Philodendron Harvest

It's been a busy summer so far and it doesn't look like my schedule will slow down for a while. I guess that's why it happened. I nearly committed phytoslaughter ... as opposed to phytocide. (definitions below)

On top of the usual activities of life, Curt and I have undertaken a major purging project in our home. We've made progress in the garage, basement, attic, office, grandkid room and so on. The process has been enjoyable even though it's been draining. There's also been a lot of coming and going with guests. It is always a delight to share the home the Lord has granted us so I was singing along my way. It wasn't until I was finalizing the preparations for a visit from our three wonderful grandchildren that the crisis confronted me.

The philodendron on the back of our toilet (Please excuse the use of this graphic word. That's just where it sits. I didn't want to tell you, but its location is important to my story/confession.) was in desperate straits. I was shocked to see all of its leaves hanging limply around its pot. It seemed like only the day before I had remarked to myself how much it seemed to be thriving on the sunshine and fresh air streaming in through the overhead skylight. I even noticed that one of its lower leaves was turning brown from being bashed by the toilet (There's that gauche word again, sorry.) seat cover. Obviously time had slipped by and my poor plant was suffering from lack of care. I confess that I couldn't remember the last time I'd given it water.

I felt irresponsible and careless and my insides seemed to wither. I can't stand it when I let something go and then see the sad results right before my eyes. Hey, my internal self felt just like that philodendron looked!

Could I be identifying with a plant? Well, at that moment, yes. Come to think of it, whenever I go through a trying time I probably do feel like that plant to one degree or another. My spirit feels pale with a lack of interest. My limbs go limp with a lack of energy. My mind tells me that nobody cares about me since I'm not being watered. My heart withers in defeat. In my low down state I end up getting bumped and bruised by things that don't normally touch me. I begin to wonder if the desert I'm in is endless. My thirsty philodendron was a pretty good example of what happens when I hit a difficult patch of life.

I praise God that I was not in that position that day. My mind and heart rallied with the truth. I know that difficult times do come and they can be devastating. We live in a fallen world surrounded by a pagan culture and it can be downright desolate at times. However, I/we aren't meant to dwell in that desert. It's draining, painful and lonely. God's plan for His chosen ones is the antithesis of such a dry and lifeless existence. Jeremiah 29:11; John 10:10 Our souls are meant to sing songs of victory in spite of our surroundings, in the face of any circumstances. That's what I wanted to give my philodendron.

I've learned over the years, from drowning unnumbered samples of vegetation, that it's not good to flood withering plants. The proper first step is to give it a small amount of water. I determined to suppress the urge to make up for my life-threatening behavior by unleashing my guilt in the form of buckets of liquid. I knew it needed water, but I used a tiny cup and poured a very small amount across the top of the soil. I didn't see any instant results. I had to rely on what I knew to be true and hold off the desire to have my poor philodendron pop right back to life. For one of a few times I did the right thing. I delivered what was needed at the moment and left the water do its work.

I did not turn my back on my plant all together. For one thing I don't like to give up on anything. I prefer to apply myself fully in every situation and make sure I've offered everything I can. I made sure to pay attention to the tilt of the philodendron's leaves and, using much restraint, continued to provide small amounts of water every couple of days. When they started to perk up without showing any signs of yellowing I was encouraged.

The day finally came when I took the plant down to the kitchen and showered it in the sink. I knew I still needed to be cautious about getting drowning the roots - another lesson learned from past drowning victims. I held the pot to the side and used the sprayer only on the leaves, wiping them with a gentle finger. The incidental spray was the only water the soil received that day. When the leaves began to spring back up, I returned it to its assigned place. Sure enough, the lowest leaf was now lifted above the punishing (ahem) seat cover. I was making progress and I could feel my spirit relax.

The Scriptures are rife with references about God's life-giving water. Psalms 1,22,23; Proverbs 25; Isaiah 49; Zechariah 14; John 4 and 7; Ephesians 5; and 1 Peter 3 are but a few places to search. Perhaps none is as powerful as Revelation 21:6. It is clear that God's children need God's water/truth all the time and most especially when we're facing trials. When we're struggling, feeling parched and on the verge of tears we're more likely to get bumped and bruised by minor issues. When our leaves are withered, hanging limply around the pot, as my philodendron's were, God is waiting to pour living water over us - right where we need it and in just the right amount.

Psalm 126 spoke to my heart on this topic this very morning. Verses 5 and 6 report, Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

The individual described in these verses appears to be in a rocky place, yet he is neither alone nor empty-handed. He carries the seed of faith. He is in the midst of difficulties, yet he is expressing/sharing his faith, sowing his seed. God's covenant to those whose faith abides in hard times is that they will be filled with overflowing joy as they gather a harvest full of blessings. This is not a maybe kind of statement or some wishful thinking. This is the infallible, unchangeable, inspired, breathed promise of God. He commits to revive, restore, and reward those who faithfully turn to Him. Hallelujah!

I'm pleased to report that my plant is thriving nicely. Its sturdy leaves are dark green signals of the proper care it's been receiving. There's even a new shoot to punctuate fresh growth. My prayer is that each of us will surrender to the Lord and experience that same blossoming under the watering can of His Word. Amen

phytocide n the deliberate and systematic destruction of a particular member of the plant phyla

phytoslaughter n the killing of a plant without intentional or implied malice

Breath and Life

When God brings verses from various portions of Scripture into focus the impact can be overwhelming. This insightful glimpse caught me a couple of weeks ago.

I was working on a Bible study for a group of friends who meet weekly. The topic was the word "all". It's only a three letter word, but I'd been noticing the power it commanded when I paid attention to its meaning and application. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 came into view, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

I contemplated the first four words, "All Scripture is God-breathed ...". The Bible is the product of the very breath of the sovereign triune God whom John 1:1-3 reports was and is the Maker of all things.

Another verse tickled the fringes of my mind and I went in search of it.

Genesis 2:7 announces, "the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." God took some molded earth and granted it life through His breath. The very same breath, God's breath, that transformed a lifeless sculpture into a living being is the life-giving source of Scripture. Whether to the dust of the earth or letters on a page God's breath bestows life.

When I open my Bible the very breath of God rises up to my nostrils. His DNA, if He will excuse the anthropomorphic reference, is imprinted on each word, verse, passage, book ... every piece. As I study Scripture I grow in my understanding of who He is for I am spending time in His presence. I am affected not only by the information divulged and the wisdom expressed there, but also by the life-giving breath of the One who maintains the absolute reliability of His Truth.

There is more than hunger and thirst that calls me to the Word. I need God's life-giving breath to keep me alive and transform my life. The opening chapters of Genesis make it plain and the message is carried through the New Testament. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

May each of us grow in the grace and the knowledge of Him who is our All in All. Emmanuel

Busy and Too Busy

Busy-ness is a topic that has been on my heart for a while. Perhaps it's come to a head since I returned last month from four weeks of ministry in Europe, immediately made two trips in New England, and then spent two days at a family funeral in Rhode Island. Yes, my spring schedule has been busy ... jam-packed as a matter of fact.

Actually, as I look around me I notice an awful lot of other people in similar situations. So, here's the question: When does busy become too busy?

Since 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 is true I decided to turn to Scripture in my search for the dividing line between Busy and Too Busy.

Of the seven references I found in the NIV and the one additional one in the KJV, 1 Peter 4:15, all but one use the word "busy" in a negative sense - interesting.

1 Kings 18 reports the events of the clash between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal. The prophets had prepared the bull they were given and called out to Baal all morning to ignite their offering. "At noon Elijah began to taunt them, "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." (v. 27) Elijah is accusing Baal of being occupied with other things that are keeping him away from this important event. The implication is two-fold: Baal is not powerful enough to take care of everything on his plate, and he is allowing other things to keep him from this critical test of his powers. Being too busy kept Baal from keeping his priorities straight.

A bit further along, in 1 Kings 20, we learn about the consequences of being too busy. God's prophet set a hypothetical situation concerning a servant who was to guard a prisoner before King Ahab. If the prisoner escaped the servant would have to pay with his own life or a large amount of silver that he would never be able to accumulate. "While your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared." (v. 40) The King replied that the sentence was obvious: since the servant couldn't pay the amount of silver he would have to forfeit his life. The prophet explained to King Ahab that his own life and the lives of his people would be required because he had released a man God had determined should die. Being too busy cost King Ahab his life and the people of Israel much humiliation under Jehu and Jehoahaz.

Isaiah 32:6 also speaks of being busy. "For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the Lord; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water." A life preoccupied with evil leads to godlessness, falsehood, and a lack of compassion. Being too busy in the wrong direction leads to foolishness and folly.

Haggai 1 also addresses the issue of being busy. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house." (v. 9) God brought drought on HIs people because they were so wrapped up in their own "things" that they did not pay attention to His sanctuary. Being too busy with self-centered activities leads to direct, negative, all-encompassing consequences.

Paul warned the Thessalonians against being idle. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10 make it clear that idleness is not a desirable trait. Believers are alerted not only to avoid it in their own lives, but to keep away from those who are idle. The specific rule is, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." It is important for God's people to be busy. Verse 11 adds clarification, "We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies." There are people who appear active, but rather than attending to their own walk of faith they interfere in other people's lives. Being too busy in the lives of others is a sign of the sin of idleness.

This error is further outlined in 1 Timothy 5. "Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about form house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to." (v. 13) There are those who forsake the tending of their own homes to meddle in the homes of others. Being too busy trying to run the lives of other people results in the sin of slander.

The KJV reference for being busy is 1 Peter 4:15, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's affairs." Busybodies, those described by Paul as seemingly-active idlers who are obsessed with the lives of others, are on the list with murderers, thieves and evildoers. Peter wants God's children to know that they ought to avoid being pre-occupied outside their own purview as much as they avoid these other deadly sins. Being too busy "other focused" leads to reasonable, expected negative consequences.

The final reference to the word busy is found in Titus 2 and is addressed primarily to women. In this epistle Paul explains to Titus how to carry on the building up of Christ's Church. He begins the instructions to women with specific directions about how older women are to live. He continues with what they are to teach to the younger women. "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." (v. 4,5)

This passage does not stand alone. It is one reference among several on this topic and a single portion of all of Scripture. Much is said about the role of women, but we will concentrate on this one word here. Older women are called to live in such a way that they will be godly role models, "Then they can train". One of the specific examples they are to set and train is to be "busy at home". This is the only place where the word busy is used in a positive sense. That doesn't mean that being busy is only appropriate for women and in the home. Rather, with all of the other teachings, alerts and warnings in place is it biblically permissible/directed for women to be active in the roles they pursue in their homes.

The truth is that I've never found a home where there isn't plenty to keep a woman busy. However, I've been intimately aware of homes where being idle and/or being too busy has been evident. I say intimately because I've had those seasons in my own life. So ... how do we stay busy without becoming too busy? The Scriptures describe a series of flags that should warn us when we're getting too close to or have crossed that dividing line.

Flag #1
I’m too busy when I my Christian duties get short-circuited. I’m not talking about a little bump here or there. I mean when my personal quiet time with my heavenly Father becomes basically non-existent, or my attendance at church is hit-or-miss, or my regular Bible study falls by the wayside, or my prayer time with my brothers and sisters gets suspended.

Flag #2
I need to seek the Lord about being too busy when the circumstances around me deteriorate. Hebrews 12:1-13

Flag #3
I’m too busy when I catch myself in a habit of sin, especially those sins where God has already granted me victory. Having a bad attitude, participating in gossip, lacking compassion, shaving the truth, forgetting to thank and praise His Name are as red as the flags for murder, theft, evil, etc.

Flag #4
I’m too busy when I become so focused on my little world that I neglect the local body where God has placed me. This shortfall can be in the area of the physical plant or redeemed relationships.

Flag #5
I’m too busy when I’m spending more time and energy worrying about, tending to, and/or talking about other people than I am to my own life - physically, emotionally, spiritually.

Flag #6
I’m too busy when I’m thinking about how to fix a situation in someone else’s life while my house and/or relationships are in disarray.

Flag #7
I’m too busy when I forget that obsessing over outside situations is on the same level as murder and theft.

Flag #8
I’m biblically busy when my mind, heart and spirit are focused on the domain God has laid out for me, seeking to please Him in all I am and do as I set my priorities according to the tasks He has laid out before me. Acts 17: 24-28, Psalm 19:14, Ephesians 2:10

Hallelujah, God is never too busy! He always has His ears tuned to us. He hears our humble cries and responds with love and deliverance. Psalm 34 To God be the glory forever and ever Amen

Bask and BASK

I was having lunch the other day in a cafe on the banks of the Danube River. Before you let your heart drool, it was my first day off in two weeks of 24 hour a day ministry. To say I needed the break would be an understatement. Thankfully God chooses to speak to my heart whether I'm "on duty" or relaxing.

So ... God provided a couple of hours of respite when I could work on a cross stitch picture as I spooned Hungarian Jokai bean soup. Yes, it was delicious. I noticed a group of young women who stepped into the next cafe. They were obviously native French speakers, but were using English to communicate with their waiter. Each of the women was strikingly attractive and they drew a lot of attention. Their friendly chatter spoke of close bonds.

The women chose a table without an umbrella and the waiter complied. As soon as they were seated they glanced up at the midday sun and commented on its brightness. They immediately began rearranging their clothing so that they could take advantage of the tanning opportunity. Some might say their bare shoulders were a bit risqué. They didn't seem to be aware of what onlookers might think as they prepared to make the most of their setting.

It seemed that their lunch was a celebration of some sort though I wasn't able to figure out its reason. Nevertheless, throughout their two hour meal they continually checked the direction of the sun to be sure they were receiving the full benefit of its rays. From time to time I noted one or another face was turned upward, eyes closed, drinking in the solar warmth. Cooling breezes came and went, but the women continued to bask.

When the word bask crossed my mind I was immediately drawn to Scripture. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
I began to consider how much my heart basks in my heavenly Father's love.

As soon as the seasons change and hints of spring appear, sun worshippers are outside soaking up solar energy. The women in the cafe were a good representation of the various expressions of this worship dynamic. They were all committed to making the most of the outdoor exposure. Some were a bit more quiet and serious in their basking while others were chatty and joyful, but all were revelling in the sunbath. They had clearly made special arrangements to be together yet each woman tended her own tanning experience - an even tone, with no strap marks, please.

As their time together ended, the women each readjusted their clothing. They thanked the waiter for His gracious attention and strolled off down the way. They headed out to re-enter their separate worlds, having enjoyed their time together. There is no doubt in my mind that each of them will repeat the sun worship ritual at every opportunity. How about me?

Do I run to God the moment a worship opportunity appears?
Am I basking in His presence whether in a quiet, serious or chatty, joyful mood and/or situation?
Do I turn my face toward Him and revel in His glory and provision?
Am I committed to gathering together with others to soak up and respond to His divine mercy and love?
Do I turn all sides of my own heart and life over to the refining work of the Spirit - an even tone, with no strap marks, please?
Am I confident in the joy of my salvation no matter what others think and though cool breezes blow?
Do I seek and take advantage of every occasion to rest in the grace of my Savior and Lord?
Am I a true Son-worshipper?
How about you?

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 Amen