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Posted on May 20, 2021 by beverlyeash

There is another way of living presented by the psalmist in Psalm 1. Listen to his description. . .

3They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Psalm 1:3

I like this. When I visited Israel, I encountered this very image. We were hiking the wadi (wa-dee) from Jerusalem to Jericho – the one the Samaritan might have taken in Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan.

It was hot, dry and sandy. We walked for what seemed like hours through this parched, dry river bed. Along the way, I saw a tree growing next to what would be a water source in the rainy season. It was beautiful, lush, and thriving in spite of the arid environment. How did it do that?

I only know that as I pondered this tree growing so beautifully in such adverse conditions, I yearned for that in my own life. I want my roots to go deep to resources of nourishment. I want to bear fruit in every season of my life with grace and mercy that doesn’t wither when life gets tough. I don’t have to be a big, showy tree; I just want to be a living, vibrant one. Maybe an olive tree because olives are awesome!

The psalmist presents two ways of living –influenced by corrupt thinkers or like this tree – I choose the tree. What does it take to get there? Come back tomorrow and we will listen to the psalmist again.

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Posted on May 19, 2021 by beverlyeash

My mother-in-law taught me how to make chocolate covered peanuts. It isn’t very difficult, but she had a trick that made all the difference. She bought small redskin peanuts to cover. Before coating them, we cleaned as many of the skins off as possible. We did this by rubbing the peanuts together in a bowl to loosen the skins. Then we took them outside and poured them from one bowl into another with the bowls about a foot apart. The wind caught the skins and blew them away as the peanuts passed through the open space between bowls, leaving them clean and ready for coating with chocolate. This is my favorite Christmas treat!

The skins on the peanuts are much like the hulls on wheat. When wheat kernels are rubbed together, the hulls are loosened and easily blow away as chaff. Chaff has no substance, no strength, no enduring qualities. It is rubbish.

The psalmist characterizes those who draw me away from upright living as chaff.

4Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

Psalm 1:4

I know how convincing cynical, corrupt people appear. I know how easy it is to pause and listen, to take note of the theories they espouse, to sit down and adopt these ways as my own. I forget that they are chaff – the tough exterior that falls away leaving no substance or enduring qualities.

Step away and take a hard look at who influences your thinking. Are they worthy of your time and effort? Do they have substance behind their tough exterior? Can they be trusted?

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Posted on May 18, 2021 by beverlyeash

Honestly? I never intended to end up where I am now. I started on a path of goodness, truth, integrity and honor. I desired openness and accountability, to impact my community in positive ways. And yet, here I am in a world far removed from where I started. A place of deception and secrets, infidelity and disgrace, craftiness and corruption. How did I get here?

It happens one turn at a time, one step at a time. It isn’t generally an intentioned leap from where I started to this place I am now. The psalmist highlights this movement so well.

1Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers…

Psalm 1:1

Notice the progression the psalmist utilizes to expose the problem. I started out well, but then along the way I met someone who introduced me to under-the-table methods of getting what I wanted. At first, I only listened. Eventually, I grew curious so I paused. In that pausing, I created an opportunity, a vulnerability to be influenced by corrupt thinking. From this place of pausing, I take a seat and explore possibilities and solutions designed to undermine others and cause pain and distress.

This isn’t where I want to be; this isn’t where I set out to go!

Perhaps you resonate with this progression away from honest living. You find yourself in a dark place with few options. There is a way home, out of the darkness. Will it be easy? No.

Strongholds gain strength in the isolation of secrecy. The first step to freedom is to tell someone – tell him everything. Expose the place where you are and allow him to shine a light into the recesses of the cave. The way back to freedom and light will take time, but this is the place to start.

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Posted on May 17, 2021 by beverlyeash

If I was asked to choose a favorite psalm, it might be the first one. Psalm 1 is packed full of wisdom and in many ways, encapsulates the overarching theme of all the psalms. Today the message I heard focused on Psalm 1. As always, it started me thinking. Thinking about who or what I allow to influence my life.

Take a moment today to read it through. What stands out to you?

1Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. 4Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1

Who or what is influencing your life? Is it producing the results you hoped for? If not, maybe it’s time for a change!

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Posted on May 14, 2021 by beverlyeash

There is one whose words are always true, can be trusted implicitly and always give life! It is the Word of the Lord. It might be the still small voice heard while sitting in silence or it might be the written Word of the Lord.

12For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Hebrews 4:12-13

It seems probable this scripture freaks someone out. After all, “nothing in all creation is hidden from God?” That’s a lot of something!

It can also be a deep comfort. Nothing is hidden. No one can do or say anything that God misses. He is the one to whom I give account for my words at the end of the day.

Trust him with your words, admit when a tough situation approaches and ask him to control your tongue. Then surrender to his all-knowing nature. He will show you the motivation behind your words and your secret thoughts and desires. Submit them to him and he will give you the desires of your heart!

4Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. 6He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. 7Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.

Psalm 37:4-7

That is a powerful promise right there. I believe it is what someone needs to know as they prepare for the weekend! So stay strong, be steady and take it slow! The Lord is with you!

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Posted on May 13, 2021 by beverlyeash

I’ve done it. You’ve done it. We’ve all done it . . . said words in jest that weren’t very kind. I find the people I am closest to tend to get it the worst. Maybe I feel safe with them? Recently I had a friend tell me that is how he treats people he likes. So, if he is kind and polite to you, he probably doesn’t like you all that much.

Honestly, that feels backward. Maybe we all have just a bit of meanness within that needs to be expelled so we pick on people we like?

Or maybe the saying, “there is a little truth in every joke” applies here. Putting what say in the form of a jest is okay and I can slip in that little barb I’ve been thinking.

However you see it, scripture is pretty clear about how we ought to treat one another, even in the words we say.

29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

Any excuse I give for unkind words is hollow in light of the higher standard of God’s word. Give thought to your words today. Do they encourage? Are they good? Helpful? Are they kind? If not, they are better not said!

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Posted on May 12, 2021 by beverlyeash

Last spring when I was cleaning out our landscaping, I came across an ant hill beneath a Bird Nest pine. The pine looked amazing, but I was tired of the mess the ants made beneath it. I decided to take care of it.

As a caveat — I do not recommend this method for ant hills. It works, but it is destructive to the things you want to keep. Anyway, I poured gasoline on the colony, allowing it to soak into the ground. Then I lit it on fire.

It wasn’t a big fire, but it was hot. It singed one side of the Bird Nest pine, but I excused it. I assumed it would recover over the summer and be full and beautiful again.

I was wrong.

This spring, the poor little pine tree has nothing to offer. It’s branches remain barren and gray. No green shoots anywhere, evidence that more happened in the fire than met my eye.

I’ve thought about that little tree a lot this spring. I knew that my fire affected its growth last year, but I didn’t realize the extent of the damage. I believe now the fire also killed the root system under that little tree. It just couldn’t recover. We will replace it soon, but I learned a lesson from this experience.

Words are powerful. They can kill and they can give life. Just like the fire I started to eliminate the ants where only one side of the tree was visibly affected, cruel words may visibly affect a person. It might be tears or shouts of anger, a turning away, a face reddened with shame — the visible reaction to hasty, harsh words.

It’s impossible to see what happened in the heart of the person. Perhaps a dream was burned out of her soul or motivation to press in was stomped out. Only later – maybe years later – will the extent of the damage be known. Then it might be too late to apologize. Like the fire I started that couldn’t be stopped, words cannot be retracted.

I invite you to become aware of what you are saying, how you are saying it and to whom you are speaking. Will these words cause death or bring life? Will they foster a dream or crush it? Remember, words cannot be taken back but they can be held for another time. Give thought to what you say today!

18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Proverbs 12:18

4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:4

One last thought — that quick response, “That’s just how I am! I don’t mean any harm by it!” That doesn’t work. We are all responsible for what we say. Let’s use our words for good to build one another up!

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Posted on May 11, 2021 by beverlyeash

1I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” 2But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse. 3The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:

Psalm 39:1-3

There is a way that seems guaranteed to avoid sinning with my words — don’t say anything! I have, at various times, pledged I would not speak a single word in a gathering to avoid saying the wrong thing. Perhaps you have too.

It doesn’t work. No sooner am I settled in the social setting, I hear a statement requiring a response. At least by my calculations. My resolve goes out the window and the words come flying out.

Perhaps there is a better way!

3Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. 4Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.

Psalm 141:3-4

Both of these psalms are written by David, but his approach is polar opposite. His first tactic depended on himself. He would watch what he said and avoid using words harmfully. That didn’t work.

Along the way he must have learned that only God can tame the tongue. So he approaches it differently, depending upon God to guard his lips.

How about you? Are your words getting away from you? Do you resolve to control what you say with little to no success? Consider asking the Lord to guard your words — he’s an excellent gatekeeper!

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Posted on May 10, 2021 by beverlyeash

I use words all day long. Even when I am alone, I use words to communicate with God and to fight not yet encountered situations in my mind. So, even when my vocal chords are not producing audible sound, words run through my head.

They communicate everything I need others to know and many things I do not wish for them to know. You see, the spoken word does not make the journey from my head to my vocal chords and out into the air unaccompanied. Our words are accessorized.

I might dress them up with a smile and a lilting tone or I might let them slip out unawares with a frown and a bored tone. And then there is my body language. My words can say one thing while by body speaks a whole different language. It’s amazing what all comes together to produce a single sentence.

I would love to say that I always wait, making sure my words are presentable, before sending them out into public. Unfortunately, I do not. At times, my impassioned thinking races ahead of my words and opens the gate before I can give them a once over. These words usually end up feeling rather sharp and barbed to the recipient.

Other times, my hunger, exhaustion, body temperature (too hot or too cold), hurries words out of my mouth before a close examination. These words also tend to be less appealing. Often impatient and stunted, they push others away rather than drawing them close.

The worst kinds of words are those spoken from a place of hurt. It is said that hurting people hurt people. And that is so true with words. These words cut, bruise and maim, leaving havoc in their wake.

What kind of words do you generally hand out? Well-thought, orderly words ready to greet the public? Or hastily dressed, rushed out the door words that should have done a quick pass by the hall mirror?

Words are powerful and it’s worth taking a few minutes examining them. today, I will leave you with this scripture from James.

2Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way…6And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire…. 8but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

James 3:2-12

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Posted on May 7, 2021 by beverlyeash

The most vivid example of Jesus withdrawing to pray is in the garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion. It is here that we see the most vulnerable expression of his humanity firmly tethered to his unwavering determination to accomplish the salvation of the world.

41He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

Luke 22:41-44

Distress has been my companion at times. Not because I was facing death, but life can be overwhelming at times. This example from Jesus’ life gives me such comfort. When Jesus came to prayer, he asked that it could be different at the same time submitting to the plan. And an angel appeared from heaven to strengthen him!

I can’t honestly say I have seen an angel, but I have experienced comfort that was not human. It is in our most vulnerable moments that the Holy Spirit comes alongside us and strengthens us for the next thing.

If distress is knocking at your door, I encourage you to kneel down and pray. Pour out your heart to God and if you don’t have the words, that’s okay. The Holy Spirit will speak on your behalf.

26And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Romans 8:26

We are not alone on this journey, but it does take intention and effort to access the resources God has for us. Sometimes that is withdrawing to a quiet place to pray and reconnect with your purpose! May the Lord bless you and keep you as you seek his face!

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