In California there exists a National Park containing the Redwood forest.  These grand trees which have a seed the size of a tomato seed, stand over three hundred and sixty feet tall. The base of the tree can exceed twenty-two feet in width. The ages range from six hundred to two thousand years old. The most interesting part is that there is no main tap root to hold these massive trees in place. Their roots only go down about ten feet deep and only extend out about sixty feet long. So the question is how these trees stand so long with such a week root system. The answer is simple, the root system of the redwoods all intertwine with each other. A single tree would never be able to face the winds, earthquakes and weather of the California coast.

Are you attempting to go through rough times on your own? Reach out to others around you for strength. We are not created to live in isolation. So gather others around you and stand together through the storms of life.  I bet you though I was going to share about an evergreen tree. God created both of them for us to enjoy.

What an Honor

Please do not scan this article fast, take some time to read and think as the article unfolds. Family that loves me, health, a full lake, beautiful fall weather, friends that listen, a job that I love, my life, music, freedom, warm bread, dreams that are yet unrealized, a warm dry home, and a God that forgives. That is just a few of the things that I am thankful for.

What about you, what are you thankful for? Every year around the table of warm food we share these things as fast as possible so the food does not get cold. In reality saying thanks to those around you or the God of creation should happen daily.



I Love to Fish

One of the things I love to do is fish.  It is relaxing to get out on a body of water and use my skills to entice the fish onto my hook.  How you fish differs according to the type of fish you want to catch.  Another issue is what type of bait you are going to use. There are so many baits it can boggle your mind. Once you get the fish to the hook then you must get them to bite the bait. After the bait is in their mouth you must hook the fish and reel it in.  The longest I ever fought a fish was a 42 pound Wahoo that took almost an hour to get it in the boat. 

I share all of this to say that is how bad habits can hook us.  There are lots of bad habits that entice us and have no benefits in themselves.  At the moment of the temptation, the enticement and taste of the bait seems exciting. It is not till after the hook is set that you realize you are no longer in control. The habit takes you on a ride you did not intend to take. That may be why they call it being hooked. And we all know the bait sure tastes good.

What a Beautiful Fireplace

Have you noticed that there are fewer and fewer real wood fireplaces?  Well this article has nothing to do with fireplaces.  It will however discuss real wood and artificial logs, at least as examples. 

We do not have to look far to see people today that are struggling.  Financial, physical, relational and spiritual problems are everywhere.  My question is how does that affect you as a person? Artificial logs will appear to burn for hours, yet when the heat is gone there is no visual change to the logs.  Real logs regardless of their size will eventually be brought to ashes. Are you able to see fires all around you and not be affected, or do you jump in and stand the chance of changing over time? I am thankful that I still hurt with others, when that changes I need to find a new job.  So jump on in and help share the heat.

Directions for Today's World

As a child I remember traveling from Miami to West Virginia with my parents.  My Dad would drive and my Mother would have the map giving directions as we traveled along.  Technology of today allow for a GPS system to give the drive directions.  I use one of these units and it helps me get around Atlanta with greater ease.  The interesting thing is that I use the GPS to get me to locations I have been to on a regular basis.  Often I will leave the suggested route that the GPS suggests to go my own way.  It does not take long for the GPS to track me down and recalculate my trip.  If the volume is turned on it might even give me a verbal correction telling me to turn around.

As I was receiving one of these redirections I realized that what I do as I drive down the road parallels what I do in my spiritual life.  As I journey in my spiritual life I occasionally decide to redirect myself down a path of my own choosing.  It does not take long for me to realize I need to get back on the path God had for me.  I then look up and my path is already redirected and ready for me to head out down life’s path again.

Life is more than a Cliché

There is just something about a cliché.  There are sayings and cliché’s to fit most any area of life. One example is from an unknown source “When playing cards you have no choice as to what cards you are dealt, but you do have a choice has to how you play them.”  Then there is a saying by Winston Churchill “Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it."  When we have events and problems in our life, cliché’s are easy, it is life that is difficult. There are times when we all face difficult problems.  What makes us special is in how we handle them.  Some of these issues we can work through on our own, at other times we need to place all of our cards on the table, and reach out for the help of others.  

There are also times when we need to reach out to help those around us in need.  This may require that we volunteer with a community event, or just help out a neighbor.  You may not feel you have the talents to help and in those times just remember, “the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.” So please reach out for help and reach out to help

A Mountaintop Experience

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience?  These experiences do not require a mountain or even a tall hill.  You are not able to make these moments come by playing music, going to church or even maintaining clean language.  While all of those things might be true at the time of this moment, they are not required. I have been bless and seen them happen at an ocean’s shore, ornate cathedral and yes a mountain top once or twice.   I have also seen them occur in an emergency room, and at a death bed. These moments are times when you are at one with the Creator.

So what can you do if you want to enjoy a mountaintop experience? You must be willing to stop, and listen to a God that loves you. Take a moment from your life where we deal with sorrow, pain, anger, frustration, fear, and hopelessness, to lean on our creator. So as spring continues to make its way to summer, head for some mountain time, and enjoy a moment when mind, body and spirit are one, and at total peace.

Love is Continued.....

Who taught you how to tie your shoes? What about other life lessons like driving, dancing, and riding a bike? Now the big question, who taught you how to love? Did you read how to love in a book, or did you take a class? Reality is that most of us learned how to love through modeling. No I do not mean walking down a long runway, I mean we watched others, and just copied how they expressed love.  In today’s culture the word love gets used to define our relationship with everything from the weather to chocolate.  Your love also needs to carry you through good and bad times, and in sickness and health. 

I would like to offer a few guidelines. First love others more that you love yourself. Second be ready to make the first move.  When difficult times arrive, it is not about pride and self.  Lat but not least be ready to take a risk.  When you have been hurt by love before this is the hardest guideline of all. Always remember that if you need a perfect model look above to the author of perfect love.

Love Is . . .

February is the month of love.  It is a month when once again chocolate is allowed in large amounts and jewelry is shared with loved ones.  It has been a long time since Ryan O’Neal said the magic words “love means never having to say you are sorry.”  At that time I was a young child (in high school) and I thought the quote was a bit corny.  Today, I understand what he was attempting to say, but I have mixed feelings as to its validity.  We should never expect to receive forgiveness without first admitting we have done wrong.  With sincere repentance forgiveness can then be granted.  To receive forgiveness without admission of guilt has little value. When we ask for, and receive forgiveness our love grows deeper and we become more real with each other. Then when you say I love you it comes from your core and is not a surface cliché. 

So enjoy lots of chocolate, some jewelry that sparkles, and share the love you have from your heart with the one you love.

 
When do you let go of the seat?

It has been several years since I ran behind a bicycle with a child that was learning how to ride.  The difficult question was when to let go of the seat.  When did the child have their balance set so they could ride on their own?  That question continues to be asked with every new task a child attempts.  The base question parents are required to ask themselves is when to let go.  The tasks change as a child grows, but the question is the same.

I have always seen my job as a parent to help a child become less dependant on me and more dependant on God.   I know that sounds easier than it is in real situations.  There are times as a parent that you just want to hold on to the seat.  I also know it is a lot more fun to ride along beside the child, then it is to keep running behind.  They need to ride on their own and I need to let go.