For Fathers

I hope that all fathers had a happy Father's Day. The role of father is the most challenging and rewarding role that we men carry in our lives. For my part, I'm grateful for my father, his example and his support, his encouragement and his quiet stead love. His example helped shape me in wonderful ways. I know the same to be true for many men, and for the generation that is following. I found this little quote today.

A Man's Children
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A man's children and his garden both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season.

How true! Thanks Dad, and Dads....

Growing Wheat - Turkey Style

A few weeks ago during our tour of the country of Turkey, not far from the ancient city of Tarsus (the hometown of the Apostle Paul), we embarked on an adventure to find an ancient "Roman Road" toward the top of a mountain. We found the Roman road. It looked like this... Just off to the side I found a wheat field. I ventured into it to check out the crop. While I was there, I took a look at the "soil", more rocks than earth. How amazing God is. Preserving a road that is more than 2,000 years old and right alongside, providing food and bounty for the people who tend to the earth and "till" the soil. Thanks for stopping by. And if you draw some other conclusions from this illustration, please post them in the "comments" section.

God's View

Roads Closed

It happened to me again a while back. I was driving along and came upon a "road closed" sign. However, I wanted to go down that road so I ignored the sing, pulled around it and plodded down the road, only to come to a place where, indeed, the road was fully closed. So, I made my way back, around the sign and on to my destination via another route. As I pulled around the "road closed" sign the second time, I though that the sign should say "I told you so!" on the back side. I doubt that I was the only one who had made this little adventure past the sign. And I doubt that I'm the only one who doesn't take such signs seriously from time to time. Thinking about my walk with God, I can identify several times in my life when I've ignored God's "road closed" signs. Times when I've ventured down the roads of my choosing rather than the roads God would lead me. Times when I've ventured "off road" to explore only to find that my explorations were not fruitful for God's kingdom work. Fortunately, I've never heard God say, "I told you so!", but surely that would be the truth. These days I'm trying to be more attentive to the signs as I move along my faith journey. I'm working on the faith to obey when I discern a "road closed" message, and to be responsive when the roads lead in funny (in my mind) places. Thanks for stopping by "Sketchings" today. And thanks for sharing the faith road with me.

Eternal Mansions

While Teresa and I were touring Turkey last month, our tour group had us staying in some quite luxurious hotels. Not the kind of hotels we normally frequent, but top notch, classy, impeccable hotels with the amenities to go with it. One night while I was trying to catch up from my jet lag (that means lying awake trying to get back to sleep) it occurred to me that when Jesus talks in John 14 about eternal mansions, the image he is using will put five star hotels to shame. God promises an eternal mansion that isn't just luxurious, but included the "amenity" of being in His eternal presence, in the eternal home he's prepared for us.

"Where Magic Happens"

One thing that is true for me, and maybe for many others, is that I don't like to get out of my comfort zone. For example, I'm not so excited about heights. But once in a while I'll step out of my "grounded" comfort zone to experience something new. And it is always magical. That's why this illustration resonated with me. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

"The Way God Sees Things -- Like Me!"

There have been a couple of things lately, one a praise song and the other a devotional, that has gotten me to thinking about the question, “If I saw my self as God sees me, what would I learn?"

Here are a few of my reflections:

 If I saw my self as God sees me, I would learn that most of my fears have never materialized. My worry energy weakens me for the tasks of today. "Don't fret about tomorrow," Jesus said, "for each day will bring enough troubles of its own." (Matthew 6: 34)

If I saw myself as God sees me, I would learn that no problem that does arise is without a resolution. God has everything covered. "God is faithful, and he will not let your trial be more than you can bear. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will be able to stand up under your stress." (I Corinthians 10: 13)

If I saw myself like God sees me, I would understand that every problem has a potential blessing attached. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds," said the half-brother of Jesus, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1: 3)

If I saw myself like God sees me, I would learn that pain and difficulty always is an open door for growth. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who learn from it." (Hebrews 12: 11)

What a wonderful thing to rest in God’s way of seeing things.