Still Waiting

Mangosteen Tree

This is a Mangosteen tree we planted quite a few years ago, probably over 15. We are still waiting for some fruit. Hopeing. Any year now I'm expecting to see a bloom or two, harbingers of upcoming little mangosteens. Sometimes in our spiritual lives we seem to have a long wait for certain fruits or usefullness. But, we have to know that "He who began a good work in us will complete it."

My daily readings in Scripture have taken me to the controversial section in Ezekiel describing the yet-to-be built temple. Reading about all the gates and guard alcoves, which face inward, it occurred to me that trouble, in both families and governments, often comes from within. This may account for the use of the Greek word "naos", meaning a spiritual temple of God's people, rather than "hieron", a physical building of wood and stone, in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, where the "man of lawlessness" sets himself up. So, we might assume that the Antichrist will come out of the church, accompanied by signs and miracles. Aside from this point, I found my questions about animal sacrifices being reestablished and what the temple would look like were nicely and quite accurately answered from the book by Paul Jablonowski at his website. For the final answers, we'll just have to wait, though he seems to feel we're right at the end of this age.

Back to the subject of waiting on the Lord, (I'm still meditating on that) and thinking about Moses again. He was in a sort of semi-retirement (like me) his sons likely grown and doing a lot of the work he had once done. Was he now so used to the peace and quiet of country life, far from successful military campaigns, or the intrigue, rumors and energy of city living, of the royal court in Egypt, that he had even forgotten that vision of delivering his people? Perhaps, settled and comfortable, he also enjoyed the solitude and simple routines.

God needed to use a burning bush to get his attention. And, once he had it, to use miracles and a lot of convincing to get him going. Those of us who don't have a problem saying "no" may be so caught up in doing the comfortable routines, that we miss or avoid God's call. On the other hand, the opposite error is in being so busy, caught up in all kinds of volunteer work, groups, and clubs - often for that feeling of being needed -that real needs, priorities, assignments may go unheard or put aside for lack of time.

Duh of the Day

Just read the big "news" that Washington doesn't seem to be suffering any downturn economically. The town is just humming along. Who would have guessed? Duh, double-time. A Democrat president, multiplying bureaucracy, job security, who could ask for anything more?

The Ark Goes On

My granddaughter sent me an email about Johan's ark. I don't know why I hadn't paid any attention before, as I'm sure I must have read or heard something about it. Anyway, his project is a terrific testament to one man's faith and an excellent witness for the rest of the world. I'm doing a bit of research on how it's currently going and will report here. I have so far read that it is half the size, 1/5 the size, 1/14th the size of the original Biblical ark, so went to the official web site and am able to say, officially, that the ark is half the length of the original and one third the width.

The builder, Johan Huibers, is now working on the construction of a full size replica, which will travel the world. The smaller ark will continue to receive visitors in the various ports of Holland.


This would be a wonderful vacation destination. I want to go.

Waiting for Fruit

Mammee apple

There's waiting, and then there's waiting past the point of being worthwhile. Last week I wrote a bit about "waiting on the Lord" and not jumping too quickly into "ministry," on my own steam, i.e. in the flesh.

Also, last week Kealani experienced eating a mammee apple that was over-ripe and which their family decided wasn't a fruit worth buying again. She reports it tasted bitter, mushy and sort of like sourdough starter? This week at the farmer's market the vendor demonstrated how to tell when the fruit is ripe and let them taste one. Needless to say, they were convinced enough to bring home a properly ripe mammee apple. We all tried it after Sunday dinner, and found it delicious, tasting like apricots. I'm saving the seed to plant.

I suppose the reasons for going beyond proper waiting in the spiritual realm can be comparable. Not knowing or recognizing the signs to proceed. If I encountered this fruit in the wild, I'd have no clue if it was edible, good or ripe. To me, it looks like an elephant turd. Or an old gourd. And, then, through inattention, laziness, fear or distraction the time to move ahead can pass us by. A favorite quote of mine from Shakespeare speaks of this:

"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries." Julius Caesar, Act IV, Scene III

A well-known and loved scripture on the subject:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Not something I always think or remember to apply appropriately. All the ruts we get into are likely of our own making. The great blessing is God's grace and mercy, that he gives us fresh opportunities.

"for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24

There we go with the waiting again. If at first you don't succeed...

Waiters Wait

Sunny took this lovely picture. The turtle is waiting....resting, and doesn't appear to be stressed out about getting supper together, cleaning up his (or her) shell, achieving a life goal, etc. etc. There's something to be said for that ability. Of course, some people have it to excess, but for those of us with the opposite leaning, we can ponder the tortoise.

God is the one who sends out, who calls, who gives assignments, opens doors of opportunity, shuts others, and I need to be content to wait on him. At one time in my life I had a ladies' Bible Study and we called ourselves "Ladies in Waiting," with that idea, of developing the quality of being a servant, listening for the assignment, or a waiter/waitress waiting; not coming up with whatever independently, and running with our own idea. Of course, the next step, that of doing what we're told, once we get the order - serving - can be the subject of another post. Though, it's a hard one in practice, being content to wait can be more difficult than doing something, anything.

For those interested, there are many scriptures on the subject. One of my favorites is Isaiah 40:31.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Then, I always remind myself of Moses, out in the desert for 40 years, tending sheep, probably remembering his first 40 years as someone of importance in Egypt. He was most likely a serious contender to the throne, brought up to succeed Pharaoh. He was general of the Egyptian army, and successful in their conquest of Ethiopia, according to Josephus. Stephen also refers to him as "mighty in words and in deeds." Acts 7:22 He was known to the people as a royal personage, a military leader of distinction, recognized; then exiled, lost in obscurity and not doing anything great, or even close to it. He must have wondered if God had a purpose for him at all, or if he was forgotten or rejected by God. Certainly we know he developed humility, keeping faithful in the small things of his life. He was not thinking of glory any longer.

I think my conclusion is just to keep faithful while waiting, in the everyday, the mundane, small necessary things of life - and that is the key to moving on in what God has for me. (Matthew 25:23)Tending the sheep, busy at home (Titus 2:5), working to provide for ourselves and our families (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-11) - so we can see the concept doesn't promote laziness. Hopefully, in the process I'll get more humility too.