Preserving - Not a One Person Job

Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  James 1:22

The apples are ripening and the clan wants to come over. They're all fiends for apple jelly, so I'll be passing along the knowledge of how it's done. I've given them the recipe, but no one has followed it yet. That's okay because I love doing things together as a family. There will be jobs for the youngest to the oldest. That would be me. The youngest is only a few months old so he's in charge of entertainment. The kids love the apple peeler. The boys love to use a knife. We'll need people to measure sugar and spices and squeeze hot jelly bags of cooked peels. Someone has to put all the apple pieces in the crock pot for apple butter, and someone needs to wash jelly jars (thank goodness for a dishwasher). A great time will be had by all!

Preserving becomes a joyful job when everyone participates, but what about preserving souls? That seems to be only the pastors' or the Sunday School teachers' job. There's something wrong with this picture. If we merely listen to sermons, but never actually help do the job of soul winning and discipling believers, nothing will ever be accomplished. We are deceiving ourselves if we think we do the work of the kingdom from the church pew. It's more fun when we share the work and rejoice together in the accomplishments. 

Hey Kids:

Do you love all things apples? 

Is there someone in your family who knows how to make jams and jellies and fruit butters?

Offer to give Mom or Grandma a hand.

What does Dad know how to do? Grilling? Woodwork? Mechanicing? 

The Amish have a saying, "Many hands make light work."

We can all welcome help from others.

Pastors and teachers can also use your help. 

Is there a group at church you can join that reaches out to win souls and disciple them? 

Maybe there are kids in your neighborhood or school that can benefit from your friendship. 

Even a child is known by his doings...Proverbs 20:11 

May we all be doers of the Word,

Gail

  

Fruit Inspectors

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matthew 7:16

My garden is small, so I don't grow many vining fruits or vegetables, but occasionally something comes from a seed that may have ended up in the compost pile. This year a moon and stars watermelon vine sprouted in among the pole beans.The yellow dots on the leaves and melon let me know the variety right away. 

I have a hard time judging when a melon is ripe. My daddy always thumped them. I never learned how to listen to a watermelon. Others say look for the tendrils to dry up. Others say it will slip easily from the vine.  Usually when I grow a watermelon, I pick it too soon. Produce managers in stores tell me to look for a yellow bottom. I wondered if that would hold true for this type of melon since it has yellow spots anyway. 

This melon and another grew all summer in my little bean patch. I was amazed at the size of both. I waited as long as I could. After weeks of inspection, I decided today was the day. I didn't see any tendrils. The bottom was yellowing. If I picked too early, at least there was one more to give some more time. 

I was surprised at how easily the thick stem came off the vine, no tugging or twisting. So far so good. It was really heavy, carrying it up the hill to the house. After wiping it clean, I took my largest and sharpest knife and began to cut. "Craaack!" The melon split! I could see the red meaty heart and juice was running on the counter top. I knew I had a winner. I finished cutting it open. My patience was rewarded with the sweet taste of a sun warmed, fresh from the garden, Moon and Stars watermelon. Sweet success. 

People are a lot like watermelons. Most people will say they are Christians, but we can't see their heart. The only way we can know, is by inspecting their fruit. Christians will allow themselves to be "split open". Their hearts show their love for Christ and others. Their goodness spills out wherever they go. Their kindness and compassion leave a "sweet taste" for those they have touched. They look just like everyone else, but their hearts show, not just tell, a different story. 

We should never shun those who talk the talk, but don't walk the walk. They may just be beginning to ripen. They may be confused themselves and still need salvation. As Christians, we need to demonstrate the love and compassion that will help weak Christians grow. We need to demonstrate true Christian love that will help deceived people see Christ in us. Others are inspecting us. 

In what way can we as Christians, demonstrate to others who are inspecting our fruits, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?  

Hey Kids:

It's that time of year for visits to orchards and pumpkin patches. 

Do you know how farmers can tell when to pick their crops? 

How do they know when apples are ripe? 

When are watermelons ready?

Are pumpkins always ripe when they turn orange? 

How do you know if a fruit is a winter squash or a gourd?

How about your own "fruits"?

Do your actions show that you know Jesus?

Are your friends Christians too, or do they need your love and kindness to show them the truth? 

Fall fruit is on the way.

Blessings, 

Gail

Schools Days

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:28 (NIV)

School days are upon us. Many things will stay the same, but there will also be many changes for better and for worse. Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools thought to implement the so called "bathroom law" but made a better choice to back-off the plan. Does this mean everything is well? I doubt their ideas have changed. The idea is most likely on the backburner for now, to be pulled out again at a more "acceptable" time, when they can push their ungodly agenda again. 

So what can we do as Christians to make a difference as children start back to school? Spartanburg county Christians are gathering at schools this Sunday at 5:00 to pray for our teachers, our children, our families, and our communities. Will it make a difference? What did Jesus say?

Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19,20 (NIV).

I believe the difference is being made already. Will you join us at your nearest school? 

Hey Kids:

Whether you go to a public school, a private school or homeschool, you will still have concerns about a new school year. 

Creating a prayer journal may help keep your prayers focused. It will also be a place to celebrate the great things God will do for you this year. 

Your journal may include prayers for

• your friends
• your teachers
• wisdom in setting goals
• and yes, tests

Praying for a great school year,

Gail

Face the Son and Give Thanks

 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5,6

Our two acres got almost three inches of rain the other night. As I went down to gather eggs, I noticed the sunflowers were drooping in every direction from the weight of the raindrops. We've had a very dry summer. The sunflowers needed the rain to grow. 

As the sun began to dry the raindrops from the flowers, their heads began to lift and face the sun again. 

When the storms of life come, we may have trouble seeing the Son, but He said He will never leave us or forsake us. The storms in our life seem hard at the time, but they help us grow. We just need to be like sunflowers and bow our heads in prayer. He will dry our tears. Then we can lift our heads in praise and follow the Son. 

Hey Kids:

You can praise God every day for His care, even when the storms of life come.

One way to remember to give praise and thanks is to jot down three things each day that are gifts from the Lord.

When we notice the good things God does, it's easier to face the hard things.

Here are some ideas from my favorite blog, A Holy Experience.

• Sunday - 3 gifts from God's Word
• Monday - 3 gifts in summer
• Tuesday - A gift hole, whole, half
• Wednesday - 3 things which are hard to give thanks for (Remember, storms in our life help us grow).
• Thursday - 3 gifts of metal
• Friday - 3 gifts half-hidden
• Saturday - 3 gifts in green

These are only suggestions. I like Tuesday's ideas. I'm thankful for a swimming hole, a whole bowl of ice cream and half a watermelon.  What gifts are you thankful for?

Blessings,

Gail