Painful Tug

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. - Ecclesiastes 3:1,2

She stands tall, she stands proud. A striking Queen Palm, positioned a little bit too close to our swimming pool (the hot-tub to be exact). Pieces of concrete patio are starting to lift, one sprinkler pipe broken. As much as I cringe with the thought, we simply have to let her go.

My husband and I wrestled with whether or not to save her. But $250 pretty much made the decision for us. Time to get the chainsaw ...

I thought about how God will sometimes have us pull a beautifully planted tree along our spiritual journey, and we find it hard to make any sense out of it. It looks great on the outside, moving gracefully as the wind catches its leaves. Providing shade from the sun and offering a perch for feathered friends. What could be so bad about that?

But oftentimes there are things below the surface, that have potential to cause harm. A tree that provided years of protection will suddenly become dangerous and a detriment to God's pool of Living Water. Is that because the tree has somehow become rotten? No. The tree is still the tree ... but over time it has simply grown too big for the spot in your heart.

What has God asked you to uproot lately? Do you harbor a secret sin? Maybe you find yourself in an unhealthy relationship, and you are starting to see the affects of broken communication. The Lord may be asking you to make a career change - your whole life purpose has taken on a new meaning.

Wherever you are, take heart my friend. If it is time to pull a giant weed in your life, take comfort in knowing that you won't have to pull it alone.

God's Word is full of powerful promises. Take hold of one - and tug.

Watchful

Today's devotion can be found at: http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/reese_watchful.aspx .

CBN.com published another one for me! Take a peek.

I appreciate everyone who visits this blog, you are a special part of my journey. I write every day, with you in mind.

Thanks for stopping by ...

Straight Path

Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. - Proverbs 4:26,27

To walk in integrity bears a great price. Choosing no to, costs us so much more.

I listened to an amazing sermon yesterday. Halfway across the country, Pastor Doug's voice landed on my heart through my iPod ear buds. It was the final part of a three-part series ... one that will alter my path forever.

The center of his message had to do with following the commands of God's Word -- "to a tee." He illustrated his point through the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. God's command not to eat of the tree got all twisted up through the interjection of the enemy. How often times that happens to me.

Some of the verses he touched on talked about how no unwholesome talk is to come out of your mouth ... if we ask anything in God's name it will be given to us ... God is able to make all grace about to you ... devote yourselves to prayer ...

I felt the Holy Spirit's conviction as I realized how loosely I hold these commands. No unwholesome talk? Did God really say that? Am I really to devote myself to prayer? Did God really say not to eat that piece of fruit?

The enemy is pretty sneaky.

I come to a place in my walk where I am called to rise up and take a stand. The mistakes of others, promises broken and unforgiveness has threatened to poison the one thing that matters most.

My relationship with God.

God's Word is the only solid step we have along this broken path called life. While many opportunities clamour for our attention, the narrow one is our only promise for peace.

Yes, God really did say that He loves you. Open the Bible - it is written and illustrated through Jesus, His Son.

You can bet your life on it.

Walk Free

Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. - Isaiah 50:10b

I was blessed to be able to attend two amazing services yesterday. I witnessed a funeral service for a dear woman who will be terribly missed by her family. And shortly after, I visited a going away service for a man entering the army.

One was a celebration of the end of a person's life, while the other was a celebration of the beginning of great things - yet both held striking similarities.

Tributes were given for both. Family and friends got up and shared stories and expressed deep emotion. Both ceremonies generated a lot of tears. There was something so sacred about being there, sharing the love, sorrow, joy and pain of two families who would be forever changed. My heart ached remembering some of my own pain.

Food and fellowship followed, and I thought about how dark the unknown can appear. Death leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Being commissioned out onto the battlefield does too. Darkness can threaten to strangle even the strongest of hearts.

But where our understanding ends, God's begins. The name of Jesus Christ was proclaimed twice yesterday, bringing hope to hearts that were broken into a million pieces.

He really can be trusted, even in our darkest hour.

Whatever that next step might be for you today ... I charge you with this thought. Walk free. Taking that next step might be difficult, but you can rest knowing that you will never tread alone.

Jesus lives.