A Harvest Moon

Photo thanks to  Athena D. Campbell.

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Luke 10:2

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35

This weekend we are privileged to view the Harvest Moon. There are names for each full moon that corresponds to the season, the wolf moon, the snow moon, the strawberry moon, etc. The harvest moon seems to have gained its name because in the days before electricity, people needed the harvest moon to get in their final crops. They worked by the light of the moon until the work was done. 

The moon's light is a reflection of the sun. If we take that to the spiritual level, the church should be a reflection of the Son. The moon waxes and wanes and so does the effectiveness of the church. When the church is at its best, the harvest is greatest. 

Harvesters can't watch the sky for signs of rain or stay inside because of heat or wind. The angels asked the disciples why they stood gazing up. (Acts 1:11) Jesus would return as they saw Him go. In the meantime, the disciples had a job to do. They were to be harvesters in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all the world. 

So what do harvesters do? They give hope and vision for the future. Hope from the harvest that people will not starve. Vision for the future that there will be seed for spring planting. 

We have a job to do. Proverbs 29:18 states: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." 

May we catch the vision for the church and be harvesters who reap the fields instead of watching the skies. 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36

Hey Kids: 

What is your vision for the future?

Not every Christian is called to a foreign mission field. 

We need teachers, doctors, politicians, lawyers, auto mechanics, plumbers, computer techs and more who know how to use their jobs as effective mission fields. 

Study about Daniel this week. He was just a teen when he was taken to Babylon, but he learned all he could without compromising his faith. Though he faced trials, he became one of the most influential men in the kingdom until his death as a very old man. 

How can you prepare now for the vision God is giving you?

How can you influence the world from your mission field? 

The Rock

 

and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18b

I found a new favorite children's book, If You Find a Rock , by Peggy Christian. It evokes so many memories of playing with our kids and grandkids, just finding rocks. 

Rocks you skip across lakes and streams. 

Rocks you climb.

Rocks you view life from.

Rocks you rest on.

A place to rest after a long day's hike or rest because it's sunny and warm, or rest just because it looks like a neat place to sit. 

All throughout the Bible the rock, or this rock depicts a picture of Jesus. No one wonder people, especially children are attracted to rocks. 

The Bible depicts Jesus as a place of rest, a firm foundation, the supplier of the water of life, the Rock of our Salvation and so much more. 

Rocks are one of the greatest gifts of creation to children. Maybe just to remind us and them of the Greatest Gift, Jesus Christ the Savior. 

Hey Kids:

What do you like to do with a rock? 

Do you stick it in your pocket?

      It may become your memory rock.

Do you skip it across the water? 

      How many circles does it make and how far does it reach?

Have you made a standing pile of rocks? 

      It may help you find your way or help you remember this specific spot when you return.

Does it look like an animal?

      Paint it up and use it for a paperweight or a gift.

Whenever you find a rock, whatever you do with a rock,  make it special.

Make it a memory of the Rock of your Salvation.

Use it to share Jesus with others.

      Tell the memory of your salvation.

       Know each time you share your salvation experience it reaches out to others, eventually reaching around the globe. 

      When you feel confused, know Jesus will show you the way.

      Like a paperweight, Jesus helps you keep life together. 

Look for the Rock!

Blessings,

Gail

Almost Heaven

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. II Peter 3:13

What's your image of heaven? Streets of gold? Mansions? Yes, the Bible does say those things, but are we missing the most natural of all images? 

When God first created the heavens and the earth, there was

• a beautiful garden
• no dying
• no tears
• no pain
• no heartache
• peace and fellowship in a garden with animals and God.

What about the new heavens and the new earth? (Revelation 21, 22:1-5) Besides the city with streets of gold and gates of pearl, there are

• gates open where people go in and out
• a river
• a tree with twelve different fruits
• no more curse, no thorns.

It sounds similar to the Garden of Eden. The Lord always gives us visuals of Himself and what He is trying to tell us. I think we search for those visuals whether consciously or not. Have you thought about your favorite place on earth?

In the 1870's Brewster Higley wrote "Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam and the skies are not cloudy all day." In 1971 John Denver sang, "Almost heaven, West Virginia." Both had their idea of heaven. 

Every summer and fall we take a trip to Cades Cove, TN in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a quiet, peaceful cove with millions of visitors each year who come to view the scenery and the wildlife. Our favorite walk is a quarter mile to the John Oliver cabin (top). On the return through the tall grass and flowers, the mountains rise up from the floor of the cove like a quilt wrapping you in the cool of the day. 

The grasses are filled with butterflies and and the sound of crickets as people walk quietly by.

I love Spark's Lane where the road fords the stream and children build dams and skip rocks.

At the back of the cove, bears lazily lie in walnut trees watching tourist, watching them. Deer graze in open fields and along the woods edge. Visitors smile and point, speaking in happy whispers. 

Though there is no night in heaven, here on earth we still need a peaceful night's rest. Fireflies light up the night. Owls and insects sing families to sleep in their tents. And as morning arrives multitudes of birds sing in the dawn.

Have you thought about what heaven is like? Is there someone you are missing? Have you wondered what they might be doing today? 

I hope you have found a vision of heaven. We'd love it if you shared with us in the comment section. 

Hey Kids:

Have you ever wondered what heaven is like? 

Do you have a favorite place that makes you think of heaven? 

It might be your treehouse or just a favorite tree limb where you sit and read. 

Maybe it's a creek you play in or a beach where you run through the waves.

This week might be a good time to draw a picture of your idea of heaven. 

Perhaps you know someone who has recently gone to be with Jesus. 

You might want to add them to the picture to remind you of how happy they are to be in a place so beautiful, free from tears and pain. 

Blessings,

Gail