How I love my Bible!

Are you like me?  Do you get emotionally attached to your Bible?  I mean (and please don't think of me as unspiritual or shallow) not simply the inspired Word of God. [Yes, I am attached to that!]  I mean your actual Bible.  The version, edition, etc etc etc that you have used for who-know-how-long.


I had a friend in college who made a rather accurate and astute observation about the difference of how men and women view their Bibles and use their Bibles.  This friend, who happens to be a guy, made the observation that women use their Bibles as a journal or a diary.  And, I for one, can agree wholeheartedly with that statement! 

I love recording-- and then stumbling upon and revisiting-- the different lessons and blessings that my Savior has walked through with me.  [also may be read: dragged me through kicking and screaming, all the while knowing what is best for me and refusing to let me settle for less than His best.]

Anywhooo... I have a women's study Bible.  I was going to post a link so you could see my Bible, but even after much too long a time of searching, I couldn't find my Bible.  I know they have a newer edition, but I have used this one for so long that I just am not emotionally ready to move on.  I have notes and covenants and prayers recorded along the columns and in between verses that are just too precious to my heart to simply start over in a "new" Bible.  I have sermons my daddy has preached recorded all throughout the Scriptures.  I have quotes and devotionals as well as triumphs, victories, and even some personal failures-- all written for me to remember one basic theme:

God. is. faithful.  To me.

 

Yes, that is my maiden name written on the front.

Yes, there is a cup of hot tea in the picture.  

That was on purpose.  They usually go together.

Well, in recent days, my precious Book has started to come apart at the seams.  I was afraid that I was going to have to retire this edition for another.  But I searched and searched and came upon this helpful post about how to repair using Mod Podge.  I was elated! :)  However, my sweet hubby is beyond wonderful, and he added a few extra steps to ensure that my beloved Bible would last for many more years!  Here are the tools you will need, pictured below.  (Yes, that is a 10 lb. dumb bell!)

 

 These are the valuable tools to keep your Bible/journal going strong!

You will need liquid Mod Podge, big rubber bands, two heavy weights, a board about the width of your binding, and thin paint brushes (oops! Left those out of the picture...).

I first carefully removed the "chunk" of pages that had come unattached (half of Psalms and all of Proverb, in case you were interested!), carefully brushed out any dirt or leftover residue from off of both the binding and the now completely detached pages.  I want those puppies to stick!  I then carefully painted a thin coat of the Mod Podge on both the Bible binding as well as the pages to go back in.  

I took a deep breath and then lined up the pages carefully and pressed them back into the binding!  Here's where my awesome hubby comes in...  It was his idea/suggestion to press the strip of wood along the binding, add the rubber bands, and then place the weights on top of the Bible so that it would create that pressure and allow the glue to cure.

[I have to insert here a personal struggle that I had in that last step... We work very diligently to show the utmost respect and reverence to God's Word.  My children have been trained from the very beginning of their days that we do not put God's Word on the ground; we do not put anything on top of God's Word; we are always very careful when handling this, the very God-breathed inspiration from a Holy Father to us, His children.  That being said, my sweet hubby knew even before I said anything that I didn't really want to put those weights on top of my Bible.  So he gently said, "It's all right, honey.  You can put the weights on top."  Love that man.]

And, I am super pleased to report:  my Bible is securely bound and ready for more study!  My Quiet Time this morning was all the more exciting to me because I didn't have to worry about losing the book of Proverbs or even further separate those chunks of Scripture. 

So if you have a Bible that is falling apart-- and what's that they say: a Bible that is falling apart usually means a life that is not-- I encourage you to take heart, grab that Mod Podge, and put it all back together again!

PS~ I feel the need to add yet another sidenote.  You may have noticed from the picture of my Bible that there is a cup stain on the cover.  "But, Leah!  You just said that we never put anything on top of God's Word!"  Alas, you are correct.  There IS a stain.  It IS from a cup that was placed on top of my Sacred Book.  I honestly do not remember when or how it happened.  However, it serves as a visual reminder for me to show my children why we are so careful with God's Word!

Day... WHAT?!

Sooo... if you've been following... or counting... or noticing.... or even just wondering...

TODAY is the official "ONE HUNDREDTH DAY" of my journey.

Confession time:  I did really super at the beginning.  Probably about the first 50 days were completely spot on.  However, I am sad to report that I did not finish well.

Now, I could offer several valid explanations for why I fizzled:

Samuel was sick.

 See how pitiful he looks?

 *I* was sick...

My swimsuit needed... ah... retired...

We had spring break...

 

There are no words for how happy this picture makes my heart.

I kept trudging on through about day 75, and then something horrible happened [well,  horrible for me].

Remember my good buddy MyFitnessPal?  Yah, on day 75, I forgot to log in.  I lost my streak.  Now, that may not be very traumatic for you, but for a list-keeping, chart-tracking, crosser-offer-kind-of-gal... this was: the. worst. thing. ever.

 

 See how upset we are by this tragedy?!

And I pretty much just kind of shrugged it off.  But I've decided to head the wisdom of Proverbs 24:16-- 

 "A righteous man falls seven times, but rises again."

So I am getting up, brushing off my backside, lacing up my shoes, and putting my hand to that plow... again.

Ellie has the tractor all warmed up for me!

April Dinner Menu!

I really do love to cook, but one of the worst things for this cook is when I don't have a plan.

Sidenote: that is perhaps my most favorite word in all the English language.  Plan.  It is also perhaps my husband's LEAST favorite word in all the English language.  Plan.  Yet, somehow we still make it work.  It's almost like Jesus knew we needed each other!  You know, like HE had a plan! ;)

In case you are in a bit o' a rut when it comes to your menu planning, I thought I'd share what we are havin' in la casa de Gibson this month.  Before I share, I have to add that I didn't plan until after the month had started, so if you are wondering why there aren't 30 meals listed, let me reassure you:  no, you are not that sleep deprived and/or caffeine overloaded.  There are only 25 meals.

Breakfast is usually cereal for the littles and eggs of some sort for the grown ups... which usually gets "shared" with the littles.  Hmmm... anyone else have the scenario in your house?  On the weekends I will sometimes/often fix a bigger breakfast-- pancakes or french toast or biscuits and gravy.  That sort of thing.  But, in all honesty, my kiddos really love cereal.  (Note lunch confession in next paragraph)

Lunch is usually some sort of salad for the grown ups (or leftovers) and PB & J for the littles.  True confession:  my sweet Ellie will often ask for cereal again for lunch.  (And here's the confession:  sometimes I let her.  Don't judge.  She also gets some fruit!)

Dinner is usually the most tempting time to eat out for me.  While I really love to cook, I also really love all the different options that come with eating out (plus, there's no clean up-- I do NOT really love clean up).  However, as I am trying to tighten up our budget, I am determined to stick to my plan!  If there is a linked recipe for one of the dinners, I have included it.  If it's just a "go to" recipe that I make quite often, I'll give the cliff notes' version.  If you need any additional information, just leave me a note in the comments! :)

So here's the scoop... 

Cube Steak with rice and gravy, some random frozen veggie
~Lightly flour/salt/pepper the meat, brown in pan.
~Cook rice as you normally would (I always saute a little garlic in EVOO before adding the dry rice, stir and let it "roast" a bit, and then use chicken stock instead of water).
~For the gravy, melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter, medium heat.  Add in equal parts flour (3-4 tbls).  Let it "cook" as you whisk for about 3 minutes.  Gradually add in 2 cups chicken stock, constantly whisking.  Add a 1/4 cup whipping cream and whisk, whisk, whisk.  If the gravy is still too thick for your liking, add a little more water.  Let it simmer over really low until you are ready to serve.

Lasagna and salad
~I just use the recipe off of the back of the Barilla "No Cook Noodles" box! :)  But I don't use meat-- we are just a 3 cheese lasagna kind of house (because that's how Mama likes it! ;) ).  But I also made a super yummy desert:  scones with ice cream and homemade peach topping.

*Double bonus for the recipe:  I made two pans-- one for dinner and then one to freeze for later!  Score one in the "W" column.

     

Crock Pot Beef and (I didn't use) Broccoli and an adapted version of these Rice Noodles

~This recipe actually had some leftover beef and gravy, plus we had leftover rice from the night before.  So... hubby got to have one of his faves for lunch the next day:  rice with beef and gravy!

Homemade Pizza

~I really want to eventually try this NY Style Pizza Crust, but currently I use this one-- mostly because from start to finish if I'm not interrupted 379 times it takes less than an hour for the entire pizza process.

~I even made my own sauce (which makes a lot, so again:  stockin' the freezer!) from one of my favorite food blogs, Budget Bytes.  She has a TON (no, seriously.  A TON) of great recipes and ideas-- and she prices them all out for you.  Wowzers.  Color me impressed.

Pancakes

~We love us some breakfast food.  I'm not sure if we'll do banana pancakes (I add a little more sugar, 2 eggs instead of one, and add a little more flour) or just maybe even chocolate chip ones.
~Ooo, ooooo!  Wait!  I just remembered:  I have some of that leftover peach topping from my awesome dessert the other night.  Plus, I have some whipping cream I can... well, whip.  Yah, I'll be the coolest mama in town tonight!!!

         

You can tell they are always a big hit!

Pork Chops, mashed potatoes w/ gravy (of course), and random frozen veggies

~With the chops, just whisk together some flour, a little onion powder, and paprika.  Lightly coat the chops, salt and pepper, and then cook in some heated EVOO in a pan, browning on both sides.  

~Make them taters! 

Burgers on the grill!  (Super pumped for this-- hubby cooks!!!)
~I will undoubtedly make some homemade buns for these.  Don't be scared:  try it!  I modify this recipe for One Hour Rolls, just making each "roll" larger than a dinner roll would be.

Italian Wonderpot  If you have never tried this.  DO IT!

Crockpot Pork Carnitas  This is a new recipe for me, but I'm super excited to try it.

Deer Steaks with some random frozen veggies

~I have a wonderfully sweet friend who shared her (yes, "her"!) venison that she hunted.  It's such a blessing how the Lord provides for us!

~I will probably just cook it on the stove top in some EVOO.  However, I may get creative and marinate it, just for a little variety.  Stay tuned...

Mac 'n Cheese with Veggies

~I love a good mac 'n cheese.  And I'm not talking about the kind from the blue box.  I mean, get out your pot, cook up some pasta (in well salted water!), add a little butter, generously stir in your favorite cheese (we love us some Havarti!), and then splash in a little milk that's been mixed with a tablespoon of flour.  Yum. Oh.  

~I have used "fun shaped" pasta before and stirred in some peas to go with it.  We'll see how creative I'm feeling that night.  :)

This is actually a version of carbonara that I've made.  A possibility...!

Chicken Taco Bowls
~I often serve this with some tortilla chips or even a cheese quesadilla.

Spaghetti
~This will be the night that I will be able to ask my hubby to complete anything from my "honey do" list.  Spaghetti is the man of my dreams' kryptonite.  [*evil laugh*... *rubs hands together*]
~I usually make my own sauce...  cook up some sausage, drain, and set to the side.  Saute some garlic in some EVOO, add in a small can of tomato paste and let it "cook" for a couple of minutes.  Add in a large can of crushed tomatoes and petite diced tomatoes.  Toss in your favorite spices-- basil, oregano, onion powder, and a little sugar.  Season to taste. Let it simmer and add back in that sausage.

Tacos made with Naan (instead of regular tortillas)
~WARNING:  if you have never had naan before.  I will warn you now.  This stuff is majorly addicting.  You will need to dig ever-so-deeply into your soul, finding every ounce of your self control, and then proceed with extreme caution when making-- or you will indeed eat every single portion of this, right as it comes hot off the griddle.  And then no one will have any for your tacos.
~There's really nothing "special" that I do for my taco meat.  I will usually use grilled chicken breasts or if I have some (that I bought on sale) carne asada beef, I'll use that.

Ham Dinner (obviously, this will be for Easter Sunday!)
~Since my sweet Man Of is a pastor, I'll definitely be putting my ham in the crockpot.  My mama makes the BEST ham ever-- she puts a few slits in the top, smooshes in some brown sugar, and packs a can of crushed pineapple on top.  So. good.  (Is it Easter yet?!)

Tomato Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches
~This recipe is really nice because I can put it in the crockpot to simmer or make it on the stove top.  Also, it makes a LOT, so I usually end up freezing several cups of it-- which I will take to school for some yummy lunches.

Mongolian Beef
~This is another new recipe, but it has five stars after over 500 reviews.  Must be good, right?
~Probably will serve this over rice and add a salad on the side.

Easy Sesame Chicken  My family LOVES Chinese take out.  So this is a must on our monthly menu.  My sweet Daniel would have this multiple times a week if I would make it!  He always looks very keenly at how much is left as to whether or not he will be able to score some leftovers for his lunch the next day!  So as to NOT over rice my family, I will make some sort of noodle to go along with this.  I love a sort of lo mein with veggies.

Pancakes.  Yes, again.  There are several "late" evenings throughout our week-- the littles have Tae Kwon Do a couple nights, we have prayer meeting one night, and sometimes [quite frankly] mama is just tired.  So, yes.  I put this on the menu twice. Also, I never really get met with much resistance from the Gang.  [note pictures from earlier in post!]

Sloppy Joes 

~This is "roughly" the recipe that I use.  I omit the peppers and onions [I will use onion powder for flavor], and usually I "up" the sauciness.  I love sauce.  Mmm...  

~I will once again be making some of those delicious one hour rolls for buns.  

~If I plan well enough, I'll also have some cole slaw to go along with these Joes.  And pickles.  I love pickles.  So does my sweet girl.

Chicken and Wild Rice

~I will probably fix the chicken separately from the rice.  For whatever reason, I rarely have success at the one pan, put it in the oven and bake chicken and rice.  So, yah.  Unless I'm feeling extra brave, I just won't risk it.

Bulgogi.  Do you know bulgogi?  I mean, do you really know it?   Before I was married, I spent a couple of terms teaching in South Korea.  Loved. It.  I mean, everything single thing about it.  The people, the culture, the food.  The. Food.  Oh, my.  My. Lands.  Did I mention the food?  I love the spice and flavor and variety.  My mouth is literally watering as I type, just thinking about it.  And bulgogi is kind of like the "pizza" of Korea-- you know, tons of different varieties and just about everybody knows it and loves it.  The best part for me is that it is a complete meal-- you have veggies, starches, and protein.  And it's very healthy and tasty.  Hmm... looks like my "W" column is rackin' 'em up!

Pizza.  Yes, much like pancakes, we love some pizza.  I'm pretty certain that *I* could eat pizza multiple times a week.  Remember that other pizza dough that I really want to try?  Maybe it will be tonight! :)  If not, I actually have some dough already frozen in my deep freezer.  Plus, I already have my sauce in the freezer, too.  I love it when a plan comes together.

Fettuccine Alfredo  Allow me to offer this bit of advice.  Do not buy any sort of "pre-shredded" cheese if you can help it at all.  Trust me, once you grate/shred your own: you will never turn back.  The flavor is so much richer and creamier.  No, seriously.  It's great.  Here's a great post on the pros of home shredding.  (PS~ Sorry that I didn't offer this advice earlier with the pizza recipes.  I also shred my own mozzarella and the results are magnificent!!!)

BLT Sandwiches.  Yes, you made it all the way to the end, and this is where we are.  However!  Before you brush off this final recipe of the bunch, read on.  These won't be any ordinary BLTs.  I will be making and serving these on some of my favorite bread in all the world:  focaccia.  Be warned:  the only difficult part of this recipe is that you have to plan ahead.  This dough works in a fermenting process, so you have to let it "do it's thang" for 14 hours.  But, take my word for it:  it is worth the wait!  Also, as a little "extra" for you, having made it all the way through this post... one of my favorite kinds of mayo is to take some Duke's mayo, then add in a few splashes of balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper.  This will change your life.  Well, not as much as Jesus [obviously], but it's mighty tasty.

BONUS:  Since I will (hopefully!) have some leftover focaccia bread and mozzarella cheese from the past couple of days, I will be serving up my ABSOLUTE favorite sandwich (and top 5 food of all time!)...   Balsamic Caprese Panini.

Happy Eating!  I hope that at least a couple of these recipes and dinner plans will help offer you a little sanity in your otherwise busy life.  (Um, I'm hoping that I'm not the only crazy in the bunch...)

 

One of my favorite patrons!

Whatsoever state I am...

This week was full of highs and lows.  Some verses the Lord has echoed in my heart [even when I haven't necessarily been listening] are Philippians 4:11-12, which encourages us from Paul's personal experience so he shares,

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased [knocked flat on my back, completely wiped out by the flu], and I know how to abound [celebrate the life of my sweet babies]: every where [at work when I have to be away from my family] and in all things [no matter what changes in my schedule may come]  I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

Contentment is an interesting thing.  It is something that often creeps right on out, sometimes unawares.  But something that has helped me to learn from my "abase" moments is to look at the perspective of at least it isn't...  The best part of this lesson is that my kiddos have started to pick up the habit of "at least" as well!  Contentment is a learned quality, you know!

But, as always, the Lord provides more than a few moments of blessed-beyond-measure for me to rejoice...and share!

So here you go:

Highlight of my week:  my sweet boy's birthday.  Wow!  Six.  My first baby is SIX.  I have to use BOTH hands to show how old he is.  *sob*

We know how to party in the Gibson house... We like to do a birthday month instead of just a birthday DAY.  Plus, since variety is the spice of life, we have all different kinds of treats.  So, we had a cupcakes for friends at school, a cookie cake for friends at church, and an ice cream cake for friends at home!

             

Birthday morning started with ice cream for breakfast, and then daddy brought Ellie and Samuel to school so that we could all have lunch together.

   

Another "up" of my week is that my sweet Samuel turned 11 months old.  Again: wow.  I cannot believe it.  He is loving standing in his crib, thinking that he knows how to walk. 

One of the not-so-favorite parts of this week is that mama was a little on the icky side.  But the blessing of mama being sick is that my sweet babies love to take care of me.  My Ellie is especially nurturing-- she took my temperature, sang me some songs, and even gave me some "shots".

 

 

Doc McEllie has been takin' care of Mama

There wasn't much swimming for me this week.  But there were many early bedtimes!  One of my personal issues is finding the balance of life.  Sometimes I stress about not getting to exercise, swimming too much and not spending time with my family, spending equal amounts of quality time with each of my sweet ones, and the list can go on and on and on and... well, you get the idea. 

But I think that that is one of the big "umphs" of those verses I shared [Philippians 4:11-12, in case you are just as tired as I am and can't quite remember].  Learning to be content:  right. where. I. am.  Not worrying about what needs to get done, not fretting about what isn't getting done.  Just being content right where I am.  Perhaps someday I will be able to confidently say, as the Apostle Paul did, "I have learned!"  But for today, I will continue to press on and snuggle these babies.

 

I passed the halfway mark!!!

For anyone who is even more OCD than I am, you will know that not only have I passed the halfway mark, but I am almost to the "three-quarters of the way" mark! :)

Today is actually Day 72.  Wow.  I can't believe it.  While I must admit that I have not made it completely 100% faithfully to my goals set at the beginning of this 100 Days journey, I am grateful for the lessons I am learning along the way.

I am learning to be aware of who I am as "the mama".  I often refer to myself by that name.  "The Mama".  And, let me tell you:  I. love. it.

I know the sun is a little weird on Samuel's face, 

but I love this picture of my sweeties!

I am learning that as the mama, I have a HUUUUUGE privilege.  And responsibility.  I am given the privilege to shape and change someone's soul.  But I have the responsibility to model for these sweet babies each and every day.  The responsibility to model Who Christ is.

I am learning to enjoy each moment more and more.  I am a pretty "task oriented" and "list driven" kind of person.  But often in those driving moments, I miss so many quiet blessings that are not on my list, but are whirling all around me.  How thankful I am for how persistent the Holy Spirit is with His work on my heart.

 

"Mama, let's paint our nails the same."

 I am learning the dishes will wait, but my babies are one day older.  Today is the youngest they will ever be again.  *sob*  But I have today.  Today to enjoy and laugh.

     

Look to the left ......... look to the right

*love is all around*

We've had some exciting activities in the past couple of days...  As I've already shared, these kiddos are just growin' on up...  Look what they've gotten into lately:

Color Belt Testing

    

Daniel has moved up to a "Yellow Belt"!

   

Front leg kick!  E is now an "Orange Belt"!

D and E with their beloved instructor.     And they are lookin' fierce!

 

This sweet boy is standing up and lovin' life!

Baking and sharing with others...

 

 

Ellie drew me a lovely flower picture...

"It's you and me, Mama."

 

Helping mama pump the gas

Enjoying the beautiful sunshine and time together with the ones we love...

  

                                  

    

 Wheeeeeeeee!

Play hard, sleep hard

This sweet boy reads a bedtime story to his sister every night...

 

"I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."

~Psalm 4:8

WARNING!

If you are one of those kinds of people who look at the Bible as a sort of "buffet", where you can pick and choose what you like, and leave what doesn't really appeal to you... well, either prepare to be offended or just don't read any further.

I, for one, am of the belief that the Bible is more like the "clean plate club"-- you know, you eat everything on your plate, whether you like it or not!

Image from here

Now, hold on tight, 'cause here we go...

Several weeks ago, I came across a rather intriguing article.  This article basically put into words what I have firmly believed for a very long time:  the basic summation of the article is that homosexuality is not something you are "just born with" but is instead, a sin-- just like any and all other sins-- something that is a result of the original sin as recorded in Scripture.  And that-- being a sin nature-- really IS something we are all "just born with".

Now, before you write me off in thinking, "Oh, this is just another one of those 'homosexuality is a sin' preaching posts!" please give me just a few more moments of your time.  You will see, in fact, that that is not at all the burden that has been upon my heart.  Rather, I will instead open to you a secret part of my heart.

[But just so we're clear, the Bible does plainly state that homosexuality is a sin.  And, remember, I'm a "clean plate" gal, sooo... yah.  I believe it's a sin, too.]

If you happen to have been following my blog at all lately, you already know that I have embarked on a 100 Day Journey {if you want to catch up, just start here!}.  As I am moving through these days, the Lord has really dug down deeply into the innermost, secret parts of my very soul.  He is cleaning out things that I truly don't need and putting back in that place, things that make me so much more like and for Jesus.  One of the ways that He has been doing this work is through both my quiet time and Sunday School teaching times.  During these times, there have been several occasions for me to revisit that original sin that I mentioned a little bit ago.

In case you need a refresher, here's a recap:

God placed Adam and Eve, the original man and woman, in a perfectly created garden of Eden.  There was no sin, no pain, no problems.  They only had one rule:  do not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  One. Rule.  However, the Evil One came to Eve and presented her with a proposition.  He carefully asked her about God's "restriction" given.  Satan questioned the very Nature of God, the goodness of God.   He led Eve to believe that God was somehow keeping her from something that she deserved. 

Has God indeed said, 

"You shall not eat of every tree of the garden"?

And, sadly, Eve listened to the wrong voice.  She looked at that tree, saw that it was good to eat.  And (this always makes me *sigh* and so very sad down in my soul when I read) she took it.

And then.  THEN she gave it to her husband. [But that's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother time!]

Now, let me stop you right there.  If you are anything like me, it is super easy for us to point and shake our finger at Eve, tsk-tsking her.  I get all high and mighty, simply aghast that Eve dared to disobey, she dared to give in to that tree.

But then the Lord stopped me right in my tracks.  Stopped that tsking and finger pointing.

The Lord pressed on my heart the reality that each and everyone of us has a "tree" in our life.  *I* have a tree, one that is right there behind me, practically calling my name.  A tree that the Evil One uses to tempt us-- to lure us away from any relationship with a Savior, causing us to question the very goodness of a Holy God.  Just like Eve was tempted to take from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, there are a wide variety of temptations that pose as trees in each and every life.  The Evil One is crafty; he is cunning; he is a roaring lion.  And he is ready to devour each and everyone of us.  He is able to do this because he knows exactly what "tree" tempts which person.  I firmly believe that this "tree" is often a very specific weakness in our sin nature, something that we are prone to give in to unless we day in and day out determine to "let not sin reign therefore in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts." (Romans 6:12)

Wanna know what MY "tree" is?  {Here comes my heart}

 

Food.

Yes, you read that right.  Food and the proper balance of the role food plays in my heart and life.  Food as my comfort, the challenge to my self control.

Food is my tree.

The tree that I have to battle with and wrestle against day in and day out.  Probably for the rest of my life.  And while you may not understand it (um, it's not your tree, so how could you?), let me tell you that since I now see my tree AS my tree, I understand "other sins" so much better.  I pray so much harder for my fellow brothers and sisters, I pray differently for my brothers and sisters.

There has been more than one moment in these past several weeks and months that I found myself at a crossroads.  That tree was tempting me in a most persistent manner.  And I actually said out loud:

"Ugh.  You know what, I don't want to do this anymore.  I am tired.  I like [insert some particularly scrumptious and unhealthy "treat"].  I just don't know if I can fight it any longer.  It would be so much easier to just. give. in."

And then it hit me.  [Cue your mind back to that article I was talking about in the beginning]

Imagine that person you know who has struggled with a tendency towards homosexuality their entire life.  And even the one who has now given in-- claiming "That's who I really am" or even "I've never been so happy until now.  I've really 'found myself'."  Maybe people have even said, "Oh, we just knew he was gay from the time he was in elementary school!"  But, I say NO!  No, he was not born to be a homosexual.  That is just his "tree".  He was born no differently than any other person of the human race: he was born a sinner.  But this just happens to be the fight that he must battle day in and day out.  Probably for the rest of his life.  And maybe he just got too tired of fighting.

It's so much easier to just give in.

[That's why it's called "wrestling".]

Yet, that is the battle we all are called to fight.   But we should fight together.  Why else do we read in James chapter five...

"Confess your sins one to another
[don't be ashamed or afraid to share with a brother/sister in Christ what your tree is]

And pray for one another
[wrestle for them and with them before the throne of God in heaven]

That you may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

So what's your tree?  We know that there are only three categories... lust of the eyes [pornography, envy, jealousy], lust of the flesh [gluttony, lust, greed], and the pride of life [arrogance, self-sufficiency, power, money].  And I know that if you are honest with yourself, you also know that it doesn't do any good for you to pretend that you DON'T have a tree.  Because you do.

It is my prayer that you will never again look at the variety of trees all around in the same way.  May you remember to pray for one another every single time you see a tree.  May you pray that the Lord will give the strength for that dear one to fight.  Fight, just one more day.  Just for today, might we all resist the evil one.

Resist.  And he will flee from you.