The Life Of A Tree

The Life Of A Tree

7/21/13 – Original

8/6/13 - Verses
10/1/13 - Revised

The following passage was taken from a study that I taught.

"Imagine a large and lovely tree, a tree that invites creatures to come and nest. A tree whose leafy arms hold the promise of comfort and rest. A person who is a shelter is one who affords those that enter her life the joy of relaxing in her love. She has come alive to her longings and the beauty of offering her soul without contempt or pressured performing. This aliveness is not a fruit that she uses to adorn herself. Rather, it is for the explicit purpose of having more to give to others for their well-being and to God for his Glory." -Dan Allender, The Wounded Heart.

I actually carry around a copy of that passage because it speaks so much to me. There is also a different picture of a tree that I post in various places to remind me of this.

In the last few weeks, I've really felt like God was trying to talk to me about trees. I am captivated by every one that I see. Collectively and separately, I am stirred with so much thought and adoration. 

I can't help but wonder what that would be like? -God making me into a tree. If I were a tree; what kind would I be? An oak is usually what comes to mind, even though I haven’t necessarily decided.

You know the old adage that "You are the company you keep."  If I spent more time in the presence of trees, could I in fact become more like them?  What are some characteristics that I could gain? -Might I already have? 

I started coming up with the following list, starting with the most obvious. Consider it slowly. I hope that it speaks to you as well.

1. It’s the greatness of a tree that people imagine, not the sapling or damaged areas. - 1 Peter 5:10

2. Able to sway but never bend. - Romans 12:2

3. Arms always raised. - Psalms 63:3-4

4. Food/nourishment is always evident in fingers. Scattering seed. - Titus 2:1-5

5. Appearing to ‘dance’ through the blows of life. - James 1:12

6. Strong enough to hold a house within arms, or a nest, or two. - Proverbs 3:18

7. Sought for admiration, pleasure to a child, shelter from sun and rain, or as a choice material in building. – Philippians 2:1-4

8. To be a necessity to others in order to sustain life. - Proverbs 31:20

9. To only produce such quality and high value resources. - Galatians 5:22-23

10. What doesn't get consumed by others has potential to become the next offspring. - Deuteronomy 4:9-10

11. I've heard that if you follow the longest limb on a tree, you fill find that it covers the longest root. What a smart tree to always protect what makes it stand. – Psalms 91:2 (Check out the whole chapter).

12. Injuries & disease turn into interesting knots and scars. – Mark 5:19

13. Trees do not restore and repair wood that is injured and infected. Instead they compartmentalize off the damaged tissue. They don't work to replace those cells, they just grown around it! - Romans 6:4

14. Even decay can be used for the benefit of others. – Romans 8:28

15. Within the bark, appears to be a grooved road map for others to follow. -From the ground, up. - Isaiah 26:7

16. Only growing up. Never looking back. - Philippians 3:13-14

17. A tree does not waiver. It always stands ground. – Hebrews 10:23

18. Anyone can tell, simply by looking at the tree, what kind of tree it is, or that it is in fact, a tree. - John 15:5

19 It knows the difference in seasons, waiting and producing. – Hosea 12:6, Galatians 6:9

20. Flourishes in light, wilts in darkness. - 1 Thessalonians 5:5

21. Lives –only- on God's provision. – Matthew 6:11

22. The wood of a tree is an arrangement of living, dying, and dead cells. (Sounds just like our habits, huh?) – 2 Corinthians 4:12

23. To make no sound ever, except when moved by something. - Proverbs 15:4 | Branch

24. Born w/a crown. (The name for the upper portion of a tree). - Romans 8:17

25. Most of where I would retain water would be underground, hidden from sight. (I couldn't resist.) - Psalm 139:15-16

26. Trunk would be skinniest part. (Oops it happened again.) - Psalms 147:10-11

27. There's a fullness inside that only God gave. It can't be filled with money, food, compliments, etc... - Ephesians 3:16-19

28. That fullness is what gives the tree its strength. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

29. Satisfied with stillness. – Psalm 25:4-5

30. Some trees are self-pollinating, but they will often produce larger yields with a cross pollinator. – Philippians 4:13

31. Oak Trees grow incredibly slow. If they are overshadowed by bigger trees they spend most of their energy just trying to grow tall enough to see the sun. They do best when they are directly in the light and separated from other trees. – Psalm 27:8

32. For the rings, the past is tucked away on the inside, no one would know unless someone sought its heart. – Luke 9:62

33. Never stops maturing. – Job 12:12-13

34. Always a pleasing fragrance. - Ephesians 5:2

35. Most can weather any storm. They may be changed but not destroyed. –2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Romans 5:3-5

36. It's what's the roots are in, that determines how quickly it grows, how large it becomes and what it can withstand. - Matthew 7:24-27 | Branch

37. Trees trap more of the sun's energy than any other group of organisms on earth. (Son’s energy) - 1 John 4:4

38. One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and discharge it into the air in a day. (Living water & Profession) – John 7:38

39. They produce enough oxygen for 2-4 people to live. - Proverbs 11:30

40. It's the way that the crown is worn that makes a tree appealing. - Matthew 5:14-16

41. However, it's chosen for the consistency of the heart. – Proverbs 18:16

This might be another list that I come back and add to over time. Feel free to come back and check. I hope that it was a blessing to you.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

- Jeremiah 17:8

Fully Sensing God

Recently I was looking for a picture for one of my posts. I wanted a green landscape. Scrolling through pictures, some were so green that I could smell them as clearly as if I were sitting there. If you've ever broken leaves on a plant or if you have been in a really lush forest, you might have an idea of the smell that I am referring to.

It happened again the following week while looking for another similar picture. This time it stayed on mind. I knew that there was a reason. I asked God what he might be trying to tell me with those pictures. The smell reminded me of my childhood, which was spent outside, swimming, making mud pies, collecting critters and climbing trees or singing to them. (Yes, really.)

I loved the water too but I would have to say by far that in the woods, was my favorite place to be. Of course by the teenage years I started drifting from that. And when I started having kids, I stopped going outside all together. Babies, bugs and sun... It just wasn't a good mix for me. When the kids got old enough to be entertained by outside, I stole that moment to catch up on something else that needed doing inside.

Since that last picture, I've thought a lot about how life and the world distract us from God. The more we learn, the more that we do for ourselves and the less that we look to God to provide. We live by our plans and talk about our needs and do what we want to do. 

We build our own houses, make our own gadgets and technology and then we surround ourselves with our things. Then we wonder why feel so caged up. There is no reflection of God in any of it. We're not only not looking at his future and what he can do, we aren't even looking at what he's already done and where he's been, or still is. Yet we ask ourselves, why is God so far away?

You might be wondering, how smelling a picture and going outside, relate to being closer to God? The smell was so strong and so alluring, it was calling my name. (I wish that I had saved the picture). 

It really got me thinking about the purpose and use of our senses. He created 5. I hear messages about him. I see his word in my bible. I taste evidence of him as I profess it with my mouth; his word and what he has done in my life. That only leaves 2 more. Touch and smell.

How much do I touch anything that God has made? Or celebrate it? I love my family. Clearly, God made each member. But the members in my family are 'man'. Going in my yard, still reflects 'us'. How long has it been since I have gone somewhere that only reflected God. Where there was no evidence of man at all? -To fully appreciate what only he has made. 

...calling my name.

And then there was smell... I was at a loss. I started thinking about what I did know about smell. Studies indicate that aromatherapy affects our mind and mood. It is the smell of food that arouses our appetite. Tasting wouldn't nearly be as good without smell. Familiar smells hold the power to connect us to a different time and place.

In fact every time that our kids go see their great grandmother, we laugh because when they come home, they each smell like Nanny. This might be a little far-fetched but Ecc 3:20 says that we came from dust and maybe somehow; that deep earth smell is a familiar reminder of home. Or maybe, in being deep in those woods, there is a smell that only my soul recognizes as God. 

Maybe all 5 of our senses are given for the purpose of identifying his nearness and his goodness. Even smell.

Psalms 107:9 - says that he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. If smell increases the appetite for it and amplifies the taste of it... How much more powerful could it be standing in his presence, if I made it so that every sense could only focus on him?  

Sanctuary...

That aromatherapy bit must have some truth in it also. The mountains, rocks and sand all filter water. The trees and plants filter air. Standing in the middle of all of that filtering and 'freshness' would have to have an invigorating effect on me as well. Not only filtering my mind of it's contaminants but slaking the pollution of the world from my soul.

Leviticus dedicates several chapters (see 17-20) to "Separating ourselves from the world and the worlds ways." Obviously that's more of a reference to a lifestyle. But what about as a hard reset? To be transformed by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2)

I don't know about you but I could use a hard reset. 

I pray that this post lingers on your thoughts as it did mine. -That it plants a seed of desire to not only find that place but to go there. Regularly. The earth is FULL of his goodness. (Psalms 33:5) May we each find our own private sanctuary within it. 

********

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12 NIV)

Prayer | Notes

Two years ago, my New Year's resolution was to improve my prayer life. I bought a book and started practicing different things. It was such a good resolution that I decided to renew it again this year and next year it will also be the same. The following list is of notes that I have made along the way.

1. Pray the way that you know how to pray - When I was a teenager. I laid in bed one night and tried to pray. I apologized to God for only saying the same few words in prayer that it seemed like I always said. As I laid there in the silence, I kept feeling like I needed to get up and read Ephesians 6:18.

I hadn't memorized any scripture. I had no idea what or why that verse was coming to mind. I tried to ignore it but I finally had to get out of bed. I turned the light on and opened my bible. I felt the Holy Spirit over me as I read "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

God honors the words of your heart. If your words are sincere, it doesn't matter how few you say or how many times you've already said them. He is still listening.

2. Be specific - There have been times that I have wanted or needed something and I didn't want to ask God because I didn't want to "interrupt him" for something petty. -Like "God, help me find my keys".

However, a couple of years ago I was making a set of Resurrection eggs to teach my Sunday school kids about Easter.  If you aren't familiar with toddlers, this is an age where they LOVE to hold little things in their hands. I could have printed pictures for each egg but I knew that they would be much more interested in the story, if there was something that they could hold inside each one.

Most of the items were easy to find. However, finding a donkey that small was not. I went to every toy and department store that I could think of. Please God let me find this donkey. I know that there is one. I just need you to show me where it is.

The Saturday before Easter, I was trying not to get discouraged but I still hadn't found it. The kids had a birthday party to attend in Williamsburg. The stores in Williamsburg were my last hope. I tried every one that I could think of before I took the kids to the party. No donkeys were found.

As we left the Birthday party, I was walking to my truck. I stepped off of the sidewalk and over in the shadow by a column, something caught my attention. I turned to look at it and it appeared to be a gray rock. I turned back to the truck but I felt something telling me to go back and look at it. So I did. I picked it up. It was the tiniest donkey that I had ever seen. 

It was the donkey from Shrek and must have come from a child's birthday cake. I scoured the parking lot for any small child that may be missing it. When none was found, I teared up a little and sent up thanks. God reminded me again of the same verse from so many years before.

I've had several friends comment that God only answered because it was something that aided in teaching others about him. Yes, the answer(s) that we get to prayer(s) are strongly dependent on what God's will is for our life and maybe even dependent on how we would respond to the answer. -But how many people would've even prayed for a plastic donkey? You can glorify God with any answer he provides and he can answer any prayer. 

Updated 2/21/15 - Check out John 11:4. Jesus was raising Lazarus from the dead and said it was so that God could be glorified through the answer! Now this is only one example but read the other miracles in the bible. When God answers our prayers, it is maybe occasionally out of love or will but mostly it IS in order to give GOD Glory!

3. You cannot bother God by seeking his hand - You SHOULD seek it in everything that you do and in everything that you need. He knows the need. Just like we know that he's there. Sometimes, he just wants us to ask. -To consider him, so that we can learn that he is trustworthy.

4. Seek Ye First (Mat 6:33) - Ask him before we ask all of our friends. Ask him before we find our vice. Ask him before we give up. Ask him before acting in haste or emotion. Seek ye first.  Not last or after.

5. Pray together - Matthew 8:20 says: "For where two or three gather in my name, there I will also be." There have been several periods in my life, where I have asked others to pray with me. I usually do this when I am really anxious about something. Whether we physically pray with each other or if I make a request and others pray on their own. -When someone else prays with me about the same thing, I can feel the difference. My anxiety always stops. I attribute it to this verse and the results of a prayer team.

6. Fasting - I've only fasted twice and it should only be done if you feel led to do it. I have received peace and answers during both times that I have fasted. There are many verses that mention fasting and so I won't reference one. You can search on your own. I am certain that I will fast more when I study more about it. 

7. POWER in repetition - Some of the simplest prayers that I have prayed, have been "Hallelujah" over and over.  Try it. (The next two examples are also a form of repetition.)

8. Write it down if you need to - I've been terribly uncomfortable praying out loud. I am mostly embarrassed when I draw complete blanks while I have every one's attention. However, I told God that I'd accept every opportunity to pray out loud until I could get past that. So, I found myself writing prayers ahead of time (so that I wouldn't forget my words).

I have even discreetly read from the paper when the opportunity presented itself. It might sound corny and I don't do it anymore but it got me practicing something out side of my comfort zone. Again, God sees your heart and honors what you are trying to do, if it is truly for him.

9. He can give you the words - Last fall a friend and I were talking about prayer. She had heard a statement about how "he will give you the words to pray." I didn't really have any experience with that. I actually thought it was strange statement. -Most likely because I couldn't understand the point of praying, if he was going to tell me what to say.

However, there have been some occasions since that time that I would find myself rehearsing prayers and thoughts, until I got them in a certain order. -Particularly, before opportunities where I would be praying out loud. When the opportunity presented itself, I would verbalize the words that I had been meditating on.

I thought that this was my updated method of practicing. Instead of writing thoughts, I thought I was just memorizing and order of words.  However, when those situations have occurred, I have had a big response to those prayers. Other people have felt the spirit while I prayed. I believe now that the spirit does give you the words to pray in certain situations. -Especially, for the benefit of someone else. (I will be studying more about this one too).

Updated 2/21/15 - See also in John 11:41-42 Jesus Thanked God in front of others and he says that he does it for the listeners benefit.  Stop to consider what it's like when you hear someone talking to or about someone that they don't know verses when they talk to or about someone that they do know. How much more of an impact do you think that would have for someone without faith to hear us talk to a God that we know; sharing knowledge or confidence about what we trust in him?  It gets our attention doesn't it? Our prayers out loud with others can totally be for the listeners benefit!

10. Confession/Admission - Humble yourself and say what's really on your heart. There is power in admitting not only your sin but your weakness. You are recognizing that you have a need and that God really is bigger than you are.

11. Journal - Record your thoughts but also record your answers in a prayer journal. You will be surprised how much more visible it is that God is with you and that he does reply. This whole blog is my record. This is my journal so that I can easily see the evidence of his hand in my life. He is with me. He is with you too.

12. Less worry - This is not the command to "worry less".  This is the byproduct "less worry". Once I started writing about my prayers, it started a cycle; I started listening more, which led to praying more, which led to thinking about prayer more and then back to doing it more. Somehow in doing that, I've started worrying less. I am learning to be peaceful. ...It's the darnedest thing. ;)

13. You can improve your prayer life -  Get a study. Practice, practice, practice.

14. God listens to the prayers of the righteous - I seriously believe that this is not about believing in God. This is about being obedient to God. If you believe and if you are obedient (or are trying your best to be) then it makes all the difference in your prayer life. See John 9:31, Psalms 34:17, 1 Peter 3:12.

15. Thankfulness - See his hand in your blessings and answers and remember to thank him.

16. Exalt him - One of the best things that I've learned about praying is that "Thanking God is still focused on self and what he has done for you." Thankfulness is important; but trying to pray without asking for anything and without thanking him for anything, is really hard. -At first. Try to pray to him about how awesome he is. How powerful he is. How you want to know him or feel his presence. Exalt him.

17. Include scripture - I have started doing this the most.  Depending on what I will be praying about, I will look up scripture and I will reference it in my prayers. "Your word says this..." or "Psalms says this..." and I am seeing such a significant difference in my prayer.  Not only that; but in saying scripture more frequently, the memorization comes more easily. There are a lot of studies on scripture and prayer or "praying God's word". This will be something else that I study more of.

18. Put a little love into it  - Do you enjoy listening to someone talking that clearly doesn't mean what they say or that doesn't have any passion for what they are saying? God hears all- but our prayers have to be more powerful when we're having a conversation and not just going with a motion.

Remember to check back. I've got quite a few studies that I will be doing about prayer in the next year or so. I am pretty sure that I will have more notes to add. :D

19. Pray outloud - Check out this video, Mike Donehey on Prayer.