If Eve could only see the consequences of listening to the serpents lies, she would have thought twice before eating that accursed apple.
The result...weeds, weeds, and more weeds. While I was fighting them today, I was reminded of the parallells between weeds and evil/sin.
Weeds are prolific.
They multiply.At the slightest touch, popweed scatters hundred of little seeds.
Dandelion flowers develop into fluffy puff balls so that the breeze can scatter seeds all over the garden.
Long blackberry vines hang over my fence and if they get near the soil they put down roots immediately.
A flat, spreading nameless plant infested my vegetable garden. I try to dig it out very carefully because any little leaf that falls to the ground roots a new plant.
Weeds need no fertilizer or "weeding" to flourish.
Chickweed forms a green blanket almost over night.
More weed species are emerging which I have never seen before.
If the roots are not completely removed,it will soon grow a new plant. Root systems can travel underground and emerge on the other side of a fence. Horsetail is almost impossible to eradicate because their roots seem almost elastic.
A buttercup seemed to mock me today."Here I am in the center of your heather. Just try and dig me out without killing your precious little plant. ha ha."
After working in the warm sunshine "by the sweat of my brow" it was a satisfying feeling to see the garden clean and weed free. The good can flourish & bloom beautifully for a spell. What a lovely sight, but not for long; so the battle continues. I just cannot stop fighting those ------ weeds!
I must also tend to the garden of my heart. Dig out the weeds of jealousy, pride, laziness and selfishness to give flowers of love, empathy, kindness & truth a chance to flourish.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Thots about Lot
Even though I have re-read this Genesis story several times, I keep mulling over lessons & impressions of this relationship between Abraham & Lot.
God asked Abraham to leave home & country for an unknown destination. We are not told why he took Lot with him. Perhaps he was his favorite nephew, perhaps Lot was an orphan, perhaps he wanted adventure, perhaps he was a juvenile delinquent who needed some strong mentoring, perhaps he was exceptionally good with goats and lambs.
I believe God blessed Lot because of Abraham.
Both became wealthy as their flocks increased in number. They soon discovered there was not enough green pasture and fresh drinking water to supply the needs of both herds. Fearing that violence would ensue, Abraham wisely offered his nephew a peaceful solution..."Choose which land you would like to claim."
Lot selfishly chose the lush Jordan Valley, which was well watered with fertile pastures. This seemed like a wise choice, but Lot did not take into account the physical and spiritual dangers he would encounter there. "Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom".
It seems that he eventually moved right into that wicked city, because he "sat in the gate", which imples a governing position.
This infamous city is still refered to as most evil to this day. It spawned the term "Sodomy". Their pride led them to believe they could live any way they chose, and without consequences. They were unashamed of their actions, infact, proud of their "alternative lifestyles" and perverse ideas - just like our sophisticated, progressive cities of today.
Battle between neighboring kings resulted in the seige of Sodom. Lot and his family were also taken captive. Who came to his rescue? Uncle Abraham! He mobilized over three hundred of his household and chased after them and freed Lot and his whole entourage.
When I hear or see people who are in dire straits because of stupid, unwise choices...problems of their own making.... I tend to lose patience and give up on them. Abraham didn't!
When the angels, disguised as men, came visited Abraham to tell him about the God's
imminent judgement on Sodom; who interceded repeatedly for Lot's home town? Uncle Abraham!
Later when fire and brimstone was about to fall, the angel men had to literally drag Lot out of the city. Why did Lot want to stay there? Perhaps he loved the luxuries of his lifestyle too much. Maybe he couldn't get his wife and family to move. Maybe he thought he could influence the city with his good example, trying to be a good witness for God Jehovah.
By the time I had finished reading the last of Lot's story, I had developed quite a loathing for the man.
But then I was reminded of the verse in 2 Peter 2:7 (The Message) which sheds quite a different light on him.
"God rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day."
(King James) "Lot was vexed.."
God, in his incredible longsuffering patience and love, saw his inner spirit, his heart, his struggles and treated him with mercy. God did not give up on him.
Wow....I am humbled. My perspective and evaluation of Lot has changed.
And I still think Uncle Abraham's powerful intercessory prayer was a major determining factor.
I am thankful for second, third or tenth chances. I am so grateful for prayers prayed on my behalf. Thank you God, for your love and mercy.
God asked Abraham to leave home & country for an unknown destination. We are not told why he took Lot with him. Perhaps he was his favorite nephew, perhaps Lot was an orphan, perhaps he wanted adventure, perhaps he was a juvenile delinquent who needed some strong mentoring, perhaps he was exceptionally good with goats and lambs.
I believe God blessed Lot because of Abraham.
Both became wealthy as their flocks increased in number. They soon discovered there was not enough green pasture and fresh drinking water to supply the needs of both herds. Fearing that violence would ensue, Abraham wisely offered his nephew a peaceful solution..."Choose which land you would like to claim."
Lot selfishly chose the lush Jordan Valley, which was well watered with fertile pastures. This seemed like a wise choice, but Lot did not take into account the physical and spiritual dangers he would encounter there. "Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom".
It seems that he eventually moved right into that wicked city, because he "sat in the gate", which imples a governing position.
This infamous city is still refered to as most evil to this day. It spawned the term "Sodomy". Their pride led them to believe they could live any way they chose, and without consequences. They were unashamed of their actions, infact, proud of their "alternative lifestyles" and perverse ideas - just like our sophisticated, progressive cities of today.
Battle between neighboring kings resulted in the seige of Sodom. Lot and his family were also taken captive. Who came to his rescue? Uncle Abraham! He mobilized over three hundred of his household and chased after them and freed Lot and his whole entourage.
When I hear or see people who are in dire straits because of stupid, unwise choices...problems of their own making.... I tend to lose patience and give up on them. Abraham didn't!
When the angels, disguised as men, came visited Abraham to tell him about the God's
imminent judgement on Sodom; who interceded repeatedly for Lot's home town? Uncle Abraham!
Later when fire and brimstone was about to fall, the angel men had to literally drag Lot out of the city. Why did Lot want to stay there? Perhaps he loved the luxuries of his lifestyle too much. Maybe he couldn't get his wife and family to move. Maybe he thought he could influence the city with his good example, trying to be a good witness for God Jehovah.
By the time I had finished reading the last of Lot's story, I had developed quite a loathing for the man.
But then I was reminded of the verse in 2 Peter 2:7 (The Message) which sheds quite a different light on him.
"God rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day."
(King James) "Lot was vexed.."
God, in his incredible longsuffering patience and love, saw his inner spirit, his heart, his struggles and treated him with mercy. God did not give up on him.
Wow....I am humbled. My perspective and evaluation of Lot has changed.
And I still think Uncle Abraham's powerful intercessory prayer was a major determining factor.
I am thankful for second, third or tenth chances. I am so grateful for prayers prayed on my behalf. Thank you God, for your love and mercy.
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