Tag Archive for: Forgiveness

What Are We Spreading?

A manure spreader doesn’t make for a real appealing photo subject to most folks.  I realize this – even if it’s horse-drawn, and found on an Amish farm.

I lived in the country when I was growing up.  Whenever one of the neighbors was spreading manure on their fields, Mom would sometimes ask my sister and me if we could “smell that fresh country air”.  To a former farm girl, I suppose that she figured that there weren’t many things more “fresh” smelling than newly-spread manure.  Perhaps, that was one of the reasons why she didn’t mind not having to farm as an adult!

We realize that manure is a natural fertilizer.  It provides valuable nutrients for the soil.  In addition, for farmers with livestock, spreading it on fields is a cost-effective manner of removing the livestock-generated waste material.

There’s another aspect of manure that many probably overlook:  how corrosive it can be.  I saw this firsthand recently, when I saw a farmer pulling a liquid manure spreader.  A large portion of the tank’s top had rusted away – likely from years of hauling waste, exposing the inside of the spreader.

Images of farmers spreading manure provide us with a couple of powerful lessons.

As manure helps crops grow, our words and actions can also have a positive effect on others – helping to encourage them.

However, we must be cautious.  Our words can take root like a random kernel of grain or a weed seed that may be found in manure.  Whether intentional or not, just like a manure spreader throwing its contents over a field, what we say and do can be thrown around in such a way as to inflict pain on others.

A manure spreader is a powerful reminder that we must be careful with our words and actions.  We can spread something that encourages growth – or, that is corrosive.

Let’s be sure that what we say doesn’t hurt and poison others.  Rather, may our lives and actions be lived out in a way that will promote and nurture kindness and grace to all who we may encounter.

Have a great day!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”  –  1  Thessalonians 5:11a (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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A New Season Reveals New Life

Many of us are excited to see the first days of spring arrive. Flowers start to bloom, tree buds appear and lawns begin to green. Newborn animals are seen in pastures. At the same time, many people enjoy the arrival of spring sports and campfires with friends.

With the arrival of spring comes Easter. It’s symbolic of the new life that awaits all who seek God’s forgiveness for their sins, and accept His Son, Jesus, as their Lord and Savior.

Many think about the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. We recall the horrible way that He suffered and died. At this time, we also remember how Christ triumphantly defeated death when He rose from the grave.

During these early days of a new season, please take some time to reflect on the newness of life with Christ. Let those thoughts draw you near to the Savior who loves you so much that He would rather die than live without you.

Have a great day!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Easter – Jesus and Others

We don’t always see trials, problems or people as blessings. Instead, they’re often viewed as obstacles, inconveniences and irritations to our plans.

What if Jesus had seen us in the same way? After all, He had to leave Heaven to take on our dirt, guilt and shame.

He could have seen us as obstacles, nuisances and frustrations that had to be dealt with.

Yet, Jesus saw each of us with compassion and love – chosen ones who His Father had created, and He was willing to die for.

Easter is a time to remember Jesus’ love for us. It’s also a reminder that life isn’t about you and me, but all about Him.

Let His love be a reminder of how we should treat and view others.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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New Life at Easter

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.”  –  Martin Luther

Growing up in the country, one of the things that I often enjoyed was the new life that was born in the spring.  You saw it as trees, plants and newborn animals all came to life.

Another, more important, reminder of new life starting in spring is Easter.  It is the day that we, who are Christians, take time to reflect on Jesus resurrection from the grave.

Perhaps, though, you are wondering about the claims that Jesus rose from the grave.  That is fine.  Questions are always a great way to learn something.

First off, we have various authors’ written claims of Jesus’ resurrection in the Bible.  We also have accounts by secular historians of His day – such as Josephus.  In addition, we have physical evidence that has been unearthed by archeologists.  All of these sources tell us that Jesus and His followers were actual people that lived at the time that the Bible tells us.

We also see how Jesus died.  He was flogged 39 times, forced to carry a wooden cross, nailed to that cross and hung there for several hours, speared by a Roman guard and placed in a tomb.  After facing all of this, how could He have remained alive and been strong enough to roll a stone that some estimate could have weighed up to 4,000 pounds and defeated Roman guards that were standing guard at the stone?

Why did the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders have the Roman authorities post a guard?  After all, Jesus was dead – and His disciples had all deserted Him.  How was He going to leave a tomb?

Yet, those same men who had fled would eventually all believe in His resurrection and be willing to be persecuted for their belief in Him.  If they did not truly believe in Jesus death and resurrection, why would they have died for a lie?

The question that each of us is forced to answer is what are we going to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus?  Will we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, or are we going to deny Him?  Jesus allows us to make our own decision – wanting us to come to Him on our own.

In closing, let me share with you something else that I have seen in nature.

When land has been burned, new growth always comes and grows in the place that was destroyed by fire.  In the same way, sin has come to destroy us.  But, if we are willing, Jesus wants to come and reside within us – creating a new life out of our ashes.

Have a great day!

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”  –  John 14:6 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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