Christian Living

Sure Signs of Faith

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Budding Pecan Tree - Sure Sign of Spring

Budding Pecan Tree – Sure Sign of Spring

Want a sure sign that Spring is here? Then, look for the budding pecan  trees. They seem to be the last large trees around here (south Georgia) that bud out.

Want a sure sign of faith? Then look for the huge pecan trees and oak trees around the homesteads in the country. I don’t know how old this tree is, but it’s on the edge of our property and has obviously been there many years. And I do know that whoever planted it is not around to enjoy the fruits of their labor. But, they had the faith to plant it anyway.

That’s even more evident with slow growing live oaks. You can see one oak tree large enough to shade an entire house. Yet, the planters knew they wouldn’t be around when the tree reached that point. Again, they had the faith to plant it anyway – not necessarily for themselves but for generations to come.

Hebrews Chapter 11 is sometimes called the “faith” chapter because it speaks of the faith of a number of saints from Biblical times. Their acts exceeded the simple planting of a tree, but the concepts can be compared. Much of what we do, in faith today, will not have an effect until sometime in the future – whether it be tomorrow, next week, next year – or in a lifetime following ours. Chapter 12 refers to these witnesses (showing faith) and gives us instructions on how to join them as witnesses for the future generations.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

400,000 Miles of Blessings

/ Bill Jones / 8 Comments
Odometer hits the 400,000 mile mark

Odometer hits the 400,000 mile mark

I suppose every week has some kind of milestone. We just don’t notice them all. But, last week I definitely noticed when my truck (98 Ford Ranger) hit the 400,000 mile mark. It’s been a great truck – a few repairs here and there, but otherwise great – and, I do thank the Lord often for His blessing me with it. As you see, I actually pulled off the road and took a picture at the moment of the milestone.

I’ve been telling Sharon that I’m shooting for the 500,000 mile mark and then I’ll decide what to do. As always, there’s a Lord Willin’ on that statement.

What milestone did God give you last week?

“Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. “Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:13-14 ESV

What Ingredients Create Our Spiritual Mulch?

/ Bill Jones / 13 Comments
Flower Bed Before Mulch

Flower Bed Before Mulch

The flower beds were a mess. Some still are since it’s a work in progress. I didn’t add any mulch in the fall, so the weeds were free to multiply and the warm winter helped them along.

But, thankfully, I’ve had some time and been able to work on the beds. Here’s what they’re starting to look like.

Flower Bed with Pine Straw Mulch

Flower Bed with Pine Straw Mulch

My favorite mulch (and the favorite of many folks around here in south Georgia) is pine straw. It’s abundant and relatively inexpensive. I like the way it looks, too – makes things nice and neat.

But, although it does look good, the main purposes of the mulch aren’t aesthetic. Mulch is used to stop the weeds from growing – hopefully to keep the ground dark enough that the weed seeds don’t even sprout. And, it’s used to retain the moisture when the summer gets hot and dry.

In my pondering as I put out the pine straw, I wondered if there was such a thing as spiritual mulch. We certainly need something to keep the spiritual weeds from growing – those thoughts or actions that begin siphoning off our nourishment that God provides. Those things that begin to shade our heart and mind from God’s presence.

We also need ways to keep the living water around us during times of spiritual drought.

I decided that prayer and Bible study are two necessary components of spiritual mulch. Consistent prayer (with the right attitude) keeps us close to God. Bible study continually reminds us who God is, who we are in relation to Him, and what He has done for us.

Those ingredients will keep the spiritual weeds from growing (and having worked hard at getting rid of weeds in the flower bed, I can say it’s much easier to keep them from growing than to remove them later) and they will keep the living water flowing from Jesus.

“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” John 7:37 ESV

The Sign (and Power) of the Cross

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments
The Cross

The Cross (Photo credit: Pix from the Field)

I saw the small cross on the side of the road ahead and my heart sank as I thought “oh no, not someone else”. It looked like one of those crosses that families and friends place in memory of someone who died in a car accident. I seem to notice them more as I get older. I don’t know if there are actually more crosses or just more knowledge that comes with age. And, we have had several such accidents in our community and wider church family lately.

As I neared the cross, I could see it had writing on it. I figured it was the person’s name, and reading that would take my heart a little lower. In the area I was riding, I probably wouldn’t know who they were, but putting an actual name in mind would make it more real.

I drew close enough to see the writing and considered turning my eyes to miss the name. But, something drew me to look directly at it, and I read the words: “HE IS RISEN!” Rather than a reminder of death, it was an Easter sign proclaiming life! Tears came to my eyes, my heart soared and I spoke aloud that “Yes, He is, thank you Lord!”

I was amazed— a moment before, I was sinking at the thought of the effects of sin in this world. The grief and pain it causes. Then, those three words turned it all around. Christ did die, but it was no accident. He gave His life for us.

Christ turned it all around. Our grief is now for a moment, but we will be with Him forever. As the lyrics of “The Power of the Cross”* proclaim—”death is crushed to death”. Yes, it is, for HE IS RISEN!

“And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:5-6 ESV

*Stewart Townend, Keith Getty