I may philosophize here a bit… Watching things grow is both fascinating and frustrating. The fields all around my place are today seven feet tall with corn – we’ve seen days with six inches of growth in one day. The garden is another amazing thing to slow down and watch grow. Early on things were tentative as stressors (even enemies – deer, rabbits, bugs, wind) fought against growth. Weeding, strategically placed bullets, staking, blocking wind, watering, fertilizing all helped the plants press through key stages.
Watching my kids grow is both fascinating and frustrating. There have been days I wish they were further along and days when time flew by and I’ve lamented they grew up too quickly. Watching church growth, or working toward church growth, has taught me more about the patience of God with us than anything else. But on our end, I’m struck by the simple observation that things grow when they are planted. Kids grow better when planted in stable and loving two parent homes (every study confirms this). Churches grow better when people settle in and love and serve God and each other for the long haul. There are many who want to grow, or who think they are growing, but resist being planted. Jesus spoke about us (you-plural) being branches that must abide and remain in the vine (himself).
Most human growth, I’m told, happens at night. Of course, this is a time when no one is watching. Spiritual growth is no different – it happens when no one is watching, and even especially during the dark moments. Interesting how those key growth moments are the moments people tend to pull away from others in the Body.
One of my frequent sayings at CATG is that it’s not God’s Will you be in the same place spiritually you were last year this time, or five years ago. I suggest we “mark the wall” every year and measure ourselves against that mark several times a years. Ask the hard questions, why am I not growing? Make sure you are growing evenly – in wisdom, stature, favor with God and man. We can grow smarter but lose our tender heart toward God. Strategically place “bullets” on that which is stifling your growth. Really, kill it or it’ll kill you. Never pull yourself away from environments that facilitate growth. Monitor your growth in God.
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July 24, 2008 at 11:08 am
completefaith
BAM…
Most excellent philosophization Pastor.
January 27, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Bob Berentz
Have you ever wondered what kind of prayer life the fellow had .. for God to drop by his tent and break his leg?
God “grew me up” one night this fall. I dreamed I was pulling a sailboat from San Francisco to San Diego. It was an all night struggle and then I woke up and knew it was from God. So, I got up (night time) got in my favorite chair with a blanket and started asking God to reveal the meaning to me. I started playing back the dream and examining it and pretty soon he led me to the problem.
I should have been in the boat letting God’s spirit blow me where he wished. I think we all try to out guess God and don’t turn control over to him. We don’t feel him in our sails .. or see his hand on the tiller .. or hear his voice in our thoughts.
My standard prayer each morning .. made my own prayer shawl and tied the tzitzit .. is to go over what I think I want to do that day but tell God he is in control and to lead, guide and direct me. I want his timing on my day. Then I pray that God will give me the words that I need to witness, should he put someone in my path. To give me the mark, sign, ensign and banner so that people may see Christ in me and come to me for advice. Bahrok Atah Adoni. For you spake and the world came into being.
January 29, 2009 at 3:00 am
Bob Berentz
Hebrew records its history in the use of Water
The beginning of growth, answer to an unspoken question – you must be born again of the water and spirit
Ancient word meanings for water – Lifting up – as in a vessel, taken to water, in a well, attached to a rope, of human effort, to satisfy the needs of one person or a family.
Rain Bow – a mist in the clouds, suspended in the air, reflecting sun light, refracting the light into individual colors, total colors and blends of colors, bow – bent, giving strength beyond measure, able to store and release power in an instant, good for killing and giving life, hunting, war, pleasure, practice, skill, cunning, danger, safety, protection, feathers, guidance, path, destruction, salvation, elevation, distance, disturbed by wind, carried by wind, terror.
Moses – his name means – lifted out of the Nile, rescued, law giver, go between, selected by God, sent on a mission, intense walk with God as a leader, one misstep and millions if not all mankind perish.
Water, semen, life, mankind, mate, two genders, working together, feeding, educating and letting go children, cycle of life, generations, history.
Miracle.
Mark – counting mark as Tally Mark, water mark, Miracle Mark, set apart, no longer of this world, pilgrim.
Banner –
Sign –
Ensign –
Seasons – timing, change, colors, growth, maturity, death, seeds – for some things death can not control, the seeds of life .. among the old.
January 29, 2009 at 3:09 am
Bob Berentz
Rain Bow – Covenant, promise