I borrowed this picture from a blog that spoke volumes to me. If what I say here interests you you might want to also check this out. cbrown08.blogspot.com/2008/03/heart-of-worshi...

I've been posting quite a few picture blogs lately, partly because I got a new camera finally, partly because I wanted to share a piece of my world with all of you, but also partly because by sharing this I actually had to share very little of the actual me. Picture blogs are great for that aren't they? You can give so much out while really withholding you. I don't know if any of you have actually discovered or experienced this. Maybe it is unique to only me.

I think a lot of us do the same thing with God. We go to church, we fellowship with other believers, we do good works, we read our bibles (when we've got time) We read a lot of other books written by people who have read their bibles and studied the word of God, to see what they have to say; to find out what we should be doing and how we should be doing it. We read books on developing a relationship with Jesus, on developing our "Christ center", on living a life of purpose, on seeking God's wisdom and plan for our lives, on forgiveness; how to, when to, why we should.....but what really are we giving to God?

Lately I've been studying, which isn't unusual for me; I love figuring things out. But what I've been studying is a little different. I've been studying Christians. I've been comparing  differences I've noticed and paying attention to how those differences play out in their lives and their relationship with God.

It has interested me for some time now to see how even with a "right" relationship with God there are many Christians who are sad; depressed even; lonely, feeling as if God never quite gets it right with them, wanting more than what they have, feeling as if they deserve more. They fret, they worry, they justify,they pray but feel as if their prayers go unanswered. They forget that God has several answers; Yes, No, and wait. I do it too. (except for the lonely part , like I said that's rare for me)

Then there are the other Christians. The ones who depend on God and turn to Him as their first line of defense, in both the good and the bad, and although they may not understand what the heck God was thinking when he allowed something to happen, they trust in Him implicitly. They surrender ALL to Him. Now I'm not saying that I think these people never experience sadness or loneliness or anger or any other myriad state of emotions. I'm just saying that from what I've observed they turn to God first, in praise, in dependence, in complete faith that His will is being done.

What I've gleaned from this is that the difference lies in the surrender. We may all surrender to Him, our hearts, our problems, our fears, our children, those we love, our goals and desires, but I think we also spend a lot of time taking all that stuff back once we've given it. I know this is definitely true for me.

Now I'm a solitary individual, fiercely independent, fine on my own. I'm rarely lonely but often alone, and that suits me to a tee. I surrender little of myself to others and I'm finding I also surrender little of myself to God. What I want in my relationship with Jesus is to be like those other Christians I mentioned; trusting in Him, at peace with all in my world no matter what that is.

The bible says, "Give yourselves to God.... Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." -Romans 6:13 TEV. it doesn't mention doing that, then taking that surrender back at will.

This summer the topic of sermons in our church is the book of James. Last week's title was "Getting the Most Out of Your Trials -(Your Sin Experience)

James 1:12 says "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation"

The only thing we can control in this world is ourselves and our responses to the world. The lure of temptation & trials is that when we don't stand fast against them we are brought down to the level of sin, be it worry, or acting in any other way that is not pleasing to God.

This week's sermon was titled 'The Man In The Mirror' The satement was made that, "The bible is a reflection of the lives of imperfect people trying to relate to a perfect God. It's like looking into a mirror and failing to see Jesus in our hearts."

James 1:21-25 says, ...Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does!"

What it doesn't say is to look at and remember that freedom when it's convenient.

1Cor:4-20 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power" This is the power of Jesus, the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. I believe it is the recognition of, and calling on this power that reflects differently in the lives of Christians. In the Christian walk we have complete freedom to live a certain way, the way God told us to. We also have the freedom to live in sin. I think we need to spend more time acknowledging our sin nature and asking God's help in overcoming it instead of excusing it because, "Well I know it's a sin but I can't seem to help myself" In that you would be correct...but God can...

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:19-21 

Ultimately my point here is a kind of rambling and reinforcement of where I've been walking with the Lord recently. I want to be more for Him. I want to totally surrender to Him. I want to always need noone but Him, and to stop depending on my own ability to comprehend my life and where I am going. I want Him to choose for me, and I want to be ready to accept that should the time come when He reveals a deeper plan for my life. And if that time doesn't come? Well, I want to be happy with wherever it is I am at, and rest in the knowledge that it is where He wanted me to be and that I worked at being everything I could in His name.

What do you want, and what are you prepared to do, change, accept in order to help God help you?

While all my American friends were busy celebrating the Fourth of July, I was busy out pruning trees at the side of the road so branches wouldn't be taking off truck mirrors or impeding vision. Just another day keeping the roads safe in North Saanich.

Getting Ready To Pick Up the Last Load of Brush

The Row Of trees it took 4 of us 3 hours to cut and load.

Dumping the Last Load

One of the Views from Our Green waste Dump Site

Our Back Forty!

Brush brush and more brush!

Andy putting the Mower Away

Our Front End Loader

Random Shots of the Parks Guys

Our Salt and Sand Shed

The Excavator

Afternoon Coffee Around The Garden Plots

Crusty (Ben) and the Jester (Jesse)

Our Resident Arborist watering His Veggie garden (Its one of our warm fuzzy perks at work)

Afternoon Coffee

More Brush!

I heard this on the radio this morning as I was driving to work. Apparently it's for real, and after the second message "Olga" posted this to You Tube....Could be a hoax...but really...Are you kidding me??!!!