The Harvest

 Our school has a great agriculture program. At some point in time, all the students work in the ag department. Last school year, our students sowed seeds into their own garden plots. They tended to the seeds. They watered the seeds. They pulled up the weeds to ensure the weeds didn’t take up the nutrients and moisture from the soil. They applied fertilizer as necessary.  But then our students were sent home and the school was closed due to the pandemic. The students no longer were able to tend to their gardens nor reap the harvest. As the new school year began, some of the harvests still needed to be reaped, but it was not done by the original sowers. Other people had to reap the harvest. The original sowers did not reap the benefits of their harvest. They did not see the fruits of their labor. 

We, too, are farmers. We may not plant a garden, sow seeds, or even harvest the plants. But we sow gospel seeds. We tell others about the love of Jesus. We tell others about His forgiving power. Even Little Bit loves to tell others that Jesus died for them. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go he therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” We are all called to plant seeds. 

But the job doesn’t stop there. Those seeds need to be tended to. The seeds that have been planted need to be watered. Bible studies need to be continued. But also, showing them you care is just as important. Building that relationship. New converts that come into the church and build friendships are more likely to stay in the church while those who do not have friendships within the church will leave within the first year, statistically speaking.  The "seeds" need to be watered.  Proverbs 11:25 says, "and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."  We as farmers will get the water we need when we provide the water the seeds need.  How amazing is that? The tending process doesn't stop.  It continues throughout the whole growing season.

As plants are being tended to, they also need to be fertilized.  The seeds need to receive nutrients and food essential to growing.  Bible truth is essential.  We must remember what Peter says in 2 Peter 2:2, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.  There is proper food for growing seeds.  Yes, the seeds need Bible truth, but it needs to be broken down.  When we feed a baby, we break down the food.  We don't feed a baby a sirloin steak, but instead mashed potatoes.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:2, "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are able." We must feed the seeds properly so they receive the nutrients necessary to grow and prosper.  Many times we try to feed the seeds with meat that cannot be digested yet.  They are not ready for that type of food.  They get discouraged and soon give up because it seems impossible. 

As the tending to the seeds and the fertilization process takes place, pest control and weeding must also occur.  Now this must be a very gentle process.  You don't want to uproot the plant while ridding it of the weeds and bugs.  But if we don't remove the weeds, they will rob the plant of nutrients and water necessary for growth.  If we don't eliminate the pests, they will eat away at the plant.  In Galatians 6:1, it says, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."  Restore him a spirit of gentleness. That is the key part.  Also, James 5:19-20 says, "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." It is very important that this process be done gently, slowly.  We need to point the seeds to Jesus.  Many times, the sins will be shone on their own.  The closer we get to Jesus, the more we want to give up the things that are keeping us from Him.  

The last step is the harvest.  The baptism.  The turning over one's life and growing into a mature Christian.  Many times this is the most rewarding part of the process because the fruits of the labor are most visible.  1 Peter 3:21 says, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doeth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh," by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 

But once the harvest is complete, the journey isn't over.  The process still continues.

Something to remember, though we are all farmers, we do not do the whole farmer process with one person, one seed.  We are farmers that work together and take on different jobs throughout the process.  Some are called to be the sower while others are the tender.  Some may be the weeder while someone else is the fertilizer.  That is why it is important to remember what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:12, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ." You may be a sower of a seed but not see the fruit of the harvest until you enter the Kingdom of God.  When we get to Heaven, we may then and only then see the fruits of our labors.  We may have stars in our crowns because of seeds we planted, but did not harvest. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."

We each are farmers.  There will be a harvest.  And we all have a part to play, but only By God's Amazing Grace.

Uniquely Created

When I look at creation, I am amazed. The creativity that God has blows my mind. When He created flowers, he didn’t create just one type of flower.  Nor did He create just one color. Even flowers that are of the same type are different. There are red, pink, orange, white, black roses. The Creator designed each flower that blooms, hence the individuality of each one. 

The animals are all different. Hence the reason we have poodles, pit bulls, German shepherds, and even chihuahuas. And each dog has its own unique feature. Which is where a lot of dogs get their names. 

But Our Creator did not just uniquely design flowers and animals. He uniquely designed each one of us. Everyone has beautifully unique melanin. 

We all have beautifully unique eye pigmentations. For example, my eyes will change colors based on my mood or even what I’m wearing.  I have a family member that has two different colored eyes. 

Even hair is wildly unique. You could have straight, curly, wavy, or even no hair. 

My dad used to always says “God made some people perfect. Others he put hair on their head.” 

And the one thing that I find awe inspiring is that each and every one of us has a unique thumb print. Even twins do not share a thumb print. That means we are all thumb body. 

“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14.

 If you are struggling today with the idea that you are loved, that you are special, or that you are somebody, remember that God fearfully and wonderfully made you. 

He took the time to create you and make you unique. There is no one like you. You are thumb body. 

God cares about the details. Look at those details. What makes you different could be the thing that makes you special. The thing you dislike about yourself could be the thing someone loves about you. 

The thing that makes you different could be the thing that points someone to Jesus. 

For example, I have a friend who has Spina Bifida. And I am able to see how mighty God is because of what He has done through her despite everything she has gone through.  

Maybe one day I can get her on here to share her testimony. Treasure your differences. Embrace them. 

And I can tell you firsthand that this is not easy. It never is. 

But that doesn’t mean it is impossible. Because it is possible but Only By God’s Amazing Grace. 

This Little Light of Mine

 We live in an area that loses power when someone sneezes. No, not really. But if a storm comes through, we will lose power. I think the longest we have been out of power was 20 hours. And the shortest was three seconds.  So we have to be prepared for those situations. We make sure we have candles and matches, that our phones are fully charged, and that we have food that doesn’t need to be cooked. 

But what would be the point if we have candles yet no way to light them. No matches or lighters. What benefit would we have? Absolutely none. A candle does us no good if it won’t shine. A candle is worthless without it’s flame. Well, they can be beautiful and smell good...but that is pretty much it. The flame of the candle is its main purpose. To light the way. 

In the Bible, it says "ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick. And it give them light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Matthew 5:14-16. 

We are the candle. But if we don’t have a flame, how are we to point others to Jesus? Just like my family having to be prepared for a power outage, we too must be prepared to shine our light. But we can’t wait to have the flame right before we need it. There are things we must do to obtain that flame. Prayer, Bible study, having a relationship with the flame creator. This is part of being prepared. The lack of preparation is like hiding the candle under the bushel. It is like the song, "this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no! Won’t let Satan blow it out! Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine!" 

From the Desire of Ages pg 307 it says, "True character is not shaped from without, and put on; It radiates from within. If we wish to direct others in the paths of righteousness, the principals of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts. Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion, but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth. The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active benevolent spirit, the godly example—These are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world." 

Let your light shine. Don’t just have a candle. Light it up. Point others to Jesus. A prayer I pray regularly is let my light shine so others can see You. I don’t want my candle to be flameless. I want my light to shine. How about you? Let your light shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. But this is possible only By God’s Amazing Grace. 

The Nemesis

 I started my fourteenth year of teaching.  After all these years, you'd think I would be a pro when it comes to the first day of school.  I wouldn't have any nervousness and I'd be "cool" the whole time.  

Far from it.  I still have nightmares leading up to the first day.  Usually my class is rowdy and unmanageable.  The students refuse to listen.  I show up to school and slowly lose my clothing throughout the day.  Crazy dreams.  Thankfully none of them ever come true.  The morning of the first day, my stomach is in knots.  Forget butterflies.  I think I have dogs running around in there.  I play it cool on the outside, but inside is a battlefield.  Please tell me I'm not the only teacher who goes through this. 

I consider my first day of school my nemesis.  What is a nemesis? you may ask. It is a long-standing rival or an archenemy.  First day of school has been my rival since I was in kindergarten.  

I think about others who have or had a nemesis.  Eve and the Serpent.  Abel and Cain.  Joseph and his brothers.  David and Saul.  David and Goliath.  Daniel and the Persian princes.  Jesus and Satan.  There are so many in the Bible.  

Eve succumbed to her nemesis, hence the reason we are in this sinfilled world.  Abel succumbed to his as Cain killed him.  But the others mentioned?  They all overcame.  David ran for his life many times but was able to become king of the Israelites.  The giant fell when David trusted in God.  Daniel survived his trip to the lion's den despite the tactics of the Persians.  Jesus.  Praise the Lord!  Jesus overcame.  And now we too can overcome.  Herod tried to kill Him, Satan tried to tempt Him, the Jews tried to stone Him, the Jews tempted Him, and the Romans crucified Him because of the Jews.  But He overcame.  Death could not hold Him down.  He rose again! 

So yes, the first day of school is my nemesis.  But Jesus overcame so I am able to do the same.  He was victorious so I can be victorious!  I am sure one day I will let the dogs out!  One day not even butterflies will fill my stomach.  The nightmares will vanish.  I will overcome!  And so will you!  You can be like Jesus!  You can defeat your nemesis.  You can do it!  But only By God's Amazing Grace!

Just Joking

 Little Bit and I were walking her dog when she said something quite profound.

"People who love Jesus don't make fun of others."

So simple, yet so profound.  

Yet we do it all the time.  For simple reasons or malicious.  Either way, a huge majority of people make fun of others.  I have heard so many times, "If I didn't love you, I wouldn't pick on you."  Then don't love me so much.  I understand Proverbs 27:6, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."  But why are we going out of our way to wound our friends?  Why do we purposely wound the ones we love.

I had a conversation with a friend and we actually were talking about this.  When we get comfortable with those we love, we let our guard down and become snappy and hurtful.  But neither one of us want to be this way. 

I remember when the Hubs and I first got married.  I was extremely quick witted and would say hurtful things.  It was not my intention to be hurtful, but to be funny.  I never would purposely hurt him.  But I did hurt him nonetheless.  I have learned over the years to be more kind to him and not make him the butt of a joke.  Does it still happen?  Occasionally.  But not like it used to.  Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."  When I was joking with him, I was not building him up, but instead, tearing him down.  

There have been many people in our lives that have used joking as a way to "love" us, but instead, it tears us down.  Luke 6:45 says, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

Now am I saying that those that joke are evil?  No.  I am not saying that.  God knows the heart.  I don't.  What I am saying is, if we say we love someone, shouldn't our actions and WORDS express that?  What do we gain from joking about someone by tearing them down?  There is a difference between joking with and joking about.  I love to tell jokes.  I have come to learn the difference and have done my best to refrain from joking about someone.  I know I have hurt people's feelings.  I know my feelings have been hurt in return.  Those wounds may be faithful, but why do there need to be wounds in the first place?  

We need to remember Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things."

Is joking true.  Someone may go the speed limit.  But that doesn't mean you need to make fun of them for driving slow. 

But is joking may be honest, which actually means honourable?  How does joking about someone honor them?

Is joking just?  Is it righteous?  If it hurts someone, I don't see how it could be.

Is joking pure? Is it sacred or exciting reverence? Well...who was the shortest man in the Bible?  Bildad, the Shuhite.  It comes from the Bible.  But I'm not making fun of anyone.

Is joking lovely? Is it acceptable and pleasing? To others around, it may seem as much.  But is it pleasing to hear, "Oh don't listen to her.  Her opinion doesn't matter?" when said in jest?  Not at all.

Is joking of a good report? If you compare a preacher to someone who puts you to sleep, is that a good report?  I think not.

Is there any virtue in joking? Is there moral goodness?  

Is joking praiseworthy? I used to think so.  But I was so wrong.  There is nothing praiseworthy about tearing someone down, even if it was said in jest.  

Is this something I still need to work on?  Oh, yes.  For sure.  But I know I can change. I know I don't have to give faithful wounds to my friends.  I don't want to wound anyone.  Period.  Friend or enemy.  But I know I can change.  I can apply Philippians 4:8 to my words.  This is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.

True Education

As August is starting, school is becoming more of a reality. How school will look when it actually begins is still up in the air, many families still have big decisions to make. Are we sending our kid back into a normal classroom? Are we going to have our kid learn virtually? What about home school? There are quite a few options this year. Many families don’t have the option to home school or for virtual learning. 

When both parents have to work, the child staying home is not an option. There are many parents not willing to send their child back to school with all the uncertainties right now. 

Schools are working hard to come up with a plan to ensure the health and safety of every student that walks through the doors. Do we wear masks? What will the classroom size look like? Will students change classrooms? What will electives look like? So many questions and some of those can’t be answered at this time due to regulations not be handed down yet. Law makers have not made a decision yet.  Teachers are being challenged quite a bit this year.  With all the changes, teachers have to learn new methods of delivery. Zoom, google classroom, meet, bitmoji classroom, online instruction while teaching in person. So much learning. Teachers want the best for their students. 

This isn’t the first time students have been in this situation. There were a group of students who were removed from their homes and sent to a government supported private boarding school. There was no home leave or vacations. The students were not allowed to speak with their parents. Everything changed for them overnight. They were captives of the country. What did they do wrong? Nothing. They were Israelites and the Babylonians took them captive. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego were among the captives. And they excelled at the new school. Even though they were put in trying positions, they still were the top of their class. They passed all their tests and never compromised once. But how? How were they able to stand strong in a foreign country, learning the ways and customs of the Babylonians, and never once compromised or bowed a knee to anyone but God? Easy. Their first school was the home. Their parents taught them from their youth of the ways to walk in. Their parents had an active roll in their education.  They knew that if they “Train up a child in the way he should go , when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. And Daniel and his three friends never departed from the knowledge their parents imparted on them. 

Parents, true education starts at home. Our children are watching our every moves. Are our actions teaching them to trust in God or to have a lack faith? Are our children hearing the word of God from the Bible or the words of the world through music and videos? Are we raising our children to please God or the world?

Whether someone is sending their student back to the classroom, virtually or in person, remember that education begins at home. The parent is the first teacher. The Bible is the first textbook. 

Your child can stand up for what is right like Daniel and his three friends did. It is possible but only By God’s Amazing Grace. 

Did He Hear Me?

Do you ever wonder if God answers your prayers?  Or even if He hears them? I know there have been times that I have questioned just that, even though I know He does.  Sometimes I forget how God has worked in my life in the past so I doubt how He is working in my life now.  

My family has been on a journey for many years.  There is so much to this story. Let me start from the beginning.

When Little Bit was a baby, we started noticing some delays.  She wasn't on track for anything.  She would only speak one or two words at a time and couldn't actually express herself.  We would speak to doctors to no avail.  So we began praying.  We prayed for a miracle in Little Bit's life.  Since the doctors were not listening to us, we knew God would. We knew that in Psalm 37:4, we are told to Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Within the time we began praying, Little Bit was diagnosed with autism.  This made sense.  But we continued to pray for her sake. 

One year after we began praying, we found a chiropractor due to my migraines.  The chiropractor offered to also work on Little Bit.  Within one month she was a completely different child.  She was speaking complete sentences, was very social, and was doing things she couldn't do before.  God had answered our prayers.  

But that is not the end of the story.  And just to make it clear, our Little Bit still has autism.  She wasn't "cured".  We didn't ask God to take away the autism.  We asked God to help us understand her.  We asked God to help her be able to do things she couldn't. And He answered that prayer.  

By the time Little Bit was 8, she was doing well.  The one thing we were concerned about at the moment was her speaking.  She would interact and play with people but refuse to speak to them.  And when we moved, we saw a regression in that speaking ability.  She went from speaking to multiple people, to only speaking to four, not including family.  We were concerned.  She was eventually diagnosed with selective mutism.  Now we understood a little bit more of what she was going through and we worked with her.  But if there was an option to help her, we would seek it out.

So we turned back to God.  We want Little Bit to be able to talk to people so she could tell others about Jesus.  We want her to talk to people so she can ask for help.  We want her to talk to people so she can feel included.  We called over our elders and Pastor and we prayed over her and anointed her.  We prayed that He would touch her mouth like He did Isaiah to help him speak.  We prayed that God would use her voice for His glory.  We prayed that if it wasn't His will for her to speak to others, to allow her life to be a witness without words.  We asked God to help us accept His answer.  And we waited.

We saw Little Bit open up to a few people.  As of two weeks ago, she was speaking to about eight or nine people.  We were thankful for the answers.  We assumed God answered us according to His will.  She was doing great.  

But.  And this is a big but.  God wasn't done.  

It was a Monday.  Little Bit came to me asking if she could call some friends and she promised she would talk to them.  I doubted her.  But I let her call anyway.  When their mom answered the phone.  "Hi, Ms. Diana!"  I was almost in tears.  She spoke to her for about a minute and then spoke to her friends.  And then their dad.  Once she got off the phone with them, we began calling more people.  And more people.  And even more people!  By the end of the day, Little Bit spoke to 21 new people.  And it didn't stop there. The next day, Little Bit continued calling people and speaking to them face to face.  I have lost track with how many people she has spoken to since she began.  

Sometimes God answers immediately.  Sometimes God says no.  Sometimes God says Wait a minute.  You won't believe the miracle I have in store for you.  And boy did He show off!  

If you are waiting for God to answer your prayers, keep waiting.  Don't lose faith.  He has something in store for you.  If you are doubting that He is hearing your prayers, read 1 John 5:14-15.  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  And if we know hat he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests we have asked of him.  Remember to Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17.  So continue to pray.  He will answer according to HIS will.  Not ours.  Wait on the Lord.  

Little Bit is still amazing us each day.  She will continue to speak.  God heard us.  This is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.