Pine Tree Crosses

     Sharing information from websites and email streams, my sister told me about an article she had read from one of the daily devotionals she receives. It seems that Pine trees begin their new growth in the weeks [spring] before Easter/Passover. Looking to the top of these coniferous trees two weeks before, yellow shoots begin to form. As the days get close to Resurrection Sunday - the tallest shoot will branch off and form a cross. By Easter, most of the trees will have small yellow crosses on the tallest shoots. 

    Folklore continues to present the question: Do they recognize the pagan tradition of using Evergreens in one of the most popular holidays [Christmas] and thus display these little crosses on their branches to somehow compensate for that? 

    Despite how it is viewed - I am always intrigued and blessed by little reminders in creation - things that point me to my redemption and salvation through Christ.

    "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." ~ Romans 1:20

      

Like A Tree

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. ~ Jeremiah 17:8

Reflecting on this scripture today is much like looking over the surface of the water in the picture above. My life too,  can seem smooth and reflective to the beholder - still and sure, but beneath - the surface can be a different picture altogether. Pressures [the heat or months of drought] can build - and concerns of this world might threaten the ability to be the Reflector of Light which my name identifies. But, thanks to the roots of my existence which extend deep within the water of the word, I can be certain that I shall not wilt or die. I will stay fresh and beneficial - replicating the clear reflection of promise  that is within me. And so, I will be like a tree planted by the water - beautiful and alive - in Him!

Harvest Hope

   The harvest of another year is coming to a close with promise of a new beginning. The fruits of my labor are in the storehouse of experience and reference. Seeds of circumstance, both wheat and tare lay bundled and ready for distribution or destruction. Opportunity to trust for for an outcome of success  depends on my truth and faith. As I face the negativity, doubt, and fear that has dogged me these past months, I choose to leave it all behind and press on to victory. I call upon strength and resilience, even though difficulty lies in wait to undermine my progress. Now is my time to shine forth the testimony of hope revealed. I will push out the walls of confinement and move through to the continuing purpose before me. 

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Blessings Defined

   This week, having been in a state of introspection, I decided to start a list of blessings. Knowing that such a project would be endless, my first course of action was to research the word itself: Blessing.I discovered in the strictest sense, there is no simple translation of the word. The English chose the word blessing from the Greek word eulogeitos. The word actually provides the English word eulogy (eu meaning good and logy meaning word). Thus, eulogy means a good word. This Greek word 'eulogeitos' was the chosen by the New Testament writers as the nearest equivalent word they had for the contextual meaning for the Old Testament Hebrew word 'barak', which literally means 'to kneel' (taken from Strong's Greek text). Blessing is a transitive verb meaning: 1. to make holy 2. to request divine favor on, 3. to make happy. 4. special favor, mercy, or benefits. 5. a short prayer. 6. spiritual redemption. All that said, my blessings are more numerous than the sands of the shores and more precious than all the diamonds in African mines. Now excited and encouraged, I have begun! 

Rain has been falling on the Texas Bluebonnets five days while I have been in San Antonio. The mix of gentle showers and night storms have been a source of washing and renewing the landscape and feeding the root systems that run deep into the rich, red Texas soil. The steady precipitation has brought fresh, new beginnings - a welcome change from the usual scorching temperatures by this time of the year. 

Likewise, I too have been experiencing the rain of the Holy Spirit while resting my head in the Lonestar state. Showers of blessings - the quiet droplets of His refreshing presence have run over me with  a deliberate  "washing of the water of the Word.."(Ephesians 5:26)  The night storms have poured deep into my inner-being - the core of my existence - a strengthening and feeding of resolute truth. The mighty rushing of the winds have revealed to me that "I am not serving myself but God, by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven." (from: I Peter 1:12). My soul soaks up  the nourishment provided "by God who is giving rain for the season - keeping the weeks appointed for harvest" (from: Jeremiah 5:24) 

As the deer pants for the water brook, "my soul yearns, even faints for the Courts of the Lord. My flesh cries out for the living God." (Psalm 84:2) And I am seeking His face in this respite of quiet and solitude. I know now that "God is sending a plentiful rain to confirm my inheritance in my weariness." (Psalms 68:9) "I choose to drink in great doses of the water of the Word that I might distinguish good from evil through knowledge and discernment." (Hebrews 5:14) And I welcome the result of this process of cleansing that will guide me always. I know" He will satisfy my needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen my frame. I know I will be like a well-watered garden whose spring waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)