Tug o War

Century School Field Day

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace....”Ro 8:5-6

Field Day. I still remember mine nearly 40 years ago. The other day I watched as the eager 2^nd graders were preparing for the big day.  Today they would be practicing the tug o’ war.  The kids chomped at the bit- vying for the rope. The red ribbon that marked center would remain neutral for a fraction of a moment as the whistle blew. After that, the team that pulled the strongest would control its fate.

Fire!

Park Rapids Fire, May 16th 2013

““The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Pr 18:21)

We saw it at we drove south of town.  Off in the distance black smoke was rising.  Strong winds fueled the blaze that consumed 7100 acres; destroying  far more than the 64 buildings that were in it’s wake.  What started it?

A spark.  That’s all it took.  Our tongue, if not controlled, does damage just like that fire. (Ja 3:5)

I held the phone. The anger and veracity were like strong winds that fueled damaging words.  The words burned. Blame, names, and bitterness erupted and spread… like a fire. Rage. Her tongue raged with anger.  As I hung up the phone I felt scorched and my worth left in ashes.  I wept.

Two Men walk up to a bar...

MinneSoda Fountain

“Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?” Ja 2:5

I was washing dishes- the lunch rush was over.  Two men bellied up to the bar. That is, our ice cream counter. The younger one, maybe mid- twenties, was looking for a bite to eat. He looked like he stepped out of Berkley College. Everything about him radiated his copious amounts of knowledge regarding history and politics.  The second man looked much older-rough; life had not been kind. His hands & clothes were dirty.  As I look back, it might not have been that he was so much older; just perhaps that the trials of life had multiplied his years- etching time deeper in his weathered frame. Sitting a stools space from me, his pungent smell was evident.

Bricks or Stepping Stones

“Don't grumble against one another...”Ja 5:9

A few years back I recall a Sunday afternoon in which 10 to 15 teenagers stood in front of a small congregation that had gathered to hear of their mission trip out East.  As with many reports we were regaled with stories of the journey.  Some kids were brave enough to share how God had revealed Himself to them; others unknowingly confirmed His provision as they shared the happenings and events on the journey.  What struck me most was when Phil, their leader, stepped forward with a brick.