Jesus

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.

A Wicked Surprise in the Back Forty

/ Bill Jones / 8 Comments
Thorny Vines

Thorny Vines

Thorny Fine Closeup

Thorny Vine Closeup

A wicked surprise in the back forty!

When I cleared out the underbrush in the area of cut pines (referred to as the new landscape area in previous blogs), I found a lot of self started pine seedlings. I couldn’t bring myself to pull them up and throw them on the brush pile, so, I decided to replant them in other areas – like the “back forty”. I call it that because it is the back of the property – nowhere near forty acres – maybe 2?

I took my bundle of seedlings, used a hand held edger as a dibble, and started walking and planting in no particular pattern. I backed up in one place and felt something grabbing my pants leg. When I looked down I saw the most wicked vine I’ve ever seen. I looked around it and found it was one of several in a group as seen in the picture. When I showed Sharon the picture, she said I needed something to kill them graveyard dead. I think she’s right.

Several thoughts come to mind. I can imagine these as the vines around the castle where Sleeping Beauty was (or was it Snow White?). Either way, a Prince Charming would have to be strong and courageous to take them on.

It definitely is a picture of the results of man’s fall into sin. Imagine the beauty of other vines like jasmine and clematis, in contrast to these.

And, especially imagine a crown of thorns made of these. What a brutal thing to endure. Yet, our Lord endured the cross and the thorns and the humiliation all for the joy set before Him – the salvation of His children! Praise the Lord for His Love.

“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 12:2 ESV

Blessings from God – 100 Followers (Plus 3?)

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments
They seem to be watching for something.

They seem to be watching for something.

I thank the Lord and all of you out there who follow this blog. We reached a milestone of 100 followers last week. It is humbling to think there are that many people who went through the time and effort to sign up – and many who regularly read the posts, view the photos, and “like” or comment.

I’ve been extra busy with work these days so I haven’t posted much. I am trying to take some photos for future use, and it will soon be time to start the gardening stuff. Perhaps the Lord will bless it like He did last year.

Like several of you, I hope to self publish a book in the next few months. Most of it will be stories I’ve written over the last 5 or 6 years. I’ve posted some on the blog, but most haven’t been on here.

Like the sparrows above, it seems we’re all watching for something. I pray that whatever we see, it will be to the glory of God.

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