ROOTS AND WINGS

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother...' Genesis 2:24 NIV 

You can't always prevent your child from getting hurt. '...In this world you will have trouble...' (John 16:33 NIV) Either they'll get hurt and learn to deal with reality, or suffocate in your cocoon, never becoming mature - a hurt much sadder and much more painful and debilitating. What's involved in giving your child wings? (1) Realise that without autonomy they'll never become healthy adults This involves learning things like clear thinking, being responsible for their own decisions, learning from bad choices how to make better ones, being free to make mistakes and pay the price of learning, and experiencing what it means to grow up. (2) Don't treat their need for autonomy as evidence you're failing as a parent. Indeed, if they fail to distance, you should question your parenting style! Making them independent is Biblical and effective parenting. (3) Don't mistake their distancing as a rejection of you. It's not abandonment of you, it's advancement for them. It's not proof of ingratitude or selfishness and rebellion; it's their real-world opportunity to demonstrate your success as a parent. When they don't want to attend Uncle Bert's family reunion, don't tighten your grip to 'save the family from disintegrating'. The family relationship is meant to change and part of that is to disengage, like cells splitting off and multiplying. The Bible says we are to '...Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.' (Genesis 9:1 NIV) They can't stay in the nest and fulfil their destiny. Release them, and then get a life of your own! That's your responsibility - not endless parenting. Let out the rope, trust God, and they'll be back to see their 'very cool" parents.  Bill & Debby Gass

Satan -  Wants our faith always to be for the future.

Jesus -  Wants us to cultivate a present moment faith.

Satan -  Seeks steady procrastination.

Jesus -  Teaches us that ‘Now is the moment of salvation.

Satan -  Strives to have us preoccupied with ‘what ifs’ (what might happen); to be hagridden by the future.

Jesus -  Is concerned with what we do in the present; wants us to offer up the present moment to God.

Satan -  Urges us toward a false, lofty super-spirituality.

Jesus -  Wants us to live out daily, “Without Me ye can do nothing.”

Satan -  Delights in a “moderate” religion with no extremes.

Jesus -  Wants the total man—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart and with ALL thy soul and with ALL thy mind.”

Satan -  Works for churches to be divided into “clubs” or factions with ‘party spirit’,

Jesus -  Leads us toward unity amid diversity of gifts of the Spirit amongst the people in the church.

Satan -  Wants us to see all morality as relative, no final truth or falsehood.

Jesus -  Insists that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; God’s laws are absolute.

Satan -  Labors to destroy all law, God’s and man’s.

Jesus -  Fulfills the law and the prophets and adds righteousness to it.

Satan -  Wants us to hang onto resentment and bitterness.

Jesus -  Tells us to forgive others in the same way God forgives us.

Satan -  Urges us to have our fun now; try to forget about paying for it.

Jesus -  Influences us to pay now in time or effort; then fun later is assured.

ON GUARD

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6: 10-11

When spring arrives, my husband and I love to walk on the nature trail at the park. We meet there each day to shed off a layer of our winter coats until a fit look for summer is accomplished. One day, we were on our last lap when, suddenly, I noticed a long, black, snake poised on my side of the trail as if he were simply a stick. I stopped dead in my tracks and let out a piercing scream. The snake kept his position, while my husband turned and ran the other way. I knew then it was everybody for themselves!

Of course, my husband remembers the event quite differently in his mind. He recalls protecting me from the snake by fearlessly attacking it with his bare hands. Next, he remembers how he whirled the snake around and slung it back into the woods. Then, he reminded me how I rushed him with rewards of hugs and kisses while exclaiming, "Oh, my beloved hero, you saved me from that evil snake!" I recalled that it always puzzles me how two people at the same event can walk away with two different stories!

After I returned home from our walk, I wondered how many times we had passed that snake while being unaware of his presence. Now when we walk, I'm on guard looking for the snake behind every bush, every pile of leaves and every tree. While it's good to be on guard for snakes while walking through the woods, there's another snake we should be aware of as we walk through the Christian life. He is described as the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world (Rev.12: 9b).

As you and I serve the kingdom of God, the enemy is going to be found in our path from time to time. He knows that we are a threat to his kingdom and he intends to try stopping us just as he tried to stop Christ. During our Christian journey, he may show up in all kinds of forms such as trials, broken relationships, and temptations. Yet, our Lord has provided a way for us to stand guard against the devil's tactics.

First, we can guard ourselves against the devil by remembering that Christ conquered him on the cross. He no longer holds us in bondage to sin nor can he hold death over our heads.

Secondly, we can guard against the enemy by resisting him. While he still has the power to tempt us, we can experience victory as we submit to God and resist the devil; [then] he will flee from you (James 4: 7).

Finally, be on guard by dressing daily in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). When we dress ourselves each day in the armor of God, it acts as a hedge of protection that keeps the enemy from showing up on our path and bestowing hardships on us.

During my walk with Christ, the "snake" has crossed my path many times with trials and temptations, as I'm sure he has in yours. However, if we are wise, during those times we will cling to our Protector and allow Him to guard us from the enemy's schemes. As we stand firm in the Lord, we will find that our God is able to defeat the serpent of old. Then, with praise due Him, we will proclaim the victory of our Defender!  Micca Campbell

This video is worth watching! Enjoy. 

ADVERSITY AND HUMILITY

So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant – when you have eaten and are full – then beware, lest you forget the Lord..." – Deuteronomy 6:10-12

In his book, The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

We talk about the problem of pain, but let's talk about the problem of prosperity. Prosperity brings responsibility, because we are not owners; we are stewards. Everything God gives to us is a gift, and we will be held responsible for what we do with the resources that are at our disposal. Therefore, we want to make sure that we remain dependent on God.

When life gets really hard and adversity hits, we pray – and so we should. But sometimes when life is going reasonably well, we sort of forget about prayer. In Acts 12, we read that when James was beheaded and Peter was put in prison, the church prayed – and they prayed with desperation, because they knew that if God didn't come through, there was no other hope.

The psalmist wrote, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word" (Psalm 119:67).

God gave this warning to Israel before they entered the Promised Land and began enjoying all its blessings: "When you have eaten and are full – then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" (Deuteronomy 6:11-12).

Adversity levels us and keeps us humble, while prosperity tends to make us proud and self-sufficient. We don't think we need God when we're in good health or have a wallet full of credit cards or a lot of money in the bank. But when an economy goes south or the doctor has bad news, we turn to God, because we are reminded of what really matters. Greg Laurie

If there are poor among you, in one of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be selfish or greedy toward them. But give freely to them, and freely lend them whatever they need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world’s evil influence. James 1:27

A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food. If you say to that person “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. James 2:15-16

ABOUT SERVING OTHERS

There are times when we . . . are called to love, expecting nothing in return. Times when we are called to give money to people who will never say thanks, to forgive those who won’t forgive us, to come early and stay late when no one else notices.

Service prompted by duty. This is the call of discipleship.

Mary and Mary knew a task had to be done—Jesus’ body had to be prepared for burial. Peter didn’t offer to do it. Andrew didn’t volunteer. . . . So the two Marys decide to do it. . . .

Mary and Mary thought they were alone. They weren’t. They thought their journey was unnoticed. They were wrong. God knew. He was watching them walk up the mountain. He was measuring their steps. He was smiling at their hearts and thrilled at their devotion. by Max Lucado – He Still Moves Stones

Lift up our eyes, Father, that we might see our world as You see it. Help us respond as You respond to the hurts around us.

Service

The Master was searching for a vessel to use,
Before Him were many, which one would He choose?
"Take me,” cried the gold one, “I’m shiny and bright.
I am of great value, and I did things just right
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be best.”

The Master passed on with no word at all,
And looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall,
"I'll serve you dear Master, I'll pour out your wine,
I'll be on your table, whenever You dine
My lines are so graceful, my carving so true
And silver will certainly compliment you.”

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the vessel of brass,
Wide-mouthed and shallow and polished like glass,
"Here, here,” cried the vessel, “I know I will do
Place me on your table for all men to view... ”
"Look at me,” called the goblet of crystal so clear
Though fragile I am, I will serve you with fear...”

The Master came next to the vessel of wood
Polished and carved, it solidly stood
"You may use me, dear Master,” the wooden bowl said,
"But I’d rather you use me for fruit, not for bread...”

Then the Master looked down on a vessel of clay,
Empty and broken it helplessly lay,
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
"Oh, this is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,
I'll mend it and use it and make it all mine,
I need not the vessel with the pride of itself,
Nor one that is narrow, to sit on the shelf,
Nor one that is big-mouthed and shallow and loud,
Nor one that displays its contents so proud.”
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day,
Spoke kindly to it, “There’s work you must do,
Just pour out to others, as I pour into you...”

(Author Unknown)

The Cage

I was walking through town the other day when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging a bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three birds, wide-eyed and trembling with fear. I stopped the lad and asked, “What do you have there son?” “Just some old birds,” came the reply. “What are you going to do with them?” I asked. “Take ‘em home and have fun with ‘em,” he answered. “I’m gonna tease ‘em and pull out their feathers to make ‘em fight. I’m gonna have a real good time.” “But you’ll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?” “Oh, I got some cats,” said the boy. “ They like birds, I’ll let ‘em have some fun too.” I was silent for a moment. “How much do you want for those birds, son?” “Huh??!! Why, you don’t want them birds, mister. They don’t sing nice. They ain’t even pretty!” “How much?” I asked again. The boy sized me up and said, “Ten bucks?” I reached into my pocket, took out the money and gave it to the boy. In a flash, he was gone. I picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree. Setting the cage down, I opened the door, and set the birds free.

Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he boasted to Jesus: “You lose, Jesus! Those people you created—you gave them a one way ticket to hell when you gave them the freedom to run their own lives. Yes, sir! I just caught Adam and Eve and all their descendants. Set a trap and used bait I knew they couldn’t resist. Got ‘em all!! They’re mine now!” he gloated. “What are you going to do with them?” Jesus asked. Satan replied, “Oh, I’m gonna have fun! I’m gonna teach them how to be selfish, how to hate and abuse each other, how to make war. The blood is going to flow.”  “And what will you do when you get done with them?” Jesus asked. “Oh, I’ll kill them—if any of them are still alive.” Satan laughed. “How much do you want for them?” Jesus asked. “Oh, you don’t want those people. They’re worthless. They’ll just turn on you. They’ll spit on you, curse you and kill you! You don’t want those people!” “How much?” Jesus asked again. Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, “All your tears and all your blood.” Jesus said, “DONE!” Then He paid the price. Author Unknown