Psalm 1 ~ like a tree

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man [a]
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 1:1 The singular Hebrew word for man (ish) is used here to portraying a godly person
b. Psalm 1:2 Or instruction


2011

We  had an incredible year for the trees here in the Houston area. Record drought. A stunning number of trees were still standing and dead as a doorbell. Being a gardener, a friend called me to show me her incredible composting skill.  Anyway, they called me to show me their patio tree, one of 3, shading their patio, died in the middle of the drought. It had been fertilized, watered and it just keeled over. It was the 'one' they relied upon for shade. "Why?" They asked.

I said my cousin worked for the Louisiana State Forestry Commission and when he visited he said record drought is Not record drought. It is just an event that has occurred again and again over the millenniums we have no record of. It is nature's way of making the forest - - - stronger.

But they said, "The tree had all the necessary things for life." I said," It's still the stress of the event of constant wind, constant heat and it got to the tree."

Psalm 1 is about hope and believing we can trust God. The acorns left by a 120 year old Oak left a tree. We are the tree that survived this year's drought. Life goes on. 

Some day, we will be the Christmas tree of  glory. 

In God's promises - all those lights of Christmas - are today - Jesus the Light - continue to shine.

2013 December

There is a Psalm saying one day tells its tale to the next. We finally have a pond filled with water. The trees are still in the glory of their fall color. Actually, this is rather phenomenal color. 

Change involves recognizing the times, living the emotions, allowing Jesus to fill our needs while admitting we have these times. This fall color and lush time is the realization that record drought is not here to stay - like the dire threats indicated. This is exactly how life works and God's plan.

The little oak seedling is still ready for planting.

I've finally realized life has seasons. We get so used to the Mississippi River of life pushing us in the same direction, we feel like life is on a permanent course. Life Does moves along just like the Mississippi River - looking calm and still - yet has deep waters and suddenly can change a lot. Knowing you are loved is the part that gets us through the whole adventure.

The objective of life is to know that Love created the universe. We are being pushed and pulled and prodded through life. Fight the good fight. The punches come because we aren't doing the comfy chair thing. Water flows to the sea, where it was created. We flow towards Love and pray to be the one who will recognize that Love - not the alligators, overcome us.

Let us be the grateful Children of God. Dwelling in HIS Grace. Amen.



John 1:

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

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