Welcome Home

  Most kids bring home friends of the human kind. One of our sons brought home dogs. 

   First, it was Slick, a black wire-haired mutt he found who knows where. Next was Toby. He got Toby from a lady outside the grocery store where he worked. She had a bunch of puppies in a grocery cart labeled Free! That free dog ended up with canine parvovirus, needed serious vet care, and round-the-clock care at home. Toby pulled through, but we found ourselves sleep-deprived and with a huge vet bill. I won’t even go into the vet bill for her broken leg shortly after she got well. Sigh! 

   

   When our son came home from living out of state, Comet, his three-year-old Australian Shepherd, was in tow. Our son eventually moved out of our home, leaving Comet to live with us. 

   

   Last, but definitely not least, was Sam. “Mom,” our son said, “my friend needs us to watch his dog.” “For how long?” “A week, just a week, I promise!” Yeah, right! Sam was a 50-pound, 5-month-old mastiff who thought he was a lap dog. His favorite toy was our big brown plastic garbage can. The friend never came back.  

   

   Our son knew our home was a safe place for the dogs. He knew they would be cared for and loved on, and it seemed they were quite content while they were there. I didn’t hear any complaints!  

   

   Have you ever longed for a place where you knew you were safe, loved, and welcome? The Bible mentions the concept of home repeatedly throughout the Old and New Testaments. In ancient Israel, home was not merely a physical structure; it represented the family unit, security, and covenant life. You see, home is more than a building.

   

   One example that comes to mind is the story of Joseph welcoming his brothers home in Genesis 43-45. Their family found a fresh start in unity. In 2 Kings 4:10, the Shunammite woman prepares a room for the prophet Elisha in her home so he has a place to stay when he passes through town. In Luke 15, we read about the Prodigal Son, who, after squandering his inheritance, comes home and is welcomed with open arms by his father. 

   

   Each of these stories gives us a glimpse of what home can represent—new beginnings, safety, love, belonging, and comfort. But my all-time favorite is Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus sees that Jesus is coming to town, but because he is short, he climbs a tree to see Him. Jesus spots Zacchaeus, calls him down from the tree, and Zacchaeus welcomes Jesus into his home. This encounter with Jesus transforms Zacchaeus. Jesus declares, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.” (Luke 19:9, ESV)

   

   What fascinates me about Zacchaeus’ story is that Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home, and that one day Jesus will welcome Zacchaeus into His eternal home.

   Think about that for a moment. 

   

   When we welcome Jesus into our lives and our homes, one day, Jesus will take us to His home, where it is new, safe, comfortable, and filled with love, and we will be transformed. 

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1, ESV)

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV) 

   

   Jesus invites us to abide in Him (John 15:4a, ESV), and He will abide in us. My encouragement today is to bring Jesus into your life and your home. He doesn’t promise to stay just for a week. He promises to bring you to His eternal home forever.

   

   We have a home in Jesus, both now and for eternity.

Think About This:

Have I truly welcomed Jesus into my life, and am I living in the comfort and security of knowing I belong to Him? 

What Is Success?

Success means different things to different people. Ask four or five people, and you will get four or five different answers on what success is in each of their worlds.

I think I have found the very best definition of success in a little book called 'Think on These Things' by John C. Maxwell.  He says, "Success is choosing to enter the arena of action, determined to give yourself to the cause that will better humanity and last for eternity."  That is a mouthful, but it is also a mindful—so please take a moment to read it again, slowly. If you still haven't fully grasped it, read it again. I had to read it several times myself. It is a doozy!! Okay, ready to move on?   

Maxwell goes on to explain each of the seven components in his definition of success. But at the end of the chapter, he summarizes as follows:

"Success is
Knowing the truth and accepting it;
Finding a need and filling it;
Facing a challenge and meeting it;
Losing a life and finding it;
Having a plan and following it;
Developing a talent and sharing it;
Going to heaven and knowing it."

Your world is your family, your home, your workplace, your church, organizations you belong to, teams you are on, etc. We each have a great opportunity to change our world.

Like the infant church in the book of Acts, we should make every major decision in our world under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just think about the widespread influence of that handful of people...Peter, John, Paul, Philip, Stephen, Barnabas, Timothy, Silas, Lydia, Apollos. Who was behind the success of those early church planters? The Holy Spirit.

So, I would encourage you—daily, invite the Holy Spirit into your world, not as a guest, but as a resident. 

Speaking from experience, on the days I remember to do this intentionally, I can tell the difference in myself, in my home, and in my interactions with the people around me. I am different. My world is different. It is successful. And more peaceful. In my attempt to remember to call on the Holy Spirit, I placed a sign above my office door that says, "Holy Spirit, you are welcome in this place."

Friends, God wants to use each of us to make our worlds successful. This is how we can do it.

Maxwell closes this chapter with, "I wish you all the success in the world!"

And I say to you, "As do I".

Think About This:

What do you need to do to help you remember to invite the Holy Spirit to guide you throughout the day? 

If you would like a sign of your own to frame or post, visit my website by clicking the link below for a free poster to download:  Free Downloads 

The Crooked Tree

 As I sit in my office and look out the windows, I see a beautiful, cloudless blue Idaho sky. I see plants that were naked and brown when we moved in, now lush and green, reaching for the sun. Questions about what they will look like are now being answered. Through the window, I have a clear view of a blue spruce on the front lawn. I call her, she, and named her the Crooked Tree. I am certain the winds, over time, have caused her to lean just slightly. Other than that, her trunk is solid and strong, and her branches are supple, their soft gray-green coloring a gentle contrast.

  The Crooked Tree houses doves and other small birds I have yet to identify. She has purpose. A couple of weeks ago, the wind caused her long, heavy branches to dance a little too wildly, and an empty nest fell from the tree. I placed it back on a branch, hoping the birds would make use of it. She protects her occupants as best she can; however, sometimes things are beyond her control.

  

   She stands firm in the wind, still useful, still imperfectly beautiful in her own way. She knows she is crooked, but it doesn’t matter because her trunk is solid and strong, holding her up.

  

   One day recently, as I observed the tree, in tears, it suddenly dawned on me that the Crooked Tree is me. The Crooked Tree is actually you and me. We are all slightly imperfect, doing the best we can in an imperfect world, held up by the rock-solid trunk, the Lord. Still growing, still dancing, still standing firm, yet leaning into what may come next, knowing our trunk is strong and faithful and “will uphold us with His righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 

  

   Once upon a time, God made a tree. She was imperfect, yet she knew she had a purpose and was loved. She knew she could stand firm in the wind because of that love. She knew she was imperfectly beautiful in the Creator’s eyes. She was "a treasured possession of the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 3:16-17).

  

   The Crooked Tree is you and me. Our imperfect selves are loved and treasured perfectly by our perfect God. I encourage you to lean into that so you can stand firm in the wind.

Blessings from one Crooked Tree to another!  

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

“And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:9). 

Where Did the Time Go?

   Did you ever have one of those weeks when, on Saturday, you wake up and say to yourself, “Where did the week go?” How can it be Saturday already? This was one of those weeks for me. 

   

I woke up this morning (Saturday), did all my usual things, took the dog out, made coffee, and ate my bagel while reading the Bible. Suddenly, with a double-blink, I realized I hadn’t written or posted the blog. Wait! How could that be? I double-checked, and nope, no Friday blog for this week.

   

Where did the time go? 

   

   So, I looked back at my week: I had a couple of extra meetings, a doctor’s appointment (not a usual occurrence), a new volunteer opportunity, and I made some valuable connections. Hmm? I guess those extra hours add up. I also noticed I hadn't written “Blog” in my planner, as I usually do. 

   

   I know the Bible contains many verses that emphasize the importance of our time. Time is a gift from God with a divine purpose, and we are responsible for using it wisely.

 

   Full transparency—I knew about almost everything I had to do this week. If I am honest with myself, I blew it by not managing my time well.

   I'm guessing I’m not alone. We miss things, but that doesn’t change the fact that we are responsible for the time and work God gives us. It is up to us to manage how and when we do it.

Here’s my takeaway from this week:

Psalm 90:12 (ESV) says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

   

   This verse encourages me to prepare and plan for each day, showing that I value the time God has given me. It reminds me to consider how I should use my time in accordance with God’s will for me. 

   

I hope it encourages you, too!

Prayer for today:

Lord God, I blew it. Thank You for being forgiving and good. I humbly ask You to teach me to prepare and plan intentionally for each day You give me to use for Your glory. Please give me wisdom as I consider how I should use my time according to Your will for me. Help me use my time wisely, I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Sweet Friendship - A Good Gift

 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." (John 13:35,NIV)

   Billy Graham said, “The human soul is a lonely thing. It must have the assurance of companionship. Left entirely to itself, it cannot enjoy anything.”

   

   As God was creating all things, He said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18). To address this, God created Eve. This marked the very beginning of human companionship.

  

    Ephesians 4:25 reminds us that "we are all members of one body." God’s people are one body. We are not meant to function alone or to be unconcerned for one another. We were made for community. This is where friendship comes in: the camaraderie that lightens the heart and eases burdens because they are shared. 

   

   As God’s children, we are promised "good gifts" (James 1:17). One of those gifts is friendship. While we are here on earth, we are guaranteed the richest and truest friendships. Only in true Christ-centered friendship does genuine trust exist. Only in true Christ-centered friendship do we find genuine safety. Only in true Christ-centered friendship do we find genuine peace. Christ is the only true cohesive power in the world. He alone can bind our human hearts together in genuine love and trust.

                                

“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” (Proverbs 27:9)

   

   The friendship of Jonathan and David is a perfect example. Scripture says their hearts were knit together in friendship. (1 Samuel 18:1) Jonathan was a gift to David. He supported, encouraged, and helped David become the leader and king he was. True friends can do that for each other.

   

   As Melanie Shankle writes, “The aim of friendship is to sow into each other words of eternal life and blessing. We remind each other of God’s wisdom and provision, refresh each other’s spirits, and strengthen each other’s faith.”

   

   Just as Jonathan was to David, God has given you people around you who are a gift. He has placed people in your life at this time for a reason. I love this quote from Corrie Ten Boom: “Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see.” 

   

   Your future is in His hands. He is faithful and can be trusted to give you exactly what you need when you need it. He is also faithful to give you exactly WHO you need when you need them. God has given you a "good gift" in the people around you. Lean into Him and into each other, and sow blessings into each other’s lives through your sweet friendship.

   

   Be sure to thank God for your friends, the people He has given you to walk through life with. The people who will tell you the truth, even when it hurts. The people who will listen without judging. The people you love, who will love you back no matter what. The people time and distance cannot keep apart. The people who will make you a stronger and better person. They are a good gift! 

Think About This:

1. Who has God placed in your life as a good gift?

2. How have they enriched your life?

3. Offer a quick prayer for them right now or text them a heart symbol and say thanks.

                                 Our very best friend is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. 

                                 To learn more about your Good Shepherd, CLICK HERE

                      Psalm 23 Devotional and Study Guide for Individuals and Groups

                                                                By Roxanne Drury

                                      Consider doing the study with a friend or two! 

               

Transformation of the Heart

    In Romans chapter 2, Paul addresses the Jews in Rome. He says in Romans 2:17, "Now you, if you call yourself a Jew;...". He goes on to call out those who were not practicing what they preached.

    In Romans 2:17-27, he gives it to them with complete honesty. In the straightforward manner that characterized him, he sums it up in Romans 2:28-29.

“A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.”

   

   The people Paul addressed claimed superiority because of their heritage, position, and physical circumcision. They knew the law and were trained in it. They enforced and preached it, but, as Paul points out, they were not necessarily keepers of the law. In other words, they felt privileged by their head knowledge, but that knowledge had not transformed their hearts. They had all the outward signs and symbols, but not the inward signs of a right relationship with God.

   

   How often do we find ourselves in the same spiritual condition? We attend church and Bible study, read our Bible now and then, wear a cross necklace, or post Scripture on the living room wall. Yet we criticize and judge our neighbor. We choose wrong or selfish living. We feel jealousy, greed, and unforgiveness, all while believing our actions or attitudes are justified.

   

   When we do these things, we are no better than the people Paul was speaking to. Worse still, as he says in Romans 2:24, “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” The hypocrisy of living two lifestyles can leave unbelievers confused about God or even lead them to reject Him.

   

   We must consider it a privilege to be a Christ-follower. But with privilege comes responsibility. God’s gifts should produce lives that reflect His character and hearts that are continually being transformed by Him. They should bring us to our knees in grateful praise—a transformation of the heart.

   

   In a recent group reflection exercise, we were asked to write down the privileges we have received from God through our relationship with Jesus. As each of us shared our thoughts aloud, the room grew quieter until, by the end, only a palpable, solemn stillness remained. No one said a word.

   

As I listened and shared my own thoughts, my heart grew fuller and fuller with humble gratitude.

· I am a child of God.

· I have the right to go to God in prayer.

· I have His love and acceptance, always.

· I am saved and forgiven.

And yes, you can be sure I cried.

   

   I am encouraging you to do this same exercise. Take your time and reflect on the immensity of God’s goodness and undeserved grace.

   

Find a quiet spot, away from distractions, and answer the questions below. Slowly and thoughtfully, write down everything that comes to mind.

· What privileges have you personally received as a result of accepting Christ?

· How has compiling this list changed your attitude toward these privileges?

   

As you reflect on your answers, ask yourself one more question:

· What is God revealing to me about the condition of my heart?

   

   May this exercise move us beyond simply knowing about God to knowing Him in such a way that our deepest desire is to live to please Him, with grateful hearts transformed by His goodness and grace. 

 

                Learn more about Grateful Praise in Roxanne's book:
               Psalm 100: Grateful Praise Devotional and Study Guide for Individuals and Groups

              Click the link:  https://www.amazon.com/Psalm-100-Grateful-Praise-Individuals-ebook/dp/B0DZFDJGN2/ 

I Surrender All

 In 1975, we lived in a town called Oak Forest in Illinois. One Sunday morning, my sons and  I walked down the block to the little Baptist Church. 

I heard a message from the Bible about Jesus. This was a brand new experience for me, having been raised in a very different religious environment.

At the end of the service, the organist played a song I had never heard, with a message I had never heard. The song was called I Surrender All. All around me, people sang out loud and strong, and I knew this song had tremendous meaning for all those people. Little did I know God was working on my heart that morning, preparing me for a message that was to be delivered later that week.

The song I Surrender All was written by an American art teacher and musician named Judson W. Van De Venter in 1896. Winfield S. Weeden, his associate, set the words to music.

Van De Venter had been struggling for five years to determine if he should continue developing his art career or if God was calling him to full-time work as an evangelist. As only God can, He caused a change of heart in Van De Venter, and he surrendered all to God. He left his art career and became an evangelist.

This defining moment inspired the writing of the song I Surrender All. Author and publisher of more than sixty hymns, this song is his most famous.

The following Thursday, there was a knock on our door. Bob and Betty Wallace from the Baptist Church had come to visit me. They introduced me to the Jesus everyone had been singing about - the blessed Savior. And I surrendered all to Him that day. It has been over 50 years, and my surrender on that day still brings me to tears. God's goodness and grace overwhelm me.

Three weeks later, as my five-year-old son and I stood together at the back of the church, at the end of the service, Peggy, the organist, whom I now knew, began to play I Surrender All again.

I glanced down to see my son step out into the aisle. His small body, filled with determination, walked straight to the front of the church to surrender all.

I might catch some heat for saying this, but there is nothing quite like a few of the old hymns combined with the Holy Spirit to stir someone's heart.

I would like to invite you to have your heart stirred today. Sit back, relax, and take a few moments to listen to I Surrender All. Click below or Copy and paste the link into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j04Bx9pKwpU 

Each day we receive is a gift from God. I invite you to surrender all today, and every day, to the blessed Savior.

Gloryland Books

Roxanne's Website: https://roxannedrury.com/

Roxanne's Books : https://www.amazon.com/stores/Roxanne-Drury/author/B07R97B757

That's Life!

About That’s Life!

It is said, “Life is funny!”  I don’t know who said it -- maybe the same person who said “Life is short!” or “It’s a small world”.  Well, sometimes life is funny and sometimes it’s not so funny.  But it is all good!!

This Blog is about life – all of it.  I will tell you this is a Christian blog because God is the author and creator of life, and a huge part of my own life. Topics will be varied because there is so much to life – kids, pets, family, relationships, marriage, people, activities, gosh, the list goes on and on and on.   It will be interactive, so feel free to comment or request topics, and I’ll do my best to accommodate.  If I don’t know about a topic, I will be honest and may redirect you somewhere else to find what you are looking for. My desire is for you to be uplifted and encouraged and maybe even inspired.

All God's creatures have at least one thing in common, and it's called Life!! 

Let's do Life --- together. 

                                                                                            -  Miss Roxanne

About Miss Roxanne!

Before anything, I am a Christ follower. I am a wife, mother (4), grandmother (6), daughter, sister, published author, teacher, and contributing writer to a couple of local magazines. I love gardening, crafting, crochet, sewing, and I just learned to post on Instagram & TikTok, and how to knit. Oh, I love dogs, kids, and baking! And hate housework! WHEW! 

Meridian, Idaho, is where we call home. We are supposed to be retired, but for me, that's not really happening. Honestly, I will probably never truly retire. There is so much fun stuff to do and learn. And I know God still had loads for me to do and write. I just don't see myself ever sitting in a rocking chair whiling away the days. 

Our lives have been full and blessed with an occasional bump in the road. Steve and I have been married for 55 years, come August 2025. We got married young and everyone said it wouldn't last, but HA - we showed them! 

Master of the Universe

Some time ago, I posted a blog about Wonder Woman. Today’s blog focuses on another superhero. With three boys, our household was quite invested in the superhero phenomenon.

In 1983, a superhero named He-Man was introduced to households and the lives of young boys across America.  He-Man's character was the most powerful man in the universe.  He-Man goes against the evil forces of Skeletor to save the planet Eternia and protect the secrets of Castle Grayskull. However, He-Man wasn't alone; there were other "Masters of the Universe. "
 

The plot:  He-Man's true identity was Prince Adam of Eternia, the son of King Randor and Queen Marlena (an Earthling), who ruled the Kingdom of Eternia on the planet Eternia. The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull granted Prince Adam the power to transform into He-Man to combat the evil forces threatening planet Eternia.  Adam's transformation into He-Man was achieved by raising his Power Sword and shouting, "By the power of Grayskull..." Once the transformation was complete, he declared, "...I have the power!"

Here's where today's story comes in.  In 1983, the youngest of our three boys was 4 years old.  This was the same time that He-Man entered our household.  Like all young boys, both now and then, he was fascinated by the concept of a superhero. Boys seem to be wired in such a way that they believe superhero-dom is amazing and aspire to emulate these superheroes.  Our boy was no different.  "I have the power" was repeated over and over each time he jumped off a couch, tossed a basketball, rode his bike, or did just about anything.  I had to "have the power" not to say, "enough already with the 'I have the power"!!! "

 

With our son nearing 5, we thought it was time for him to start helping with the chores around the house.  One of the jobs assigned to him was bringing in the groceries. This happy-go-lucky child never minded doing chores.  He usually turned them into a game to make it fun for himself. On this particular grocery day, there was a lot to bring in.  I hadn't shopped in a while, and we had a big family.  Dragging in bag after bag eventually became rather boring for a rambunctious 5-year-old.  He got to the last bag and headed back to the car for one final item.  He reached into the trunk, gingerly grabbed the gallon of milk, and jubilantly marched into the house, filled with renewed energy that the job was done.  As he stepped into the living room, he was overtaken with enthusiasm. With one hand, he lifted the gallon of milk as high above his head as he could and shouted, "I have the power - He-Man!"  In a flash, I turned to look at him and saw the gallon of milk held over his head.  I was speechless, probably holding my breath, maybe with one eye closed and the other squinting.  He held it there for a second or two and then promptly dropped the plastic gallon of milk, which, of course, broke and there was spilt milk everywhere - on the walls, on the ceiling, all over the carpet, on the front door, on the furniture, ev-ry-where!!!!!

What do you say when something like that happens?  Quite honestly, I don't remember what I said, but I'm fairly certain it started out with his name in capital letters - meaning - very loudly!  Have you ever smelled old milk? Ewwwww! Moms, am I right? So, we had to put the rest of the day on hold and clean everything right away.  Well, we got through it - cleaned the carpets and furniture and washed the walls, ceiling, door, etc. And we all lived to tell about it.

That son will be turning 46 years old next week, and we still tease him about the milk incident by holding up one arm and shouting, "He-Man!!!" Ah, the memories!

The cool thing about this story is that now, he truly is a He-Man.  He has a wife and two daughters who adore him. He was a Marine who served our country against evil forces overseas, and he is currently a paramedic firefighter serving and protecting his community. He loves the Lord, the true Master of the Universe. All of this adds up to being a "He-Man" in my book!

I believe each of us has the power to be a "He-Man" by serving and caring for one another and those in need.  In fact, the true Master of the Universe, in His Word, says, "A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. " (John 13:34). Ephesians 4:32 calls us to be kind and compassionate to one another. Furthermore, we have the Holy Spirit's power in times of trouble or when evil forces attack.

 

One of my favorite verses is found in Ezekiel 36:26-27, NIV. It reads, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

The Master of the Universe, God Almighty, calls us to be He-Men and He-Women. He has promised to help us to be just that. God’s Son, Jesus, modeled this for us. Our weapons and armor are described in Ephesians 6:10-18. We have everything we need to be the kind of He-Men and Women that God wants us to be. In this day, we must be prepared to stand firm. We achieve this by reading the Word, praying regularly, attending a Bible-believing church, teaching our children to be the He-Men and He-Women of the future, and taking action to give, serve, love, help, and listen, all with kindness, love, and compassion. I challenge and encourage you in this.

 

Now, I dare you to shout aloud, "By the power of the Lord and Holy Spirit, I have the power!" Go ahead. Say it! Because you do. You have the power. It comes from knowing the Master of the Universe. Find the "He-Man or He-Woman" inside you, stand firm, or take action, and be a "He-Man" for the Lord!

  

Welcome!!

Welcome to the That's Life Blog.

Thank You for joining me on this journey called LIFE!  

I hope to meet you where you are in some small way.  My desire is to touch your heart and make you smile through my words and pictures.  I hope to encourage, uplift and give insight by sharing what I have learned, observed, and experienced during my life. I have lived a lot of life so I have a lot to share. But I am also still learning, so I admit, I definitely don't know it all. 

I think, I see, I reflect, and I write.

If as you read, we meet in a place of familiarity we can nod our heads and say to each other, Yes! That's life!!  

Together, we can build a safe place to rest in the life we have been given, to learn and grow, and to become who we were made to be.  So I would encourage you to invite a friend to the That's Life Blog and share the posts on your Social Media. Follow it, engage in it, comment (I will answer.), and be a part of discussions because almost everything is better when you do it with someone, right? We really are better and stronger together.  

Typically posts will go up each Friday before noon MTN time. This is a clean Blog - no foul language, no violence, no judgment, no inappropriate innuendos, and most often suitable for both men and women.

Happy reading my friends!!  See you next Friday!  Let's do life together.

A Time to Plant

A Time to Plant

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."

These verses are rich with meaning for Christians.

First, they remind us of the privilege and responsibility we have to plant seeds of faith in the lives of the people we know who don't know Jesus. However, what happens with those seeds is not in our control. God controls that. In this passage, Paul clearly says, "God makes the seeds grow." That takes some of the load off our shoulders, but we are still responsible for planting and watering those seeds.

Speaking of seeds, did you ever look at the seeds inside an apple? Good question, right? Well, when you cut an apple through the middle instead of from top to bottom, you will see a cool little star inside of it. Amazing, huh?! Each section of the star houses an apple seed. We can count the seeds inside that apple, but not how many apples will come from each seed.

Think about that in terms of the people in your neighborhood, workplace, or even your family. Here's where I am going with this - when our children see us reading our Bible, that's planting seeds. When people see and hear us pray in a restaurant, that's planting seeds. When we decline an invitation that would keep us from church, that's planting seeds. When people hear us give God credit for a blessing, that's planting seeds. When you tell someone about something God has done in your life, that's watering the seeds you have planted. When you share what you learned at church, that's watering the seeds. When you praise or thank God where those seeds were planted, that's watering the seeds. Someone else may even come along and water the seeds that you planted. We don't know what God has planned for each person we plant a little seed of faith in, but we do know that He will grow the seeds that we plant. And the desire would be that many apples come from each seed. I think they call that 'spreading the gospel.'

That's why it is so important to keep planting and to keep watering. So that God can keep doing what He does in the lives of those who don't know Him. 

I think back on all my years of teaching Sunday School and teaching in Christian Schools, and I often wondered if I made a difference in the spiritual lives of my students. Come to find out over the years, so very many of them came to know the Lord and are still steadfast, firm believers. I was planting seeds of faith in their lives all those many years ago, but God, in His timing, caused them to grow. We don't always get to see the results of our seed planting, and some take root and some don't, just like in a garden, but our call is to be obedient to the Gardener and just plant seeds and keep them watered.

So, each time you see a flower bloom, let it be a sweet reminder of the tremendous privilege we have to tell others that Jesus is alive, He loves them, and wants to have a relationship with them. We can pray for our friends and family that God will grow the little seeds we have planted into a faith that is as alive as Jesus. All that from one little seed. Imagine that!

You loosen the soil around people's hearts by being present in their lives, planting little seeds here and there, and watering them with your words and actions and a good dose of prayer. God will do the rest in His time, and we trust Him in that. But who knows that you might plant a seed in the next Billy Graham. Someone told Billy about Jesus. It could happen!

Pray that God will give you wisdom and consistency as you plant seeds of faith in the lives of those around you. Pray that He will grow those seeds so that many apples come from them. It's time to get out our gardening tools, my friends, and start planting.

Blessings. 

 

The Journey

We are all on a journey.  We each begin that journey in different places. Some in a Christian home, some in a not-so-Christian home.  Either way, I think everyone has an expectation of what their life might look like now and in the future. How many of you as a kid, picked out what your wedding dress would look like? I did. I still have the picture I tore from the newspaper - that's because I save everything - anyway...guess what -- I eloped and my wedding dress was actually an old homecoming dress from a homecoming I went to with someone that I was not marrying. Lame, right...but, I still have that dress, too.

Here's what I've learned. When we experience disappointment, "read the story". The story of how we met, how we got married, all the fun, excitement, anticipation, stress... "read the story" of 52 years of marriage, four kids, three miscarriages, six grandkids, eight dogs, seven homes in three states, time spent in ICU for a severe TBI, COVID, and on and on. Read the story.

Here's another type of story. The Road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35

Two guys were walking along the road, they were talking about all that happened, they were disappointed, Jesus was gone. As they were walking, Jesus himself walked up beside them but they didn't recognize Him. He came to meet them where they were. Jesus wanted to know what they were talking about. And they told Him all that happened to Jesus - vs 21 says "We had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel."  There it is - disappointment. Jesus called them out on it. In verses 25 & 26 Jesus calls them foolish and slow of heart. THEN -- Jesus tells them the story. (Vs 27)

Jesus was going to leave them and they urge Him to stay, so He did. As soon as Jesus started to break bread to eat, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Then Jesus disappeared. In disappointment, reading the story opens our eyes to the good. Reading the story reminds us of the trials that strengthened us. Reading the story of our lives helps us remember who is in control.

I love this next part, vs 32 - "They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" Their hearts were aglow because they were hearing the story. Hearing or reading the story rekindles the fire that once burned in us. What fire that once burned inside of you has lost its flame? Love? Happiness? Contentment? Faith?

The same idea can be applied to our Christian walk. Read the story. Open your Bible. Reading the story rekindles the fire from when we first accepted Christ. In disappointment, read the story. In doubt, read the story. In a state of confusion, read the story. In a season of waiting, read the story. In a season of wondering why or how, read the story. In sadness, in fear, read the story and let it refuel the fire that once burned inside of you. 

Joshua 1:9 speaks directly to what this message is about..."Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

My encouragement to you is to "read the story" and be reignited. The journey begins and ends with the story.