The Dead Tree Lives







How long ago did this tree fall to the ground?   Did it fall during a fierce thunder storm with high winds and driving rain?  Maybe, a speeding driver tried to make a sudden stop, jumped the curb and hit the tree.  Texas has endured so many years of drought the tree roots may have succumbed to dry rot.  Whatever the cause, this tree appeared to be dead waiting to be carted away to the brush recycling center.  The owner evidently did not remove the tree.  Over time, a new branch sprouted generating green leaves from a tree that was once dead.  The homeowner has a new tree, although disfigured it still provides shade and a wonder to passersby.  The dead can live again.


John 21:15-19
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? “He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You. “He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? “He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You. “He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me? “And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You. “Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
 
We have all fallen.  Some have been left for dead.  Who knows what took you down?  Not too long after declaring “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, Peter denied Jesus three times.  His failure is apparent and he is a broken man.  Yet, his Owner does not send him away into the trash heap of the world.  Despite his failure, Jesus sees in Peter, the earthly head of the church.  Peter is commanded to feed the lambs, tend the sheep and feed the sheep.  Peter is now dead to self and alive to Christ.  It matters not how we fall down, our Lord is ready to pick us up and put us back to work.  Others will see our new lives and wonder how someone who seemed dead can live again.
THANK GOD, HE LIFTS US UP



 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Podcast Going Live!

Image
I have moved from blog to Podcast.  Bridgewrks is still the name on Spotify, Apple Podcast and other platforms.  See the trailer below for info.  Now in spoken voice in place of the written word.  We'll see how this goes. Linda Howelton
Read more

Are you dirty?

I slept in this morning.   My hotel room was dark and cozy, my shower warm and invigorating.   It was time to get dressed and head home.   I retrieved my undergarments from the dresser, put them on and finished dressing.   When I pulled out my luggage, what did I find?   My clean underwear neatly rolled lay sitting in the bottom of my overnight bag which meant I was wearing day old, dirty underwear.   Why change? Who would know?   I’m just driving home alone.   No one would see my dirty self. Colossians 3:1-10 3  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  2  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  3  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  4  When Christ, who is your [  life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5  Put to death, t...
Read more
Image
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the words right out of my mouth.   The words she spoke are similar to what I used for my sons and also use to guide the parents of my patients.   These four words can make or break the trajectory of a child’s life.   Evidently, the same four words are able to corral an incorrigible President as well.   Just speaking the words is not enough.   They must be backed up with prompt action without a hint of fear.   I share the four words with parents at the two week check-up.   The earlier parents comprehend the importance of relaying these words to a child, the better it is not only for the parent but for society in general.   What four words you ask?   THE ANSWER IS NO! Proverbs 29:15 15  The rod and reproof give wisdom,      but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Speaker Pelosi told President Trump “No!”   She undergirded that no by making sure e...
Read more