What do you have growing in your garden?

In the garden my parents planted we grew many different kinds of vegetables. We, us children, helped in planting and taking care of said garden.  During the summer we would hoe and pull weeds until it was time to harvest the produce. I must say the summer did not drag on once harvest time came along. Everything we grew was important for winter months. When mom opened those canned jars of food, cooked them and placed them on the table, the work of the summer was worth it. I might not have understood that fully while I was a child, but I did understand that we never went hungry. Mom was a good cook and always had plenty for us to eat. But what would have happened if the garden was never tended? The weeds would grow so large they would overtake your plants. Then when harvest time comes, there would be nothing to harvest. Winter would come and there would be nothing to get from the cellar and we would have gone hungry.

Our lives are kind of like a garden. People are always putting information into our live. For example they tell us who they think we are, also what they think we can and cannot do. They also tell us how valuable or not valuable they think we are. We let those things grow in our lives. At some point we might find the need to weed that information. Pull out the things that are not true and throw them away. Nourish those that are true and help them to grow. Allow the sun to shine on them and the water to feed them, so those good things keep springing forth. But there are times that we need help weeding our gardens. Sometimes we don't always see those little weeds that might be choking the real us. People that speak positive true things into our life are like the sun shining and a fresh drink of rain. Those are the ones that can help you weed your garden of life. Allow them to be the voice you hear when those weeds start to grow. Do not even allow those weeds to take root.

God has made you special and He wants to help you grow to be a big and strong you. He will send those that speak the truth about who you really are, to help you along your growing process. Allow God to help you keep a good healthy garden. Have a great day growing.

 

Don't blow your cork

When I was young our family had two gardens. When the garden was booming with delicious food, my mother would start the hard work of canning for the winter. It was a long, hard process. Us kids helped, but she was the brains behind the labors. I remember when she got her first pressure cooker. Matter of fact, I think it was the only one she ever had. I was, for some reason under the impression that it would take away from a lot of hard work and it kind of did after one learns how to use it properly. She didn't use it for a while because she was just uncertain how it could really do what she was told. On top of the lid, there was what looked to me like a plug, actually it looked like a hole and they just stuck a metal cork in it. It also had a round gadget on top to release the pressure.  I think this also bothered my mom some. I remember how long she would stand and look at that pan before she put it to the side. One day her pan was on the stove and there she stood. I walked over and stood beside her. I knew I had no words of wisdom for her, so I just looked at the pan. I thought she is getting ready to take the step. All of her sudden she turned her very firm face toward me and pointed to that plug. She said, "you see that," I nodded I did, "if I don't let the pressure out of the pan before I go to take the lid off, that will pop out of there and we will have a mess." I knew what that meant. I would be helping her clean up a big mess. Her eyes had grown in size as if fear was gripping her every being and it was not about a mess, because we had plenty of those to clean up in my day. I believe the fear was what kind of pressure that would be to force that cork out. I cannot remember her ever using it for canning. As the pressure mounted in the pan the pressure valve gave off a sizzle sound, then you knew it was ready to gradually release the air. Mom would put the prong of the fork through a hole in the gadget and the air came sizzling out. When all the air was out, the noise was done, you could remove the lid. I thought that was the greatest, but also knew it was nothing to play around with, because if not treated right, the blow up could cause a great disaster. It did blow up on her one time while cooking beans.

A pressure cooker makes me think of anger. Max Lucado says in his book Cast of Characters that, "Anger has a way of increasing in volume until it's the only sound we hear! The louder it gets the more desperate we become." When I read that, it gives me the picture of a person getting ready to blow his gasket. When a person gets angry they usually store that information in their brain and emotions, another thing happens, they put it on top, as does each next thing that happens and before long the pressure value starts to sizzle. If they are not listening and gradually let the steam out, they can blow the cork to the ceiling and everyone in the room will be the participant of the disaster.  They can be left wondering, whatever did I do for that to happen. The person that allows anger to build up without dealing with it, will end up a very angry person. Anger will happen, but the best thing to do is deal with it as it happens.

How do you release that valve? Talk to someone you trust. They can help you defuse what is going on inside. They can also help you get a better view of the whole picture.  When you cool down and have the opportunity, you should talk to the person; take someone with you in case it all goes south. You do not need a screaming match. Write down why it made you made angry.  You might find out it wasn't even really what the person said or did, it might have triggered something else altogether. One good reason to keep anger defused is, it can cause health issues, maybe not today but down the line.

Don't allow your life to be hindered by built up anger. Release the steam before you blow your lid. It is easier to release steam, than to clean up a gooey mess that can destroy relationships and people. Ask God to help not to be a hot head. Allow Him to guide you in your relationship with others, that you will show his love and compassion to flow through you. Keep releasing your steam in a safe way as you go about your day.

Do you have a giant in your life?

When you were between fourteen and sixteen what were you up to? If you are not that old yet, just think about what you might be up to. Starting high school, getting ready to start your first job, looking for the perfect girlfriend/boyfriend, thinking about college or just enjoying having a great time with your friends, that is what most kids at that age are up to.

Today the young boy we will be talking about is about that age. His name is David and he was shepherd. He took care of his father's sheep while his brothers went off to war. One day Jesse, David's father, asks him to take supplies to his brothers and check on them. He found a keeper for his sheep and started his journey. When he arrived, he took the supplies to the supply keeper and went to see his brothers. Little did he know the trouble that was brewing there in the Valley of Elah. He knew they were at war but did not know the big dilemma they faced. The dilemma was a big one and I'm not kidding. The Israelites were fighting the Philistines, and every morning a giant came out to taunt them. This giant, named Goliath, was a little over nine feet tall, his armor weighted about one hundred and fifty pounds, and the head of his spear was twenty pounds. No wonder they were all afraid. His armor was probably heavier than little David. He would say if anyone can fight and kill me, we will serve you, but if I kill him, you will serve us. The Israelites were not that big and I can picture them shaking in their sandals. Can you just picture that giant going back to his camp after scaring the Israelites and laughing as he ate his supper, while the poor Israelites were too afraid to even eat, worrying all evening what they are going to do. Now this young boy David comes along and wants to know why they are so afraid. They serve God. God will help them defeat Goliath. After King Saul heard what David had said, he sent for him. David told the king he would go fight this giant. King Saul said you are just a youth and this man that has fought since his youth. Then David proceeded to tell King Saul what he had been doing already in his life. He said "while I was keeping my father's sheep and when a lion or bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went after it, struck it, took the lamb from his mouth, when it rose against me I struck it and killed it, I have killed both a lion and a bear. The Philistine will be one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. "He went on to say, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear. He will deliver me from the hands of this Philistine." (I Samuel 17:37) What kind of resume' is that? I can promise I didn't have that great of one when I was his age. The king gave him permission to go ahead and fight this giant. He even told him he could wear his armor. David could not even walk in the armor.  He gathered his own supplies put his staff in hand, gathered five smooth stones from the brook, put them in his shepherd's bag and a sling shot in hand. He was ready. Goliath came and saw David and was greatly insulted. He said "what do you think I am a dog, you are just a youth." Listen to the words of David," I come to you in the name of the Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you and take your head from you." The fight is on. Goliath is furious by now. Little David never backed down.  He took a smooth stone, put it in his sling shot, off it went, hit Goliath in the forehead and down he fell. Dead just like David said, then he cut off his head. (You just must read the whole story. You can find it in I Samuel 17.)

What giant do you have in your life? What are you so afraid of, like the Israelites? Is it an addiction, drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, or is it a giant of fear, a feeling of worthlessness. Be like brave little David, stand up and take note that God will give you the strength to defeat the enemy. Say with David, the Lord will deliver me, then call on His name and allow that to happen. Start keeping a journal with all the great victories that God is doing in your life. Share these with others and help them also to know that God is a God that will deliver. God will help you take down every giant and give you great victory. May you have a great day slaying your giants. 

Jump Start

Have you ever had one of these days? You get up late, you know if you are late to work one more time it could really be bad news. Or you get up on time and the rest of the household decides they do not want to cooperate. They grumble about getting up, you think you have an understanding and they are on their way out of bed, you leave the room and they return to their slumber. You wait five minutes, no noise. You return to said room to find them fast asleep. With more encouragement, you persuade them you mean business and out of bed they come all the time complaining. You are trying to cheerful but you are losing it. You return to your room to finish getting yourself ready, and trying to get your good attitude back. Finally all of your pre-leaving activities are done everyone climbs into the car or you get in, whichever is the case. You put your key in the ignition, turn it and nothing happens. You are sure this cannot be happening; you try again with the same results. After laying your head on the steering wheel, as if this really can't be happening, you give it one more try with your fingers crossed, as if that will help. It does not help. You realize it is probably your battery. You say to your now panicking children, which are concerned now they will be late for school, "Don't worry John (your neighbor) hasn't left for work, I'll see if he can jump start the car". After you calm down the children, you go to your neighbor and John quickly assists you and you are on your way. What a morning.  You would have never made it without a jump start from a friend.

Every once in a while our lives need a jump start. That's not me you assure me. Great I am glad for that, but there are some of us that need that extra charge to get us up off the couch at times. No, do not run out and get the cables that John used to start the car and hook them up to yourself.  So are you doomed to a life of sitting on the couch? Not at all, first, you need to see that just sitting on the couch and not taking care of your needs, such as physical, nutritional, and mental, are not good for you. If you stay in that state, quickly you will find yourself depressed, never wanting to move. After you realize a problem exists, turn off the television, then march yourself to the bathroom get a long warm shower, get dressed up (for me that is clean pair of blue jeans and t-shirt), fix you something good to eat and decide what you should be doing. Next, call or go visit a good friend. At first your friend might seem shocked that you came to see them, but remember you have been isolating for a while and they just didn't expect to see you at their front door. Do not take that as a sign to go back home and hide in front of your television again. If you do this, it will be like hooking up jumper cables to your body. After the first initial shock to your body, it will start running better if you keep it up. If you do not have a problem, but are helping a friend, go see them, have them get dressed up, take them out, even if it's no more to drive around for some fresh air. Remember, it is not easy for yourself or your friend when this is first tried. Be patient with yourself or your friend, but DO NOT give up. Keep pushing yourself, and encouraging your friend. You might want to write down a schedule of things to do for each day. That will help give you direction for your days. Go outside and get some fresh air, take a walk to clear your mind.  You might be surprised at how much better you feel by just going outside for a while. Keep in contact with your friends. A good visit (on the phone or in person) with them is great medicine. Even if you have no place you really want to go for the day, you still need to get up and take care of your personal needs. Do not allow your couch to consume you and eat the life right out of you. You were created for more. God has a plan for your life. It is your job to find out what it is and do it. Just ask God to help you and He will. If you ever want to talk you can email me at alters30@yahoo.com. I have been there. I know how it feels to need a jump start to my life. You are a person of great worth and I would enjoy hearing from you.

I want to encourage you to start your day my reading your Bible and asking God for direction in your life. Talk to God as you would your friend. He is always ready and willing to listen. He will help you shake off the couch potato syndrome. I would love to hear what God is doing in your life. May He help you get jump started today.

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

Whenever I am troubled

            and lost in deep despair

I bundle all my troubles up

            and go to God in prayer…

 

I tell Him I am heartsick

             and lost and lonely, too,

That my mind is deeply burdened

            and I don't know what to do…

 

But I know He stilled the tempest

            and calmed the angry sea

And I humbly ask if His love

            He'll do the same for me…

 

An then I just keep QUIET

            and think only  thoughts of PEACE

And if I abide in STILLNESS

            my "restless murmuring" cease.

 

                        Mary Steiner Rice

Why do you hide?

When we were kids I liked playing games, matter of fact I still do. But my favorite thing was hide-n-seek. I have not played it for a long while but it was so much fun, especially when my oldest sister and her family came. We would wait until it got very dark, in the country there were no street lights to distract from the awesomeness of the game. I would hide the best I could, but they would always find me. But my brother-in-law was an awesome hider. He would always be the last one that was found, that is if we could find him. Even when we called that everyone could come in free, he still stayed in the darkness. We never knew where he was going to hop out at you. When he finally came in, we would ask where he was and for the longest time he said he was hiding in plain sight. Then he would laugh and go into the house. One night when we said he could come in, he started laughing.  There he was sitting on the fence post in plain sight. I don't even know how he got up there. But we were all laughing, when he jumped down into the light. What a wonderful memory, my hide-n-seek hero.

Sometimes as adults we hide and it is not a fun game. We wear a mask with a broad smile and have a laugh on our face. We hide who we really are, how we hurt, and the fear of failure that seems to swallow us up. I know not everyone hides who they really are, but there are hurting people in our world today that are afraid. A great fear is, if someone really knows them, they will not like them any longer. They live in fear of  being rejected. They live in fear of not measuring up. That is an awful place to live. You see the world laughing and seeming to have a good time, so you do the same trying to fit in. Then, when you are alone, the fear creeps into every part of you and it is hard to function. What happens then? You crawl under the covers and hope no one finds out about the darkness that grips you. Do not hide any longer.  Take a chance on your friends. Allow them in to help you. Trust them when they say you are valuable and they care. Then, when the fear starts to overwhelm you, think on those things, even if you have to really force yourself to think positively of yourself. They are telling you the truth. You are valuable. Everyone stumbles and falls sometimes, but the key is not to stay there. Keep getting up. Keep pushing on. Keep smiling even when you don't want to, because eventually it will start to be how you really feel. Stay around positive people that love you. Make God the center of who you are. You will be surprised how it will change your world.

For us that know these people, there is something for us to do also. Love them, even when you don't understand them. We will not always understand how everyone feels, but we can always be there for them. We are called to treat others as God treats us and He loves us with an unconditional love, we are to do the same. We are not to judge, that is God's job. We are to be that loving friend. We never know when we will need them to be that loving friend for us. We all need each other.

Let's not hide so well that people stop looking for us or give up on us. Let's keep jumping into the light where we can be seen. Let's really laugh and have a great time loving each other. May God bless you and fill you with His braveness to jump into the light and be seen.

Does the light ever burn out?

Someone asked me the other night what if your light burns out. It would be wonderful if a lightbulb never burned out, but that is not the case. After long use there will come a day when you flip the switch, there might be a flash and all will go dark. The bulb burned out. Off to the store you go to replace the bulb. Now you might say my last article was wrong, we are not like that. Stay with me and follow my thought.

Say you had a full time job, but the finances were tight and you needed another job. You find a job that you could work at night, because you were already working all day, sometimes ten hours. You take the job feeling assured you can handle it. You start the journey of a workaholic.  By the way that is not your whole schedule. You don't want to forget about your family. You also need to carve out time for church. A couple of weeks have passed and you're feeling good about yourself, you have everything under control. After a few more weeks it starts to creep up on you. The tiredness starts to slither into your soul. Time for church and family suffer. You are getting robbed of your sleep, because you worry about the example you are giving your family, because you find every excuse possible not to go to church so you can rest. Finally, you stop the excuses and just say I'm not going. .and that is that. You are burned out. Your lightbulb has burned out.

Some of you might be smiling saying that won't happen to me because I'm not married. Well consider this. You live in a different town then your family. You have found a good job and a great church that keeps you busy. The mindset of some people are; you are single you should do everything and go to everything. Everything goes along fine until. Will you do this, will you do that and before too long you have every night full and every day full. It is like working two full time jobs. Then you go see your family whenever you can fit it in. A member of your family becomes ill and the struggle begins. Every moment is taken your stress level has increased and again sleep is slithering away. What do you do? I can assure you that no matter what you do some people won't understand.

Therefore, in both situations you must take a deep breath and see what God wants you to do. When Jesus walked on this earth he took time away from everyone, even his disciples that he was training to call on God for guidance. He had to have time to rest even in the midst of a storm. (Matthew 8: 23-25) He was in the boat sound asleep when the storm came. The disciples became afraid. They woke him and said "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" He calmed the storm and the disciples. During Jesus' ministry he healed many people and performed many miracles. But he withdrew to be alone from time to time. He needed to refresh himself so he could talk to his Father, but I also think, he could better minister to the people. He was like us and I believe he needed rest for his body, soul and mind. I'm not sure if he could have suffered from burn out but since he was fully human, it sure is possible.

I know that God expects us to work for Him, reaching everyone we can, because time is short, but He also expects us to take care of ourselves. If you feel your light dimming, maybe you should take some time to refresh yourself, draw away for a short recoup, take a deep breath and allow God to help you figure out your next steps. Whatever you do, don't let your light totally go out. Keep on, keeping on. May God help you to keep your light burning bright.

You are like a lightbulb.

I heard the statement, you are like a lightbulb, probably in a sermon at our church. I never wrote down anything else but those five words. I guess at the time that was all that I found important. I don't know about you but when something like that hits me, I try to hurry, find a pen and write it down. Those words are what I like to call nuggets, because they are chunks of information that says a lot with few words. You might be sitting there scratching your head thinking I have lost my mind and you are not like a lightbulb. Stay with me for just a few minutes and let's see how you feel when I am done.

First of all, let's consider the lightbulb. It puts out a bright light that can fill the whole room. It only works when you flip the switch which causes the electrical current through a thin wire called a filament. Eventually the filament gets so hot that it glows, producing light. The whole key is you have to have the bulb in the socket when you flip the switch. If the bulb is lying on the table and you start flipping the switch it will not work because there is nothing on the table to make the electrical connection. Try it out for yourself. Put your lightbulb on the table in a dark room , flip the switch and see how bright it gets. You will not be surprised because you know it will not work. The lightbulb has to be connected to the source of the electricity that causes the filament to get hot to cause the glow.  

Second, we will consider ourselves. There are days we might mope around; you can say it is just a bad day, we just have no get up and go. Darkness seems to follow you everywhere you go. Then other days you are chipper and smiling, your whole day is brighter. Deep inside you have a happiness that flows to the outside, you have a glow about yourself. When you walk into a room you seem to bring brightness to that room. You light it up.  People enjoy the positive vibes that flow forward. You have connected to your inner electricity. Sounds like a lightbulb to me putting off a glow. No, we do not have to be put in a socket to get that juice flowing through our veins. We can do things for ourselves ,like stay positive, hang out with positive people, and keep healthy (yes keeping healthy will also help your outlook on life). But I really believe that putting God first in your life is like the electricity that flows to the lightbulb. We plug into Him every day by reading the Bible and praying, He will help us shine the rest of the day. People will notice a glow about you that you did not have before. You will light up a room with your smile. People might not say anything about it but they notice. Just leave your Bible on the table and never pray and see if people notice the difference. They will, and you will feel the light go out in our life. In Matthew 5: 16, Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

We have a different connection than the lightbulb to make us shine but none the less, we need to be shining. Now do you think you are like a lightbulb? I hope you let God be your power to shine. May you have a great day, shining.