Christ

Do You Look Like Just Another Board in the Fence?

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
New Boards in the Fence Standout

New Boards in the Fence Standout

Do you stand out like a new creation?

A few weeks ago I headed out to a jobsite and went by the Meldrim Sisters’ Farm. The sisters are no longer living but their legacy lives on  because the house and land are still referred to as their home. You can see the old house in the photo

What caught my eye were the repairs/replacements being made on the fence – how the new boards stand out against the old. If you observe closely or just catch them in the corner of your eye, you notice they’re different. They shine brighter. They show a definite contrast to those boards around them.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17 came to mind: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” NKJV

If we are in Christ, as Paul says, we should stand out from the rest of the world. Not because we’re smart or flashy or ambitious, but because we are a new creation – God has taken our heart of stone and given us a heart of flesh. A heart that shines out the love of God to others – a heart that wants to be more like Jesus – a heart that doesn’t want to live and look like all the other “boards” in the fence.

Confused Peach Tree? – Praise the Lord!

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Confused January Peach Tree

Confused January Peach Tree

I’ve seen quite a few blog posts about this winter’s weird weather – I agree it’s been weird around here. The picture was our peach tree back in January. The weather was warm enough, long enough, to get it confused. One problem is it started blooming before I had time to prune it. So, now it will get extra big this summer.

I decided not to prune it while blooming – maybe there will be a few peaches. We’ll have to wait and see.

But, the blooms were pretty, as usual, and did foretell the coming of Spring. As several folks have said – time to start thinking of gardening time. As with everything, God had perfect wisdom in creating the seasons. It is always wonderful to start seeing the hints of new life coming with the approach of Spring. It reminds us that the Lord is always there, always with us, always watching over things, and always working for His glory and our good.

Praise the Lord for Spring and the hope that God gives us.

Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! Psalms 117 ESV

Learning in Life – Watch Where Your Shadow Falls

/ Bill Jones / 9 Comments

Shadow on the Shot

It would have been a lovely photo of Black-eyed Susans in our backyard. But, I wasn’t thinking or noticing where my shadow fell.

One point in my personal mission statement is “Pay Attention”. Obviously I wasn’t doing that with this shot. Sometimes when we don’t pay attention we can let our shadow fall on others – a sharp word or a bit of ignoring – darken their world or at least rub some of the brightness off.

Let’s picture the photo above without the shadow and take it with us as we pay attention.

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 ESV

Making Sense of Christmas

/ Bill Jones / 12 Comments
Birth of Jesus Matthew 2:1

Birth of Jesus Matthew 2:1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(This post is part of the ChristianWriters.com blog chain for December – The theme is Christmas sense(s))

I struggle at times making sense of Christmas. Why did the God of Creation leave Heaven and come to earth – especially as a baby?

Then, at some time in the season, God blesses me with a glimpse of clarity. Last year, as it has often been in past years, it was our church’s Christmas Cantata. The theme was “Peace” – the peace from God, peace with God, the peace of God. It was a beautiful, focused hour of worship, with Scripture, meditations, and songs celebrating the birth of Jesus. The Son of God became a man and dwelt among us – and His life, death, and resurrection redeemed us and brought us peace.

The songs spoke of that redemption and that peace: “Bring the hour that banished sadness, brought redemption down to earth” (Stars of Glory). “Hail, thou ever blessed morn. Hail, redemption’s happy dawn (See Amid the Winter Snow). “The Prince of Peace has come, rejoice and sing Noel!” (Watchman).

The reading of Isaiah 53:5 reminded us that our peace came at a high price. “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” ESV

The sorrow came later in His life on earth, but, on that first Christmas night long ago, there was rejoicing because the promised and long awaited Messiah had come. And, on the night of our cantata, the voice of a child reading the story brought tears to my eyes as the truth was revealed once more:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  Luke 2:8-14 KJV

Peace, as man defines it, will not occur – no matter how hard we try. However, peace, as defined by God, has been accomplished through that baby born in Bethlehem – and He is Jesus the Christ. I still can’t make sense of it all – but I do greatly rejoice in it!

“Infant holy, Infant lowly…Christ the Babe is Lord of All.” (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)