Courage For Today

christian life

Footprints for Others

Strength

My wife and I love to take an occasional stroll on the beach.  There’s really not much more relaxing than walking along the edge of the water and watching all the wonderful sights.  I especially enjoy watching all the children playing in the sand and building those sand castle masterpieces.  The kids on the beach are so intense with their sand buckets and shovels and are so proud of what they’ve built.  There’s just nothing like it.

On our most recent trip to the beach, we were able to do a little more walking than usual.  The beach meandered around the coastline for miles and miles.  We soon came across a pier that reached out into the ocean water several hundred feet or so. We thought that this would be a nice place to sit a few moments and catch our breath so we both sat off to the side of the pier observing all the busy fishermen testing their skills.  We found a nice shady spot next to some large concrete support beams which shielded us temporarily from the heat of the day.

As I sat there, I noticed that we weren’t the first ones of the day at this particular spot. There were the remains of a small sand castle that was fighting to stay in tact from the onslaught of the crashing waves.  The small footprints that were once fresh in the sand, no doubt the builders of the sand castle, were now just barely visible.   It would only be a few more dozen waves until the sand would be a clean slate again, ready for the next day’s activities. This was in stark contrast to the artwork I soon noticed in the concrete support beam next to us.  I wasn’t sure when the pier was built, but –at the time it was built–someone decided to place themselves in immortality by carving a small heart in the concrete with the names of themselves and their loved one.  It was hardened in the concrete for all to see for as long as the concrete was standing.

I thought to myself how symbolic this was of God’s Word and our Work in the Christian Life.  How often do we work and work and work, doing what we may feel the Lord has called us to do, only to see little reward—–at least in our own minds.  We wonder if anything we do in the Christian Life is permanent or simply temporary?  The important thing for us, as Christians, to remember is that if we are obedient, there will always be rewards if we don’t grow weary.

That day on the beach showed me two types of Works.  One that was temporary and one that was permanent.  Whatever you are doing for the Lord, keep it up. HIS work has permanent results and is never in vain.  Don’t quit and don’t grow tired.  It may be years before you see results, or the results may not even be in your lifetime, but you’ll always leave footprints hardened in the concrete for others to see, not washed away like the sands on the beach.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  Galations 6: 9 (NIV)

Other Posts You May Enjoy

[pt_view id=”760f7e8uyf”]

Striving to Flourish Like a Palm Tree

Self-Worth

My wife and I love the beach.  In fact, we will most likely try to find our retirement home near the beach.  There’s just something so peaceful about the waves, the cool ocean breeze, and the beauty of the sunset over the horizon.  We could spend hours just walking up and down the beach or just relaxing under the shade of a palm tree taking a nap in our hammock or lounge chairs.

On one recent beach trip, as I was relaxing and reading, I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that says a Christian will flourish like the palm tree. I always thought it was rather curious why Christians were compared to palm trees but, after some research, I can see now why God used the palm tree as an example of true Christianity:

  • Palm trees will not grow in filthy soil.  If you were to plant a palm tree in soil that was dirty or soil that didn’t have enough nutrients to sustain life, the tree will not grow.  How true that is of our Christian life.  If you surround yourself with negativity and non-Christian beliefs, you will not grow in your Christian life.
  • Palm trees are impressive to look at; straight and tall.  Most palm trees stand out and rise above the surrounding vegetation.  You can always spot a palm tree from other trees because of its distinct look with its one-of-a-kind leaves.  In fact, palm trees guide travelers to an oasis.  As Christians, how do others see you?  Do they view your life as an example of how a Christian life should be?
  • Palm trees grow from the inside out instead of outside inward.  It is common for most trees to grow outside inward which creates the rings in a tree we are all familiar with.  Palm trees are an exception and grow from the inside.  As Christians, our strength comes from our relationship with God and an inner strength that only HE can provide.  When we look for strength from the World, or outside sources, we fail as Christians.
  • Palm trees grow in bunches for support.  Most of the time, you don’t see a single palm tree.  Usually, you see groups of palm trees in small clusters.  Palm trees actually grow best in small groups.  Christians are no different.  We need each other for support.  Certainly, churches and Christians disagree but, the fellowship, encouragement, and accountability of other Christians is essential to our faith.
  • Palm trees never stop bearing fruit.  Almost without fail, a healthy palm tree will continue to bear its fruit its entire life span.  There isn’t a time when a palm tree ceases to produce what it was designed to produce.  Similarly, Christians never cease producing spiritual fruit.  Perhaps it is a kind word to someone.  Perhaps its helping a friend in need.  Maybe its simply listening to a loved one during a tough time.  The strongest Christians are always giving to others in some way or another setting the example for true Christian faith.
  • Palm tree branches are a symbol of victory.  In many situations, you will see palm leaves used by victors in battle as a symbol for their triumph.  As Christians, we are victors and have won the ultimate victory.  What happens in life certainly shapes and molds us, but doesn’t have the final word.  When all is said and done and we breathe our last breath, those of us that are Christians have final and eternal victory.

As you read God’s word and come across references to palm trees or the next time you relax lazily under the shade of the beautiful palms, I would encourage you to take the time to do a simple self-assessment of your own Christian life and make sure that your Christian life flourishes like the palm tree.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

[pt_view id=”760f7e8uyf”]

Its No Secret That I Don’t Have A Green Thumb

Encouragement

I hate yard-work and it shows.  It’s all I can do to keep my grass cut.  I’m not sure why I’m this way, but I’m just not one of those folks that loves to work in their gardens and lawns constantly.  I once had some neighbors that worked seemingly 24 hours outside.  Their lawns, shrubbery, and flowers were gorgeous and showed the fruits of their labor.  As for me, I’m just content to do the basics.  I have too much going on in my life to over burden myself with yard work.

Sadly, my Christian life has sometimes mirrored my garden life.

I’ve had those times where it just seemed like I was in a rut.  I wasn’t growing.  I wasn’t reading God’s word.  I wasn’t bearing witness to others.  I was just “tired” of being a Christian and all the work it required, or so I thought.  There were times it was just easier to not put in the work to be a Christian.  After a while of being miserable, I came to my senses and realized that there were three things causing my miserable State of Mind:

  • I was idol and barren.  I was doing nothing in my Christian life. In fact, it became a vicious cycle.  The more miserable I became, the less I felt like making a change.  Just like my flowers, lawns and gardens, I just really didn’t put forth any effort.  I finally changed that attitude and began making changes.  It wasn’t easy at first, but I stuck with it.  I began reading God’s Word regularly again  I began praying regularly, not just for me but for others as well.  It was like getting reacquainted with an old friend.
  • I was unfruitful and never worked to reach others.  Gardens and plants, if watered and fertilized and weeded regularly will bear other plants and fruits.  Our Christian life should be no different.  The more active I became in my Christian Life, the more fruit I started bearing.  I was able to witness and reach others in ways that wouldn’t have been possible before.  I began caring more about others than myself.  I became sacrificial instead of self-serving.
  • I was blind Blind and forgot what God had done for me in the past. I found that I was marching through life complaining about things I shouldn’t be concerned about, all the time forgetting how wonderful and mighty God had been to get me to that point in my life.  My Father-in-law grew up on a farm and constantly relied on his past experiences and what he’d been taught over the years, especially when he planted new crops.  I suddenly realized that I needed to do the same thing as a Christian.  I need to spend time reminding myself that God has never failed (me or anyone else) and that his truth, love, mercy, and kindness were the same always and today.

Where are you in your Christian Walk?  Do you feel stale and stagnant, or do you feel alive and revived?  If it’s the former, I challenge you to develop your “Green Thumb” in your Christian Walk by becoming active; bearing fruit; and remembering what God has done for you.  I promise you’re new Garden will never be the same.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

[pt_view id=”760f7e8uyf”]

Avoiding the Shortcut To Trouble

Encouragement

I loved the neighborhood our family lived in during my Elementary School years.  Now, granted, this was in the 1960’s and times have changed, but it was a wonderful time and place.  All the neighborhood kids knew each other; even the parents knew each other.  We couldn’t get into too much trouble because other parents would call my parents and—well—–the rest was history as they say.  Times have certainly changed.  Most of us don’t even know our neighbor’s names today.

We would stay outside and play from sun-up to sun-down.  It was football, then basketball, then we would “play army,” then we might ride our bikes complete with baseball cards clipped to the spokes so we would sound like motorcycles.  No video games for us.  We had to entertain ourselves and didn’t ever seem to have any difficulty doing so.

One of the things my friends and I loved to do was walk from my house to a Shopping Center that was behind our neighborhood.  Occasionally, we got our hands on a shiny new Quarter or sometimes a Dime and you would have thought we had a million dollars.  At that time, a Dime or Quarter would buy a week’s supply of Pixie Stix or Hubba Bubba or Milk Duds, or maybe a Nutty Buddy or Eskimo Pie.  No one during those times had any reservations about letting a group of kids walk alone up to this Shopping Center for our shopping spree.

It was a fairly long walk from our house to the Shopping Center IF we walked the long way around on the major streets.  We soon discovered that there was a narrow storm drainage ditch that ran between two houses in the neighborhood that miraculously opened up in the back of the Shopping Center.  We would cut through this drainage ditch and be at the Shopping Center much quicker.  All we had to do was walk around to the front of the buildings and we were there!! Suddenly, the “shortcut,” as we called it, was the greatest discovery since Lewis and Clark went West.  You would have thought we had discovered Gold.  Being able to get to the all important Shopping Center within a few short minutes, as opposed to taking 45 minutes, when we walked the long route, was life changing for Elementary School kids.

It wasn’t very long after our great discovery that we began realizing the “shortcut” may not have been as great of a discovery as we first thought.  We began getting scratched by briers and cut by broken glass.  We sometimes ran into stray animals and neighborhood “bullies” who hid in the bushes waiting for us.  We tripped and fell. We soon became faced with a decision of whether we wanted to take our chances with the “shortcut,” not knowing what was lurking for us, just to save a few minutes, or go ahead and take the safer route, even though it was much longer.  Most of us chose the longer, safer route.  It just wasn’t worth the trouble.

Our Christian life is much the same way, or at least mine has been at times.  I tried to take the shortcut with my prayer life and only began praying when I thought I needed prayer.  I slowly realized that I couldn’t take a shortcut with my prayer life.  I tried to read my Bible only occasionally, mostly on Sunday’s when the Pastor asked us to.  I slowly realized that I needed God’s Word every day, not just once a week.  I discovered that there are no shortcuts with God.  He wants our all, ALL the time.  When we take shortcuts with God, danger is only a short distance behind.

Is your Christian Life taking too many shortcuts?  You can change that starting today.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

[pt_view id=”760f7e8uyf”]

View From 30,000 Feet

Strength

I just returned from a two-day business meeting in New York. Unfortunately, I don’t care much for flying in airplanes although it’s obviously necessary sometimes.  I am actually afraid of heights.  Whenever I go to an amusement park, I avoid the sky rides or any ride that has height involved.  I think it must be something about the whole “losing control” thing that bothers me.  I like to control my own destiny and I don’t like being high in the air totally dependent upon a wire to hold me up or a pilot to land a plane.  But, somehow, I endure flying even though I’m usually a nervous wreck going and coming.

The one thing I do enjoy, however, is the view from an airplane.  Even though I’m not crazy about heights, I do enjoy looking out the airplane window and the tremendous view.  There’s something magical about a view from 30,000 feet.  I like looking at the spider-like fingers of the roads and interstate systems and trying to determine where they lead and how they all work together.  I like looking out to see far away mountaintops which then reminds me of why the temperatures are colder in that area than others.  I like seeing buildings and cities that I didn’t know existed or can’t really tell what they might be.  In fact, when I’m coming home and landing in the Atlanta Airport, I usually try to locate the road I might live on or some familiar building to get a bearing on my location.  Eventually, we land and my view is then limited to my immediate surroundings or the particular road I might be trying to navigate.  As I’m driving around, I think back on my view from the airplane and how seemingly small my little place in the world really is when compared to the “big picture” I was viewing from up high.

I catch myself sometimes doing the same sort of analysis in my Christian Life.  When faced with an important decision to make or a problem to solve, I always tend to look at things from my Earthly perspective.  I look at the situation from my view and my abilities and my plans and my strengths and my weaknesses.  Instead, I should be praying to my Heavenly Father to tap in to HIS Strengths; HIS abilities; and HIS direction.  I’m reminded that God has the 30,000 view.  HE is looking down on us, on me, on you in our particular situations.  HE is able to see how everything flows together.  HE is able to see how the “roads” of our lives intersect and what “mountains” and trials lie ahead.  HE has the view that we don’t. Just like I have to trust the Airline Pilot to takeoff, fly, and land the airplane, I have to trust the Lord to do the same in my own Christian Life.  I have to take my eyes off my low-level, personal view, and gaze upon the Heavenly Father with HIS Worldly view.

Where are you with your Christian View?  Is it focused on you and yours and relying on your limited visibility?  If it is, I would encourage you to change your view Upwards to the Lord.  Trust HIM to have the Worldly view and the big picture to guide and direct you.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

[pt_view id=”760f7e8uyf”]

The Importance of Living Inside Out

Self-Worth

I was visiting one of my favorite fast-food restaurants the other day for lunch and I couldn’t help but notice the person in line in front of me.  I’m not sure if this person knew what they had done, or if they were trying to make some type of fashion statement, but he had his shirt on inside-out.  In thinking about it a little more, I really think he knew he had put his shirt on backwards.  He was a younger, teen-aged person, hanging out with some of his other friends so I imagine that he was dressing this way intentionally.

There were certainly no secrets at that point.  You could see the seams in his shirt.  You could see all the lose threads that normally wouldn’t show.  You could see the tag on the collar.  In fact, if you stood behind him, you immediately new what size shirt he wore and what material the shirt was made from.

The interesting thing was that he didn’t appear ashamed of how he was dressed.  He didn’t seemed concerned that others might be staring at him.  He didn’t seem the least bit worried that others might think he was dressed “weird.”  For whatever reason, he decided that this was how he was going to dress this particular day and the rest didn’t matter.  He was certainly sincere in his beliefs about how he wanted to dress.

The encounter with this young person reminded me of a time in my Christian Life.  It was a time I’m not particularly proud of, but a time when I was more concerned that others thought I was a Christian, rather than actually living the true life of a Christian.  I looked the part.  I said all the right things.  I prayed all the right prayers.  I did all the things you would expect in order to give others the impression I was a Christian.  Don’t get me wrong, I had accepted Christ as a teenager, but at this time in my life I was just going through the motions.  I didn’t have an intimate relationship with Christ.  I was more concerned with the “outer” perception of being a Christian.  After a while, I became tired of “playing the Christian role” and realized there was something missing in my life.  I finally realized that I was not looking at God as a relationship from my heart, from the “inside out.”

I began to study more; to pray more; to reach out more.  Before too long, I felt closer to God than I had ever felt.  For the first time in a long time, I felt my relationship with the Lord from the “inside out” and not from the “outside.”  It was personal now.  It wasn’t just for show. I didn’t care who knew it.  In fact, I wanted everyone to know it.  I wanted others to have this relationship that I now had.

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way in your Christian Life?  Or, maybe, you’re feeling this way right now?

Let me challenge you to begin looking at your personal relationship with Christ from the “inside out.”  Begin looking at your own heart. Begin looking at what an awesome God we serve, and how little we really are.  Begin looking at the majesty and greatness of our Savior and you’ll soon realize (like me) that we are nothing without HIM.  We can accomplish nothing without his strength and guidance.

You’ll soon see that your testimony will be a glowing example to others.  You’ll see that others will want what you have.  Others will see the “realness” and sincerity of your life because it comes from the “inside out.”

Other Posts You May Enjoy

[pt_view id=”760f7e8uyf”]