There was once a farmer that went out to cast seed across the land the master had given him. He had a large piece of ground to cover and it was his desire to see something beautiful growing everywhere on the land for which he was responsible.
He started with the ground that appeared to others to be too rocky to allow anything to grow. Those others made fun of the farmer. “Nothing will ever grow there!” they would shout. Or they would ask “How can you be so ignorant to do such a thing and still call yourself a farmer?” Then they would walk away laughing at what they saw.
Some of the other ground was full of thorns and tangled bushes. Still, he cast the seed there, hoping that some would take root and bring life to an ugly, twisted place. Passers-by would shake their heads and say to themselves, “That is one dumb farmer to waste good seed on ground full of thorny-bushes and ugly plants.” Still, the farmer kept casting seed on the land the master had given him. He wanted it to be full of life and as beautiful as he could make it.
Soon, he was casting seed on ground that was hard. It looked like it had been run over by some giant steam roller or as if boulders had fallen from the sky and pounded it down. Other farmers came by and said, “You’re just wasting your time. That ground is so beat up and hard, nothing will ever look good there!” But the farmer ignored them and kept going.
Finally he got to the part of the land that was good ground. There he cast all of the seed he had left. He did it with loving care because he knew that it would take root and grow into something great there. He also knew he would have to depend on the plants growing there. It was that land the farmer could count on to produce good fruit and bear new seed.
You see, the farmer had not given up on the rest of the land. The seed that came from the crops in the good land allowed him to keep casting seed in the rocky, thorny and beaten land. The farmer loved all of land enough to keep trying. So, even though others thought him ignorant, stupid or wasteful, it was the love that he had for all his land that would not allow him to stop.
No matter if you feel like life has beaten, robbed or run you over, the master still loves you. He will keep sending the farmer to cast the seed of His Love and His Word into your life. He won’t stop working because of His desire to see life take root and grow into something beautiful. Peter says that it is God’s desire that no man should parish, but that all should come into repentance. Of course, if that is too hard to believe, you are welcome to read the original version of this story in John’s letter about Jesus. Let Him cast seeds of life into you today and allow the rain of His Love cause it to grow. – God Bless you, Bobby
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
I was talking to a friend the other day and the tv show, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" came up. It is one of my favorite shows. If you haven't seen it, chef Guy Fieri travels the country checking out the unique mom & pop / local eateries, looking for the best local food in an area. Now, here's a guy (no pun intended...) that is an accomplished chef, founder of at least two restaurant chains and has published his own recipes. Why would someone want to see what else is out there? He already knows how to cook, not just for himself, but to the enjoyment of other people. What could he possibly learn?
One of my favorite episodes was at a small cafe in Seattle, Washington. The owner/chef cooked soups and sandwiches for his customers. Nothing special there, except he was using a hot plate, toaster oven and a crock pot. No kitchen, no fancy stove, no special cooking tools. But, WOW, his customers loved the food. It was cooked with care and with his own unique twist on "home-made style" comfort food. Fieri just couldn't believe how good the food was and how well the customers responded.
Each show is filled with food and fun, but in a special and unique way done by the local restaurant. Alligator stew in Louisiana, Gulf Coast fish in Mississippi, BBQ in Utah, steaks in Nebraska, clam chowder (chouda) in New England. All good food. All done in different ways.
My friend said, "You know, church is like that, too. We can be a Christian for many, many years, but can always learn something new about our walk with Christ when we listen to others. Its like learning from their recipes on life" Wow... What a great comment!
The Bible teaches us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Many times I wonder, why should I take the extra effort and go to church? Is it to worship God? Sure, but I do that in my quiet time. Is it to learn about His Word? I do that in my study time. Is it to feel His presence? I feel Him at many different times and places.
No, church can be for all of those things; but it can be something more. It can be the place where we visit or share; where others are facing challenges just like me, on the road to Heaven. When fear comes, what recipe did you use? When heartache happens, what comfort food meant the most to you? When the storm blew through your home, what hotplate dinner or crock pot stew, got you through?
We are all learning to use what we have and trying to make something great out of it. Just like a good cook, the care put into the meal is just as important as the ingredients. God places His Word, His Love and... His People around us. It is then that we are asked to put those three flavors into our life and allow Him to create something great.
Revelation 12:11 says that we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. What a great name for our recipe book. "The Word of our Testimony" book of good cookin'.
Next week, when I go to church. I will be going with a different outlook. I want to stop working only on my own cooking. I want be excited when I am around so many other chefs. New ones, experienced ones, all those in between. Chefs with heart and love. I want to learn their recipes and all the ways they have found to add God to their life, and how that has made everything taste better.
- Blessings, Bobby
One of my favorite episodes was at a small cafe in Seattle, Washington. The owner/chef cooked soups and sandwiches for his customers. Nothing special there, except he was using a hot plate, toaster oven and a crock pot. No kitchen, no fancy stove, no special cooking tools. But, WOW, his customers loved the food. It was cooked with care and with his own unique twist on "home-made style" comfort food. Fieri just couldn't believe how good the food was and how well the customers responded.
Each show is filled with food and fun, but in a special and unique way done by the local restaurant. Alligator stew in Louisiana, Gulf Coast fish in Mississippi, BBQ in Utah, steaks in Nebraska, clam chowder (chouda) in New England. All good food. All done in different ways.
My friend said, "You know, church is like that, too. We can be a Christian for many, many years, but can always learn something new about our walk with Christ when we listen to others. Its like learning from their recipes on life" Wow... What a great comment!
The Bible teaches us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Many times I wonder, why should I take the extra effort and go to church? Is it to worship God? Sure, but I do that in my quiet time. Is it to learn about His Word? I do that in my study time. Is it to feel His presence? I feel Him at many different times and places.
No, church can be for all of those things; but it can be something more. It can be the place where we visit or share; where others are facing challenges just like me, on the road to Heaven. When fear comes, what recipe did you use? When heartache happens, what comfort food meant the most to you? When the storm blew through your home, what hotplate dinner or crock pot stew, got you through?
We are all learning to use what we have and trying to make something great out of it. Just like a good cook, the care put into the meal is just as important as the ingredients. God places His Word, His Love and... His People around us. It is then that we are asked to put those three flavors into our life and allow Him to create something great.
Revelation 12:11 says that we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. What a great name for our recipe book. "The Word of our Testimony" book of good cookin'.
Next week, when I go to church. I will be going with a different outlook. I want to stop working only on my own cooking. I want be excited when I am around so many other chefs. New ones, experienced ones, all those in between. Chefs with heart and love. I want to learn their recipes and all the ways they have found to add God to their life, and how that has made everything taste better.
- Blessings, Bobby
Monday, August 31, 2009
The Water Basin
I have had the privilege of working as a volunteer and staff person in a church for most of my life. One of the things that can sneek up on me is feeling inadiquate or ill-equipped for a task set before me. A few years ago, the Holy Spirit had me read through Jesus' first miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding at Cana. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202:1-11&version=NIV )
I read through it and, as I had done many time before, considered how cool it must be to see water change into something different. It was at that point I felt the Holy Spirt nudge me to look again at the six water jars. I thought ok, right, water jars... they had to use something. But then, the Holy Spirit began to show me some things I had never seen before.
Imagine putting yourself there with me at the wedding. The guests are there, and it is possible that Jesus and the disciples were late additions to the wedding. While there, the wine (should have been Dr Pepper... but all weddings can't have the best I suppose) has run out. There is not a party killer worse than running out of food and drink to early.
We hear Mary tell Jesus to do something about it. He trys to remind her that the Heavenly Father gives him direction, not necessaryly the people he is close to, including mom. But, she says something really dramatic. She does not argue with Jesus, she ignores his slight rebuke and tells the servants to do whatever Jesus says. Now, if I'm there, I'd be thinking he'd say get lost, no way, catch ya later or something like that.
But, he doesn't. He tells the servants fill the six stone jars full of water. Now, wait a minute. Why not, "Bring some wine skins!" or "Find the ceramic vases!" No, he tells them to fill the washing jars full of water. Once again, I am supprised! Why in the world would he want them to fill the sink / bath tub full of water. Its not like Dawn or Ivory is handy! I mean, the FOOT TUB is to be filled with water. What could he possibly want to do with that?
The servants do as requested. So, Jesus then tells them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. Now, I don't know what the pay is during Jesus time to be a caterer. But, I would have to think that serving the master of the banquet water full of foot slime and other mud washed off, would not be the best choice for job security.
You see, I don't know where the water became wine. Was it in the stone jar? The cup/ladle that they carried to the master? Or, when it hit his tounge? It doesn't really say in verse 9. It just says that it is the best tasting wine at the banquet.
Then it hit me. Jesus choice the most common vessle available. He did not worry about how it looked, or more especially, where it had been. A vessle that had the worst mud and dirt cast in it. The one that no one really wanted to clean. The "catch-all" of the grime from the streets. The thing that mattered was what HE put on the inside. wow...
The Holy Spirit reminded me that when someone has a need. I am not the one to fill it. He is. So, no matter what I think of myself, He can change whatever is in me (muddy, stagnant water, etc) to the best wine. The key is, He is the wine maker.
If He asks you to bless someone, or puts you in a spot to represent Him. Then its ok if you think of yourself as to common or to unusable. Don't look to what you see are better vessels, but allow the Holy Spirit to pour out the wine to those around you.
Be the vessel that carries the wine to those in need. Let Him fill and change you today!
- Blessings, Bobby
I read through it and, as I had done many time before, considered how cool it must be to see water change into something different. It was at that point I felt the Holy Spirt nudge me to look again at the six water jars. I thought ok, right, water jars... they had to use something. But then, the Holy Spirit began to show me some things I had never seen before.
Imagine putting yourself there with me at the wedding. The guests are there, and it is possible that Jesus and the disciples were late additions to the wedding. While there, the wine (should have been Dr Pepper... but all weddings can't have the best I suppose) has run out. There is not a party killer worse than running out of food and drink to early.
We hear Mary tell Jesus to do something about it. He trys to remind her that the Heavenly Father gives him direction, not necessaryly the people he is close to, including mom. But, she says something really dramatic. She does not argue with Jesus, she ignores his slight rebuke and tells the servants to do whatever Jesus says. Now, if I'm there, I'd be thinking he'd say get lost, no way, catch ya later or something like that.
But, he doesn't. He tells the servants fill the six stone jars full of water. Now, wait a minute. Why not, "Bring some wine skins!" or "Find the ceramic vases!" No, he tells them to fill the washing jars full of water. Once again, I am supprised! Why in the world would he want them to fill the sink / bath tub full of water. Its not like Dawn or Ivory is handy! I mean, the FOOT TUB is to be filled with water. What could he possibly want to do with that?
The servants do as requested. So, Jesus then tells them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. Now, I don't know what the pay is during Jesus time to be a caterer. But, I would have to think that serving the master of the banquet water full of foot slime and other mud washed off, would not be the best choice for job security.
You see, I don't know where the water became wine. Was it in the stone jar? The cup/ladle that they carried to the master? Or, when it hit his tounge? It doesn't really say in verse 9. It just says that it is the best tasting wine at the banquet.
Then it hit me. Jesus choice the most common vessle available. He did not worry about how it looked, or more especially, where it had been. A vessle that had the worst mud and dirt cast in it. The one that no one really wanted to clean. The "catch-all" of the grime from the streets. The thing that mattered was what HE put on the inside. wow...
The Holy Spirit reminded me that when someone has a need. I am not the one to fill it. He is. So, no matter what I think of myself, He can change whatever is in me (muddy, stagnant water, etc) to the best wine. The key is, He is the wine maker.
If He asks you to bless someone, or puts you in a spot to represent Him. Then its ok if you think of yourself as to common or to unusable. Don't look to what you see are better vessels, but allow the Holy Spirit to pour out the wine to those around you.
Be the vessel that carries the wine to those in need. Let Him fill and change you today!
- Blessings, Bobby
Musings
There are times that find me contemplating my place in this world. I know it is nothing new or suprising. I suppose the opposite would be true; it would be a suprise to find someone that has never considered this... People have tried every imaginable way to construct a box that will contain all that they see and understand around them, and then show their box to others.
There are alway the "classic" boxes: Plato, Aristotle, Decartes, Plank, Neitzsche... the list of philosophers is longer than the space allowed, that desired to explain to the world that they had a handle on their box. Then there are the "monument builder" boxes: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon... other warrior kings throughout history that sought to force the world around them to live in their box. Of course, there are the "religious" boxes: Budda, Confuscious (maybe he is in the classic...), Muhammad, Joseph Smith... many more lesser known spiritual leaders that created a box of the spiritual world with physical world tools.
Rolling through such a huge list of options can be overwhelming. Who can possibly be right? Can any one man pull together musings, observations, feelings, experiences and thoughts in the short amount of time available and come up with something lasting and plausible?
It is sometimes amazing to see the arrogance associated with the writings of so many others that are convinced that they have the best box for all.
If only someone could gather the experiences of people into one place where their view from inside thier own box could be examined. (paradigm=view of the world=box for this discussion...)
The teachings of Lao Tzu are a great list of wisdom and stories. But, very little that would apply to the connection of man to a spiritual world. (Great box, but no known value to the holder.) The Bhagavad Gita is a beautiful song / story of the emotions and preparations of two great heros preparing for battle. But, little practical knowlege of how it relates to me. (Beautiful box, but no explaination on how I can own one.)
If only there were a collection of stories that contained both construction and purchasing instructions for a box to help me view the world and my place in it...
if only...
There are alway the "classic" boxes: Plato, Aristotle, Decartes, Plank, Neitzsche... the list of philosophers is longer than the space allowed, that desired to explain to the world that they had a handle on their box. Then there are the "monument builder" boxes: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon... other warrior kings throughout history that sought to force the world around them to live in their box. Of course, there are the "religious" boxes: Budda, Confuscious (maybe he is in the classic...), Muhammad, Joseph Smith... many more lesser known spiritual leaders that created a box of the spiritual world with physical world tools.
Rolling through such a huge list of options can be overwhelming. Who can possibly be right? Can any one man pull together musings, observations, feelings, experiences and thoughts in the short amount of time available and come up with something lasting and plausible?
It is sometimes amazing to see the arrogance associated with the writings of so many others that are convinced that they have the best box for all.
If only someone could gather the experiences of people into one place where their view from inside thier own box could be examined. (paradigm=view of the world=box for this discussion...)
The teachings of Lao Tzu are a great list of wisdom and stories. But, very little that would apply to the connection of man to a spiritual world. (Great box, but no known value to the holder.) The Bhagavad Gita is a beautiful song / story of the emotions and preparations of two great heros preparing for battle. But, little practical knowlege of how it relates to me. (Beautiful box, but no explaination on how I can own one.)
If only there were a collection of stories that contained both construction and purchasing instructions for a box to help me view the world and my place in it...
if only...
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