Rock Writers’ Guild

Simple/Direct

Computers for Dummies

When trying to navigate the complex world of computers there are a few simple steps to follow to insure success. Number one: Sit down in a chair of your choice and pull yourself up to the machine. Second: Don’t be afraid or intimidated to turn the computer on by pressing the power button firmly for two to three seconds and let it go. You now have a break for about two minutes as the computer cycles through various screens and performing different tasks until you see the login screen. Since you should already have this next piece of information, you should proceed to type in your username and whatever password you created. Press enter upon the completion of these two tasks.

You will wait another minute or so and at that point you should see your desktop, complete with some pretty background picture. Click on the start button in the lower left hand corner of the screen. You will then see all the programs that were installed on this machine. Pick one and have fun. Remember should you run into any trouble that rebooting your machine can be your best friend. We cover that in the next chapter.

Meditative/Reflection

There is a thin line between success and failure. In sports in can hinge on a single action that will be the difference between victory and defeat. The victory part seems to be easier to deal with but we really never find out what we are made of until we experience some trial that tests our faith. It is in these times that we must learn to declare that we will hold on one more day. No matter how long our troubles last, we are determined to hold out one day longer, knowing that it will produce in us a spirit that expects success and victory no matter what the circumstances. It is my hope to become this person with spirit unbreakable and a faith unshakeable.

We should always be willing to look at our experiences both good and bad as teachable moments and to use them as guideposts for those who come behind us. In the hope that they can be a source of hope and encouragement saying that it will be ok and that things will work out for my good.

Humor

Ocho ran into the house with tears streaming down his face. He had a large knot on his head the size of a golf ball smack the middle of his forehead. Honey stopped what she was doing to examine the extent of his injury. “Baby, what happened?” Honey said. A series of groans, grunts and slobber filled words poured out of Ocho’s mouth, none of which were understandable. Honey directed her son the calm down and tell what happened. ” I was hit by a car” cried Ocho. ” I was riding my bike and it came out of nowhere and hit me.” Honey asked if he saw the car that hit him. “No” replyed Ocho.
“Where is your sister” asked Honey.
“I don’t know” he said.
Honey began to worry about her youngest and her whereabouts. She told him to sit on the couch while see went to find Butter. Honey was out the front door in a flash and she met her daughter coming up the side walk. Honey breathed a deep sigh of relief. “Butter, did you see the car that hit your brother?”
“Momma, Ocho didn’t get hit by a car”
“What do you mean, Butter”
“Momma, he rode into the back of old man Lewis’ cadillac. He won’t payin a bit of attention to what he was doing and blam right into it. Left a nice dent on the trunk too.”

From that time forward whenever we did something stupid and careless, Honey and Herman would tell us that our actions were as smart as playing “Chicken with a parked car.”

 First please read my simple and direct “Love Stinks” below, then this one, then the humorous one.  This will all flow better if you do so.  I cannot rearrange them correctly on this site!  : )

 ”The Beatings Will Continue Until Moral Improves”

 Why do we chase that which we cannot have?  And isn’t it just like sons and daughters of Adam to run to the tree of knowledge of good and evil and eschew the tree of life?  When it comes to areas of romance, we look, we ponder the object of our affections, we flirt, we act…destructively.  There are far more extra-marital affairs going on to which credence is given if we count all the people having “affairs of the heart” at work and abroad.  Those long conversations at the cooler, those phone calls, all the time spent thinking about that “other” person.  And the burning comes from it.  It is a burning in many aspects.  But we keep getting drawn back in as humans, time and time again.  Look at celebrities.  They “fall in love” and gush and ooooo about their latest infatuation… yet within two to three years that broken relationship is fodder for the tabloids.  And what does the enemy tell us?  That another infatuation will make us feel better.  The beatings will continue until moral improves.  A now infamous British naval taskmaster uttered those words, and not in gest, to his bewildered crew.  It fits our society today.

Jesus removes us from this harmful cycle with one of the fruits of the Spirit.  It’s called, “self-control.”  We cannot work up self-control.  It is an anointed gift from Father to us when we enter Christ Jesus through salvation.  It gives us the gumption to say, “No, that other person will NOT satisfy my needs.  My God in heaven will, and he has (or will) give me a mate with which to work on those desires in a safe place called ‘marriage’.”  Self-control gives us eyes to see the whole picture for what it is and make a wise decision.  Self-control gives us ears to hear Holy Spirit say, “the grass is really no greener over there than it is on your side.”  Self-control gives you clarity of mind; infatuation gives confusion.  We can say “no,” even with humor:  as Raymond said in one episode when faced with extra-marital temptation - “No, I don’t want to disappoint another woman, too.”  Jesus can crush that taskmaster in our lives when we use this fruit.  Together, He and we can end the “ring of fire,” that cycle that keeps us in bondage.  The Tree of Life, He is.  And His fruit does not burn. 

The twenty year old fool staggered into his ex-girl friend’s back yard at two in the AM.  Even though he knew he was the last person she wanted to see, he was heart-broken enough to think otherwise; perhaps there was a chance she’d be glad to see his drunken face at the door if she were awake.  He walked up to the back porch and went to knock when all the wind was taken out of him like a Mike Tyson punch to the solar plexis:  there she was on her couch, indeed as he’d hoped.  But she was kissing William, whom she’d just begun to date.  And he thought the aching she’d caused him the night they broke up was the most painful experience of his life.  He was wrong.  It was now official:  their two and a half year high school/college romance was officially ended.  He did make one of the better judgment choices of his life at that point, the decision to turn around quietly and gracefully  go away.  He tip-toed down the back porch steps.  As he slinked off with his tail between his legs he gave sight to BJ, his girlfriend’s family beagle, tied to his doghouse near their garage.  Old BJ!  He remembered the times he and his girl had spent with BJ, walking him, feeding him, taking him out, bringing him in.  Making him do his few doggy tricks.  He decided to console himself by giving BJ a good pat.  BJ sat still near his house, hind legs on the ground, his tongue hanging loosely, looking at him across the yard.  The neo-interloper walked quietly toward him so as not to disturb the romance back inside.  He walked up to BJ slowly, smiling and holding his fist out for him to lick, just like old times.  BJ sat like a statute staring at him.  He got within two feet of the dog.  He leaned down and whispered with a tear-stained smile, “Hey, BJ!”  BJ was instantly possessed of satan and lunged violently at the young man, snapping the rope taught.  “AAAARRFF!” he barked, chasing the drunk back three feet.  “AAARRRFFF” here translated:  “Hit the road, loser!  She’s over you!”  Stunned even more, the drunk staggered quickly out of the yard, with his other three tails between his legs, now.  As he walked down the blackened, hazy, summer street, he decided it is probably not a good thing to try and visit unanounced at two in the morning the girl who broke up with you.

(The names in this story have been changed to protect the innocent.  Except for BJ.  BJ is the real name of the dog.  May he rest in peace and have a huge, shiny white bone to chew on forever in doggy heaven.)

“Love Stinks”

“He loves her/but she loves him.  And he loves somebody else/you just can’t win.”  That’s how the song went.  Eros.  So many in our society are consumed by “love.”  Eros is propelled to pinnacles and thrones as being chief.  This message is especially driven by the entertainment-media.  And it’s an easy one for them to glom onto.  The sex drive in humans is next only to the will to live.  The drive to “be one” with another is beaten only by the will to fight for your life when threatened.  God made our sexual being that way to ensure procreation; prolific procreation.  Now that drive is a weapon used against society to combat the family.  Eros can at once be both cheap and costly.  It is “chasing the wind” to get that ooey-gooey feeling for someone.  It is a never ending cycle that can bite you time and time again.  And infatuation, that bait and hook God created in us to bring us to marriage, is now used against us greatly.  Romance is definitely fun, when pursued in the safety of marriage. Otherwise, eros, lust, is just a killer of character, marriages, family.  How many are pained by it?  That reminds me of another famous 70s rock and roll song:  “Love Hurts.” 

This is an attempt to combine the 3, since I couldn’t find the actual assignment and directions.

           One of the hazards of my new job at UNCW is learning to walk. Normally this would not be part of a new job description, and I think the interview committee failed with their list of questions when they did not include sidewalk hopping as part of the requirement for working here. Granted the senior interviewer is 69 years old, and tells me every time I go out the door for my daily walk, “I don’t walk.”  How she has managed to be so healthy was a mystery to me, until I realized walking on the sidewalks requires taking your life into your own hands.
 

           The first week I walked was a huge sham. I had somehow managed to walk in between classes. Later when I had a more established lunch hour I found myself walking or rather dodging students on skate boards, bicycles, and ground keepers on golf carts. Aren’t golf carts made for driving on the grass? And when did women stop wearing clothes? I’m no prude, or maybe I am, but I’ve seen more skin covered at the beach than on some of the young women dodging the skate boarders in front of me. The young men and even the old ones are blasé about the sea of skin. In fact I noticed a woman dressed in business suit getting the most appreciative glances. The skate boarders didn’t even try to mow her down.

          If speed is the demon driving the students on the sidewalks brilliance is the driving force with the Faculty I work for, some speak many languages, and have written books, published in at least three languages, if not more.

Recently during my lunch break I was reading CS Lewis’ Anthology of George MacDonald’s writings (whom I absolutely adore!) The passage was called:

“First Things First”
“Oh the folly of any mind that would explain God before obeying Him! That would map out the character of God instead of crying, Lord, what wouldst though have me to do?”

I sighed and laid it down to take a bite of my sandwich when one of the more prolific writers walked into the kitchen. He looked at me quizzically. “Don’t you just love it when you find an author you love, and can go back and savor his words over and over again?” He sort of laughed, “Read for pleasure? I don’t think I’ve done that in years.”
                   In my walk with Jesus He is showing me, “I give my wisdom to the simple, to the pure in heart, to the one who seeks me.”  This past weekend, I attended a conference with Graham Cooke as the guest speaker. It was incredible, twice the hosting pastor had to tell us to go home, no one could move when the service was over. We just sat there heavy with His anointing.  But three separate times on driving from my mother’s house to the conference I lost my way. On each occasion the Lord questioned me, “Who are you going to hear? You, Lord I am going to hear from You from the mouth of this anointed man. Whose voice do you seek? Yours Lord. Worship me where you are.” By the third time of getting lost you would think I had learned my lesson, but no this time was the worst, and most frightening, I was really lost this time, and could find no peace to worship. “Who are you seeking? You Lord. Then worship me where you are.”

               My hands were shaking hard, and I was trying to get my fear under control before I started singing/worshiping, but I heard again, “worship me where you are, in the fear, in the not knowing.”  I did, and of course He showed me again where to turn and how to get there. Once I arrived I had to sit and start writing as fast as my hand would move. I felt a little guilty for not entering in to worship or listening to the words being spoken from the prophetic team. Again He said “who do you want to hear? You Lord, I want to hear from You. Seek me first, seek me always, and seek me only. I will lead you every time everywhere I want you to go. Seek my direction, seek my guidance, and seek my heart when you cannot see the way. Even when you are afraid I do not require anything, but that you come to me, and seek me with all of your heart. For I have opened a path before you that leads you to Me every time, every time every time! I will always lead you to Myself.”

As I look out my living room window, I am amazed at the beautiful sight of soft sky blues and delicate pinks as the rising sun reflects on a few scattered clouds.  It is early and a new day is dawning.  The morning seems to softly whisper of His glory and majesty.  Yet as I look around at the wonder of the world He created, I ponder just how great He is.   

We have a tree in our back yard between the house and the security lamp.  As each season passes, I watch the changes taking place.  In the cold of winter, the branches rattle as the winds blow.  There is no visible sign of life, as stark empty branches shudder in the wind. Then in the spring, a wondrous sight takes place.  Little tiny buds of new leaves begin stretching out toward the warmth of the spring sun.  Drawn out of their hiding place, they reach out ready and willing to do their part to bring new growth to their home.  It does not matter to them that they are there but for a short season, they have an important work to accomplish during their short stay.

As the season progresses from spring to summer, they slowly obscure the light from view.  The leaves share their spot for each little sprig that prayerfully will give way to a bumper crop of pecans.  Then, just as rapidly, the process reverses.  Leaves changes from a beautiful green to various shades of yellow, orange and brown.  As the chill of fall approaches winter, the winds swirl the fallen leaves on the ground. Shortly, the branches will again rattle as the winter winds blow upon them.  Life is revealed in its fullest cycle. 

The same takes place in our life.  There are seasons of dormancy, where it seems we sit on a shelf doing nothing.  At times the Lord, in His perfect love and wisdom, will bring us to a place of quietness and rest.  Often we mistakenly think we have missed Him or committed some grievous sin.  We strive to produce something, anything, when it is truly the Lord desiring us to sit and rest. 

Although nothing appears to be happening to my pecan tree, in reality I cannot see beyond the bark.  Its roots are providing the nourishment necessary for the next growth spurt.  In the same manner, our roots are embedded deep in the Lord.  As He ministers to us during our ‘dormant’ times, He makes provision for our growth spurt.  There might be a branch that needs pruning; a hurtful process, yet this ensures greater fruitfulness in the coming season.

Winter seasons are uncomfortable to many.  We long for the first sign of spring and new growth.  However, it is during those cold times that our reliance is totally in the Lord.  Grounded in His love, we must allow our roots to go even deeper.  All we need is found in Him.  Lasting fulfillment comes from resting in the Lord, waiting for His perfect timing.  Today, if you are in a time of dormancy, learn to rest in the Lord.  Know that He  knows the seasons of your life and your spring is just around the corner.

Song of Solomon 4:16  Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.

Joyce Sykes

© 2006

Meditative:

     My sister is convinced that Global Warming is going to destroy the earth, probably within my children’s lifetimes.  She’s been watching public TV again!  I tried to reason with her.  I told her that if you believe in multiple Ice Ages it’s difficult to believe the earth is all that delicate.  She’s worried about core samples of polar ice and the ocean swallowing Wilmington.  When I tried to advance counter-arguments she switched to saying “But they’re cutting down all the trees in Richmond and building houses!”  Arguing with “true believers” is like punching a tar-baby; you get plenty hot and sticky, but you never make any progress.
     The real truth is that she WANTS to believe that we’re all in danger of global warming.  The reasoning progresses like this: If I question Global Warming that means I have to acknowledge that large groups of scientists (or at least NOVA) can be wrong.  If I believe scientists can be wrong then I have to ask if they’re wrong about other things, like evolution.  If I question evolution then I am, according to the same large groups of scientists, a bigoted, close-minded, brain-washed idiot.  I don’t want to be ignorant and close-minded, therefore I refuse to hear any arguement or evidence that questions Global Warming.    Did you see the card trick in that logic loop, or am I the only one?
    O, let him who has ears hear! 
     I felt so discouraged and frustrated after speaking to her I threw myself down on my bed and cried out to God, “How?  How can you ever reach her when she refuses to listen or hear?”  My whole family is like this.  If I try to argue about anything the TV has told them is true, no matter how careful or logical or well-researched my words are, they look at me like I’d comitted a PDA with the mail-man on the living room carpet!  How can they claim to love me and then treat me like an escaped lunatic?
     Ironically, they are constantly praising me for the good job I do with my home and family, while criticizing the way I do it.  “What great kids you have, so much better than the ones I saw at the restaurant last night!” they say.  A day later, it’s, “Why don’t you put them in the public schools and stop indoctrinating them with all this Christian pap?”  Like there is no connection between the two.
     I have waited to begin sharing my faith with strangers because I have been so ineffective sharing it with my family.  I guess I felt like evangelism should start at home.  If I can’t do it with people I know and love, what makes me think I can do it with anyone?  But I don’t think I’m going to wait on them any longer.  As I was face-down in my comforter sobbing, God reminded me what Jesus said when his family came to see him.  “These are my brothers and sisters,” he said, looking fondly at the believers gathered around him.
     It’s so true- I am closer to the members of my church than my family.  Who do I turn to when I’m frightened or need help?  My mother panics, obsesses and criticises my decisions.  My father hasn’t talked to me about anything serious since I was fourteen.  But Tex & Ruthie Trammell are there any time I need them.  They’ve helped me and taught me so much.  Any time Tex puts his arm around me I feel safe.
     I have two brothers.  One signs his name to a card and a fifty-dollar check at Christmas as his only yearly contact.  The other recently moved leaving no forwarding number or address.  My sister at least speaks to me, even if she think’s I’m nuts.  But in Christ I have more brothers and sisters than I can invite over to my house at once!  They help me, speak to me, hug me, teach me, comfort me, send money when I’m broke, move my piano, bring me meals, hold my baby, give me gifts…
     I’m being foolish to wait on my birth family to accept and love me.  Out there are thousands of desperate people that I might reach and love and help, who WOULD accept Christ and return my love ten-fold.  There’s family waiting for me that I haven’t even met yet!
     The saying is right, blood is thicker than water.  It just forgot to say whose.

Humorous:

     I hate trying to be funny.  Every part of my brain dries up.  My medulla oblongata shrinks to the size of a pea.  My cerebrum slinks sullenly to the bottom of my skull and goes to sleep.  Silence falls.  Crickets chirp.  You can hear the far-off baa-ing of imaginary sheep.
     I hate trying to be funny.  The MC has drawn my name!  Everyone is clapping and cheering as I make my way to the stage.  He shakes my hand and announces, “Angela Wilhite, for 5 million tax-free dollars and a new car with working A/C, all you have to do is…”  A hush falls on the audience.  A spotlight hits my face.  He hands me a mike, drops his voice and says, “…say something funny!”  Everyone leans forward expectantly.  Eventually someone titters nervously.  I can’t even speak.
     I hate trying to be funny.  I think funny only happens accidentally, like someone dropping a live frog in your hand when you were expecting car keys.  Technically, frogs are squishy, not funny, but arguably, they are nothing like car keys.
     When certain people I know try to be funny they do something strange like hanging a spoon on their nose.  Why is a spoon on your nose supposed to be funny?  Now, if the spoon was on a frog’s nose, or a frog was on a person’s nose… well, basically, anything involving frogs and noses- that would be funny.
     I hate trying to be funny.

Simple and Direct:
    
     Donal, I know you are a little young for this advice, but I want you to think about it before adolescent hormones invade your brain and make it difficult for us to discuss things.  Please be careful about who you fall in love with.
      Sometimes it seems like McDonald’s requires more references for their newest hamburger flipper than most people do for their spouse.  Looking pretty and being friendly isn’t enough.  Some serial killers have those qualifications!  If you think someone is interesting, I want you to examine her life carefully.  Think Sherlock Holmes.  What is her mother like?  Somewhere between 30 and 40 she’s going to turn into her mother, so this is important information.  If you don’t like her mom, you’re in trouble already!
     Does she lie to other people?  If she lies to someone else, sooner or later she’s going to lie to you.  Does she break promises “when it’s convenient” or even ”when she has a reason?”  It may seem cute when she cuts class or breaks promises to be with you, but two years from now the shoe may be on the other foot.  Equally, can she keep secrets?  Because someone who talks about other people will eventually be talking about you.
     The point here is, does she have good character?  The person you marry will have tremendous power over your life.  They will get a veto on your every decision, access to your bank account, and wield power of attorney over you if you’re ever sick or incapacitated.  They will own a 50% share in your children, carry your credit cards around, and know your every secret.  Pick someone you can trust!  This is so important!
     Most critically, does she acknowledge that God has authority over her life?  Because if she isn’t responsible to God, who is she responsible to?  A person who isn’t accountable to Christ is only good as long as they want to look good!  If they ever decide that it’s more important to their mental health to leave you than to keep their commitment to you, all that “character” will melt like snow in the sunshine.

Humorous

Kabam! Kaboom!  I literally jumped off the bed as a ominous and terrifying noise slammed against the bedroom wall outside the house.  I could only pray the intruder could not see me sliding like a bowl of jelly off the bed and crawling through the doorway.  As I jumped to my feet and raced down hall to the phone, I prayed protection for my little ones. My husband David and John, my brother-in-law who lived behind us, were both at work, so whom could I call?  My mother-in-law would be terrified to know a vicious hunter was stalking the neighbor and she was alone in the dark.  Thank goodness our next-door neighbor, Keith was home.  He had guns; he was even a cop.  With shaking hands, I dialed his number and quickly shared the drastic events happening under his very nose. 

Out the backdoor like a thief in the night, he crept. Listening for the sound, he was quickly on the trail of the culprit.  He rushed over to my mother-in-law’s front yard. Through the window, he could see her asleep on the couch, with her trusty baseball bat safely standing guard.  Yep she was safe; the woman who swore she was a light sleeper had no idea of her danger or of the fact that there was a man in her front yard with a loaded 9mm.  He pressed on toward the noise; the varmint was still loose, endangering innocent widows and young moms alone with her precious children.  NOT on his watch, he determined!  Creeping silently, he knew he had the intruder dead in his sights.  Why, they were just on the other side of the van.  Jumping out, ready to open fire, he shouted “Freeze dirt bag!”  He almost scared the prowler to death as he ran headlong into the side of the van.  Dazed from the impact, shaking like a leaf stood Sweet Boy, our adopted gentle, timid stray, unable to see beyond the thick white plastic mayonnaise jar stuck on his head.  The poor creature, not knowing which way to turn, ran from the terrifying growl of our constable on patrol.  No vehicle, tree or bush was safe from the jar-yielding bandit.  Keith finally managed to capture the varmint and free him from the curse of his bondage.  Once more, the neighborhood was safe under the patrol of Officer Keith.

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Direct

Hard times come into everyone’s life.  Events happen that we don’t understand and often doesn’t seem fair.  At times, we are not sure which way to turn.  However, I have learned that no matter how difficult things become, I can turn to the Lord.  He has proven Himself true and faithful in ever instance.  This doesn’t mean that by some magical wave of His hand everything is perfect and wonderful.  In fact, often the opposite is true.  The difficulty is still here, but He has strengthened me to stand through it.  I have learned that I can trust Him no matter what.

When our son Allen was paralyzed after being thrown from our truck in a wreck.  I clearly heard the Lord speak to my heart. “Can you trust Me even in this?”  In reality, I could trust no one else.  I couldn’t do anything to change it.  The physicians could only accomplish so much.  Our entire situation was in His hands.  Even today, I don’t understand why, but the Lord never asked me to understand.  He simply asked me to trust Him.  This critical lesson taught me that no matter what the situation is, I can trust the Lord.

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Reflective

What a wonderful and awesome God I serve?  Who else could ever create life with all its parts formed together perfectly?  I looked down at the tiny fingers and toes of the newest member of our family.  What a wondrous event and as every doting grandmother I was overwhelmed with love for this beautiful little one.  Even while looking at the tiny fingernails, I marveled at the creative power of my Heavenly Father.  Eyes, ears, nose and mouth all in miniature form. Her little lungs loudly protested the arrival into this cold bright room; much different from the warm snug place of her earlier residence.  Yes, O Lord, it is true for You formed her inward parts; You covered her in her mother’s womb. I will praise You, for she is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Discovery  Do you ever feel like it is you against the world or vice-versa?  It seems everything we do is wrong, and nothing goes right.  That seems to be true of most of people.  I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth like some.  I have lived through hard times, drastic life-changing mistakes, and ‘life is unfair’ moments.  I remember a little ditty my children sang years ago saying; “No body likes me, everybody hates me.  I’m going to eat some worms.”   Many times throughout my life, I have felt like singing that song and at times, I have sung it with great conviction. However, in reality, I discovered one thing. No matter what anyone else thinks of me, the Lord loves me.  I have found verses in the Bible that ministered greatly to my heart that I am loved and accepted by His grace.  The blood of His Son, Jesus, has purchased me.  Although my birth parents thought I was an inconvenient accident, in reality, He foresaw my birth even before the foundation of the world.  He planned for me and called me by name.  What a thrill and joy is it to know that the God and Creator of this universe cares for me.   If you draw near to the Lord, He will reveal His heart to you as well.

As children of the Lord, we all have areas in our life that is not pleasing to Him.  Through out our Christian walk, the Lord will deal and minister with our heart on various issues.  An area might consist of a habitual sin or even an attitude that is not in line with a Christ-like attitude.  Sometimes the situation might be one that the Lord will deal with strongly or maybe it will be a gentle wooing of His Spirit.  Most of us will acknowledge that the Lord’s dealings are not fun.   But if we are honest with our self and others, we know He deals with us out of loving kindness and faithfulness. 

It is possible to relate times of corrections to that of a garden.  There are times in the life of a garden that only certain jobs are carried out.  A master gardener will not plow his entire field just days before harvest time.  Nor will he plant seeds in a plot of ground that is not properly prepare.  Each activity in a garden has a special time and place. 

This is true of the Lord also.  He will not deal with our heart to create more problems.  His dealings are to bring about a deeper relationship, restoration, healing and fruitfulness in our life. 

One of my favorite verses is found in I Corinthians 3:9 which in the Amplified Bible says: “For we are fellow workman (joint prompters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building. 

To imagine the heart as the garden of the Lord brings about a series of pictures of the Lord’s mercy and grace working in one’s life.  The work is accomplished in His perfect timing.  Maybe it is a season when He deals with pride in one area, or maybe at another time the dealing might be over an area that He desires to dig deeper and do a more intense work in preparation for some future event that only He is aware of at the moment.

With this picture in mind, we must ask our self are we open to His dealings?  A heart desperate for more of the Lord is also open to His corrections.  We know our heart and the depth of our commitment or lack of it.  This question can only be answered by each of us.  How desperate are you for the Lord? 

Are you willing to allow Him to dig deep within your heart and show you how to stir up your fallow ground?  Do we allow Him to be the vinedresser – pruning and cutting away un-necessary growth?  As a Master Gardener, the Lord will work a plot of land in our heart until it is not only ready for planting, but is fertilized, watered and has the light necessary for maximum growth.  As any gardener knows, it is hard but rewarding work. 

The Lord has shown me a series of gardens as different as night and day.  The condition of the soil of our heart or spirit is an indication of our desperateness for the Lord.  Each of us must look deep inside with eyes wide open to truly see that soil condition.  Is it hard or embedded with sticks or stones?  Or are there boulders that indeed look larger than life.  Some plots are fertile and the dirt is soft and ready for seed and seedlings. 

Indeed, as it is written in the New Testament - …”we are God’s garden under cultivation.”   Come and watch the interaction of an imaginary walk though a heart’s garden.

While meditating in the Lord, I heard the Lord call out to me to come and walk.  Eager to spend time with Him, I hurriedly followed His fleeting shadow.  “Where are we going, Lord?”  You’ll see was the gentle reply I heard.  As we began our walk, it seems to be a beautiful afternoon with the sun warming my back lightly, and a refreshing breeze blowing gently upon my face.  What a thrill to be following close behind the Lord, casually walking with no set agenda. 

Within just a short time of starting out, we were in an area of the countryside that seemed to be deserted.  No signs of activity were evident anywhere close-by, especially in the soil near the pathway.  The grass, weeds and vines were thick and overgrown.  This place had not been touched in a very long time.  There were stumps in several spots, the remnants of long dead trees which probably had broken off in violent storms in days past.  I can see sticks, large stones, and even a huge boulder close by with the grass tangled around it.  The soil on the edge of the path seemed to be fertile but really very hard.  What a waste, I thought to myself. 

Suddenly the Lord spoke for the first time since beginning our walk.  “Why do you think this is a waste?” was His question. 

I was surprised He knew my thoughts at first, but than realized He knew it all, even my thoughts.  I tried to explain what a beautiful productive place this could be if the owner simply took the time to work at it. 

“In time you will.” I heard Him speak quietly as He continued His unhurried walk.  I was somewhat puzzled…someday I would?  I wanted to ask Him what He meant but since He was walking on, I figured it couldn’t be very important.  Eagerly, I turned to follow Him on this quiet outing.

As we continued in our journey, we quickly came to a large open area of what looked to be fertile ground.  This place somehow looked so familiar.  Following closely, while gazing around, I realized we were passing the remains of a garden left unattended for some time.  “Lord, why does this place look so …” 

My question trailed off as I realized this was my garden or at least it use to be.  What happened to this place that I worked so hard on and was so precious to me?  I spent time with the Lord here.  The plants looked healthy the last time we were here but now… what has happened?  The little garden I was so proud of is now just an old dried up field.  Its rows, no longer clearly defined, were eroded by the rain and wind that has blown in my life.  Even the remnants of the once beautiful vigorous plants are just barely standing.  It seems like just yesterday that there was healthy growth and fruit just hanging ready for the harvest.  Indeed now, all the green is gone – they are dried up, just stubble that would burn up instantly if a single lick of fire was applied to it.  Why, I can even see the skin of fruit that was left on the vine too long and wasted.  All of its usefulness is now gone.  It’s just a dried up empty shell – really only dried up skin like that of an old tomato or pepper.  How did this happen?  This was once so productive, so healthy, but now!  Why no one would want anything that came out of this little plot of ground.  I don’t even want anything out of here.  There is nothing alive, it’s all gone.  It’s just dried up, a hard place where nothing can grow anymore.  Oh how I have neglected this spot. 

“Oh Lord, how did I get to this place?” my heart cries out.  “It seems I have lost what little ground I once thought was so precious to me.  You had shown me so much and I worked so hard to pull out the stick and stones.  I remembered the times I had to allow Your Holy Spirit to come and actually dynamite the huge boulders that stood in the way of Your work in this small little plot.  That was so painful!  There was so much of the old me that had to be faced, so much litter in the area.  The debris consisted of remnants of painful events and sins from my past that I held onto like little trophies.  But You stuck with it and bit by bit showed me how to deal with all that was there.  It was clean and ready for Your plantings.  You had dug so deep and prepared the ground of my heart for all You had for me.  I was so thankful, but now it seems like I have to start all over.  O my Lord, please help me in this place.  Help me to stir up again this fallow ground.”

Slowly, it dawns upon me that You are not looking at my failures but You have continued on Your walk just as if it was an evening stroll.  You did not seem particularly upset about the dried up plot of land.  You seem to keep drawing my attention to another area of my heart.  I can see it off in the distance.  It is not the color of dried stubble…it looks like dirt.  Not just any dirt but good, healthy, fertile soil.  As I draw closer to this new area I can see now this spot has been stirred and plowed.  It has been prepared for planting. 

Then I remember the hard times I have just recently walked through.  Conflict and pain, anger and forgiveness, there have been so many issues in such a short time.  So many unanswered questions I had to leave at Your throne.  I also had to choose to allow You to be God in my life and the life of those I care about.  I had to focus back on my spot and acknowledge that You would tend to everyone else’s little garden spot.  The condition of their plot was not my concern, but Yours.  I remember once again embracing the reality of my responsibility to simply pray for them and others at Your leading.  But I had to allow You to tend to my little plot. 

Now, I know You are still there working, just tending to a different area than in the past.  Eagerly, I await Your next move.  “What will You plant?  Will it take a long time to grow and be ready for harvest?”  Oh how impatient I am when I see a work in progress.  I want to see action now!  Why, the plant should have been ready to harvest yesterday!  I can’t wait for everyone to see what You have accomplished in my life again.

Yet slowly it dawns on me, You are telling me it’s not yet time for the seeds to be planted in this plot.  “But why not, Lord?  It looks good to me.”  Slowly it dawns on my heart the words I am hearing from Your Holy Spirit.  It still needs more work and there is even a need for rain to moisten the soil. 

“But Lord, rain usually means a storm.  I am so tired of storms in this area.  Won’t the seeds grow even in this?”  But the reality sets in on my spirit, if I want a healthy growth and excellent fruit than I must wait.  To plant now would only bring in a small portion of the harvest in my life. 

“Okay Lord, I know You are right.  I trust Your judgment and I release my little plot into Your care.  You have already accomplished so much in it.  I know You will continue to care for it as much in the days to come as You already have.  I trust You Lord even in this.”

Off in the distance, a gleam of green waving in the slight breeze catches my attention.  As I begin walking toward it, I can see more and more green.  Plants, beautiful plants in long straight rows are flying freely in the gentle wind. 

“Why, is this plot in my heart, Lord?  I don’t remember being here before.  These plants are wonderful and so healthy?”

 I can see the beginnings of buds.  It would not be long before the flowers would bloom and the fruit would begin to grow.  There would be a harvest shortly. 

“How lovely, but how Lord? When?”  Then slowly I remembered the dealings of just a short time ago.  You had shown me areas I had long closed my eyes to.  You had revealed hidden sin, pride and even un-forgiveness.  It had been so hard but we walked through it together.  I remembered now how I cried out for help and how painful it was to look at all the junk in my heart. 

“Is this what it accomplished?  Oh Lord, I had no idea.  All the pain was agonizingly hard.  I did not think it would ever be over.  I did not want to even think about time frame in my life again and now I can see where You took something ugly and in a split second of Your divine time You have accomplished what I never could.”  You gently chuckle as You watch my amazement!

“O, I thank You Lord.  You are so awesome and faithful.”

“Walk a little further, My child.”  I hear You speak tenderly into my heart. 

As we walk further into this vast beautiful green spot, I become conscious of plants that have already bloomed, and the fruit is growing.  A little further on, there is fruit, full grown, and ready to harvest.  It is beautiful.  Within a few seconds, I can see a few close friends walking in this place.  One by one I see them stopping and admiring, some even bend down and pick a piece of fruit and take a bite out of their prize. 

The Lord suddenly brings to mind a portion of Scripture studied long ago.  The Israelites, when walking past a field ready for harvest, could reach and grab a handful of fruit from his neighbor’s field.  The Lord would not let them harvest their neighbor’s field but they could enjoy a taste.  It was a beautiful picture even than to me of His provision to not only the laborer but to those who have the chance to benefit from the lessons learned from someone else.

Suddenly, I was filled with a great humbleness and humility by this very picture.  Who am I that my Lord could use me to provide a friend, or neighbor with a bit of nourishment?  Overwhelmed by everything I had seen, both the good and not so good brought me to my knees and a place of deeper surrender. 

 “I am Yours, Lord.  I don’t want to be a heart un-yielded and unproductive as the first field I stood in and I long for the other unproductive plots to be worked into a place of fruitfulness as I stand in now.  Work in my heart Lord, as never before.  Use Your Holy Spirit to blast the boulders and roots left by my past and my un-submissive heart.  Dig deep and show me how to stir up the fallow ground within.”  Weeping as never before, I cried out in my desperation

My mind flicked back to the first field I stood in and how dismal it looked.  It was an area yet to be touched.  I understood in a new way the importance of yielding to the Lord.  A deep thankfulness arose in my spirit as I realized He had shown me the worst first.  It was hard to look back and remember the condition of that plot, but the memory of the last plot instilled a hope in me that all was not lost. 

My Father has shown me areas that I am surrendering to Him.  Even as He ministers to my heart, I come to reality that this would be an on going process.  The fruitful area of my life I was now standing in would need more work and replanting in the future.  I am His garden under cultivation.  The work of the Lord will continue as long as I am yielded and allowing His dealings. 

He knows the end from the beginning. He knows which path leads to destruction and which road is a straight shot to the fullness of His plan and purpose for our lives. We must learn to trust His strong hand and steady feet, for in the cradle of His arm is safety and refuge, strength and stability. Because of this we can be strong and courageous even when our world is being rocked by the waves of life and tossed to and fro by the storm of hardship. He is where our safety lies! In His arms is where we can safely endure the attacks of the enemy that come against us from all sides.

“Surely He has borne our grief and carries our sorrow.” Isaiah 53.4

We don’t have to be strong - He is strong for us! In our darkest day He will carry us, in our most desperate state He will keep us safely in His arms. Lean on Him, trust Him to take our worst heartaches and most impossible situations and bring us to the dry ground of healing. He will carry us through the most challenging seasons of our lives if we will trust Him!

God will sustain the anointing in you. He has a plan to carry you through and deliver you into a land of promise. In 1 Kings, Elijah was instructed to go and hide by the Brook Cherith. There he was sustained and carried through the season of drought as the Lord sent ravens to feed him. Elijah obeyed the word of the Lord, because he knew his sustenance could be found in obedience. If he would have stayed where he was, he would have died without food or drink. But he made a decision to be carried, to trust in the wisdom of the Lord. When the brook dried up, the Lord sent him to Zeraphath to be sustained by a widow. Again, Elijah obeyed the instructions of the Lord and found the widow women working gathering sticks. This could have seemed like a desperate situation, the women did not even have enough food to sustain herself and her son, let alone a stranger making greedy demands! Oh, but the Lord had already prepared her heart and He used her to carry the anointing through this difficult time. You see, the Lord has a plan! The drought in your life may seem unbearable, even too much to continue on – but through your obedience He will carry you through! Those who accomplish much in the Kingdom do so because they are being carried over the muck and mire of self-promotion and pride. They allow the Father – not their own ability - to be Sovereign in their lives!

Isaiah 46.3-4 says this, “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

From your beginning to the fulfillment of destiny, you can be sure God has a plan to sustain and carry you! Put your trust in God! Proclaim His greatness and unimaginable strength! This is worship….to grasp the reality of His plan for your life and to live it daily, not trying to appear strong in our own ability, but to proudly display our need to be carried by a loving, gentle and wise Father!

Have you ever thought about how it thrills our heavenly Father when we simply come seeking His face?  I don’t mean when we come asking for this, or seeking a blessing.  But, when we come to tell Him how much we love Him, how blessed we are by His mercy and grace or how thankful we are for His love.  His heart overflows when we run to meet His presence with one desire, to spend time with Him.  As much as we feel love for those around us, it can’t compare to what the Father feels for us.

He gave us His best through His son Jesus.  Willingly, Jesus left His place in heaven, came to this earth in human form, and laid down His life for us.  The death He suffered on the cross, was not simple nor easy.  The treatment He received before being nailed to the cross and afterwards led to a slow agonizing death.  Yet, Jesus gladly accepted the pain inflicted on Him to make a way to salvation for us.  That is love, true love.

Jesus achieved so much for us through this selfless act.   He made the way for our salvation through His perfect sinless sacrifice.  The veil was rent in two at the moment of His death.  The Holy Place, previously only accessible once a year by the high priest, was now open.  As we cry out in repentance over our sins, we have access to the mercy seat by the blood of the Messiah.

His act of love should bring us to our knees with a grateful heart.  The power of His blood ought to render us speechless.  The grace and mercy flowing from heaven is more powerful than the swiftest river on the face of this earth.  His compassion is beyond anything we could ever imagine.  Forgiveness flows over us washing even the blackest of sins white.  Everything we need is available at the throne of the Father.

Yet, sometimes we act like spoiled brats who take and take without as much as a thank you?  We lose sight of the gift of love and mercy, seeing only our woes, cares and wants.  We become bogged down with daily life that we forget to take time to say, “I love You, Lord.”  We take His many blessings for granted. 

I have four beautiful little granddaughters.  When I drive up in the yard and they see me coming, little legs begin running swiftly out the door, with arms lifted up and voices yelling “Grandma.”  My heart overflows with love.  It might have been only one day since our last visit but it doesn’t matter.  It’s hard to even describe the joy that fills my heart when squeals of love fill the air.  The love I feel for my children and grandchildren is hard to describe, but it’s always there. 

It is the same with our Lord.  He loves to hear His children call His name.  Imagine how it thrills His heart to hear us excitedly declare, “I love You, Lord!”   He longs to hear His children patiently sit waiting to hear Him speak in His soft and quiet voice.  In the same manner, He listens to our declarations of love and admiration.

Today let your heart and voice be lifted up in love toward the Lord.  Let His ears be filled with declarations of love and gratitude.  Come before Him with one purpose, to seek His face.  Bow before this awesome God we serve with one desire; to honor Him.  Let the cry of your heart have one goal; to bless the Lord.  He is worthy of all praise and honor and glory.  Imagine His joy as He hears you say “I love You, Lord.”

Psalms 68: 3 & 4  But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him.