When someone starts to make noise, sometimes the best thing to do is to stop and find out why.

from Luke 17:

 1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Sin may set down its evil root in our lives, and without proper study and careful observation, we may not have the ability to distinguish it from that which will beautify our lives and glorify the Master Gardner.

from 1 Corinthians 15:

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Sometimes it takes the storms of life to soften the soil of our soul enough to release those weeds of evil that have taken such deep root.

from Matthew 13:

18"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

In clinging to ourselves for our own strength and wisdom we will choke off our potential for bringing glory to God.

from Psalm 21:

 1 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD;
         And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
 2 You have given him his heart’s desire,
         And have not withheld the request of his lips.  Selah  
 3 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
         You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
 4 He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—
         Length of days forever and ever.
 5 His glory is great in Your salvation;
         Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
 6 For You have made him most blessed forever;
         You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
 7 For the king trusts in the LORD,
         And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Tulip after the Storm. Spring, 2006

God's glory can glow luminously through us, a vibrant display in contrast to the storm-darkened soil of our lives.

from James 1:

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.