you aware of the exact plan He has for you this year.

Whatever your career, He has a purpose for you. It is not just to be a cashier or a teller or a truck driver. It goes way beyond that! He wants to use you in the lives of those around you.

As we step into a new school year, no matter your job title, step into it with solid footing. Look beyond the requirements of the day to day grind. Look for ways you can impact others eternally. Then, when summer rolls around again, you can look back and know that you've made a difference.

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Photos used under Creative Commons from Theodor Hensolt, BeggartoBeggar, One Way Stock, The Bull Pen www.bullpenpictures.com, State Farm, QueenNeveen, HealthGauge, rick, 55Laney69, Todd A. Porter, Clearly Ambiguous, OregonDOT, Toffee Maky, marvelousRoland, azabayandi, The Integer Club