Jesus

Absorb God’s Word – Don’t Worry About Overflowing

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Pitchfork Pots Flowing Over

Pitchfork Pots Over Flowing

Water absorbent crystals perform as the name implies: they absorb water. And they can absorb an amazing amount of water. When placed in pots with plants they slowly release the absorbed water and keep the plants hydrated over a longer period of time. Just when they need it.

Pitchfork Pot Overflowing

Pitchfork Pot Overflowing

I have used the crystals for several years but with these pots I apparently was thinking about something else and misjudged the number of crystals needed. As you see, after a 2 inch rain, the crystals expanded many times larger than their “dry weight”. They erupted over the side and took some of the potting soil with them to the ground. I’ll have to re-pot the moss roses and redistribute most of the crystals to other pots.

The sight of the engorged crystals and the thought of letting out the water as needed made me think of God’s Word – in a good way, of course. We need to absorb His Word daily – storing it for just when we need it. We don’t have to worry about taking too much in – that can never happen. Plus, if it overflows or even erupts from us, that’s all part of God’s plan to spread it around.

 Jesus said: “A sower went out to sow his seed…Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:5, 8:11 ESV

We aren’t all called to be preachers, but we are all called to be sowers of the Word. Fill your seed bag to overflowing so there is an abundance to sow.

Redbud, Clouds and Sky – What a Sight! And, Jesus – What a Savior!

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Redbud, clouds and sky

Redbud, clouds and sky

Redbud 2014

Redbud 2014

While not yet a big tree, the redbud in the front yard bloomed spectacularly this year. The Lord’s Creation is spectacular all year round, but Spring is especially wonderful. The process of new life appearing certainly reminds us of Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Hallelujah, What a Savior!

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 16:6 ESV

Got Faith? Plant an Oak Tree

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments
Old Oak Tree

Old Oak Tree

I went hunting for an impressive oak tree to photograph and found this one along a stretch of highway south of Daisy, Georgia. It is impressive. My purpose for the quest was to illustrate one aspect of faith: “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2nd Corinthians 5:7 ESV.

I don’t think this oak came about from a squirrel dropped acorn. I think someone planted this tree a century or more in the past. I have no proof of that, so that’s just a deduction from the other oaks up and down the road that appear to have been placed in particular locations. There probably was a house here then, but it probably wasn’t this one. (Could have been remodeled through the years, though).

The tree wouldn’t have become impressive during the lifetime of its planter. It’s likely it didn’t even reach “noticeable” status. And, it’s an absolute that the planter is not still around to see it become this mighty tree. But, that didn’t matter – they walked by faith. They knew what would happen far in the future. Their small efforts would become established and grow into a massive tree that would provide food and shelter for animals, and shade and comfort to people. I don’t know if they had the thought that just the sight of the tree would give a sense of wonder at God’s Creation, but I know that’s what I felt as I came around the curve and saw it.

It is just a deduction that someone planted this tree many years ago but the concept stands. Anytime you plant a long-lived, slow growing tree, you probably won’t see it reach “impressive” size. But, somebody will.

When the Apostle Paul wrote about walking by faith, not sight, he was noting that we don’t see the Lord, but we know (by the faith that God gave us and the Holy Spirit within us) we will see Him face to face one day. Paul then states that because of that, our aim in everything is “to please Him”

And that’s where I think another aspect of “walk by faith” comes in. It’s not planting trees (although I consider that a good thing), it’s doing things to please the Lord, even though we may not see the results (perhaps not even in our lifetime). As Jesus told us: Give someone who is thirsty a drink of water in His name. Feed the hungry. Welcome the strangers. Visit the sick. Make disciples.

Got faith? Then walk in it. Plant an oak tree. Or, better yet, spread the Good News about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Not Abandoned. Never Forsaken.

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Abandoned Quarry Shack

Abandoned Quarry Shack

I saw this at a working quarry outside of Augusta, GA. It’s interesting to me, because the shack once wasn’t a shack but a working shop. The abandoned power lines, with the transformers long gone, reveal it was electrified and probably had working equipment inside, and quite likely was a center of power for a section of the quarry (or perhaps all of the quarry at that time).

What’s most amazing, though, is that it once was on level ground. As the work of the quarry continued, the ground around it was taken away, truckload by truckload. Eventually, it was left standing alone. If you look closely, you can see the orange ladder laid on the ground to the left and below the building that someone can “climb” if they want to get to the shack, but I doubt there’s much reason to make it there. The power center of the quarry has moved to another section and the shack on the hill sits isolated.

The sight brought to mind Psalms 11:3 – “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” ESV

We can sometimes feel our foundations are being destroyed, or can think the ground around us is being dug away truckload by truckload. But, we should not despair, but consider other parts of that Psalm. “In the Lord I take refuge.” The Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven.”  “For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.”

We can be sure we won’t be left standing alone like this shack. For, Jesus has promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”