Month: August 2015

Categories
Inspiration

The Art of Transforming Waste into Gold – by Jennifer Brukiewa

Copyright Jennifer Brukiewa

God’s redeeming love transforms our lives.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
For those whom He foreknew He also predestined
to be become conformed into the image of His Son . . .“
Romans 8:28-29

My family saves kitchen scraps. Bruised, inedible pieces of produce, spent coffee grounds and grains, and broken eggshells are diligently collected and taken to my compost pile by the chicken coop. We even add the chicken litter (read poop and pine shavings) from the aforementioned coop to the mix. Over time, this mound of refuse undergoes a transformation within its core that fascinates me. Helpful micro-bacteria are hard at work breaking down the matter, destroying harmful bacteria, and transforming what is left into a rich soil that can then be used to grow my veggie garden. This nutrient dense humus is far better than any store-bought fertilizer and my plants happily soak it up and produce an abundant harvest that feeds my family and friends with organic goodness. This process of redemption delights my heart so much that it secretly pains me to witness someone sending their scraps to the city dump. They see matter destined for rot. I see the start of redemption.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner
Copyright Douglas P Brauner

We all have not so pretty parts of our lives; sins, struggles, suffering. Sometimes all we see is waste only fit for hiding, quick-fixing or forgetting. Yet, the Gardner of our souls has a heart that delights in redemption. Every bit of our stories He tenderly uses for the work of transformation into the likeness of His Son. From the humble humus made from our muck He grows the fruit of the Spirit to strengthen us and to nourish those around us with the hope of the Gospel.

Though the process of redemption may feel slow and not observable as the Spirit works death and resurrection on a molecular level in the depths of our souls, you can rest assured that the Gardener will use all things for His glory. It is a deep work that cannot be rushed and we are not promised that we will be able to see the fruit ourselves this side of heaven, but He has promised there will be fruit. So be encouraged and trust His process. He is doing a good work.

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Sheltered in the Day of Trouble

Eugene, Oregon Copyright Douglas P Brauner

God shelters us when we face life’s struggles.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:4-5 English Standard Version
Eugene, Oregon Copyright Douglas P Brauner
Eugene, Oregon
Copyright Douglas P Brauner

What did you first see when you glanced at this picture? You probably saw a lot of yellow reflected from the blurred background. But did you see the bee hanging out in middle of the flower? This bee is pretty well hidden? The only reason I knew this bee was active was because I followed it from flower to flower.

How often have we wished that we might blend in to our setting? How often have desired to be invisible because of the depth of pain we’re suffering? All we want is shelter from the droughts of life. We crave for a place where we can hide, a place where nobody can reach us.

King David wrote many psalms in times when he was hunted, persecuted and oppressed by others. At times his enemies were relentless in their pursuit. They wanted him dead. Later in this psalm David pleads with God, “Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.” (Psalm 27:12 ESV)

Have you been at this place in your life? Are you there now? David found refuge in God. He knew that God would conceal him “under the cover of his tent.”

Though David understood that God would protect him, his struggles didn’t disappear. In fact, his battles lasted his lifetime, yet he held on to the one who first took hold of him. In his God he found refuge.

In your redeeming God you, too, will find refuge. Jesus Christ is your guarantee.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Categories
Reflection

God Created the Heavens and the Earth – by Gerald Givens

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Creation is a witness to the majesty of its Creator

Creative Commons
Creative Commons

The Bible in Genesis tells us that God is the creator.  This is a fact. The Bible teaches us God’s plan for the salvation of man via the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, and gives varying level of detail about peripheral issues. The Bible uses poetry, historical narrative, and both literal and non-literal language to discuss the peripheral issues.

One of those issues, which has for years raised conflict is how God chose to create.  Darwinian evolution has clearly been debunked. (See The Case for A Creator, Lee Strobel for some good info) But since God does not lie everything that exists in creation, that sin and Satan have not corrupted, serves to witness to God’s creative action. Romans 1:20 reads, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”  Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the Glory of God.”

Copyright Gerald Givens
Copyright Gerald Givens

Creation itself is a witness to God as creator. Creation is not a superior witness to the Bible, but if one will look, creation presents confirmation and added information about God’s creative act. There is evidence in creation that shows there is great age in creation. Consider the fossils, planetary structures, geology, and the mammoth.

If you want to see the glory of creation, open your eyes. Get away from the city lights on a clear evening, look at the stars.  Look at a mountain. Look at an ocean.

Genesis 1:31 reads,
“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” 

Maybe that is what’s important – not how He did it, but that it was ‘very good’.

Copyright Gerry Givens