With the red peaks shining up into the blue, and the fragrance of cedar and pinion, and the purple sage and flowers and grass and splash of clear water over stones—with these there came back to him something that he had lost and which had haunted him.”
–Zane Grey (The Rainbow Trail)
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.”
–Matthew 6:28(NKJV)
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I’m not sure how “spiritual” this morning‘s devotions will be, but then again, much of it has to do with perspective. I fully agree with Francis Schaeffer when he said, “True spirituality covers all of reality.” Paul states the same things, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV), and again “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV). I could also add Colossians 3:17, but you get the idea. All–everything–we do should be for God’s glory.
With that in mind I want to call your attention to a couple of promises I made to myself several years ago.
“How many years had he slept away the beautiful hours from the break of day to the burst of sunrise!”
–Zane Grey (Wyoming)
“I always say that those who rise early to enjoy the sunrise are the most blessed because of it. They get to see a beauty few others do.”
–Faith Blum (A Mighty Fortress)
How many sunrises have I slept away? I promised myself I would no longer do that. There have been very few days, I could probably count them on one hand, when I wasn’t up to watch the sunrise. I do my morning writing, send out the Echo, contact a few others, get the coffee made, and have 2-3 cups while I put together my morning thoughts. I sit in my chair reading, doing my devotions, getting my day planned, sipping coffee and looking out the window waiting for the sun to send its rays through the trees. I think of the times that Jesus was up early, sitting by the lake side, or leaning against a rock in the wilderness, or watching the waters of the Jordan slowly move by early in the morning.
The second promise I made to myself has to do with flowers. Yep, this ol’ fence post likes pretty flowers. Springtime in Texas is a delight with the wildflowers in bloom, and this year was spectacular. Solomon must have understood this when he wrote, “The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land” (Song of Solomon 2:12, NKJV).
Jesus said, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Luke 12:27, NKJV). Solomon wrote this, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters” (Song of Solomon 2:1-2, NKJV).
Part of this is referring to the Messiah, a prophetic verse, but it also refers to the one who walks by my side. The world is a mess, there are thorns, but I have a “lily” beside me. Because of that I don’t wait until a birthday, Mother’s Day, or anniversary, but I try to keep fresh flowers on the table for my wife. All that she has to put up with in this life, me, the kids, the grandkids, life in general, why not give her flowers? There are not any stores near where we live now, but still, at least once a month I get a bouquet of flowers for her.
I believe that Jesus enjoyed looking at His creation. The lillies came to His mind, He was called the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valley. One of my favorites songs, “He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star…” (Charles W. Fry) The fragrance, the velvety texture of the petals, the vibrant colors, all made by the Creator, who would sit and contemplate the world that was created, and if He did so, how much more should I?
Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is a friend of silence. See how nature–trees, flowers, grass–grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. We need silence.” The dawning of a new day, glimpsing over at the table where a vase of fresh cut flowers sit, and recognizing that this is another day that the Lord has given me. Two simple promises I have kept and with them comes a pleasant satisfaction.
————————————
I’m not sure how “spiritual” this morning‘s devotions will be, but then again, much of it has to do with perspective. I fully agree with Francis Schaeffer when he said, “True spirituality covers all of reality.” Paul states the same things, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV), and again “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV). I could also add Colossians 3:17, but you get the idea. All–everything–we do should be for God’s glory.
With that in mind I want to call your attention to a couple of promises I made to myself several years ago.
“How many years had he slept away the beautiful hours from the break of day to the burst of sunrise!”
–Zane Grey (Wyoming)
“I always say that those who rise early to enjoy the sunrise are the most blessed because of it. They get to see a beauty few others do.”
–Faith Blum (A Mighty Fortress)
How many sunrises have I slept away? I promised myself I would no longer do that. There have been very few days, I could probably count them on one hand, when I wasn’t up to watch the sunrise. I do my morning writing, send out the Echo, contact a few others, get the coffee made, and have 2-3 cups while I put together my morning thoughts. I sit in my chair reading, doing my devotions, getting my day planned, sipping coffee and looking out the window waiting for the sun to send its rays through the trees. I think of the times that Jesus was up early, sitting by the lake side, or leaning against a rock in the wilderness, or watching the waters of the Jordan slowly move by early in the morning.
The second promise I made to myself has to do with flowers. Yep, this ol’ fence post likes pretty flowers. Springtime in Texas is a delight with the wildflowers in bloom, and this year was spectacular. Solomon must have understood this when he wrote, “The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land” (Song of Solomon 2:12, NKJV).
Jesus said, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Luke 12:27, NKJV). Solomon wrote this, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters” (Song of Solomon 2:1-2, NKJV).
Part of this is referring to the Messiah, a prophetic verse, but it also refers to the one who walks by my side. The world is a mess, there are thorns, but I have a “lily” beside me. Because of that I don’t wait until a birthday, Mother’s Day, or anniversary, but I try to keep fresh flowers on the table for my wife. All that she has to put up with in this life, me, the kids, the grandkids, life in general, why not give her flowers? There are not any stores near where we live now, but still, at least once a month I get a bouquet of flowers for her.
I believe that Jesus enjoyed looking at His creation. The lillies came to His mind, He was called the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valley. One of my favorites songs, “He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star…” (Charles W. Fry) The fragrance, the velvety texture of the petals, the vibrant colors, all made by the Creator, who would sit and contemplate the world that was created, and if He did so, how much more should I?
Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is a friend of silence. See how nature–trees, flowers, grass–grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. We need silence.” The dawning of a new day, glimpsing over at the table where a vase of fresh cut flowers sit, and recognizing that this is another day that the Lord has given me. Two simple promises I have kept and with them comes a pleasant satisfaction.