The Plumbline

Ever hit bottom and find yourself recognizing the depth of the pit all while life continues to demand more and more of you?  I think all of us have experienced being overwhelmed in some "pit" at one time or another.  The impact of the "pit" is determined by the perception we maintain IN the pit.  We can continue to look down - seeing only the darkness of the lowest point.  We can look outward - seeing only the closeness of the walls surrounding us, seemingly holding us in a position of bondage.  Or...we can look up, taking notice of the glimmer of light breaking in the distance, and take hope!   5  Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?   Why are you crying the blues?      Fix my eyes on God—soon I'll be praising again.  He puts a smile on my face.  He's my God. (Psalm 43:5 The Message) David penned these words a long time ago, but they have awesome value for us today.  In the midst of th...

Because of the Cross...these words speak volumes.  Have you ever stopped long enough to really take an inventory of the many things the Cross of Christ has changed in your life?  When you do, you will find the list starts out with really "big" stuff - when you think a little longer, you will find the list begins to encompass some of the things we probably take for granted each day.  The blessings are countless! 14-15 I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life!  (Galations 6:14-15 The Message) When we "boast" about something, we are "bragging u...

Try as I might, my gardening expeditions have produced very little fruit.  I spent about three years in a row working the soil, creating flowerbeds, and then planting the vegetables of the season.  My hopes - one of those above the ground beds of lush vegetable gardens.  My actual production - dead vines, undeveloped melons, and a tremendous harvest for the birds!  Did I harvest what I planted?  Most would say, "No", but when you explore the work performed AFTER the planting was done, you'd change your answer!!   7-8 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. (Galations 6:7-8 The Message) The fact remains, what is planted must ...