Elder’s Corner: My Garden Mishap

 Two weeks ago there were a couple of really warm days. For once I thought “I'll get my tomatoes and pepper plants out early this year.” So I tilled up a patch, went and got some beautiful plants, and set them out. The soil was warm and the plants thrived. Then a few days later a frost warning was given for the next night. I covered the plants with plastic buckets. The next morning it hadn't even got cold enough to frost here. I uncovered them and hoped that was the last chance for low temperatures. About a week later 26 degree temperatures were predicted. I again went to the trouble to cover the plants, and I'm thinking I'm not sure all this extra preparation is worth it—maybe I shouldn't have planted them so early. The next morning the frost had hit but I uncovered the plants and they were fine. They next night was a repeat of the day before. I covered them and waited for the next day. This time I uncovered the first one and found all the leaves bowing like they were in prayer. I uncovered each one hoping to find at least one which had survived but not a one did. My thoughts began to race-- “I wish I hadn't gone to the trouble and expense to set them out early, I wish I would have known the weatherman was finally going to be right about his forecast, I wish I had put plastic over the garden and put a heater in there---I wish, I wish, I wish.”  My mom used to quote a saying that her grandma used to say, “If wishes were horses, beggars might ride.” I left the dead plants in their rows hoping they would be like Jesus’ Easter miracle and resurrect—they didn't. So I decided I'm not going to plant a garden this year, but yesterday I stopped by the plant store and saw the plants that looked so good and one had little tomatoes on it so I repented and bought some. Today as I plant them, I'm believing in tomorrow—I have hope!

God teaches us every day through His creation, doesn't He? Here is hoping you have learned some of those truths. God knows all about the “frosts” that come in your life and He is there to help you. “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10). And then we learn from plants just like humans—death can come at any age, so we are to be ready (just like taking every precaution covering the plants, going to the doctors doesn't always prevent the inevitable).  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). So however much time God gives you—be fruitful and productive and know that God loves you and wants you to share His gift of heaven forever.     

—Alan

 

Matt’s Matters: Listening for a Change

 A pastor met with his church board and requested they approve the purchase of a chandelier for the church sanctuary. The next month when the minutes were read there was no mention of the pastor’s suggestion, so he requested it a second time. The third month, the pastor waited expectantly for a report of action taken, but there was absolutely no word in the minutes of his request. So after the meeting, he went to the chairman of the board and asked for an explanation.

“Well pastor, it was this way,” explained the chairman. “First of all, the secretary of the board didn’t know how to spell the word, and it would have embarrassed him if we had insisted on including it in the minutes. Second, if we got one of those things, we don’t believe there is anyone in the church who knows how to play it. And third, we feel that the thing we really need is better lighting.” :)

James 1:19 NLT says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

One of the hardest yet most critical things that needs to happen in our nation is the willingness to listen to people. It seems like we as a nation are more divided than ever. Democrats are blaming the Republicans; Republicans are blaming the Democrats and very few are taking responsibility for their actions. Of course, truth be known, this is nothing new. Ever since the Garden of Eden people have been blaming others for their problems and justifying their actions on account of the actions of others. Yet this will not help to move us beyond our current situation. I think that in order for us to move forward in any relationship in which there is conflict has to start with being willing to listen to what others have to say. This does not mean that you are going to agree with them. But it is where things start.

There are 4 keys to listening well. First, give the other person 100% of your attention. That is going to require you to put aside your phone, iPad, or laptop, and look at the speaker, even if they do not look back at you. In an ordinary conversation, a speaker looks at you occasionally to see that you’re still listening. Constant eye contact lets the speaker feel that you are listening. If you don’t look at the person while they’re speaking, you give them the impression that you don’t care what they say. In essence, it appears as though you don’t even care about them. This applies not only for listening to others but also listening to the Lord. So when you are doing devotions, seek to focus 100% of your attention on listening to what He is saying to you through His Word, not thinking about what you are going to do later or day dreaming about this or that.

Second, if you want to listen well to the Lord and to others, I want to encourage you to not interrupt.  This is not easy. It is about listening to understand, not listening to respond. Often times, we listen only long enough to come up with a response. However, when a person listens wholeheartedly simply to understand, it shows that we genuinely care about the other side. 

Third, if you want to listen well to the Lord and to others, I want to encourage you to ask questions. Asking sincere questions shows that you are genuinely interested in the person that you are talking with. Likewise, it can help us to understand what they are talking about. Often times, the reason why people struggle to have unity relates to a lack of understanding.

And this principle applies to your relationship with the Lord as well. “O’ Lord, what do You think about this? Why did You allow this or that to happen? What do You think I should do in this situation or that situation? Then as you begin to seek out His answers in His Word, again, ask Him questions. “God, what is the significance of this account in the Bible or this verse over here? Why did You inspire the earthly author to place it in this order? What are You trying to say to me through all of this?

Likewise, as you listen for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, there is nothing wrong with asking Him clarifying questions. However, if the Lord has already made the matter crystal clear, then there can be an issue with us asking questions at that point. Because then what we are communicating is that we simply do not like what is being said, therefore, we are asking questions hoping for a loop-hole or way out.

That is simply a matter of unbelief or disobedience. There is no sense in that. But there is a lot of sense in asking clarifying questions: both of the Lord and of others. It shows that we are genuinely interested in them, and it shows that we are genuinely interested in the One whom we as Christians have devoted our lives to follow.

One final key about listening is to apply the things that we hear. Both in the New Testament and in the Old Testament, the words that get translated as to listen refer also to obeying.  In obeying the Lord we are blessed with His divine guidance. In applying what other say blesses us with peace and understanding in our relationships. May that be the case with each one of us.

In His service,

Matt