(I was reminded of this article I wrote several years ago when the Pastor used Isaiah 61 for the sermon this Sunday. I hope you will enjoy reading my ponderings. Please remember that this is copyrighted material and may not be reproduced or used in any way without my permission. Thank you!)
Can you imagine a world without trees? There are so many varieties of trees! A short walk through the woods and we will see trees in all sizes, shapes and types. Trees add great beauty to our world. Giant redwoods and sequoias are so majestic to behold (One of my requested destinations in our future travels is to go see them!). Pines, oaks, and other hardwood varieties provide many useful products for us. Deciduous trees put on a magnificent display of color in the fall season. Some trees provide cones, acorns or berries for food. Wildlife abounds in areas where there are lots of trees for shelter and food. We probably all enjoy sitting in front of the fireplace or an outdoor bonfire in the cooler weather. The addition of some hickory or pecan wood to our grill makes steaks and burgers taste so much better! The list goes on and on.
What makes a tree strong and mighty? In a recent trip to East Texas I was saddened to see the effects of the drought on their trees. Many were already dead or were in the process of dieing. The ground around them was cracked open due to lack of moisture. The trees could not get nutrients through their root system because there was no water in the ground to be carried. Their roots were not in a place that could nourish the tree. Even trees planted by creeks were dieing because the creeks were dry. Their SOURCE was no longer there to supply their need.
Several years ago we had timber thinned on our land in Louisiana. In one particular spot we have picked out a place to perhaps build a house in a few years. We carefully selected the trees to be taken, marking the weak and overcrowded ones. We selected many of the trees to remain on the basis of the beauty they would provide in the fall. We also carefully preserved dogwood and holly trees by not marking anything right around them to be cut. To our dismay on our next visit after the thinning, we discovered that several of the trees we intended to be kept had blown down during a wind storm, and some took my beautiful dogwoods down with them! Although the remaining trees had been strong, they were dependent on the trees around them to help anchor them in place. The thinning of the trees revealed that the root structure of some trees was not strong enough to uphold the tree on its own. Together, they had great strength, but alone, some could not withstand the strong wind.
Have you ever considered that WE are like trees in some ways? Did you know God wants us to be TREES (a creation of great strength)!
Isaiah 61:1-3 (KJV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; [2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; [3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (The Hebrew word used here for “tree” means “strength”.)
The AMP version of v.3 reads, “…that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Don’t you think of “strength” when considering an oak tree? God wants us to be strong trees of righteousness. Note that a tree can not plant itself! The anointing of Jesus brings about the changes that make us mighty trees and give glory to Him.
Colossians 2:7 (AMP)
Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.
Our roots must be in the right place, firmly and deeply planted. We must be firmly established in faith and on the Word. God must be our SOURCE. We are not intended to stand on our own, but to be part of the body of Christ. There we can draw strength and encouragement from one another. We can intercede and minister to help each member stand firm against storms in their life.
Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
When we are planted by the river of God, we will flourish and we will have fruit. As His river flows through us and out to reach others we will grow in strength.
Lord, make me a tree, strong and righteous! Help me sink my roots firmly into You, Lord. Help me to daily feed on Your Word and commune with You. Keep me planted by Your river that I may grow and flourish, that I may help uphold others in the body of Christ. Lord, today I reaffirm that YOU are my Source. Amen.
Kat
Copyright by Kathy R. Ellzey, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Encouragement
ENCOURAGE: “to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence” (American Heritage Dictionary).
Do you need encouragement today? We all go through periods of time when we need to be “inspired with hope, courage, or confidence” that things will get better, that God IS a faithful God, that His promises ARE true for us today. Where can we go for this encouragement? First of all, we can do as David did.
1 Samuel 30:6 b (KJV) …but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
This was at a time when David’s own men spoke of stoning him because they were grieved by the loss of their sons and daughters. David, not yet having been seated on the throne as king, could have looked at the promises of God and determined that obviously they were not going to happen. The men were talking of KILLING him! But instead he turned to God for help.
Strong’s defines the Hebrew word used for “encouraged” (chazaq) as meaning: “to fasten upon, to seize, be strong, to bind, restrain, or conquer”.
I think David did all of these. He fastened upon the promises and the goodness of God; he seized or bound the thoughts the enemy sent his way; he used restraint by not acting on impulse, not striking out at those that wanted to harm him and by not running away from the danger; and most importantly, he was strengthened and then conquered by seeking the counsel of the Lord. The JFB Commentary adds, “His faith supplied him with inward resources of comfort and energy…”.
Secondly, we can plant seeds of encouragement. Do you know of someone else in need of encouragement? Plant a seed in their life. Small acts of kindness and encouragement provide great help to a hurting individual. The enemy is well-practiced at using our physical, mental, or spiritual challenges to grow thoughts of self-pity, discouragement, frustration, doubt, and fear. It is a vicious cycle that can only be broken by the Word.
Read the Word, speak the Word, and then go plant seeds of the Word in someone else’s life that needs encouragement. Someone did this for me recently, and it has really made a difference. Then this weekend the Lord gave me the opportunity to do the same for a friend.
John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The Word IS the answer! Pass it on… Find a way to be an ENCOURAGEMENT to someone today!
Kat
Do you need encouragement today? We all go through periods of time when we need to be “inspired with hope, courage, or confidence” that things will get better, that God IS a faithful God, that His promises ARE true for us today. Where can we go for this encouragement? First of all, we can do as David did.
1 Samuel 30:6 b (KJV) …but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
This was at a time when David’s own men spoke of stoning him because they were grieved by the loss of their sons and daughters. David, not yet having been seated on the throne as king, could have looked at the promises of God and determined that obviously they were not going to happen. The men were talking of KILLING him! But instead he turned to God for help.
Strong’s defines the Hebrew word used for “encouraged” (chazaq) as meaning: “to fasten upon, to seize, be strong, to bind, restrain, or conquer”.
I think David did all of these. He fastened upon the promises and the goodness of God; he seized or bound the thoughts the enemy sent his way; he used restraint by not acting on impulse, not striking out at those that wanted to harm him and by not running away from the danger; and most importantly, he was strengthened and then conquered by seeking the counsel of the Lord. The JFB Commentary adds, “His faith supplied him with inward resources of comfort and energy…”.
Secondly, we can plant seeds of encouragement. Do you know of someone else in need of encouragement? Plant a seed in their life. Small acts of kindness and encouragement provide great help to a hurting individual. The enemy is well-practiced at using our physical, mental, or spiritual challenges to grow thoughts of self-pity, discouragement, frustration, doubt, and fear. It is a vicious cycle that can only be broken by the Word.
Read the Word, speak the Word, and then go plant seeds of the Word in someone else’s life that needs encouragement. Someone did this for me recently, and it has really made a difference. Then this weekend the Lord gave me the opportunity to do the same for a friend.
John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The Word IS the answer! Pass it on… Find a way to be an ENCOURAGEMENT to someone today!
Kat
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Weekend Thankfulness
I'm thankful for good friends, though they may live 200 miles away.
I'm thankful for a DH that likes to travel as much as I do.
I'm thankful for lots of laughter, had while visiting good friends at a bowling tournament this weekend.
I'm thankful for safe travel and seeing new sights while traveling a route we've not taken before to get to MS.
I'm thankful for great food and fellowship shared with friends.
I'm thankful for good bowling this weekend... we don't always bowl well when out of town.
I'm thankful for being back home... I'll sleep well in my bed tonight.
Kat
I'm thankful for a DH that likes to travel as much as I do.
I'm thankful for lots of laughter, had while visiting good friends at a bowling tournament this weekend.
I'm thankful for safe travel and seeing new sights while traveling a route we've not taken before to get to MS.
I'm thankful for great food and fellowship shared with friends.
I'm thankful for good bowling this weekend... we don't always bowl well when out of town.
I'm thankful for being back home... I'll sleep well in my bed tonight.
Kat
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday's Thankfulness
The title says "Monday's Thankfulness", but really these are Sunday's (which I am just now getting around to publishing).
I'm thankful that we had grand-daughters visiting this weekend... they are such fun! At 9 and 10 they still think Granny and Grumps are great people and they are willing to try lots of new activities on the farm (like picking fruits and veggies, cooking adventures, sewing projects, etc).
I'm thankful that even at their young age they are interested in what I do and how I do it. This makes for opportunities to pass on my knowledge and skills to them. A day spent sewing produced a brightly patterned pillowcase for each of them to take home. They had FUN! It is great they have now gotten to the attention span that we can complete projects without lots of breaks... sure makes things go faster.
I'm thankful for children's laughter... nothing brings a smile to my face quicker than hearing the laughter of my girls as they visit, work, play, and just "be kids".
I'm thankful for my church, where each person is welcomed with love, where the Word is taught, and ministry happens. One "grand" gave her heart to Jesus at church Sunday! How blessed I am to have a part in sharing Jesus and His love for her! I'm thankful for Paula, who knows how to explain the plan of salvation where even very young children can feel the calling of the Holy Spirit.
I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus, whose promises in the Word are true, whose love, mercy and grace continues to change us into His likeness.
Blessings to you all today, and every day,
Kat
I'm thankful that we had grand-daughters visiting this weekend... they are such fun! At 9 and 10 they still think Granny and Grumps are great people and they are willing to try lots of new activities on the farm (like picking fruits and veggies, cooking adventures, sewing projects, etc).
I'm thankful that even at their young age they are interested in what I do and how I do it. This makes for opportunities to pass on my knowledge and skills to them. A day spent sewing produced a brightly patterned pillowcase for each of them to take home. They had FUN! It is great they have now gotten to the attention span that we can complete projects without lots of breaks... sure makes things go faster.
I'm thankful for children's laughter... nothing brings a smile to my face quicker than hearing the laughter of my girls as they visit, work, play, and just "be kids".
I'm thankful for my church, where each person is welcomed with love, where the Word is taught, and ministry happens. One "grand" gave her heart to Jesus at church Sunday! How blessed I am to have a part in sharing Jesus and His love for her! I'm thankful for Paula, who knows how to explain the plan of salvation where even very young children can feel the calling of the Holy Spirit.
I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus, whose promises in the Word are true, whose love, mercy and grace continues to change us into His likeness.
Blessings to you all today, and every day,
Kat
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
You Just Never Know...
You just never know...
how the little things you do in life can affect and help others! God gives us gifts and talents but WE assume sometimes that they do not help others as much as the spiritual gifts. But we just never know... until someone tells us.
Recently I had an opportunity to quilt for a friend I had not seen in a long while. She lost her dear husband about 18 months ago. I can imagine the void this left in her life, but not having been there, I'm just imagining. I can imagine the difficulty of getting up each day and noting his absence, of everything around you reminding you that he's not there, but not having been there myself....
I was so thrilled when I received an email from her and noted her excitement over the quilts that are headed back to her in the mail. But more important than the quilts is what she had to say about how getting back to quilting has helped her.
"I have been piecing a bunch this week and have discovered it is very comforting to me. Since losing my husband, I have kinda wondered around the house looking for things to do. Finally decided to get in there and start working on all my "stash of material". I know that receiving the quilts will inspire me even more. So I thank you for the encouragement you've given me!"
Who would have thought that me just "doing my quilting thing" could have helped someone in this way? How blessed I am to be able to do something I love each day (and get paid for it), and then the Lord (who provided both the talent and opportunity for me to do this) uses it to help others. That is just AWESOME!
So my word today for you is: Don't shortchange or discount the gifts/talents/abilities God has given YOU... He has great plans and purposes for you to use them to help others... and you just never know how that will come about!
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
how the little things you do in life can affect and help others! God gives us gifts and talents but WE assume sometimes that they do not help others as much as the spiritual gifts. But we just never know... until someone tells us.
Recently I had an opportunity to quilt for a friend I had not seen in a long while. She lost her dear husband about 18 months ago. I can imagine the void this left in her life, but not having been there, I'm just imagining. I can imagine the difficulty of getting up each day and noting his absence, of everything around you reminding you that he's not there, but not having been there myself....
I was so thrilled when I received an email from her and noted her excitement over the quilts that are headed back to her in the mail. But more important than the quilts is what she had to say about how getting back to quilting has helped her.
"I have been piecing a bunch this week and have discovered it is very comforting to me. Since losing my husband, I have kinda wondered around the house looking for things to do. Finally decided to get in there and start working on all my "stash of material". I know that receiving the quilts will inspire me even more. So I thank you for the encouragement you've given me!"
Who would have thought that me just "doing my quilting thing" could have helped someone in this way? How blessed I am to be able to do something I love each day (and get paid for it), and then the Lord (who provided both the talent and opportunity for me to do this) uses it to help others. That is just AWESOME!
So my word today for you is: Don't shortchange or discount the gifts/talents/abilities God has given YOU... He has great plans and purposes for you to use them to help others... and you just never know how that will come about!
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
HMMM... an expected end... That sounds like "plan and purpose" to me!!
So may I challenge you today... go forth and use your abilities to touch others.
Mark 9:41 (KJV) For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Many times we have no idea how we may have helped someone through our simple actions, but then once in a while, someone lets us know. What an encouragement that is!
So my second challenge is... if someone has encouraged YOU in some way, let them know about it today!
Be blessed today, and be a blessing, too!
Kat
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday's Thankfulness
Today I'm thankful for:
A free meal out... as members of a local forestry group we get a meal out (and a short program on forestry management) once a month. This is sponsored by different local businesses. HOW NICE! I DIDN'T HAVE TO COOK TONIGHT!
The Lord's protection: We were in a terrible thunder/lightning/heavy rain storm on the way home. I could not see the lines on the road at many points. A quick prayer for safety and protection, and we eased on toward home. It was just too dangerous to pull over since shoulders are narrow and visibility was near zero. Thank You, Lord, for keeping us safe!
Company coming: Tomorrow we will host our BIL and SIL in a meal of Reubens and watermelon... What a combination! But these are things we all enjoy. We'll be cooking corned beef that we corned ourself. YUM! THEN, we will have an evening of dominoes or games of some sort. I love game time with friends and family!
Be blessed in all you do tomorrow!
Kat
A free meal out... as members of a local forestry group we get a meal out (and a short program on forestry management) once a month. This is sponsored by different local businesses. HOW NICE! I DIDN'T HAVE TO COOK TONIGHT!
The Lord's protection: We were in a terrible thunder/lightning/heavy rain storm on the way home. I could not see the lines on the road at many points. A quick prayer for safety and protection, and we eased on toward home. It was just too dangerous to pull over since shoulders are narrow and visibility was near zero. Thank You, Lord, for keeping us safe!
Company coming: Tomorrow we will host our BIL and SIL in a meal of Reubens and watermelon... What a combination! But these are things we all enjoy. We'll be cooking corned beef that we corned ourself. YUM! THEN, we will have an evening of dominoes or games of some sort. I love game time with friends and family!
Be blessed in all you do tomorrow!
Kat
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday's Thankful Thoughts
How time has flown since my last post! When I started this blog I had planned on it being a daily journal... HAHA! WHAT was I thinking????
Today I am thankful for:
The meatloaf DH made and I cooked last night. I LOVE leftovers... more time to quilt, less to cook!
The fresh grape tomatoes that continue to be picked each day... they really add taste to our salads.
The fresh okra that is now being picked by the gallon every day... what were we thinking when we planted so many plants? But, YUM! Fried okra tonight was delicious.
Elderly ladies that continue to enjoy their hobby of quilting. Yes, their quilts sometimes present unique challenges to me as their quilter, but I so admire those that keep making quilts even though the aches and pains of growing older might cause some less determined soul to just give up sewing. I worked hard today to finish one very challenging quilt. It won't win any awards, and some would look at it and wonder why I did THAT to this quilt. It was a means of stabilizing the hand-piecing that was coming undone in MANY places, and finishing something that was pieced probably around the 1960s. When I return the quilt I will get "the rest of the story" and find out exactly who made it.
Rain and cooler temperatures. It is still hot, but not nearly as hot as a few weeks ago. We've had several small rains and more on the way, so things are really looking nice and green again.
That's my short list today... you can tell I'm tired and heading for the shower and bed.
Be blessed in all you do!
Kat
Today I am thankful for:
The meatloaf DH made and I cooked last night. I LOVE leftovers... more time to quilt, less to cook!
The fresh grape tomatoes that continue to be picked each day... they really add taste to our salads.
The fresh okra that is now being picked by the gallon every day... what were we thinking when we planted so many plants? But, YUM! Fried okra tonight was delicious.
Elderly ladies that continue to enjoy their hobby of quilting. Yes, their quilts sometimes present unique challenges to me as their quilter, but I so admire those that keep making quilts even though the aches and pains of growing older might cause some less determined soul to just give up sewing. I worked hard today to finish one very challenging quilt. It won't win any awards, and some would look at it and wonder why I did THAT to this quilt. It was a means of stabilizing the hand-piecing that was coming undone in MANY places, and finishing something that was pieced probably around the 1960s. When I return the quilt I will get "the rest of the story" and find out exactly who made it.
Rain and cooler temperatures. It is still hot, but not nearly as hot as a few weeks ago. We've had several small rains and more on the way, so things are really looking nice and green again.
That's my short list today... you can tell I'm tired and heading for the shower and bed.
Be blessed in all you do!
Kat
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
