The Tale of Two Trees

The Tale of Two Trees
by Max Lucado

Formless masses. Floating. Disconnected.
Divine artist. Earthly dream.
Light! Sun rays piercing through jungle trees. Sunsets volcanic with explosions of gold. Soft sheets of moonlight soothing a weary ocean.
Beings! Snorting. Flying. Splashing. Bleating. Gnawing. Clawing. Digging.
Sound! Horse’s hoof beats. Cawing crows. Hyena laughter. Cannoning thunder. Chirping chicks. Rat-tat-tatting rain.
Nothingness converted.
Then silence … as an unseen Sculptor molds mud and dust. Lions motionlessly watching. Sparrows perched, peering downward. Clouds hovering. Inquisitive kangaroos. Curious caribou. Snooping centipedes.


“What’s he making?”


“An animal?”


Giraffes peeking through leaves. Squirrels chattering gossip. Pausing. Wondering. Gibbering.


“A mountain?”


A sudden breeze, surprisingly warm, whistles through the leaves scattering dust from the lifeless form. And with the breath of fresh air comes the difference. Winging on the warm wind is his image. Laughter is laid in the sculpted cheeks. A reservoir of tears is stored in the soul. A sprinkling of twinkle for the eyes. Poetry for the spirit. Logic. Loyalty. Like leaves on an autumn breeze, they float and land and are absorbed. His gifts become a part of him.


His Majesty smiles at his image. “It is good.”


The eyes open.
Oneness. Creator and created walking on the river bank. Laughter. Purity. Innocent joy. Life unending.
Then the tree.
The struggle. The snake. The lie. The enticement. Heart torn, lured. Soul drawn to pleasure, to independence, to importance. Inner agony. Whose will?
The choice. Death of innocence. Entrance of death. The fall.
Tear stains mingling with fruit-stains.


II


The Quest.
“Abram, you will father a nation! And Abram—tell the people I love them.”


“Moses, you will deliver my people! And Moses—tell the people I love them.”


“Joshua, you will lead the chosen ones! And Joshua—tell the people I love them.”


“David, you will reign over the people! And David—tell the people I love them.”


“Jeremiah, you will bear tidings of bondage! But Jeremiah, remind my children, remind my children that I love them.”


Altars. Sacrifices. Rebelling. Returning. Reacting. Repenting. Romance. Tablets. Judges. Pillars. Bloodshed. Wars. Kings. Giants. Law. Hezekiah. Nehemiah. Hosea. … God watching, never turning, ever loving, ever yearning for the Garden again.


III
Empty throne. Spirit descending. Hushed angels.


A girl …
a womb …
an egg.


The same Divine Artist again forms a body. This time his own. Fleshly divinity. Skin layered on spirit. Omnipotence with hair. Toenails. Knuckles. Molars. Kneecaps. Once again he walks with man. Yet the Garden is now thorny. Thorns that cut, thorns that poison, thorns that remain lodged, leaving bitter wounds. Disharmony. Sickness. Betrayal. Fear. Guilt.

The lions no longer pause. The clouds no longer hover. The birds scatter too quickly. Disharmony. Competition. Blindness.


And once again, a tree.


Once again the struggle. The snake. The enticement. Heart torn, lured. Once again the question, “Whose will?”


Then the choice. Tear stains mingle with bloodstains. Relationship restored. Bridge erected.


Once again he smiles. “It is good.”


For just as death came by means of a man, in the same way the rising from death comes by means of a man. For just as all men die because of their union to Adam, in the same way all will be raised to life because of their union to Christ. (I Corinthians 15:21-22)


From God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Max Lucado


This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. "This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is." John 3:16-21 The Message

Sun-Kissed Meadow

A couple days ago, my hubby asked me to go for a ride right before the sun went down behind the mountain.  I hadn't felt good for a couple days, so he thought I needed out of the house.  We drove just a mile or so from our home.  As we arrived, it seemed God was giving the prairie a good night kiss. 

 

 

 

"To see the summer sky is poetry." Emily Dickenson

Peace...is seeing a sunset, and knowing who to thank.

The Escapades Continue

Yesterday was one of those days.  For starters, I had to take my camera back to the shop as it still had spots all over the sensors, and a big piece of fluff inside it.  I haven't used my camera much since getting it back so didn't know that it was still a mess, after paying to get it cleaned up.  On the home front, my garden is having the worst year  ever.  I am enjoying some wonderful greens, but other than that, it's pretty sad with the cold, wet weeks of weather we had that have stunted growth of almost everything out there.  Even though I put a nice organic compost on it when we planted this year, it seemed like my beans especially needed something more.  I stopped by the greenhouse, and got a vegetable fertilizer, sprinkled it on, and prayed it would work.  Each of  my garden beds are raised beds, and have fences around to keep my dog out.  If you are a long time reader here, you know she loves to get in the beds and pull each carrot and have a feast.  Last year, we got one carrot from a long row.  She knows as soon as they are ready, and in one setting, will pull each carrot out and eat it, just leaving a nice straight line of carrot tops in the garden.  Yes, she looks innocent, but don't let that sweet face fool you!  She is a thief!

After returning from town, I let Maddie outside to enjoy the day, as it was cool, and breezy.  The camera place wanted a different lens on the camera before they sent it off to be fixed, so I had to return to town with my other lens.  Before I left, I went to do the door to call Maddie and she didn't come.  She always comes when I call her.  I called again, and again.  My heart was starting to sink.  I slipped my shoes on and went out back, almost dreading what I might find.  As I came around the corner of the house, I had quite the sight...... 

My 75 pound dog, got herself all messed up in 12 feet of garden fence.  I went over to her, as it was a bit difficult for her to move, but she was trying, and I could not budge the fence on her.  It was so tight around her middle, I'm not sure how she could breathe.  She had two sections over her shoulders, pressed up against her legs, squeezing her ribs.  I was not even able to move her leg to get that out of the mess.  I  glanced over at my poor beans, and peas, and see two are uprooted, some are trampled.  My peas were strung up on the fence that my dog is currently wearing.  Needless to say, they weren't looking very good.  She looks up at me with her sweet, brown eyes, as I look back at her.  Unable to get too upset because I know she is in pain, I mumble and grumble, and then try to figure out how to free her.  I told her to stay, ran into the house, but not sure what for.  I went back out, and found some old tree pruners.  I thought they may cut the wire.  I was wrong.  As I am trying to free my dog, with no luck, I am thinking, what do I have to do?  Do I call the fire department, the vet, who?  I need help freeing my dog.........anyone???  She keeps looking up at me with her poor pitiful dog eyes, trying to help me in anyway she can, but nothing is working.  I am muttering and sputtering, and praying at the same time for God to help me.  I try to call my husband, but he doesn't answer.  I knew we had wire cutters somewhere, I didn't know where.  Although this is a brand new fence and I really didn't want to cut it because it was a bit expensive, I thought it was the only way to free her.  I couldn't even get the sections apart to get it down to just a couple panels, instead of 12 feet of fence!  Suddenly, she shifted something in her body, and the fence moved a little bit.  I picked up her leg and was able to push it through.  Then the fun part came.  I looked at her, she looked back, and I grabbed her head and started pushing.  She looked at me like, are you serious?, but started to help, not taking her eyes off me.  I was scared I was going to break her neck the way I had to twist her head, but we suddenly had a break through and between the two of us, we got her head through that mess.  By then, I just had to slide the two panels off the back and she was free.    Once free, she ran, and ran, and came over and licked my hand, and ran some more.  She was free. I know I worked on getting her out of that mess for 20 minutes, and can only guess she was tangled up for another 15 minutes, maybe more. I turned and looked at my garden.  She stopped running and looked at me.  I couldn't yell at her after that ordeal. But, being a golden retriever she knew I was upset.  She came over and sat down next to me and wagged her tail, and  looked up at me with the biggest puppy dog eyes I have ever seen. I just patted her head, told her she was bad for going in the garden, and went on my way.  What made my dog push her 9 1/2 inch shoulders through a 4 inch fence you ask?  The new garden fertilizer I put down has bone meal in it, and evidently, my dog loves bone meal.  I came in and called the company to see if what she consumed was harmful.  They said not unless she has an allergy to one of the ingredients.  Grateful for buying an organic fertilizer, I breathed a sigh of relief on that answer.  She slept a lot of the rest of the afternoon away, and seems to be a bit sore from her escapades, but is fine.

In the meantime, I guess I just chalk this up to one more session of escapades with Maddie in the garden and try to salvage my peas today.  I also need to figure out a fence to keep her out of the rest of the garden, as many plants need some of this fertilizer put on them, but I really don't want my tomatoes and peppers destroyed, so some brainstorming needs to take place today.  It's pretty sad when inside a 7 foot fenced back yard, I have to put several other fences, just to keep my dog out.  Hmmm, and those of you who have deer think you have problems! 

Being Still

God has been speaking to my heart a lot this weekend, through a few different venues.  Today, I need to take time to just sit and get in His word and be quiet.  I can feel a great anticipation of what God is about to do, although I don't have any idea what that could be right now. I just feel that something is about to change, for the better.  Maybe He is just preparing my heart for the future, and I will have to wait awhile.  I do not know at this point, but with the way different points I have heard over the weekend have touched my heart, I know from past experience that God is preparing me for some change.  I've had moments of tears in letting go of past hurts this weekend.  I've also had joy, as I realize the truths He has revealed to my heart.  I will share more later, but for now, I am going to go sit outside in my flower garden, with my journal and my Bible and be still. 


Be still in the presence of the Lord,and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:7

Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10

Life's Storms

I guess the song below goes along with my post from yesterday.  At times, life can be full of storms.  A friend of mine and I heard this song a few years ago when we started our friendship.  We both started to face some pretty tough life storms, and now, many years later, we hear this song and sometimes we have to ask, 'still God?  When do the storms let up?'  However, we have also come to realize that the storms of life will continue as long as we live on this earth, but the important thing is that we let God help us through the storms, even at times when we are so struck down that we cannot see Him.  We have to have faith that He is still there, holding our tears, helping us. We have to hold on to the hope of Deuteronomy 31 verses 6 and 8: "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you."

And  ...

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

Do not fear; I will help you.

 

Right now I am thinking of a dear friend who is facing one of those storms. She is a regular reader here, so I know she will see this.  God is holding your salty tears, my friend, every one of them.  He is with you through this tough time.  He has a plan, even if it seems blurred right now.  Hang on to Him.  He has your right hand, and is holding you.  

 

Inside Out

Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.
Psalm 51:16-17   The Message



And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12:1-2

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:1-2

My heart is kind of weighed down today.  I have been spending some time with God tonight to get some perspective.  There have been a lot of things weighing on my heart this week. The death of a young couple whom I did not know, but are from my hometown.  When you grow up in a small town, things are different than in the city. Even after you leave there, your heart is still connected.  Even though I did not personally know them, I know many who did know them and have seen and felt their heartache the past few days. Their lives seemed to touch many.  I look at her face on the many pictures being posted of her on facebook, and her smile is infectious.  I pray for their families and friends to find hope and comfort in this time of tragedy.  Sandpoint also lost a wonderful man I have known since I was in high school who always had a warm smile for all he met.  Vern was a quiet man, but very warm and friendly, and loved to joke around with those he knew.  He will also leave a big void in the Sandpoint community.  I am glad I had the privilege to know him.

There have been a lot of other things going on with friends of mine that are leaving marks and scars on lives and hearts that really don't need to be there, if pride was laid down, and eyes and lives were turned to Jesus. 

I am thankful that I have the hope of Jesus Christ in my life.  I have to choose every moment of every day whether or not I am willing to lay down my pride, and allow God to fully consume my life.  I have to decide to not be filled with pride, and allow my heart to shatter for God so that I am more like Him, not the world, not what I want.  Is it always easy to do?  No.  Sometimes it's very, very difficult because I think I have the answers, which are usually the wrong when I only include me in the equation, by the way.  But a life of truly following Christ as my Savior, a life of true worship is one that mirrors the life of Christ, not the world.  It's being different, and letting the world know that only Christ gives me true hope in this life, through good times, and through the times that make me wonder why things happened the way they do. 

Lord, help me to bring you praise from the inside out...let it be a permanent cry of my heart as I strive to live for you.

Freedom

“True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.” – Clarence Darrow

It is easy to take freedom for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.



America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.  Harry S. Truman

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed or else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower




How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! -Thomas Jefferson

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. -Abraham Lincoln


 On this Independence Day, let us remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. Let us also remember that America is not defined by the politicians who run it, but the people who love it.  If you love your country, take a stand for freedom!!  It is our right, our responsibility to defend our freedoms, our country, not to just sit back and watch it all be taken from us.  Too many men and women have died in defending this country to just let our freedoms keep slipping away.  Be proud to be an American, and be heard.  When our freedoms are gone, it will be very, very difficult to get them back.  Can you imagine life without all the freedoms you enjoy now?  The right to travel where and when you want to, the right to buy what you want, the right to say and do what you want, the right to teach your children what you value in life, the right to choose the health care you want for you and your family, the right to live where you want, the right to work where you want to work.  Can you imagine if each of those rights, freedoms where taken from you?  They easily can be taken, and quickly, especially when good people sit back and do nothing, say nothing.  Stand up, be heard, be proud to be an American!