Followers

Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Parable Of The Oak That Drew Sustenance From The Elements

"Here I am," said a man, "getting along past the meridian of life, and have nothing to show for my efforts.
"All these years I have striven to give a true account of myself before God and my fellow man, and have failed. Having had the best preparation in college and professional school that money will buy, and having had ample opportunity to show my ability in at least three different lines of work, here I am left stranded high and dry, like a miserable piece of flotsam on life's wide sea. There seems to be no work for which I am adapted."
"Sit on the bench beside me," said his friend, "and look at this giant oak before us. See how it drinks through its leaves the same air that the little plum drinks in yonder. It draws nourishment through its roots from the same soil. The same rain blesses them with its showers, and the same sun shines its benediction down upon them both. From all these elements in nature the oak draws suste­nance, just as does the plum. And yet the oak does not become a plum, nor the plum an oak. Each is governed by the inner law of its own being, which takes from each element exactly that which its own peculiar nature and genus demand, and rejects that which it cannot use. Look carefully, friend, at the oak. It is especially like unto you, for it, too, is late in arriving.
"You cannot, by taking thought, add one inch to your stature. But you can by being true to the law of your own being--even as the tree gives itself to the air and the sunshine in perfect trust to the great Father who governs all things, both the lilies and you-draw unto yourself exactly the opportunities, the environment, the friends that you need, and your success will be measured only by the dreams and desires which are rooted within your own integrated, unified self."
And the friend walked away, but the man still sat there and stared at the oak, until it became no longer a fancy or a dream but a living fact that the law which governed the oak also gov­ erned him, and that which was his could not ever escape him, and that which was not his could never really belong to him.
And days went on and a great quietness came into his soul. He could not understand it, because always before he had been unrestful at heart. Neither could his wife understand it, nor his friends. And then one day a man came to him with a wonderful offer which became the door to a career of true usefulness and happiness. And how and why it came he knew not, neither did his friends, nor did he ever meet anyone who could tell him. But as he passed the oak tree one day, he suddenly knew why it had come to him. For he knew that within the oak there was a power which was continually creating that which its inner nature craved from the silent elements without. And great calmness henceforth stayed with that man, a calmness that to others seemed colossal when those about him seemed lost in inconsequential things.

Now let your roots sink deep and take in the nourshiment God has for you. Psalm 1.
___________________________
Clark, Glen, “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes”, Harper & Row Publishing, NY, 1937, p173-174.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Hallelujah! He is Risen

Everything a Christian believes and lives for has it’s foundation on today. For if it were not for Easter, Christianity would be just another cult. Let us rejoice in today and see how Jesus revealed the truth of the resurrection.

  1. The Women at The Tomb (Mat 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20.1-13)
    This is the only event that is recorded in the four Gospels. In the accounts from Matthew, Mark and Luke, the women encounter an angel (Mat 28:5-7, Mark 16:5-7, Luke 24:4-6). There is no record of any angel appearing before the disciples. Why did the angel/angels appear before the women and not the disciples?

  2. The Two on the Way to Emmaus (Luke 16:13-35)
    These two travelers were apparently headed back home after a bizarre Passover celebration. Their leader Jesus of Nazareth had been arrested and executed. As they walked in disbelief, they encountered a stranger who opened their eyes.

  3. The Disciples in a locked room (Mark 16:14-18, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23)
    The disciples were hiding in a locked room; they feared their very own lives; would they be next? Did they not learn anything in the three years they lived with Jesus?

  4. Thomas called Didymus (John 20:24-29)
    Jesus had a special encounter with Thomas for he just could not believe what the others have already accepted as fact. Jesus indeed had risen just as he said he would.

  5. The Disciples on a Mountain (Mat 28:16-20)
    This passage is better known as the “Great Commission” and is often cited during baptismal celebrations. While this is appropriate, I believe this passage is a command directing Christians to live as Jesus did. The book of Matthew outlines the five principles of Kingdom living.

  6. The Disciples by the Sea (John 21:1-14)
    Jesus called Peter and his brother Andrew to be a disciple. After a disgusting day of fishing, Jesus showed them how they would be real fishermen. In this closing passage, Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James and John) and two other un-named disciples went fishing. After a great catch resembling the first great catch (Mat 4:18-21), Jesus forgives Peter and restores him by commissioning him to “feed my Sheep”.

  7. Jesus appears to you.
    What is your story of your encounter with Jesus?

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Happy Birthday Laura & Gage

Well I told you March was birthday month in the Pearson family. Today is my youngest daughter Laura's birthday.


We are in Dallas celebrating her birthday and my grandson Gage's birthday. His birthday was March 11th.

So the day started with a birthday breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham with a side of Dr. Who Pancakes. You think I am kidding? Here it is.



Now I realize you have to like spinach in your eggs and this may not be you. For our family, Laura, Gage and I enjoyed this and may even make this a tradition. Even Todd, my son-in-law joined in the fun by adding spinach to his Mushroom and Cheese Omelet.
Then top the day off, we had a real cool birthday celebration for my grandson Gage. Laura, the mom, planned a Dinosaur themed party. Dino-Dina showed up. Keep looking and you will see her.

She was a super entertainer who kept the kids engaged and practically wore them out. The Mom's and Dad's here also laughed and appreciated the way she got the kids going. Here she is with the Dino gang. If you are interested in contacting her for your party, please visit Dina Franco's website at http://www.sillyshindigs.com/


Just before Gage faded into Dinoland, he said "So long everybody, we'll see you again next year!"

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

March

March is an exciting month in our family. Not only are my Bluebonnets opening their eyes, March is the Big Birthday month in our family. This is the month that most of us have birthdays. I start the list off with my March 1st Birthday. Next is my oldest daughter Michele on March 10th. My first grandson Gage Pearson Howard is next on March 11th. My older brother Jacquy celebrates today March 12th. Next comes my youngest daughter Laura on March 16th. Following that is my look-a-like brother-in-law Tom on March 18th. Not to be outdone, my dog Cody was also born in March. You may notice my wife is missing. She is really close to March with a birthday on April 6th. So March comes in like a roaring lion. We usher in spring a bit early and enjoy our family celebrations.
To all of you with birthdays some day, I say have a happy birthday.
God is Good - Have a wonderful day.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Six Decades

Yep! That is what I are now. Carol and I enjoyed the day by going to Rockport/Fulton.

We stopped to look at RV's. No we did not buy anything but we did find a couple of floor plans we like. All of the looking made us hungry. So it was off for a late lunch or early supper, better known as lupper.

I heard about this place from somewhere and decide that this is would be cool place to visit. Now I can assure you the building is nothing to look at but then who goes to eat to look at the building? Let's Eat! Ya gotta start wit dem oysters! Ooh boy, dat good.

Then they bring out the "pot" and pour it on the table. Now the pot contains Shrimp, Blue Crab, Cajun Sausage, New Potatoes, and Corn on the Cob. As Rachel Ray would say,"YUMMO"! Notice they even give you high tech tools.

After DW and I chowed down, this is all that is left. We had a great time and enjoy the outing.

My DW and I are no longer hungry. We done et.

No birthday is done until the candles are lit, and the cake is served. I am glad DW did appropriate candles. Can you imagine 60 flaming candles on the cake?Thanks to DW, the celebration ended appropriately.

Another day, another birthday. I am thankful.

Enjoy the day - God is Great!
Jerry