Bargins

Today we began the estate sale I mentioned in a previous post - it was interesting - to say the least.  I enjoy meeting different people - observing how they act and react. At an estate sale   everything is priced to move - no desire to hold onto things that never belonged to you - goal to dispose of assets and clear the property - so everything priced very low. Even that being done - almost everyone wanted to barter. In this country there are very few places left for anyone to actually try bartering.  It is like a game - with money the playing pieces.  In Europe - in many countries - bartering is a way of life - and an insult to the seller if you don't want to play the game.  Everyone loves getting a good deal - or at least thinking they got one. So at the estate sale we bartered on everything - when neither party would budge on the price - an incentive was offered - a free item. - a promise to return and buy more.  On the selling end - we felt good letting people walk away with a good deal - the buyers all left with smiles and handshakes - a good day to barter and get some bargains.

  

With Jesus there is no need to barter - to try for a bargain.  Everything He has to give - love - forgiveness - understanding - healing - His Holy Spirit - salvation - is free!   Now that is a bargain!

Deacon Dale

Estate Sale

A friend of ours was born to eternal life a few weeks ago - now we are helping clear his house and get ready for an "estate sale".  In this process we are learning how much stuff people can collect over the years.  Some 40 bags of clothing was donated to charity - 40 bags for one person - many of them never worn?  I have half of one closet and a dresser - maybe my stuff could fill 4 bags?  I wonder what I am missing out on - maybe that is why I never can find anything to wear - yet - I do have enough - or so it seems.  Clothing is not the only thing our friend had in excess - collectibles - comforters - dishes - tools - a lot of stuff that he has no use for anymore.  My wife and I are in the process of decluttering our home - disposing of "things" that our children will not want or need.  When our time comes to be born to eternal life - our hope is that we do not leave our family with an eternal mess.  Sweet and clean and easy - if that were only possible.

When Jesus was preparing his disciples for His ascension - they were fearful of being abandoned - being left with nothing. Although He had no earthly possessions to leave - He did leave them the gift of the Holy Spirit - The Advocate - the One who would teach and help them in His absence.  Jesus did not need an "estate sale" when He left - but He did leave all of us the greatest inheritance we could ever receive - His Holy Spirit.

Deacon Dale

Trinity

The word trinity describes anything that is a combination of three parts. Three friends form a fellowship of three - a trinity of likes - yet different from each other.  A combination of three vehicles form a trinity - yet one may be a truck - convertible - coupe. Other trinities might be three identical object or persons - more commonly called a threesome.  Although there are three of each - there is nothing special about a group of three.

The Holy Trinity - on the other hand is quite unique.  The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons - the Father - the Son - the Holy Spirit - One God in three persons. The three persons are distinct - yet one - substance - essence - nature.  The Trinity is considered to be a Mystery - unable to be understood. . Each person is God - whole and entire - distinct from one another in their relations of origin - the Father who generates - the Son who is begotten - the Holy Spirit who proceeds - distinct in their relations with one another - they are one in all else.  It was the Holy Trinity that we honored this past Sunday - a reality - a mystery. Each day we acknowledge the Trinity as we begin and end our prayers - in this One Holy Trinity - we live our lives as commited Christians.

Deacon Dale 

Flame Thrower

A flamethrower is a mechanical incendiary device  - designed to project a long controllable stream of fire. They were first used during World War I  and widely used in World War II.  Some flamethrowers project a stream of ignited flammable liquid -  some project a long gas flame. Most military flamethrowers use liquids - commercial flamethrowers tend to use high-pressure propane and natural gas - which is considered safer. They are used by the military and by people needing controlled burning capacity - as in agriculture  or other land management tasks. They can be designed to either be carried by the operator or mounted on a vehicle.  Flame throwing devices have made their way into modern movies - creating dramatic effects. All demand respect and careful use.

On the Day of Pentecost - God became the original flame thrower. That flame - commonly known as the Holy Spirit - did not terrify as much as confuse.  The disciples and those with them did not know what to think - visual disturbances - strange languages - speaking in foreign tongues - did not make it easier to understand what was happening. In retrospect - we today - understand what was occurring - are impressed - our faith strengthened.  Many ask why the Holy Spirit does not come down upon believers as it did on that first Pentecost - yet - it does.  In Baptism - Holy Communion - Confirmation - God still sends His Holy Spirit among believers. Each of us has received the fullness of God's Holy Spirit - if we do not see it in our lives - we have to ask ourselves - why not?  Do we live lives truly in the Spirit - or have we allowed ourselves to become spiritual couch potatoes?  If you are missing this important part of your spiritual life - then immediately pray - Come Holy Spirit Come - and watch for the flames!

Deacon Dale 

Concrete

Concrete is a composite construction material made primarily with aggregate - cement - water.  There are many formulations of concrete - providing varied properties - the most used man-made product in the world.  Everywhere you look you will see concrete - walkways - streets - man-made displays - yard ornaments - religious shrines.  Even some houses have been constructed of concrete.  It is used so extensively because it is durable and reliable.  Concrete is also used to describe intangible things - like thoughts and decisions - commitments to self - to others.  People who refuse to change their minds - who refused to be swayed by popular opinion are said to have set their minds - thoughts - in stone - are concrete in their decisions. 

Jesus is constant - always the same - never changing - like concrete. He is the aggregate - the collection of all that is good - the cement - the force that binds everything together - the water - that one substance that no living creature can live without.  He is firm - set in place - locked in forever - into the hearts of all who call Him Lord and Saviour.  Jesus wants to be the concrete in your life - open your hearts - that He may flow in - ever so gently - to set you in a firm and loving place with God.

Deacon Dale

Progress

Progress is defined as advancing towards a goal - growth in a positive direction - movement - steady improvement. When we start a project we seek progress - signs that something has been done - is being done to accomplish the goal laid before us. We plan - we research - we recruit - we devise - we scheme - none showing positive action - until finally - something is put down on paper - until a plan is created - until volunteers and team members are recruited and assigned. Once a team is firmly established - progress begins to move forward - at faster paces. Most projects take far too long in the planning stages - even longer in the implementation stage. Most projects tend to run longer than planned - over budget - under funded - missing critical deadlines. It takes one individual with vision - energy - determination - to see any project - successfully brought in - on time and on budget. 

Spiritual progress in an individual's life takes even longer than ordinary projects. Although a seemingly simple task - projects dealing with the spiritual side of a person are among the most complex and confusing imaginable. Unforeseen obstacles lurk around almost every corner - past events seem to destine future growth to a stand still.  Yet - if one is truly faithful - if one dares to place even this - into the hands of Jesus - growth will happen. If your spiritual growth has come to a halt - is not where you want it to be - give it over to Jesus - He alone will make things happen -in a positive way.

Deacon Dale 

Umbrella

According to Wikipedia - an umbrella or parasol - also called a brolly - parapluie - rainshade - sunshade - gamp - bumbershoot - umbrolly - is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun - umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain. Often the difference is the material - some parasols are not waterproof  - therefore useless for rain. Umbrellas come in all sorts of sizes and colors - designed specifically for men - women - children. Typically most are black in color - with women's and children's - available in bright and fun colors and decorations. All are useful to help protect one from wind - rain - sun. As a protective device they are rated high on the scale of objects needed to help make the outdoors more bearable - especially in poor and bad weather. They are small and easily carried - ready in a moments notice to place into use. On long walks and excursions into strange places - they are very valuable walking aids. On occasion some even are usable as a walking stick or cane. 

In our spiritual lives we seek knowledge and comfort - God's presence - actively surrounding us as we walk throughout our lives. On that journey we encounter many different situations - some pleasant - some uncomfortable. Quite often as we walk our journeys - we find that we need protection as we are assaulted and attacked by evil spiritual forces. In seeking protection from those forces we turn to Jesus - as our umbrella of protection.  In Jesus we not only have  a friend - teacher - leader - but also a protector. When you find your life filled with confusion - stress - anxiety - ask Jesus and He will provide the protection you need to cope with all of life's issues.

Deacon Dale 

Spring Cleaning

Its here - it's here - that wonderful time of year - or so the song says. Yes it is finally spring - the days are starting to get longer with more daylight - warmer weather - and spring cleaning! Now is the time to work outdoors on the good days and indoors on the rainy. Picking up fallen branches - cleaning the flower beds - planting new plants - fertilizing - moving things around - time to clean behind the refrigerator - rearrange the closets - bring out the summer clothes and store away the winter ones - an annual task looked forward to by many - dreaded by others. It is a labor of love for most - everyone loves better weather - getting out of the confines of the house and being outside in the fresh air and sun. The sun warms us - makes us feel more alive - like the plants - we too need sunshine - more sun on our skin means more vitamin D production by our bodies - our melanin granules are stimulated and we start the tanning process - our eyes learn to adjust to the brightness of the sun and most of us - feel more alive. Cleaning the inside of our homes - moving furniture - applying a fresh coat of paint and similar activities - brings new life to dreariness - endured during the winter.

As we go through our spring cleaning rituals - we need to also look at the interior of our souls - what have we allowed to clutter up our spiritual houses - have our hearts become stony and dark - do we need a new influx of the Holy Spirit in our lives to bring joy and peace to ourselves - are we more alive this spring than last - have we experienced Easter with true peace - are we comfortable in our own skin.  Jesus is here - arms opened wide - waiting to help you cleanse your soul - He is the Son - that lightens up your life. As you work around your house - allow Jesus to work in your heart - that your spring cleaning may be complete.

Deacon Dale 

Landscape

May has finally arrived and with it better weather and the opportunity to wander outside the house. With that - it is time to begin the annual ritual of prepping the lawn and landscaping - removing leaves left over from last fall - trimming bushes and hedges - fertilizing the flower beds - sprucing up the entire yard. If you have a normal sized yard - the task should not be overwhelming - if you have five acres as we do - that is another story. Luckily we do have tools - lots of tools - to help us with this annual task. One interesting thing about doing lawn work is that it gives you time to be away - away from the phone - away from people - away from other things that occupy one's mind. When you are focusing on you lawn chores - especially when operating dangerous tools - you lose yourself in that task - nothing else matters for the moment. I enjoy the time I spend working around the house and especially with lawn work. It becomes a time when I can relax - work at my own pace - and be with myself - to think - to ponder - to pray.

When Jesus went into the desert - He was seeking quiet for Himself - He needed to be away - to reflect - to ponder - to pray. His tool was prayer - His task much more important that doing lawn work - His goal - the salvation of the world. Although He did leave the desert - He has not left us. He continues to work in our lives - to work in our hearts - in our minds. Jesus plants seeds of faith in the soil of our hearts - He waters them with His Holy Spirit - He prunes our growth with loving care. Today when you work in your yard - allow Jesus to come into your heart - in those quiet moments - allow Him to love you - to heal you - to nurture your soul - He is waiting - go out and be with Him.

Deacon Dale