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Welcome to My Blog!
Schooling two active boys has never been more... interesting. That's the word I'm looking for!
I love my boys! God has given them the blessing of strong, active bodies and minds. We continually pray the first will remain intact, and the second will remain engaged with Him first, and then the school work. You'll meet my sweet sons, both entirely different, but both loving God to the best of their ability in the way He made them. I lovingly refer to them as my Bell Pepper Boy and my Habanero or Hambone. That should say it all!
This blog is an eclectic mix. The events, conversations, and the thoughts behind it all will be in here.
Every once in a while I'll try to capture something I don't want to forget. I hope you find things you enjoy. Please let me know if you do!
Blessings!
Our Curriculum
- Mystery of History vol. 1
- Saxon 5/4
- Horizons Grade 2
- A Beka Language
- Spelling Power
- Apologia Zoology 1
Books I'm Reading
- The Bible (Isaiah)
- Invitation to the Jesus Life
- Discover Your Child's Learning Style
- The Way They Learn
- Archimedes and the Door of Science
- (all things Trojan at the moment)
Favorite Links
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Sunday, July 13, 2008
Seasons of Life
Posted in God Things
At the encouragement of a friend, I am doing my very best to put an illustration, or a God-visual if you will, into some kind of written form. Please bear with me as I try to communicate something I'm sure God uses in my life as I think about the maturing process in our daily walk with the Lord. It's not based in Scripture, but I feel it doesn't conflict with anything in Scripture either. I hope you enjoy it.
Have you ever considered fire? Fire is one of the most amazing things ever created by God. The use of fire has been a blessing to us for thousands of years. It's uncontrolled damage has been equally devastating to us for all of those years. But, this isn't all of what the Lord was showing me. I wanted you to think about fire for a moment. This is just scratching the surface of the whole of fire, I think. Let's consider fire from a seasonal perspective. This kind of pondering might lead to something fresh. A fresh wind from God, perhaps?
There are spring fires. Perhaps I should say there are attempts at spring fires. You know things are more damp at this time of year than any other time. The soggy fuel smokes, almost sputters, as the fire fights to stay lit. It's purely trying to consume anything that might burn. A slight breeze, and it may be snuffed out. A bit of a sprinkle, and the fire is merely a puff of gray smoke drifting as far as it may on the air. We try not to cook over these fires, or the taste of smoke just overpowers whatever gets barely lukewarm in the process. *lol*
Yet, these fires are so obvious and have their place. Both of my favorite "reality show men" say these are the fires you want if you plan to attract attention when you need a rescue. These fires, while not drawing people to them in a pleasant, enjoyable way, certainly draw attention and possibly action from onlookers. These are great fires in their own right. They may prompt neighbors to sniff, look, and close their windows. (Don't ask how I know that.) See, something obvious prompted action! ;')
There are summer fires. These fires burn hot and fast and are, by far, the most dangerous. They begin so easily with the dried out grasses and branches that are plentiful during this season. A lot of fuel, plus a lot of energy, and you get something very different! A bit of wind will spread the fire as fast as it blows. These fires roar and rage and terrify at times. Let loose, these fires consume everything in the path. Most people avoid the dangerous summer fire. Yet, in all of their danger, these fires are useful and have their place. Some trees would never seed if not for a hot summer fire. Prairies practically need fires to continue on, and so people will do "controlled burns" for the prairie areas here. Our heavenly Father proves once again that all things can be used for good. Again, here is a fire that doesn't naturally draw people necessarily in a pleasant, enjoyable way, but it will be noticed. It will elicit attention and, hopefully, action on the part of onlookers. What a fire!
There are fall fires. Of all the fires, we may be most familiar with the fall fire. Who can just observe a fall fire? You can't, can you? Aren't you drawn to the warmth in the cooler season? Don't they light just so easily with the fall tinder that's so readily available? Yet, they are more easily controlled. It may be the timing of the season, or it may be the God-timing within the people involved. We draw near them for warmth, cooking, and the fascination of the fire itself. A fall fire is going to draw people to it, and soon there will be a whole group of individuals who are now communing around the pleasant, enjoyable fire. Stories will be shared. Hot dogs and s'mores will suddenly be all around the group. This is where the fire brings warmth, fellowship, and something more. What a fire! It is entirely different from the others. Is it as dangerous as the others? Yes. It can consume whatever it touches, the same as the others. Yet, there is such a difference in this fire's capacity and function. (I wish to be a fall fire someday more than anything!)
The winter fire. There is just one other fire we haven't talked about: the winter fire. This fire is incredibly unique and special! You just can't begin to fathom the depth of a winter fire. The season says we need this fire so much more than any other season. But, this fire is indoors. This one takes place in a warm home in the fireplace, designed to be in one special place. The uniqueness of this fire is it's precious invitation-only status. One has to be both intentional and invited to sit near this fire. After all, we drive by these fires in homes completely unaware every winter. We are not privileged to enter those homes and thoroughly enjoy the benefits and warmth of these fires. These fires require relationship, time, stillness, and almost an intimacy with the fire. Are they every bit as dangerous as the three other seasons? Yes. Will it consume anything it touches? Absolutely. But, these fires, managed in their cozy fireplaces as they usually are, complete a whole other function. The coals are hot. The home is warmed. It isn't for everyone to see. It is only for those who are invited in, or who take the time to come in.
I love this illustration! Can you just see it?
Have you been the spring fire? Goodness, I remember being so young in the Lord. I'm sure I was so obviously new in Christ. No doubt, I teetered between weakness and strength, truth and love, balanced and not so. People noticed. I'm not sure they were drawn, but they noticed. As Christians, this is a precious season not to be missed. See how amazingly noticeable it is? See how it can be used? Precious days these are!
Have you been the summer fire? I can think back on days (and some not so long ago) when I was burning so brightly, yet far from controlled. Yes, the Lord used that season. I'm convinced it is a natural part of the growth and maturation process. We become bold because we pray for that. We become a bit more grounded in truth and speak it (though, sometimes the balance of love lacks). I have days even now when I tend to get all "fired up" about something. It's an emotional thing for me. I pray God uses this season in me to its end. I pray, in all of the heat, somehow His glory would be shown. I pray people would notice what makes me burn so brightly. I pray I don't hurt anyone in the process.
Ah, the fall fire. I mentioned I hope to be a fall fire one day. The warmth, intrigue, and sweet fellowship of this fire calls me in the depth of my soul. Some of the people who surround me are a reminder that God can move me in this direction. Yet, he inspires me with a few fall fires around me, keeping me aware of the goal and showing the possibility of growing into this special "fire" in the days ahead. This, by far, is the most inspirational fire in my near future.
The winter fire, to me, seems to be a bit down the road. This isn't about putting the fire under a bushel, no! ;') This fire is reserved for the days when I am, perhaps, less able to get out and burn brightly in a public capacity. I envision the depth, intimacy, even a wisdom in this fire that the others may not have. I want to burn brightly just the same in this season, but I want to be sure I'm welcoming to those who would take the time to sit by my fire. I want to be doing the Lord's work even then, for as long as He permits! I don't believe God ever intended for His children to "go out" in some little puff of smoke. I think He intends a blaze of His glory to the end!
Let me stay lit for all seasons! Let me look at my "fire season" and deeply and preciously embrace what He will do in and through me when I am closely walking with Him!
"And that's all I have to say about that." ~ Forrest Gump
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Sunday, July 13, 2008 - WOW