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Did you know that some of our food is now genetically engineered and/or modified? Did you know that they are now growing meat as a food source? Yep. You just go out to the yard and pluck you a burger and grill it up. That’s not actually how it works, in fact, those burgers are being grown in a lab in a petrie dish using a “sampling” from an animal. Eeeew! Gross!!! Sorry, but we are some weird humans. Look how far we’ve come from the lush, fertile Garden of Eden to meat grown in a lab. Beth, you’re crazy, what made you think of that? Canning.

Yep, it’s that time of year, rolls around every late summer, canning season. It’s not so much a thing anymore, we’ve gotten too busy and our grocery store food is too convenient, albeit not as tasty or naturally nutritious, for sure. But, there was a time when many many folks would plant a garden and “put up” vegetables and fruits in glass jars. At the same time, the harvesting of berries and fruits would make for some mean jams, jellies and preserves. Canning was used before refrigeration to preserve foods over the winter months. After the invention of refrigeration, some folks would can and freeze their harvest. Freezing was a little less foolproof – think power outage.

My mom and my aunt used to can, I remember that big huge pressure cooker on the stove, hot as could be, shaking the entire house and dancing from burner to burner. Every once in a while you’d hear a bang and you knew there would be green beans and glass floating when you took the lid off that big momma. Honestly, that thing scared me. I could just envision the lid flying off around the room and laying out everything in sight. Although I’d love to can our food for the winter, I don’t, but there’s something so nostalgic about the thought. I think I will one day.

Right after we got married, Tony’s Memaw thought I should learn to can. All I could think of was that scary pot exploding and glass flying everywhere. I know you know what I’m talking about. I had no desire to experience that. She was persistent. So, we planned the day. I show up and I’m given the job of washing and peeling the peaches. Washing, no problem. Peeling, a problem. Have you ever peeled a peach? I don’t think I’d ever peeled a peach in my life, my daddy was the knife wielder in our family. Anyway, I jump in. Peeled peaches on the left, peelings on the right. I’m hard at it. I look over and what do I see, Memaw peeling my peels. You see, my peeling had only yielded part of the fruit. I had left most of that sweet meat behind. I had only scratched the surface. The whole point of canning the peaches was to preserve, to protect against decay, to save, and I was disposing of the good stuff. I wasn’t getting all that wonderful fruit.

“This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich and well off; I have all I need.’ But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.
“If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!”
Revelation 3:14-22

We can be just like the Church in Laodicea. We get a little of the fruit, we’re on the fence, I’ll give this much to God, but not everything to God, missing out on the best, the sweetest. We need to keep peeling the peels, layer by layer, until we have gotten everything God has in store for us. We don’t want to leave anything behind. He’s offering us great riches, an opportunity to exchange our filthy rags, and a way to see clearly.

So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:7-17

We must learn from the Church in Laodicea. We must peel completely. We can’t peel only half the peach and expect to get all the meat. We can’t stand at the door and knock, but put only a toe over the threshold. We must be willing to take all of the fruit, to be completely His, and not be satisfied with just a sliver.

We talked a couple of weeks ago about the sunflowers, remember that? Well, the other day, we rode by those big mommas again. So many lessons for me right there in that field. They are so beautiful, those bright sunshiny yellow heads with the big black eye in the middle. Remember how they actually rise to meet the sun? They are pulled up tall and their faces look skyward. As they’re pulling up tall for the sky, the most remarkable thing happens. They move. Yep, in unison, their heads move to look at the sun. When the direction of the sun moves, their gigantic blooms move. It actually has a name, heliotropism – say that three times real fast. But how wild is that? They come alive when they look to the sun. Hmmmm.

When we rode by a couple of days ago though, everything had changed. Those big heads were no longer straining with an eye to the sky. Their heads were now bowed. Yep, in unison. Check it out. I thought what an amazing reminder. Their heads were bowed in reverence. In reverence to the sun. How are we at bowing in reverence?

Oh sure, we (me) are really good at standing up tall and moving our heads from east to west to follow the Son when we have no needs, when all is right with the world. Our big heads just dance back and forth and our leaves flutter with the breeze. But what do we do when we need sustenance, when we need provision, when we need healing from a bent or broken stem, when our leaves are being ravaged by pests, when our surface roots are being burnt up by life and our deep roots seem to be pulling up. When our minds are so full, overloaded in fact with a million little things, and our heads are so heavy, that we’re forced to bow under the weight?

Sing to the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
For He rescues the life of the needy
from the hands of evildoers.
Jeremiah 20:13

We can easily identify with Jeremiah, can’t we? Jeremiah was a prophet which meant that he was regularly ignored, opposed, threatened, persecuted, and more, simply because of his message to Judah. A one word message – Repent. Jeremiah knew what it was like to be discouraged, need protection, need healing, carry a lot of weight. But, he knew which way to face and he knew how to sing. It doesn’t mean it was easy for him, in fact, Jeremiah’s road was filled with tears. But, Jeremiah was faithful. Jeremiah was obedient to his calling – to deliver the message to repent or face destruction. Jeremiah was a kingdom worker. Jeremiah knew whence his help came from. He would turn his face to the sun and allow his leaves to flutter in the breeze. Praise.

Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. “For our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29

Jeremiah sang. So, what do we do? We sing! We turn our eyes upon Jesus, we praise Him for who He is, we bow in humble adoration, and we sing!

But I will sing about your strength; every morning I will sing aloud of your constant love. You have been a refuge for me, a shelter in my time of trouble.
Psalm 59:16

We may have to move our faces to see the sun, not because the sun has moved, but because the winds may blow debris and storm clouds may gather. So we sing. Singing His praises will clear the debris and bring into view the ever present Son.

He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice because He has made me gla-a-ad!
He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice because He has made me glad!

Remember that song? An oldie but goody. I was reminded of that song the other day and I can’t get it out of my head, no, no, no. I read a devotion where the phrase “Cheerful Holiness” was mentioned. Once I understand the meaning, I love it too and I probably won’t be able to get it out of my head. At least I hope not. Think about it for a speck, Cheerful Holiness. What is Cheerful Holiness?

It is the expected attitude of one that has been saved from something, the result of someone who has been redeemed. Oh, my. Do we have that attitude? Do I have that attitude? I pause to think. Let’s check it out. What does cheer mean? It means glad, joy, delight, encouragement, hope.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

So now, what is holiness? Holy means to be separated from sin and set apart for God.

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
John 17:17-19

He redeemed our lives with His life, so that we can be set apart for God. His sacrifice ensures our eternity. Not our here and now, but our now and then. Does that not stir up even the slightest bit of cheer?

For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.
Hebrews 10:14

We are cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb and our sins are forgiven, our lives are not perfect, it doesn’t mean we will not have troubles but, it does mean that we are holy.  We are made holy because of Jesus.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Since we are a holy people, should we not live like holy people? Since we are redeemed, should we not live like redeemed people? Since we are forgiven, should we not live like forgiven people? I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a sinner through and through, as Paul said, I’m the worst of the worst. So, the fact that Jesus saved me brings me exceeding great joy.

I then have to ask myself. Does my life reflect Cheerful Holiness or Gloomy Holiness? Which one? Ouch! If we are to be witnesses to the world, shouldn’t we live lives of Cheerful Holiness? Are we showing the world what it looks like to be separated from sin, to be in the world but not of the world? Do people see a difference? Do people want what we have?

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.

Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.

Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.

Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.
Psalm 51:7-14

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation – Cheerful Holiness! And renew a right spirit within me – Cheerful Holiness! Are we joyfully singing of our forgiveness? Are we practicing Cheerful Holiness?

X marks the spot. Isn’t that great? I always study with the window cracked right by my desk. I love to hear the early morning sounds. It’s such a comfortable feeling to hear the earth awaken, little by little, as the morning sky lightens. This particular morning I heard a screeching going on. I strain to hear if it’s a varmint after my chick-chicks or after my kitty-girl. I just can’t tell. I tiptoe down the stairs as the house is still asleep, and walk to the kitchen door. I open the door and take a listen. It’s nothing but that weird little bird we’ve never seen but has the oddest cat-bird screech. As I look up at the ridge, this is what I see in the sky. The clouds are literally streaking the sky all over, but right in front of me, prominently displayed – X marks the spot.

God said, I’m right here! I wanted to fall to my knees. Instead, I ran to the camera because I wanted to capture that sky and hold on to that reminder, forever. I need reminders, how about you? I’m right here! You see, just like everybody in the whole wide world, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I’ve been taking all kinds of stuff to the Lord and praying He’ll sort all things out. Praying His wisdom. Praying His guidance. Praying His provision. Praying His strength. I’m sure you’ve done or are doing the same thing.

But, let me ask you this question – do you always feel God is right there? Do you always feel like He’s hearing you? Do you always feel like He’s sorting things? Do you always feel like He’s guiding? Do you always feel like He’s strengthening? Do you always feel like He’s working for your good? Honestly, I don’t. Not because of Him, but because of me. In my mind I know that He is, but it doesn’t always feel like it. Feelings, they are funny things. I was telling a friend the other day, I mustn’t base my decisions or responses to something on my feelings because I’m a fickle sort and my feelings change day-to-day.

This led me to the question — Does my faith fall in line with my feelings or do my feelings fall in line with my Faith? In other words, is my faith dependent on how I feel or is how I feel dependent on my faith? That’s something to gnaw on, isn’t it? If we’re honest we know what that answer should be. If we’re honest, we know that we don’t always have the right answer. Right?

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval.
Hebrews 11:1-2

Do you see that? By their faith, not by their feelings? It was by faith…Hebrews 11 is full of examples. Did Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and so on and so on, rely on feelings or faith? Did their faith fall in line with their feelings? I don’t think so. I’m sure some of the roads that the Lord had laid before them brought about many different feelings – fear, anxiousness, anger, frustration, etc., they were a fickle sort too, just read about them. But, when it came down to it, they didn’t rely on their feelings, they relied on their Faith and every time He said I’m right here! X marks the spot.

So where do we fall? Faith based on feeling or feeling based on Faith? How do we get to the latter?

The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith greater.”
The Lord answered, “If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Pull yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea!’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6

Jesus was saying to them, it’s not about the amount of faith you have, it’s about the genuineness of your faith. Faith is humble obedience to God. Faith is trusting in His word. Believing in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-encompassing God. A God who says, I’m right here, whether you feel Me or not. X marks the spot!

Isn’t that a beauty? Tony was traveling for work and came across, or should I say went across this last week. Conjures up a bit of nostalgia for the good ole days, right? It feels good just to gaze on it, doesn’t it? When he first sent that to me, just for a nanosecond I thought it was our bridge on Tuscarora. Of course, I knew it wasn’t. Maybe it was wishful thinking. It sure is lovely.

Covered bridges are covered in order to protect the bridge, the boards, the trusses from the elements. Another lovely thought…we too are covered or protected from the elements. We’ve learned a good bit about bridges lately. We must have a firm foundation in Him and He will provide safe passage over the turmoils of life all the while protecting us from the elements of life by covering us from above.

And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”
Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”
“I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—before you. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
And He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”
The LORD continued, “There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock, and when My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back;
but My face must not be seen.”
Exodus 33:17-23

Isn’t this passage absolutely beautiful? It’s one of my very favorite. Moses said, please show me who you are, show me your presence, show me your glory. The Lord said because I know your name, I know who you are, I will reveal myself to you. He said no one can see me and live so come over here, tuck yourself in near me. When my glory passes by I will put you in the cleft of the rock and protect you.

That scripture leaves me breathless. I know your name. I will show you who I am. I will protect you. You know, Jesus promised the exact same thing.

I know your name…

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

I will show you who I am…

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”
John 14:21

I will cover you…

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself.
And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:28-30

So as we cross the bridges of life, we can be reminded that our Lord and Savior will cover us and protect us from the elements of life because we are His.

When we thirst for a drink that does not come
When we are withered by the sun
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

We are drowning in brokenness
Your water laps at the shore of our emptiness
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

Rushing water overflows the cup, why such despair
Should we place our faith in other saviors that just aren’t there
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

You quench our dryness with water to the lip
Offering living water if we will only sip
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

Water that brings us to our knees
Peace-filling, Hope-building, Life-giving eternity
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

Run river run
Wash the drought from our souls
Flood us with your thirst quenching Son
Run river run
Fill us full

Living water? Life giving water that flows so freely. We don’t have to obtain it. We don’t have to buy it. We don’t have to earn it. We don’t have to do enough. We don’t have to do more. Living water that’s free for the taking. Living water available to quench the aching thirst of our souls, of our lives, of our eternities. We simply have to accept the power of it and allow it to run within until overflowing.

“If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.”
John 7:38

I’ve been thinking about marriage a lot lately. Two months from today our kids, Jon is already part of our family, are getting married. We are just so excited. I trust this is God’s direction and God’s selected mate for Livi as I’ve been praying for her husband, just the right one to be chosen by God, since she was born. There were some very nice boys that came aporch, but none like Jon! We couldn’t love him more, and we’re thrilled. So we’re currently running the frenetic wedding preparation race. T-2 months and counting. You know the drill, flowers, cake, venue, caterer, lists upon lists of to-do. It’s super busy, a little stressful and super exciting. But the courting, the engagement and the wedding don’t just take place overnight. It’s all a process leading to the wedding.

It all starts with a commitment. There has to be a “yes.”

They answered, “Let’s call her and find out what she has to say.” So they called Rebecca and asked, “Do you want to go with this man?”
“Yes,” she answered.
Genesis 24:58-60

Then there’s the marriage, the union. Don’t forget, marriage was God’s idea and He set it out for us. Look here:

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.” So he took some soil from the ground and formed all the animals and all the birds… but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him.
Then the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the flesh. He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. Then the man said, “At last, here is one of my own kind—
Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh.
‘Woman’ is her name because she was taken out of man.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.
Genesis 2:18-24

Then there’s the wedding. The day it all comes together before God with celebration.

Two days later there was a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
John 2:1-2

Now this wedding isn’t going to be like weddings in Jesus’ day, it’s a one-day event, not a week long event. Wow, no wonder they ran out of wine! Regardless of the length of the celebration, at the end of the day Jon and Livi will be married.

“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Matthew 19:4-6

I’ve been thinking of all the particulars, or details of Livi and Jon’s wedding that result in the marriage. Then I think about all the details and particulars of another wedding that will take place but we know not when. Commitment. Faithfulness. Dependence. Permanent. Binding. Love. Honor. Obedience. Oneness. Forgiveness. Provision. Aren’t these some of the details of the Great Wedding that will take place? The Great Wedding we’ve been invited to?

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
Ephesians 5:32

God is preparing a Great Wedding for the marriage of His Son and the Church – the Groom and the Bride. So, I ask myself…will I be as prepared for the Great Wedding, the marriage of Christ and the Church, as I am for Livi and Jon’s wedding? Just as a husband and wife are merged into one at the marriage, Christ invites us to be merged into one with Him. Am I prepared? Have I worked through the details?  Have I made a commitment?  Am I faithful?  Am I dependent on Him?  Is my commitment permanent?  Am I bound to Him?  do I love Him?  Do I honor Him?  Am I obedient to Him?  Am I one with Him?  Have I asked forgiveness of Him?  Do I accept His provision?

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
Revelation 22:17

Come! Be united in eternity with Christ. Work through the details. Come exchange the vows and experience Oneness with Christ for eternity – what God has joined together let no man put asunder.

So, you know I’ve taken up the habit of watching golf. The real reason was because they whisper and generally, it’s a calm sport and I thought it would make good napping. But, I’ve come to really enjoy the sport. I don’t golf, but I like watching it and learning about it. There are some things that confound me about the sport, like why they don’t just aim for the hole and whack the ball instead of pulling out their books and getting all technical with trajectory (I don’t even know what that word means) and ball speed (how hard you whack it), and curve (hitting it the wrong way). If I played golf, which I don’t, I think it would take all the fun out of it to have to be so precise. Tony says it’s not for fun it’s for money. I guess that makes it a little more serious for some folks.

I have learned that part of the point of golf is to get the ball into the hole in as little hits as possible. They call it a stroke, which does sound more gentile and professional than a hit but let’s be honest, they’re hitting a tiny ball that’s 1.70ish inches in diameter with a piece of metal to make it go into a hole, or cup, that’s 4 ¼” big. By the way, each of those metal sticks or clubs (more gentile) also has a different name, I just don’t know what they are, or what difference it makes.

I’ve also learned that each hole has a recommended number of hits/strokes. I guess some expert designed the holes and scored them so you’d know how you were doing. For instance, a certain hole might be a Par 3 – that means that you really should hit the ball into the hole in three whacks or less. In golf, less is always better I’m told. A Par 4 means you smack it in the hole in four or less whacks. See the pattern here? I really am learning something during nap time.

Anyway, one thing in particular I recently learned is that a hit is a hit or to use correct terminology a stroke is a stroke. I know that sounds simple to you, but it was utterly profound to me. Why so, you ask? It seems that no matter how far you hit the ball, regardless of the distance, a stroke is a stroke. See what I mean? Whether I hit a ball and it lands one inch from the hole or 25 feet from the hole, it still counts as a stroke. A stroke is a stroke.  My mind connected that with sin.  No, not that golf is a sin, but just like a stroke is a stroke on the golf course, a sin is a sin on the life course.

For everyone has sinned we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Romans 3:23

Just like in golf, regardless of the span or the degree of the whack,  sin is sin. I don’t know about you, but I am a whacker, just like Brother Paul, remember?

So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.d I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
Romans 6:15-20

I do things I don’t want to do and I don’t do things I should do. I’m a sinner. My sins are just that sins. Not white sins, little sins, medium sins, big sins or ginormous sins. They are sins. Plain and simple. What is sin? It is disobedience to God. There’s either disobedience or obedience. We don’t obey a little or obey a lot, God is not a God of the little bits or the whole bunches, He’s a God of truth. We either obey or we don’t. Of course, the consequences of our sins have degrees. The basis of our laws are Biblical principles. Look it up.

Are we willing to call sin “sin” not because it is big or little, but because God’s law forbids it? We cannot categorize sin if we are to live a life of holiness. God will not let us get away with that kind of attitude.
The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges

Sin is not about the law, it is about the Lawgiver. Do we obey in only some things or in all things? Do we recognize that all sin is against God? That all sin grieves God? That all sin separates us from God? A stroke is a stroke, regardless of where it lands, inches away or feet away. A miss is a miss. Sin is sin, regardless of our human assigned value. Sin is sin. Only the consequences have varying affects.

I’ve said before that where I go in this blog is where I am in my walk. If you read this blog, you go there with me. I’m working on sin and its separation impact. The only thing that can separate us from God is sin, not one other thing can. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be separated from God.

We must not be separated from God by sin — the 1″ or the 25 footer — not a little bit or a lot. It is critical that we seek Him for every answer. It is critical that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is critical that we understand our responsibility in our salvation. Salvation comes from Christ, but we must train ourselves to be like Christ, no one can do that for you. It’s between you and Jesus.  Are we separated from Him on the course of life?  Do we need to pull out our book, strategize a little more before we play, and check our strokes?

So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13

Isn’t that a joyful sight to see? Another reason to be thankful for the bridge replacement. You see, this glorious sight is seen on the Dry Run Road part of the detour. If the bridge wasn’t out, this sight would not be seen. We’d a missed out on this little piece of the joy.

As these sunflowers were growing in a former corn field, all the passersby speculated as to what the newly planted crop was. Definitely not corn, definitely not hay, too tall for soybean, and then one day – pop! The sunflowers had burst into action. They had had just the right amount of nutrition to bloom, to flower. One thing I love about sunflowers, in addition to their bright color is their huge flower, their big heads. Some are enormous. Some are so big it doesn’t look like their stem will hold them up.

But, here’s my very favorite part of sunflowers, take another look at the picture — they all face the sun. All their heads are turned in one direction, all toward the source of light in the east, the rising sun. Isn’t that cool? Their large blooms, their heads, are all turned to face the sun, their source of sustenance, their source of energy.

Look at the picture again, don’t those sunflowers look regal, like royalty, standing tall, swaying back and forth to the songs of the heavens? Praising the Son!  Like a heavenly choir!

Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:13-14

These flowers would not be if it weren’t for the heavenly rains and the source of light, the sun. Isn’t that true for us too? We would not be able to flower and bloom and sing praises were it not for the Living Water and our Source of Light, the Son who reigns.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession,
that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

If we are not blooming, if we are not flowering, if we are wilting and drooped over, maybe we need to turn our faces toward the Source of Light, the Son. We were called out of darkness into light by the Light, by the Son.

Isn’t that a funny word? Earbuds. With the advancement of technology, computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, came the birth of earbuds. Oh sure, there were headphones in the past, but nothing like these little buggers. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t see someone with these things stuck in their ears. Oh sure, now there’s wireless headphones, but we still mostly see earbuds. Earbuds, that’s a funny word. Say it. Anyway, I love my earbuds.

I have a set (are they a set?) beside my bed, in case I want to listen to something before I go to sleep. I have a set at my desk at home, so I can listen as I study. I have a set at work, so I can sneak in a sermon here and there. I throw a set in sometimes when I’m out for a walk. I have them all over the place. Here’s the thing about earbuds, I’m constantly untangling the cords. You too?!?! I just don’t know how this little tiny wire gets so coiled and twisted and tied in knots. Boy, is that not frustrating? I shake and shake to untangle them, which by the way doesn’t work. Tony tells me often, you have to be careful with them because there are little wires in there that can break if you’re not careful. If I’m careless the wire can break and I can lose my connection…I won’t be able to hear.

These little cords remind me so much of our walk with Jesus. We must stay plugged in. We must stay connected. We must not be careless with our connection to Him.

Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart,
for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech.
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
Proverbs 4:20-25

If we are not plugged into Him, we cannot listen carefully. If we are not plugged into Him, His words cannot penetrate our hearts. If we are plugged in we will experience life and radiant health. Who doesn’t want that?

Our lives are full of cords that are so easily tangled.  I love His message here, don’t get sidetracked. Boy, isn’t that easy to do? Our lives get all tangled up like those earbud wires and our connection gets broken. Of course, our distance from Jesus is not intentional, but it comes from losing our connection to Him. Instead of carefully untangling the wires and marking out a straight path and sticking to the path, we just shake those wires, trying to pull and twist them into place. Sometimes throwing our hands in the air and tossing the tangled cord in frustration. But, here’s the promise…

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
And his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:12

If our connection is broken, His ears are open to our cries. All we need to do to untangle is turn to Him. His ears are open.  He’s the Master untangler.

Faith comes from listening to this message of good news – the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:17