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Late Bloomers
“Do you think the tree is dead? There are no leaves when the others are green.”
I have a favorite oak tree which graces my back deck. For three seasons it brings such happiness as it towers over the yard. However, each winter the leaves fall and it stands tall, but barren. For nearly 16 years I watch the other trees joyfully turn green almost over night while my dear oak still sleeps in its winter brown attire.
Is it dead? This question comes to mind each and every mind. Yet, a few weeks later there comes a magical night which triggers green leaves. I always take a deep breath, give thanks for the year, and enjoy it for the next months.
My oak tree is a late bloomer.
Haven’t we seen people who appear to be in hibernation without exhibiting signs of maturity and growth. Haven’t we sometimes wondered about those who seem to lack direction? Haven’t we even seen young ones whose physical development doesn’t match those around?
My older son in law was 5’7” when he graduated from high school. When he went to a high school reunion several years later, he was 6’1” and hardly recognizable. We are told males can often reach their adult height after age 21, but we expect it much sooner and are concerned if they don’t follow the peer pattern. Sometimes our DNA has a different rhythm.
Now think about spiritual development. We mature at different rates. There is no “normal” chart for measurement. Yet, we are quick to judge and assess others, aren’t we? Wouldn’t it be better if we understood our Christian walk has individual characteristics? Yes, some of us take detours and fall into potholes, but the Lord promises He will complete the work He started.
I sat with a group of grandmothers who were all bragging about their high achieving grands, listing their accomplishments and hoping to impress the others. It came around to one grandmother at the table. She told of a granddaughter who is doing well in graduate school.
Then she paused and said, “my grandson is working on his testimony.” That has struck a permanent chord with me. She wisely knew his life experiences were difficult, but also knew his great God would weave them all together for His honor and glory. And, she prayed one day he would be a giant oak tree with a story of blooming that would bring great rejoicing.
God bless the late bloomers. And may we pray for them knowing “in His time He makes all things beautiful” as the praise song reminds us.
Prayer Network
by Brenda A. Smith, BWFLI.com, BreakfastWithFred.com
“Summer is going too quickly. Sending my daughter to college makes me anxious.”
Think of the parents throughout the country who are sharing this emotion. “Will he/she be safe? Make friends? Be confronted with professors who challenge their faith? Who will guide them through disappointments and cheer with them in victories? The litany of questions flows out of many, doesn’t it?
This month let’s stop and seriously give thanks to God for schools which hold to the truth of the Gospel, dedicating themselves to equipping students to growing academically, physically, emotionally, and foundationally in their walk with the Lord. The administration, staff, and faculty members pray for each and every student, asking for discernment and wisdom as they nurture, educate, and prepare.
Please stop and lift up each school which lifts up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The darkness surrounds, but the light of the Word brightens the way. Thank you for your support. We are standing in the gap for the thousands who are undertaking to grow as men and women of faith. Praise God!
Sexual Purity
by Bob Deffinbaugh, Bible.org, BWFLI.com
6 Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9 “There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:6-9, NAU).
In one sense, it would have been relatively easy for Joseph to indulge himself in sexual sin. His master was gone, and Potiphar’s wife was present and most willing. Joseph was far from home, and he could have reasoned that God had abandoned him in Egypt. Yet, in spite of all these factors, Joseph chose to remain sexually pure.
In a way, college and university students face a somewhat similar situation. They are no longer living at home, and find themselves in situations where immorality would be accepted, even encouraged. May our believing young people remain faithful, seeing sexual sin, like Joseph’s, as humanly wrong, and, more importantly, spiritually damaging.
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Heroes
Weekly Thought – July 23, 2024
Fred’s memo to Maxey Jarman, chairman of GENESCO, on character demonstrates his thinking and sheds light on his friendship with “M.J.” as he denoted his mentor. His analysis is a window into his principle-based life. In his first book, You and Your Network, he develops the importance of heroes.
Heroes
I am interested in a man’s heroes. It tells me much of what he wants to become. Your example of duty fulfillment is now a part of my life. I now have a miniature version in my life – not as perfect an expression as yours, but a genuine one. As Tozer said, “My flame may be small, but it is real.” I noted when I read Tozer’s words, “a small flame can start a real fire better than a large neon sign.”
Somehow I caught your love of work. You were the first to get me to experience the excitement of accomplishment. Others tried; you succeeded. Why they failed, I don’t know. Somehow I could accept and be challenged by your example. It certainly was not your verbal spoken teaching on your precepts because you rarely said anything about them.
Each of us must pick our own heroes. We need the example of others for our character building. Years ago I picked seven character traits I needed and selected a person to personify each one. I asked each person to send me a framable photograph. I placed these pictures on my office wall and looked to their traits. They were my personified examples – their word had become flesh and I dwelt among them. You, of course, were one of them. Thanks! I put Sallman’s Christ at the top and a mirror at the bottom.
To properly exercise one’s sense of responsibility is to build his own character. Therefore, my responsibility to set an example for those looking to me became a growing incentive toward personal character building. I know those I am responsible, but I don’t know who else is watching. We never do, do we? Really frightening.
This week carefully consider: 1) Who taught me something that stuck when others failed? 2) What was it? 3) Who is watching me right now?
Words of Wisdom: “A small flame can start a real fire better than a large neon sign.”
Wisdom from the Word: “And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.” (2 Timothy 2:2 NET Bible)