Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new
2 Corinthians 5:17
They change before my eyes: translucent, transparent telling of coming changes chanting their farewells across the sky.
If trees could talk what would be said of their transformation? Would willows weep or birches balk as their leaves are wisp away?
Maples seem to chatter in wind; while oaks remain stately and only rumble, rattle, roar as autumn exits clinging to their crisp leaves till spring.
My life could be as those sturdy oaks torn by stormy winds on darken days, as seasons change by hand of God I choose to cling to Him until spring again!
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8
At first glance you’d think this was a beautiful sunset. It wasn’t. I took a photo of the sun rising last week on a chilly morning. Though the warm hues seemed to shout, “Bedtime!”, it was the beginning of a new day.
This led me to think of others things in life that can deceive us. Of course, advertising is a great example of sharing false information. Commercials, most likely, are at the top of the list. Every pictured hamburger shown across the television screen is not delicious.
Then there’s campaign advertising. This can be the most deceitful verbiage that crosses our paths. “Lies, lies lies!” my momma use to say decades ago. How does one know who to vote for? Is it the person who tells the least amount of lies?
I think we live in a society that thrives on deception. The act of deceiving seems to come natural for many. Honesty is a quality often missing in the lives of people. So how can the act of deception turn to truth? I would suggest by one person at a time. Let it start with each of us. Think before you speak.
The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.
I John 2:17
More than a decade has fluttered away like the monarch butterflies that migrate south. I really can’t tell you where time has gone. Yet, here we are, with a little girl who has grown into womanhood.
I’ve enjoyed the years of grand-parenting. I will admit, my stamina is not like it once use to be. It’s still thrilling when anyone of my grandkids come for a visit, as time moves forward.
Time is something we have no control over, except for being on time. Or how we may use our time. As a follower of Jesus, it’s important to consider what we do with our time. There are so many things the world has to offer us. Often, our eyes are distracted on worldly pursuits instead of considering spiritual things.
It’s a new week. What is God calling you to do? Maybe it’s to help to train a child or grandchild? Or perhaps, to refresh your time to pray for others. Some may need to rekindle their time by reading the Word of God. Most of us will be given opportunities to monitor our day in a way that will glorify God. What choices will you make?
But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from gloryto glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
II Corinthians 3:18
Woolly bear caterpillars, also called woolly worms, have a reputation for being able to forecast the coming winter weather; as legend has expressed. If the rusty band is wide, then it will be a mild winter. The more black there is, the more severe the winter. Can this weather lore be true? Or is it more realistic to believe there are greater changes?
After years of testing this theory, the results showed evidence that the coloration of the woolly bear did give a weather prediction. However, be careful for not all woolly bears enjoy this talent. Evidently, totally black woolly bears are not weather projectors.
If that is true, the woolly bear in my photo can tell us nothing so breath easy. Hopefully, a rough winter us not upon us! Yet, he was a charming find climbing five feet in the air on my elderberry bush.
Totally black woolly bears are just another species in the same category as the rust and black ones. Woolly bears hatch twice a year, usually June and September. The second generation of caterpillars are the “weather prophets,” according to specialists.
These critters enjoy violets, lambs quarter (different from lamb’s ear), and clover. Their goal in life is to find a place to hide for the winter. Woolly bears spend the winter as larva. Then in the month of May, they emerge as the Isabella moth. The fuzzy, brittle bug now takes on the shape of a fragile, delicate moth. Their transformation has been completed.
If those who are followers of Jesus and come before the throne of God daily with opened minds (unveiled faces) to receive the hope of the gospel (our salvation); then another transformation (final glorification) will one day take place in our lives. Unlike the woolly bear, it will take more than a season before a complete spiritual change happens. It takes a lifetime of exploring the Word of God.
Hide your heart in God who continues to transform us daily, if we’re willing, until our final day of glorification in heaven. The day when those who have accepted Jesus’ great sacrifice will join Him for eternity. Read His Word.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
I spent Saturday watching football. Yeah, it was cold and gloomy. I didn’t sit in the stands of a professional game, like the Greenbay Packers, or chat over the television about the last play. I sat watching my grandsons. It’s where the heart of the game first clutches the heart of a boy.
Having raised three boys myself, and now blessed with five grandsons, I have experienced their passion for the game. One of them, I won’t mention Barry’s name, could aim a ball perfectly as a toddler. I still remembered the college game my son, Jess, played after my mom died. It was the best performance game of his life. He had dedicated the game to his grandmother’s memory. Most boys have a special love for football. Boys and football seem to go together.
This weekend I saw something else displayed about the game. It wasn’t the interception made by, Barry, although that was fantastic with just a few seconds in the first half. It wasn’t even the great run Oliver, one of my younger grandsons, made at his tag-football game. It was the compassion of a young man who patiently spent a Saturday afternoon teaching six-old boys the game.
It’s Monday, you all have the opportunity to show a kindness to those you’re in contact with. Intercept that blessing, run with a Fruit of the Spirit and make a touch down that could change a life.
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Acts 14:17
Autumn seeps in hushed; thick fog clings to the damp earth, a crane flaps good-bye.
The goose overhead honks a cranky farewell, as birds fly south.
A lonely cricket plays a wistful merry tune; spring’s eternal song.
Fall stirs emotions, along with tumbling leaves telling all it’s time.
Time to store nuts or fill the pantry shelves; thank God for His care.
Seasons simply fade, all under God’s great design; tell the end of time.
Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 12:25
SMILE, Jesus loves you!
What is it about anxiety that keeps us away from living peaceful lives? Is it the phone call from the doctor with the bad news which brings unrest? Or the child who’s gotten injured during a sports game and a parent’s heart wavers? Going to funerals or to hospitals aren’t usually the most inviting thing one cares to do. What about when Christmas creeps up quickly, and you haven’t purchased all those treasured gifts, then panic may run through your veins. There are so many things in our lives that can cause anxiety.
Most recently, I heard from one of my son’s, there is now a label placed on Sunday’s anxieties called “Sunday Scaries”. Evidently, it’s the condition that people have on any given Sunday as they reflect on the fact they have to go back to work on Monday.
One would think Sunday could be restful, since the Bible asks followers of Jesus Christ to set aside one day of rest to reflect on God. This day, in our culture, usually is understood as Sunday. So why are people walking around with the anxieties of what will happen on Monday the day before it comes?
May I suggest, to look at Monday as a new opportunity. If Sunday is spent contemplating on God and having good Christian fellowship, we can be filled with the right attitude as Monday comes around the corner. Mondays can be the time in which we can show the gift of helps to our employers or to those that we serve in the workforce. It can be the day we have a new challenges to share the gospel message with those who are lost in our workplace. Yes, I know there will be challenges. But if we are filled with Holy Spirit, we can allow Him to use us in a way to glorify God.
Just a reminder, one of the main reasons we’re on this earth, as believers in Jesus Christ, is to glorify God. And for the moments of anxiety, we can remember the Bible verse which talks about being concerned with each day in itself, instead of the days to come. Perhaps, our burdens will not be as difficult to bear if we remember God is with us.
“Sunday Scaries”, can be turned into “Sunday Sharing” of what God has done in our life the week before. And how we look forward to what He will do in the days ahead.
Patti Wolf 