Stephanie B. Blake's Blog, page 8

My Bad Fig Tree

I love figs. My dad used to make the best fig preserves. I always looked forward to going to his house because I was sure there would be toast and fig preserves for breakfast. His preserves were the kind with really big chunks in them - sometimes whole figs. He got his figs from a tree that grew without much tending behind his garage - hidden from view from everything else but with a bountiful crop.

I especially like to pick figs off the tree myself. When we lived in California, we had a wonderful fig tree in our back yard. I dried those figs and they were plentiful - so plentiful that when our son's dachshund got on his hind legs to reach the branches and shake more figs down for himself, I just laughed. There were plenty of figs for all of us.

You can imagine my joy when we bought the house we are in now. There is a beautiful fig tree in our backyard. However, much to my dismay, I have not eaten one fig from that tree. The figs start to form, get hard, and drop to the ground. We have pampered that tree - watering it, fertilizing it, pruning it, clearing out the leaves underneath it - nothing works. I have often commented that I think it is related to the fig tree that Jesus cursed.

What has been so confusing to me is how normal my fig tree looks. There is no difference between the appearance of this tree and the other fig trees that have brought me such joy. My only conclusion is - there must be some problem on the inside. Something inherently bad in that tree produces bad fruit.

Many times Jesus compared us to things in nature that produce fruit such as trees and vines. He made the point that what we produce indicates who we are inside. We are saved by grace and not through any effort of our own. The evidence of grace accepted, however, is fruit produced. Ultimately, only God is the judge of anyone's productivity. He does, however, tell us to be watchful.

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit....by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:17-20 NIV).

Can You Multitask and Smell the Roses?

I am grateful for time saving devices. I love my laptop. I remember the days of typewriters, messy corrections and copies and typewriter keys getting stuck in midair. My fingers could not fly on that old typewriter like they can on my laptop. What takes minutes now used to occupy many hours.

Before cell phones, you had to be in the house in order to get an expected call. Sometimes that meant staying at home when you really needed to be somewhere else. Now that is not a problem. However, it also means that you are accessible everywhere at any time. Some people are unable to turn their phones off or leave them behind - just in case.

Some restaurants are now rewarding customers with a discount on their meal if they will check their cellphones at the door. It may be that all the time, effort and money the owners have spent to create a certain ambience for their clients was going to waste because many of their customers never noticed!

The wonders of modern technology were supposed to make our lives easier and in many ways, they did. However, even though we are more efficient in many ways, the workload has not decreased. It seems that we are now all in a mad race to accomplish more - and more - and more.

Most of us try to do several things at once - what is now called multi-tasking. Certainly, there are times when that can be successfully accomplished. What comes to my mind, however, is my attempt to carry groceries in from the car while talking on the telephone at the same time. What was supposed to be a time saver became just the opposite when I dropped a grocery bag full of jams and oils. I not only had to clean up a huge mess, but lost the products and money in the process - not quite what I had in mind.

"Jack of all trades and master of none" has been used in a positive sense to describe someone who was competent in many areas, but not expert in any particular skill. It now seems that expression can be used of practically all of us. We are doing too many things to do any of them well. That was actually the finding of a 2009 Stanford University study on multitasking. The results showed that heavy multitaskers actually lost their mental edge. Trying to do too many things at once had the effect of being good at nothing. The study’s lead author said, “We kept looking for what they’re better at, and we didn’t find it.”


Thinking back on my use of the old manual typewriter, I remember there were fewer distractions. I was never interrupted by email, a SKYPE call, or a Facebook notice. There has been a renewed interest in old manual typewriters for this very reason. It is the one way to turn off the background noise of our busy worlds and just write.
I have also noticed another trend. There are several blogs with "stop and smell the roses" as a theme. In reading through these blogs, I discovered that many of the bloggers were forced to slow down and discover the beauty of what was around them. 
Balance is the key. We need to be productive, work and accomplish the tasks that have been assigned us. However, juggling work, home, church, exercise, meals and everything in between can lead to frustration, leaving no time for fun or rest. In the process, if we miss out on the beauty of God's world, what have we really accomplished? In our rush, we may trip over some of our greatest blessings.
How can we stop and smell the roses if we rush right past them? 
God...who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

Precious in the Sight of God

This is a very personal post. As a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and a grandmother, God has truly blessed me with a family that has enriched me, taught me, molded me, supported me and loved me. What more could anyone ask for?

Two of the women in my family I did ask for - directly and for years. Shortly after my two sons were born, I started praying for the wives God had planned for them. I believe that Paul was led to write Ephesians 3:20 to describe how my prayer was answered - in a way that was far more abundantly beyond all that I could ask or think.

My first daughter was given to us as a toddler. We knew her, loved her and were thrilled when our son married her shortly after graduating from college. She is everything a woman could want in a daughter and more. She is the perfect mate for our oldest son and an incredible mother to three of my grandchildren.

We had to wait a little for our second daughter as our son did not meet her until he was already in the Air Force. As soon as we met her, though, we knew that the wait was over. She is not only perfectly matched for my son and an amazing mother to my grandson, but she has my taste in decorating and my love for dishes!

My girls are beautiful, inside and out. I am not aware of any other Christian women who are stronger in their faith than they are, nor any daughters who make a mother as proud as I am.

As one of them is celebrating an anniversary today, I just wanted to publicly thank God for these women who are so precious in my sight.

but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4).

The Unsung Heroes of the Olympics

I always look forward to the Olympics. While they are televised, I stay glued to the television set. When they are over, I am disappointed. Many television programs are a waste of time, but not the Olympics. What these young people achieve is amazing.
For a few days every four years, the world comes together. Politics and differences are largely set aside. A showcase of human endurance, the Olympic games give us something refreshing and inspiring. Everyone admires the dedication and accomplishments of the Olympic contestants.
Concentration usually centers on the top performers - those who carry home the gold, silver or bronze medals. However, every contestant has sacrificed time, money, and discipline for the opportunity to compete in the Olympics in hopes that they will bring honor to their country. More often than not, their families also sacrifice greatly. Many of the athletes have high hopes of receiving a medal, but all of them are aware that most contestants go home without one.
With few exceptions - those who are disqualified for one reason or another or are unable to compete because of injuries - the athletes run their race, swim in their meet, or participate with their team knowing that part of the reward is having made it to the Olympics in the first place. The best of the best of each country compete with the best of the best of other countries - all who have toiled, some for a lifetime, for the honor of the competition.
There should be no shame for those who walk away without a medal. Having become part of an elite group setting an example for the rest of us, all of these contestants should be proud that they were part of history. The fact that they finished their race is worthy of honor.
The Olympic story that sticks in my mind more than any other is not of a gold medal winner - or even a silver or bronze medal winner. I have heard it many times, often from someone giving a message of inspiration. In fact, it has been called “the greatest last place finish ever.”
In the 1968 summer games, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania secured his place in history, not because he won his marathon, but because he finished it. Although the race had been won over an hour before and spectators were leaving the stadium, those remaining were astonished as he made his way on the track for the last lap. Although he had fallen and been injured during the race and his leg was bandaged and bleeding, he did not let that stop him. When he reached the finish line, those left in the stadium rose and applauded. Asked why he had not quit, he said, “My country did not send me to start the race; they sent me to finish the race.”

Honestly, I had to research to discover that Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia was the one who won that race. It was John Akwari’s story that made the impression on me. What courage it must have taken for him to continue to run through injury and pain. His finish - and his attitude - spoke louder than most sermons. Don’t give up. Finish the race.
Everyone who finishes the race is a winner. The apostle Paul made that application to his Christian brothers and sisters when he said, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Olympic Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze

Psychologists and researchers have discovered an interesting fact about Olympic medal winners. Gold medal winners are obviously thrilled. However, the reactions of the remaining medalists are a surprise.
Silver medal winners are sometimes ashamed and disappointed. Instead of being proud that they have accomplished the incredible feat of being better than everyone else in the world with one exception, they feel they came up short. It appears that because their goal was the gold medal, winning the silver is a let down.
On the other hand, bronze medal winners are often very excited, expressing through comments and facial expressions a sense of accomplishment. At the 2012 London Olympics, American Brendan Hansen, the winner of the bronze medal for the 100 meter men’s breaststroke finals, said, “It worked out, you know. It’s just awesome that I get to go on the podium tonight. Honestly, I’m really proud of myself… This is the shiniest bronze medal that you will ever see. Ever!”
All of the medal winners accomplished something remarkable; however, their level of satisfaction has to do with their comparison with others. The gold medal winners have reached their goal. They are the best in the field. Silver medal winners may or may not be happy with their achievement, depending on how they compared themselves to others or even the gold medal winner. The bronze medal winners have reason to be proud. They are part of a trio who came out on top.
Although gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the three top performers in any given sport represented in the Olympics, this is a modern development. The ancient Olympic games gave only one prize – an olive wreath – to the best performer.
As a child of God, I am confident there is no second or third place for me or for any of my Christian brothers and sisters. The crown of righteousness the apostle Paul described to Timothy is awarded to every true believer in Christ. We are all first place winners because Christ, our substitute, has won the victory for us.
In Heaven, there will be no disappointment of having placed second in life or surprise that we even made it to the podium. Any shame that we might have for not measuring up has been covered by the blood of Jesus. Any pride that we might have of our own accomplishments is put into proper perspective because all are sinners and need redemption. 
We will not be comparing ourselves to each other for we all receive the prize obtained by our Lord Jesus Christ. All of the energy we need to run the race He has provided through His Spirit, who lives and works within us. The victory He has won over sin and death has been shared with us.
I am looking to the day when I will come face to face with Him to personally thank Him. I will not be standing on the podium. He will. Like the twenty-four elders, I will lay my crown at His feet and worship Him. 
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:14 NAS). Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

The Goseck Circle, Sundials and Time

In 2002 Peter Biehl and Francois Bertenes excavated a circular enclosure outside of Goseck, Germany. Now believed to have been there for seven thousand years, it was revealed in a 1991 aerial photograph of a wheat field in that east German location. When Biehl and Bertenes combined GPS data with the archaeological evidence from the site, they discovered that the two southern gates of the henge marked the summer and winter solstice, thus possibly making it the world's oldest solar observatory. 
I'm not sure how accurate the dating may be of the Goseck Circle, but one thing is clear. As long as mankind has lived on earth, he has been fascinated with time. Ancient calendars - using lunar and solar measurements - have been discovered around the world.

Sundials, indicating the time of day by the position of the sun, must be aligned with the axis of the earth's rotation to tell the correct time. There are several types of sundials, but in the horizontal sundial, the style (that part which casts a shadow) must point toward true celestial north.

Our lives revolve around time. Each year is marked by birthdays. Children divide their years into school time and vacation time. Working adults mark their calendars for retirement. Productivity is measured by how much we can squeeze into each hour of the day. Periods of refreshment come when we have a minute to ourselves. On and on it goes. Every minute counts.

As a Christian, I know that God has given us the gift of time and expects us to use it for His glory. Our true north is His purpose and will for our lives. The psalmist declared, Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun. You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter (Psalm 74:16-71).

Stewardship of our time is as important - or even more important - than what we do with the monetary resources He gives us. Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days (Ephesians 5:15-16 Phillips Translation of the New Testament).

The Life Span of a Tree

I love trees. One of my criteria for a good place to live is that there are trees - in the surroundings and around the house. Trees add such a wonderful dimension to enjoyment for me.

I am often amazed at the difference between standing in the sun and slipping under the shade of a tree on a hot day. The welcome temperature change is immediate. Sitting under a tree while sipping a cool glass of sweet tea - well, what could be better than that?

Another reason I love trees is that they provide a habitat for my favorite animal - birds.Without trees, my feathered friends would not have a place to call home. My enjoyment of sitting under a tree or near them is magnified because of the chatter of the birds to each other and their songs - pure bliss.

Unfortunately, lately, I have been noticing the death of trees - in my yard, my neighborhood and throughout the landscape of the larger area where I reside in Texas.  There have been many causes for these, but I am always sad to see the death of a beautiful tree.

Some trees have a predictable and fairly short life span. For years, when I sit on my back porch, I have enjoyed sitting in front of a beautiful red bud tree. That once healthy productive tree is on a terrible downward spiral. It is dying. I'm really not sure there is anything we could have done to save it. Red bud trees rarely live past forty years. Our home is over one hundred years old, so this tree could have been here for a long time.

Recently one of my neighbors lost a huge oak tree in their front yard. A strong wind blew it down, revealing a trunk that must have been diseased for quite some time as it was completely hollow. That tree might have lasted for many more years had it not been for the decay that had been hidden from view. After thunderstorms in our area, I notice more trees that have toppled, sometimes resulting in damage to property around it.

God made all these trees and He knows the life span of each one of them. There is one tree that He created that will never die. For those who know Christ as Savior, we will all get to enjoy this tree and all it has to offer. I am looking forward to seeing this tree. It will be one of the great gifts of eternity.

Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat and live forever" - therefore, the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden...To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God (Genesis 3:22, 23;  Revelation 2:7).

The Cure for Worry

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ― Corrie ten Boom


How right Corrie is. Anyone who knows her life story can respect her advice. If anyone had reason to worry about tomorrow, it was Corrie.


Approximately thirty people were arrested in the ten Boom home by the Gestapo in 1944. Although Corrie's family were sheltering six Jews and resistance workers in their home, their presence remained undiscovered while the ten Boom family and others were taken to a penitentiary. Subsequently, all but three of them were released. Corrie, her father and her older sister Betsie remained in prison. Her father died there only ten days after their arrest. Corrie and Betsie were later transferred to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp in Germany where they encountered unimaginable persecution. 


Betsie, who died in the camp, always encouraged Corrie to see God's hand in their circumstances, no matter how hard those circumstances were. Betsie's calm assurance of God's love and presence in their lives, as well as Corrie's strength and courage, got them through some horrific experiences in the camp.


After the war, Corrie's telling of their story through books and speaking engagements made their experience well known. Her infectious joy as she spoke to large groups - many of them young people - about God's love and forgiveness led many to became Christians.


Corrie was a very courageous woman. She was not willing to relinquish any of the strength God gave her to worry. In every picture I have seen of Corrie, she has a huge smile on her face.


In the Old Testament, Nehemiah took on a seemingly impossible job with incredible opposition. He refused to be anxious about the trials. He stayed true to his task and declared that his strength for doing so came from the joy of the Lord. Just like Nehemiah, Corrie's trust in God and her joy in serving Him gave her the strength she needed for each day.


As someone who has struggled with worry, I have learned a lot from people like Nehemiah, Corrie ten Boom and others. Worry is a true handicap. It can lead to depression. Many times the things you worry about never happen, but your anxious feelings can stifle your productivity. 


Resisting worry is hard, but necessary. The only real cure is to replace worry with the joy of the Lord. When you substitute His strength and His joy for your imaginations, He is able to do what He desires to do through you. 


Corrie says that worry carries tomorrow's load with today's strength. It is interesting to me that when Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens, He doesn't offer to take the load off of our shoulders, but instead invites us to take His yoke upon us. It is sharing His yoke that teaches us humility and gives us rest for our souls. It is His joy that makes our joy full. He has overcome anything that we could possibly worry about. The joy of knowing Him is the cure for worry.


"So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34 Amplified). Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3 NIV).

The Old Made New

I have recently finished a book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Roots of Home: Our Journey to a New Old House by Russell Versaci traces Old World roots of housing in America. The author covers architectural design from our Spanish, French, English and Continental heritages. It was very enlightening to discover how Americans have kept some of the old traditional designs while sometimes incorporating modern conveniences. Many times, owners have attempted to preserve the good features of the home while attempting to improve on them.

Most of the homes featured in this book were very simple designs. The builders were inspired by what they had left behind in the old country, but were practical enough to use what was available locally. If they lived in an area that had lots of rock, they used rock. If trees were abundant, the homes were made of wood. Much of the insulation of the first days of our country was mud mixed with straw.

The houses built in America's beginnings were not only built out of necessity, but some became enduring classics. The author reviews the houses that were first built in this country as well as some new old houses that are being designed by modern traditional architects. He says, "Along the way, we will discover what gives a house good bones. We will uncover footprints of the past that provide blueprints for new old houses that are pleasing to the eye and satisfying to the soul - classic American houses that look and feel like home."

It occurs to me that God deals with us in a similar fashion. He made us the way we are. We have good bones, but sin corrupts our dwelling. When a person trusts in Christ as Savior and Lord, he does not lose his personality or the talents he was born with. He gains much more - something new. The new old house of a believer allows God's Spirit to work in Him and through Him to become what is pleasing to God and satisfying to the believer. Through Jesus, God restores what was good about His creation in the beginning and makes it new - a new old house.

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven...therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 17).

Little Children Love Jesus

This year I was the missionary speaker at Vacation Bible School at my home church. What a delight it was to watch the children listen with rapt attention as I talked about serving Jesus around the world.
The first thing I told them was, “Jesus loves you and He has a plan for your life. Do you know that Jesus loves you?” Practically every head nodded yes. I believe they do know that Jesus loves them and in return, they love Him back.
Jesus, of course, understands this about little ones. In His time on earth, His delight was in the children who came readily to Him. The picture that comes to our minds when we think of Jesus and children is one of peaceful abandon. The children ran to Him, sat in His lap, listened to Him speak and soaked it all in. They had nothing better to do than enjoy time with the One who loves them the most. There is no other situation in the life of Jesus where the circumstance is more joyful. Unlike the adults who questioned Him, doubted Him, tested Him, persecuted Him and eventually killed Him, in their sweet innocence, the little children felt His love, accepted it and returned it.
Unless they are mistreated or neglected, children naturally trust those in charge. The adults in their lives make them feel safe and secure. It is later in life that people discover that not everyone is trustworthy. Unfortunately, they are taught not to trust some people by their actions. Jesus, however, is totally trustworthy. He will never disappoint you, nor fail you. His love is everlasting and pure.
If we could only stay like little children in our love for Jesus, we would avoid becoming calloused, doubtful and fearful. Resting in His love, trusting His guidance and staying close to Him, just like the little children, makes all the difference in our perspective on life. What joy being in His presence brings.  Little children love Jesus. So should we.
Then they brought little children to HIm, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will be no means enter it" (Mark 10:13-15).