Category Archives: Verse For The Week

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A New Year, A New Friendship with an Old Friend

knife

A friend of mine gave me this knife for a Christmas present about 12 years ago.  Funny how time flies by so fast.  Back then we were busy taking our children to ballgames, school events, birthday parties, activities, on and on.  Seems like my friend and I saw each other on a weekly basis, if not daily.  I have fond memories of coaching city league baseball, gathering the families together just to eat pizza or a hamburger, even taking Scout trips to some place in the woods, (while wearing headphones so we could listening to Miss State football).  We would get our families together and share a time for Christmas.  That’s how I got this knife.

Funny, how over time we hardly see each other now.  Our children are grown.  Our paths in life don’t cross as much nowadays.  We see each other at life events; a wedding, a funeral of a family member, or an occasional chance meeting at a local store.  Is there a friendship still in existence between us?  I say “yes, there is!”  But, just like the knife he gave me, it needs to be continuously sharpened.  Having friends requires a “sacrifice” of our time.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.  Hebrews13:16

So, my old friend, let’s start a new “sharpened” friendship.  We may not meet at the ball field every night like we use to.  Now, it may be around a campfire talking about past adventures, and planning new adventures.  Our sharpened friendship may now consist of just staying in touch more often.  Since I’m realizing that this spiritual journey is not a “God and me”, but a “God and we” adventure, it makes me realize that God himself puts people in my life to help me and sustain me.  How do they do this?  Just by being my friend!

What about you?  Are there friendships that you have that need to be sharpened!  Without a doubt, the devil and his forces do whatever is necessary to break up our friendships.  Through misunderstandings, lack of time, disagreements, just people being people, our friendships that God Himself brought into our lives may get “dulled and unworkable” Ever tried to use a dull knife?  Ever tried to keep a “dulled, tedious friendship”?

Don’t wait on your friend.  You do the sharpening on your friendship. For with such “sacrifices”, God is pleased.

 

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God showed you His plans and you did what???

We constantly pray to God for direction, guidance, help to do the right thing.  But what happens when He gives us help from above and we deep down choose not to take it?

Picture this.  This pond is basically a mud hole.  It was designed to be a watering hole for the cows.  But, because of a lack of rain lately, it’s drying up.  Not much water is left.   I noticed that there are a few fish swirling in the muddy water.  Now, I have a plan.

I take a seine (large net) and surround what’s left of the watering hole.  As I pull the net out of the water, 4 grown bass jump over the net escaping(in their eyes) what ever is before them.  BAD MOVE, this pond will be dried up in a few days.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

How many times do we “jump the net” God is  using to move us along on His plans for us.  Just like those fish that “jumped the net” to get away, we do things thinking that this will better our situation.  It’s almost when I think for myself,  that’s when trouble comes around.  Everyday decisions, all the way up to life changing decisions, we think we know best don’t we?  I truly believe God gives us a “good head on our shoulders” to think with.  But God sometimes uses supernatural ways to move us along on our journey (think seines/nets).  We don’t understand (cause it supernatural, duh) so we’re afraid to go.  We pray for divine wisdom, supernatural guidance, being led by an omnipotent God.  Aw man, when it happens we get scared and “jump the net”.  More comfortable where we are……….and slowly the pond dries up.

I like the way a friend of mine is living his Christian journey.  Instead of twiddlin’ his fingers waiting on understanding from the Lord, he is chasing the mystery of God!

The fish that I caught in the seine are being carried to a large 8 acre spring fed lake.  They got it made now! (Stay tuned to see what plans they will follow to prosper!)

My plans for you... to prosper

My plans for you… to prosper

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Watching a leaf fall (season’s change)

With no one but God there with me, I walked deeper into the woods.  Watching the leaves fall, one particular leaf caught my eye. It was floating every so gently down from the very tops of these trees.  Swaying back and forth, with a slow tumble, a dance was taking place that happens over and over.  I actually got a picture as it is dancing to the ground.

season's change

season’s change

What are you telling me God?  What are you showing me this time?  Does God speak to me every time I take a walk?  Honestly no, but I want to make sure that I am paying attention every time so that when he does shows me something, I won’t miss it.

This one leaf landed on the path I hike on.  Three days ago the trees you see in the picture were still holding their leaves.  Now a carpet of thick leaves are on the woods’ floor.  This leaf is reminding me of the dear friend who is being buried today.  But also of someone who is changing careers.  Now I have a thought of my own child recovering from surgery.  Now my thoughts are on my own life and the changes that are taking place.  There are always changes, good and bad.

Obviously, there’s way too much thinking going on in my head. It’s best that I continue to walk. The steady rhythm of my stride gives a calming effect. The smell of these leaves I’m  stomping through, feeling this crisp autumn air, hearing the creatures of the forest (I hear geese!) are all making my senses come alive.

My walks and hikes take me literally down streets, up mountains, through forests, across rivers.  Most of the time I am in secluded quiet areas, occasionally time is spent on “walks” that are filled with people.I take walks to clear my mind and hear from God.  Sometimes it’s a long hike, Sometimes it’s just a few minutes.  Other activities may be involved; hunting, fishing, walking the dog with Staci.  I’ll park farther away from the door at Walmart, just so I can walk.  It’s therapy for me.  I say I’m doing it for the exercise, but I’m clearing my mind… and listening…..

Is God talking to me on this trip?  Actually, He is. He says, “Keep walking son.  Lots of leaves to fall on this path. Lots of changes will always be taking place.  You just keep walking, I’ll be there with you.  That will never change.”

Whatever changes are going on in your life, this poem is for you:

You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.  Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.  You can remember her only that she is gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.  Or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.            David Harkin

 

My walks and hikes in this spiritual journey are taken with Jesus.  I love and live this following verse: John 14:6The Voice (VOICE)Jesus: 6 I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

If you’re stuck behind a desk, you need to “take a hike”, literally.  If you’re stuck in a rut spiritually, “take a hike” on the path called Jesus.

I seem to get pulled into nature to hear from God.  Where do you go to hear from your Lord and Saviour? click here to comment or share.