The sower and the soil

Am I a consumer or a producer?  Big question.  So far I would have to say consumer. I consume products, stories, ideas, inspiration, scripture, experiences... What do I produce? Do I produce fruit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; these are the fruits of the spirit. Do I produce these? If so, how much? Jesus said that the seeds that fell on the rich and fertile soil were held with a pure heart and that the holder produced fruit with perseverance even to a hundred fold.  A HUNDRED FOLD. I can't imagine taking a seed of God's love and being able to produce a hundred times more.  Whether I can imagine it or not isn't the issue.  The issue is whether I believe what God says. 
I used to think that my heart was the dry rocky soil that Jesus spoke about.  The heart that would have the seed fall upon it, accept it with joy and then have it whither away because it lacked a good root system.  In fact I think I was that person.  Hear that, WAS.  Jesus has done an amazing work in me.  He has tilled that soil, conditioned it, watered it and cared for it.  He is capable, not me. 

Now I am working on holding fast.  Holding fast to God is so easy though.  Willingness is really all it takes. It reminds me of my little daughter.  She is four and still has to hold hands while we cross the road.  Sometimes she is stubborn and does not want to take my hand.  So... we don't move.  As soon as she pulls her little hand out of her pocket and makes the slightest movement upward I reach down take her hand securely in mine and we proceed.  That's how it has been with God. Just a movement from me has allowed him to hold me securely; to whisper his words of guidance, love, correction and direction. Just the tiniest concession in my heart has allowed him to dig away at it until the soil is rich and fertile ground...

God is amazing.  He has given me provision. He has given me love. He has shown me joy.  He has been gentle with me. He has been kind when I have not deserved it.  He has been patient through all of my ups and downs.  He has persevered in our relationship.  He has been there with me through all of my failings.  These are the seeds that he has given me.  These are the things that he has planted.  Willingness on my part will allow a crop of a hundred fold to rise up... God is the farmer.  It is his skill, his determination, his sweat, his sacrifice, his love that will bring about a crop.

I am beginning to see the faint yellow green of spring.  Sprouts are topping the soil, it is an exciting and sometimes painful time.  I am thankful though, life is poring through and there is nothing in the world like it. 

LT

Radical~ The Experiment

Boy boy, so the book by David Platt will knock you right between the eyes. 
Well, maybe not you, but it sure did me. I've been a christian for a while; a church going, praise song singing, devotion reading christain. Radical will change that. 

First of all what is the purpose of Church going, praise song singing, and devotion reading?  Is the purpose to glorify God, to become a better person, to have support in this wonderful thing called life?  I thought so.

According to Radical, not really.  All that stuff is great and all; but what really glorifies God is when his church (the people who follow him; not the building) sacrifice themselves (lives, comfort, interests, etc.) to take his gospel to the nations.  When they care for the orphans, the widows, the poor, the lost, the helpless and hopeless then the business of God is being done. 

In my life how many hours have been given to God for his business?  How many times have I thrown change at the Salvation Army and walked into a store to purchase luxuries for myself?  How often have I bought clothes for myself or my children and patted myself on the back for passing on what we couldn't or wouldn't use anymore. 

As I look at my past, I am dissappointed by  my negligence to those in need.  I am dissappointed that even when I gave, I gave second rate not first string. I can make it to the library, the grocery store, the homeschool group but not the food pantry; for that I don't have time. I am ashamed of leaving my Bible, neglected on the nightstand day after day after day.  Some in this world are killed for the Word of God. I have all the freedom in the world to read it, digest it, memorize it and pass it around and I do nothing with it. I've regarded it as a chore that should be done but like the laundry it is often left to the last minute and shoved off til tomorrow. I pray when I need something, or when I want to praise God for some little blessing or when someone asks me to, short and sweet lest I start to act like the pharisees with 'empty words' right?  How about, I just don't like taking the time.  I've done all this with the idea that God loves Me, Jesus died for Me, I've lived a pretty 'good' life and Accepted Believed and Confessed, I am going to HEAVEN.  That is where all of us Christians want to be right?

God is more. Jesus is Lord.  The Spirit has power.  Heaven won't matter if no one else is there with me.

So what do I do about it.  Let it happen!!!  Stop staying comfortable.  Stop being apathetic.  Stop being flat out lazy. 

God nudges and whispers and slaps me over the head.  I fight and shout and kick and scream or worst yet, I turn just to where he is not in my line of vision cross my arms and pretend he's not there and I can't hear him.

I'm done. So here is to repentence. Here is to more than willingness but movement. Here is where the direction of my days changes from me centered to him centered. 

Now this post is getting pretty long and is looking more smattery than I like but it's where I'm at right now.  I'm going to hit the publish button before I chicken out.  LT