Mar 14, 2014 | Living Well
Nathan Cullins Photograph
Sammy Peacock was foraging for insects, grubs, or seeds scattered around on the ground when Larry Peacock approached.
How dare he come around. This is my area. Doesn’t Larry know where he belongs? Sammy thought.
Larry Peacock was arrogantly walking toward Sammy knowing he was encroaching on the older peacock’s carefully cultivated and protected territory. He knew his friends prudently avoided offending Sammy, but Larry believed it was about time that old peacock let the younger guys have a chance. Everyone told Larry that he was better looking, more talented, and stronger than Sammy. Why couldn’t Sammy recognize Larry was the best peacock in the yard? Larry thought, It is my turn to be the star. So Larry advanced.
Nathan Cullins Photograph
Sammy turned toward Larry. After a few aggressive moves, Sammy decided to strut his stuff. He wanted Larry to recognize that Sammy was in charge. Larry retreated this time.
It is so sad when Christians behave like these birds. They strut their stuff and make a selfish show so others will recognize their greatness. Having talent and using that talent is a wonderful God-given gift if, and only if, it is used as God wants. At all times God instructs us to use our abilities with humility instead of strutting in pride.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12
Mar 11, 2014 | Living Well
I love spring—the first warm days when you start to believe the frigid weather might soon come to an end. I grabbed my garden gloves, a small rake, and a trowel. Early plants are beginning to appear under the leaf debris. My vegetable garden beckoned.
Garlic is the first plant in my spring garden to emerge from the earth. My garlic is already about four inches high. In our area garlic needs to be planted in the fall, but early spring plantings are also okay. I knew I had not planted enough of this kitchen staple last fall. So I divided two more bulbs into individual cloves and nudged them into the soft earth.
With that task completed I decided to take a risk. With some seed that was left from last year, I planted a row of lettuce and snow peas. It is a bit early and the seed may not be good, but I did not want to end my time of “playing” in the garden.
Recently I read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. In this passage, Jesus is teaching that it is our responsibility to plant the seed of his truth. Some of the seed will produce and some will not. I am to expect that. As a witness I am not very brave at planting gospel seed in the lives of people. This insight was convicting as I realized I am much braver when I plant garden seed than when I have an opportunity to plant eternal seeds.
He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:9
How can he hear if no one is spreading the Good News? Oh that I may become more aware of the opportunities I have to share Christ with others!
Mar 9, 2014 | Living Well
Who dreamed up Daylight Savings Time? How arrogant of them to try to manipulate time! Ugh. I lost an hour of sleep last night.
Not only did the time “spring forward” an hour in the middle of the night, but it was one of “those” nights. Even though I had gone through my normal bedtime routine and felt sleepy when I turned out the light, my eyes would not stay shut. So much to think about—a visit from an out-of-state niece, Mom’s surgery, vacation plans. My mind would not stop.
When sleep finally overtook me, I dreamed. Normally I like dreaming. I view it as an adventure while being semi-conscious. But last night, the dream was unpleasant. I tried to vehemently express my fear as the dream was rapidly devolving into a nightmare. Suddenly I was awakened by my dog’s wet nose gently touching the end of my nose and my cheek. It felt like he was God’s messenger to nudge me into the safety of consciousness.
Immediately a verse I am memorizing came to mind.
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. John 16:33
God had used the gentle touch of my sweet puppy to remind me that he is in control. I need not worry or fret. This life will have challenges, but God is my strength. I can have inner peace though him.
Mar 8, 2014 | Living Well
I was as excited as a nine-year-old could be. Gloria, my favorite babysitter, was caring for me while my mother served as a counselor at church camp. We were cooking supper because Gloria’s husband David would soon be home from work. Michael was sleeping in his crib. Suddenly a strong wind and torrential rain hit.
Gloria said, “We don’t have the trailer tied down yet.” As she finished that sentence, the mobile home shook.
I saw the hot stove and a mirror tumble past me as the mobile home rolled and rolled.
I tried to yell for help, but couldn’t. Debris filled my mouth with sandy dirt. As I was spitting the mud from my mouth, I saw David and Gloria pulling furniture out of the way and forming a tunnel through which I could crawl.
Torrential rains continued, and lightning flashed.
The three of us, with Gloria carrying six-month-old Michael, ran to the deepest part of the ditch in front of the house as that was the only shelter we had to protect us from a possible second assault.
We had been sitting in the ditch only a few minutes when Daddy showed up. He jumped out of the car and ran to me. “Thank God you were not hurt by that tornado.” Then he looked at the others and saw the blood on David’s foot. “Let’s get all of you checked out at the hospital,” were his next words.
The remains of our barn the tornado hit before it attacked the mobile home where I was staying
The mobile home had rolled over David as he was trying to move us to safety. Miraculously, he only suffered a gash requiring twelve stitches. Other than that, bruises and minor cuts were our only injuries.
The next day I stood in awe as I looked over the flattened mobile home to the barnyard beyond. God had worked a miracle. We were alive.
Even as a young child I realized that God had spared my life because he had a purpose for me. In Jeremiah 29:11, God said, “I know the plans I have for you.”
Mar 4, 2014 | Living Well
It was the perfect day. There was about two inches of snow on the ground. The wind was barely moving. And best of all, my husband did not have to work because school had been cancelled.
I tentatively approached him as I feared he would give a negative response to my request. He listened, took a deep breath, and said, “You are right. It is a perfect day to burn those piles of timber.”
Four years ago we had hired a tree removal company to cut down some gigantic cottonwood trees that were half dead. They were dropping branches that were a foot in diameter into the pond and on its banks. We planned to burn the piles of timber when the right conditions developed.
To safely burn the piles, it was essential that we had no wind, which is a rarity in the Kansas prairie, and wet conditions. The humongous brush and log piles were placed beside the pond located in the middle of a hay meadow. Unintentionally creating a prairie wild fire was a real concern unless conditions were perfect.
The brush pile caught fire rapidly. However, the log pile was a challenge. Using batches of old hay sprayed with lighter fluid eventually worked. The bark on the logs caught and soon a scorching hot fire was consuming the logs.
As the fire burned down, I was reminded that sometimes I get impatient waiting for God’s timing. I want to barge ahead with a task or activity even if he is telling me to slow down—to wait. When I go ahead in my power, often frustration hits and disaster results. Oh that I can learn to always wait for God’s perfect day.
“Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
Mar 2, 2014 | Living Well
I am housebound. The temperature is hovering close to zero. Last night’s sleet renders sidewalks and roadways nearly impassable. Visibility is less than ideal because of strong winds.
God has granted me a reprieve from my hectic daily schedule. What am I to do with the newfound time? So far I have cleaned house, washed clothes, and cooked a meal. My need to be productive is fulfilled. The rest of my day is “found” time. Watching television sounds repulsive. Meaningless and sinful story lines, small talk on news channels, and obnoxious commercials are unappealing.
Time to sit down and read with a hot cup of tea could be a delightful treat. Or maybe I could make some phone calls to family and friends with whom I’ve neglected to make contact for too long. Possibly I will do both. Of one thing I am sure. I will spend time today praising my Lord.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:1-2
How can I not give continual praise to my God! He loves me, provides me with a warm home, keeps me safe, and has saved my soul.
