Gentle Breezes
March 16, 2010

1 Kings 19:9-13
9Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10He said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." 11So He said, "Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD " And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave And behold, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

As I read this passage today, I was so blessed by it, especially with the recent reports of earthquakes and natural disasters across the globe. Sometime, the church community is so quick to assume that God is punishing us or that the end of the world is near because Jesus warned us about earthquakes. While that may be true, it may not necessarily be the case. We will just have to wait to see.

What I personally like about this passage is what the Lord was trying to teach Elijah during this time. In fact, I think that the Lord is trying to teach all of us this as well today. To give you some background, the story picks up in the aftermath of a miraculous sign that the Lord used to show the Israelites and the baal prophets that the Lord was the One true God. When confronted by baal worship in the region following the marriage of Ahab (King of Israel) to Jezebel (a Phoenician princess and daughter of Ethbaal who, according to Jewish scholar Josephus, murdered his predecessor to become king), Elijah was infuriated and was sent by God to confront the baal worship. During that time, baal was considered the storm god responsible for crop fertilization. This worship infuriated the Lord, so He sent a three and a half year drought on the land.

To get to the point, Elijah gathered all the Israelites and the baal prophets (as well as the Asherah prophets) numbering 850 total and told them to cry out to their god and have him send fire on their offering. When their god did not, Elijah cried out to the Lord and the Lord sent fire on Elijah's offering in order to show the people that He was the One true God. Scripture says that when this happened, the people fell down on their faces before the Lord and Elijah slew all the baal prophets.

When Jezebel heard of what Elijah did, she burned with anger and told Elijah that she would have him killed the next day, so Elijah fled. This is where this above passage picks up.

Elijah is scared. Here he is, he just fulfilled the Lord's wishes to restore the people to Himself with a tremendous personal risk to himself and was fearful that the Lord was not going to protect him or work things out (even though the Lord just scorched a water-logged sacrifice right in front of his eyes). So, what does he do? He hides. In a cave. He must have been really scared! Elijah is upset because not only could he be killed, but he feels as though all "his" work for the Lord was in vain since because Jezebel was unrelenting and hardened despite the miracle. She refused to turn and trust the true God. So, what does God do? He 1) shows Elijah his power yet again with a strong wind that literally broke the mountains into pieces, an earthquake, and a fire; 2) Scripture says that "the LORD was not in the wind" so clearly He sent them to get Elijah's attention and to force him out of the cave or out of his fear state and to announce His coming; 3) the Lord revealed Himself to Elijah through the sound of a gently breeze blowing past.

How many times do we act like this? We don't trust the Lord and fail to recognize His hand at work despite the fact that He has delivered us so many times before. So, what do we do? We assume He is not at work. I think the Lord was trying to reveal to Elijah that He will always be faithful to complete His work, and many times this may be imperceivable to humans. We must trust that the Lord is faithful and just and will work out His perfect plan for His glory and our good. It may not be in an earthquaking experience, but it may come in a faint gently breeze that forces us out of the caves where Satan loves us to be, and into the glorious presence of the Lord.

Let's spend today reflecting on the times when God uses light breezes to change our lives and work His purposes! :)

xoxo,
Ashley

Pruned to Bloom
March 4, 2010

I read this fantastic story in the book Becoming God’s True Woman. The story came from the chapter called “Pruned to Bloom” by P. Bunny Wilson and I just love it. I feel so much like the little branch in the story.

Once upon a time, there was an old grape branch; it had been growing in the vineyard for a long time. One day a new branch was planted in the next row. The younger branch grew, developed more branches, and bore fruit. Taking courage on hot summer day, the young branch looked up at the old branch and said in its squeaky voice, “It must be great to have people travel from miles around just to taste the sweetness of your fruit.” The old branch nodded. Feeling encouraged, the young branch continued, “I have been talking with the other branches in the garden, and they say yours is the sweetest fruit.” The old branch smiled. “When I grow up, I want to be just like you! How can I have sweet fruit like yours? I’ll do anything you say.” As the old branch looked down at the young branch, he remembered the day when, as a young branch himself, he had asked an old branch the same question. In his baritone voice, he gave the young branch the same answer he had received earlier: “Be willing.” The young branch mused in frustration, Be willing? I tell him I’ll do whatever it takes to have sweet fruit, and all he can say is “Be willing”? Then he turned to another branch and began carrying on what he felt like was meaningful conversation. Each day there was constant chatter in the vineyard as the branches shared the latest gossip and wasted the hours away by comparing the sweetness of their fruit. The young branch knew there was no other place he’d rather live. One cool autumn morning, the young branch was awakened by the sound of the old brown, weathered gate opening. As he looked at the end of the row, in stepped the gardener. Normally when the gardener came to visit, the vines would clap their leaves together and shout in delight. But something unusual was taking place that day. A hush swept over the garden. The young branch glanced over at the old branch, who didn’t seem to be disturbed; so the young branch directed his attention back to the end of the row. The gardener stopped by the first branch in the row; the young branch was sure he has come to compliment his friend on her fine growth. But watching intently, he saw the gardener bend on one knee, reach into his back pocket, pull out what looked like sharp scissors, and move toward his friend. Instinctively the branch at the end of the row pulled her leaves back, and the young branch heard her plead, “No, no, why are you doing this to me? Haven’t I been sweet? Didn’t I bring honor to the garden? Please, please, don’t do this to me!” Before the young branch could blink, his friend lay on the ground except for the nub. The young branch turned to the old branch and asked in a low, fearful voice, “What’s happening? Why did the gardener do that?” The old branch did not respond. The young branch strained to understand and then blurted out, “Oh I get it! We thought the gardener liked that branch, but he really didn’t like her.” The old branch responded, “No, that’s not true. In fact, what you just saw the gardener do proves he loves that branch.” “Oh. I knew that. Let me try again. We thought that branch’s fruit was sweet, but it really wasn’t sweet.” “That branch’s fruit was sweet.” “Okay, okay; I know the real reason. That branch did something wrong, so the gardener is punishing her; he’s just not telling us why.” The old branch answered, “That branch is not being punished. Listen carefully—your friend is being pruned. Not because she was trying to do things wrong, but because she was trying to do things right. Not because her fruit was sweet, but because the gardener wants it to be even sweeter.” “But that doesn’t seem fair!” protested the young branch. “Just look at her. She’s been cut down to the nub. Now all the people who come to taste the sweetness of her fruit will laugh and judge the branch.” “Only those outside the garden who don’t understand will laugh and judge the branch.” “Only those outside the garden who don’t understand? That branch didn’t understand! Did you hear her say, ‘Why are you doing this to me?’” The old branch was quiet for a long time and then responded slowly, “Unfortunately, what you are saying is true. It’s one thing when people outside the garden don’t understand, but when those inside the garden—especially the ones being pruned—don’t understand, it causes a lot of confusion, disappointment, and pain. Those branches down at the end of the row will have to listen to your friend murmur and complain until she blooms again.” The young branch proclaimed, “Well, you don’t have to worry about being pruned. You have the sweetest fruit in the garden!” “I want to be pruned.” “You what? It must hurt, and you’re going to look funny.” The old branch chuckled and replied, “I must admit it’s quite uncomfortable. You see, my young friend, I know I look good to you, but I have a fungus growing on my underside that no one can see. If it remains, it will diminish the quality and quantity of my fruit. No, when the gardener comes to prune me, I won’t pull my leaves back. I’ll life myself high in the air to make his job easier.” Trembling, the young branch responded, “I don’t understand.” With compassion, the old branch replied, “Did you see that branch the gardener just tore off and threw over the fence? It didn’t belong in this garden at all and will be burned in the fire.” “Wow!” exclaimed the young branch. “When the gardener comes to prune you, remember that the gardener only prunes the branches that belong to him, which makes it an honor. He doesn’t prune you because you’re trying to do things wrong, but because you’re trying to do things right. It’s not because you’re not sweet, but because he wants you to be sweeter. And always remember, my young friend, the very fact that you’re being pruned means you will bloom again.” Just then the gardener stopped by the old branch, and the young branch saw the old branch raise his leaves high in the air. He heard a snip, and the old branch lay on the ground except for the nub. Then the gardener turned to the young branch. His leaves were shaking, and tears rolled down his side, but with every ounce of strength he raised his leaves high in the air. He looked up into the gardener’s face and said, “Kind and gentle gardener, I’m willing.”

Pruning is one of the most important tasks in growing a vineyard. Every year, up to 90 percent of the vine is cut away. A wise gardener knows that pruning positively affects the quantity and quality of the fruit.
The branches are constantly being attacked by diseases, most of which can be kept at bay with pesticides and insecticides. But the vine has to be pruned because there is a deadly fungus that attaches itself to the branch, and its only cure is to be cut off. Each time the vine is pruned, its fruit grow sweeter.

The Scripture often uses an earthly example to explain a spiritual principle. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2).”

Wow! Everytime I read this, it makes me cry. In the midst of pruning, I always feel like I am not God’s child or that I am being punished for something. It convicts me to know that I am not trusting God during the time He is pruning me.

I feel as though I am being pruned in my life right now. I don’t know why some of the things that are happening to me are happening, but I will lift my leaves high, trembling, and thank God for His wisdom. I know he is trying to protect me from sin in my life and I know that He is going to bring about sweeter fruit than I possessed before. I can’t wait for the day when I will bloom again. I can’t wait for the day when I see how God’s perfect plan will come about for His glory and my good.

One last thing that caught my attention in this story is the young branch’s view of the gardener. The branch sees the gardener as “kind and gentle.” Never does he see the gardener as something other than what He is. Let’s be thankful that we have a kind and gentle gardener who has himself suffered. Let’s not question His goodness. We are so quick to do that in our sinfulness. After all, Christ himself was led to the ultimate suffering—death on the Cross—so that the Father’s will and wonderful purpose would be accomplished. It was horrible for Him, but He willingly submitted to the Father’s will.

Let’s walk in the steps of Jesus and submit to the Father’s perfect will, even if it means pain and suffering. Ultimately, the pruning will bear sweeter fruit to the Savior of our souls.

The Perfect Woman...From a Godly Man's Perspective :)
March 1, 2010

I am not going to go into much depth on this issue yet because I have not done any research personally on this, but my amazing small group leader gave me the summary of a sermon by her singles Pastor, Gary, and I felt that it was great to pass on to ladies.

Qualities that a Man Should Look for in a Woman before He Decides to Seriously Court Her:

1. Do you enjoy her companionship?
2. Is she modest? Is she someone who you will want your daughters to dress like and act like?
3. Does she follow your leadership?
4. Does your theology match her theology?
5. Does she trust your decision making?
6. Does she appreciate the men you surround yourself with and the accountability steps you take to protect yourself from sin?
7. Does she have noble character? Is she pursuing holiness?
8. Are you in awe of her carriage and speech? Is she a classy girl?
9. Is she content with the lifestyle you are called to? (Not monetarily, but the type of lifestyle. For example, a missionary lifestyle.)

I thought they were some helpful tips that seem to be, at least on first glance, biblical. :)

xoxo,
Ash