It was growing up in the mountains, that taught me how thirst quenching fresh water was after a long, hard day. The Spring thaw causes the snow water to roar down the mountain creek with thunderous sounds. The white water flows against the rocks and banks with such power and determination that it brings the water to a pure freshness. It’s good stuff!
People know when they taste the real thing verses some polluted water. In some places, you can hardly call the water refreshing. Jeremiah 18:14 says, “Will a man leave the snow water of Lebanon, which comes from the rock of the field? Will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters?” In other words, will any person pass up the fresh crystal streams of Lebanon to drink from strange waters?
I remember when I was about 11-years-old, I went down behind my aunt’s house to a pond in the woods. It wasn’t until I jumped out of a small tree into the pond to catch a turtle that I realized pond water wasn’t as clean as the mountain streams I was used to.
The River of God brings life and revives whatever it touches. (tweet)
I was thrashing around in the muddy water trying to grab hold of the turtle. It was a wonder that I came up with its tail instead of the head, since it turned out to be a big snapping turtle. I will never forget my family’s expression when I came walking out of the woods covered from head to toe in stinky pond mud and the turtle in hand. I didn’t have time to smell Continue reading
Fishing along the Little Salmon River was incredibly invigorating to say the least. I remember there were days growing up that my father would intentional get off work early and grab me to go down to the river and fish before dust. He seemed to know the right seasons and days that the fish would be biting the best. Thinking back I honestly have to say that those times of fishing were some my most joy filled memories.
One of the five senses that God has given us is taste! We use it to decide whether something is good and enjoyable. It determines whether we want more or not. It’s the way God created us. The scriptures use that illustration in terms of trying out God. In Ps 34:8 it says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” The Psalmist encourages us to taste of God’s goodness and see that He is good. The word taste means to “perceive” and “evaluate” by consumption. So as we consume God we will see how good God really is.
Bright colored eggs and chocolate bunnies and yes, who can resist marsh-mellow chicks? The exorbitant marketing seems to reach out and not only entice but seems to put some captivating spell on every child around. Dreams of searching and finding the most Easter eggs invade our sleeping little ones. Parents are calculating the added expense of new dresses and bows and baskets for all those attending special services.
The incoming tide in church growth seminars and articles circulating seem to be insinuating that the older generation needs to throw in the towel and move aside for the younger. The words not relevant, out of date, and even old fashion seem to be push buttons in the realm of the “Church Growth World”.
Rocking fields in southern Idaho was an early temporary job that my friends and I would do. We would get paid to walk behind a tractor and trailer in the unplanted fields in early spring, picking up rocks that the freeze would bring to the surface through the winter. We would work, hang out and play around the fields and harvest equipment. Yet, I didn’t fully understand the whole process of sowing and reaping even though I grew up around the farming industry. But it was these memories that would later bring understanding and clarity to many Biblical principles that I would enjoy studying.
In the midst of a busy diner the manager who evidently is having a rough and stressful day, begins to down grade and insult a breastfeeding young mother. The belligerent manager assumes that she is disturbing other customers around her and proceeds to kick her out of the establishment. As the tension in the room rises and different customers begin to react, some try to ignore what’s going on and others just shake their heads while out of the blue a young man stands up for justice and defends the young mother.
Doesn’t it seem to come crashing in all at once? The storms of life, such as, a vehicle breaking down unexpectedly and maybe being laid off your job or even a death of a loved one can set your world in turmoil. Life at times can become very overwhelming to say the least. The Psalmist says in Ps 107:28-29 says, “they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. “NKJV
An excuse is an attempt to be forgiven and release oneself from any obligation or responsibility by circumstances. We live in a culture that I have termed as a chronic excuse syndrome society. We are to easily given over to breaking any commitments and responsibilities that we may have.
Ten out of the twelve spies who went into the Promised Land saw the inhabitants and were gripped by fear. It was a tormenting fear that not only skewed their vision but spread to many others. The Biblical account that we read in Num. 13:26-30 continues to let us know that the other two, Joshua and Caleb, had an attitude of a warrior. These two did not succumb to spreading fear but kept their eyes on God’s promises and declared with boldness, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it,”. Their tenacious heart revealed their victorious attitude for the battle that lay before them. Yet, the majority of the spies were affected by fear just like a big part of God’s people.
On an interstate north of Dallas that I have traveled many times over the years there is a half finished mansion that has become a memorial of “Unfinished Business”. If hear say is correct, the house was owned by a wealthy rancher who was financially devastated when the oil prices crashed years ago. It turns out this rancher ended up not having enough resources to complete his mansion. Therefore it has stood there for many years abandon and deteriorating.
Do you remember the heroic acts of the passengers on the United Airlines flight 93 on September 11, 2001? It was a normal day until the ordinary gave way to the catastrophic. The enemy had no other plans than to kill, steal and destroy their lives and many others. When these heroes realized what was going on they decided not to allow the enemy to inflict unjust destruction upon them. They rose up against the terrorists— they fought back. They counter-attacked the enemy sacrificing their own lives but literally saving hundreds in Washington, D.C. These heroes were not going to sit by and take whatever their enemy dished out.
Like it or not, as a believer, you are in a battle! Every person born into this world is immersed into spiritual warfare. Having been plunged into the conflict of the ages, we are not exempt nor can we be neutral. Either the forces of evil will trample us or we will be victorious through our spiritual warfare—winning souls, changing society, influencing history and helping establish God’s Kingdom. I’m not talking about being a demon chaser, blaming demonic forces for every uncomfortable situation or flaw in someone’s character. But, I am talking about a battle that has been waged long before you and I were born, a battle that is waged against the purposes of God and His Kingdom. It’s a battle that has been waged by the enemy of your soul.
Bill Virgin Blog - Leave room for Cream 