Branching Out

Rebeca's creation for playing Pirates

When I started Tree Pickings, I had the idea in mind of sharing a broad range of topics, and I feel that I've not branched out very well. However, today I have several things on my mind. For one thing, I'm doing some reading in different books that is challenging revolutionizing my thinking. Then I have the day to day living experience which has parts that are just joy and parts that I'd never choose to go through. Finally, there are some local events that threaten to disturb my mental peace.



        "So You Don't Want to Go To Church Anymore" by Jake Colsen (a pseudonym for two collaborating authors) has done a number on me. Vitalizing truths are so well expressed in this short work which uses a novel format and makes the reading easy. I hope to go through it again to glean more from it and to share the Spanish translation with Chuy. A reviewer said, "This is an exceptional story that will make you laugh, cry and be in awe of the love that Father has for all his children! It will challenge you to rethink what church is all about!" Chris, Student, East Tennessee State University --Lifestream.org  On my part, there is total agreement with Chris.
     I'm also working on finishing "From Eternity to Here", Frank Viola's magnum opus. Today I read a thought that stood out to me and I just had to run inside (in the mornings I'm enjoying the coolness of the patio) and share it with Chuy. The idea was that believers yielded to the Holy Spirit have a natural desire to love each other and to be gathered together. Taking off with the thought, I suggested that perhaps the people that are lacking commitment to our group are actually needing to be more yielded to the Spirit. In which case, our task is not to encourage (often just manipulation in disguise) them to keep coming, but rather to sow Life and Love into their hearts. When we fall in love with Jesus, coming together is natural, like coming to the table when we're hungry.

Recently I served the rice with sweet bread for supper.

     Speaking of food, if you ever need to feed a family on next to nothing, I can give you advice. Tonight I made a rice dish hoping to not fry eggs (as I said in another post, we go through 30 or more a week). Boil rice for 20 minutes in extra water, add sugar and milk and then egg yolks. Two yolks made the 1 1/3 cups of rice, quart of water, half quart of milk and 1/2 cup sugar thick and rich. I'm guessing that when Chuy gets home from prayer meeting tonight, the girls are still going to want more supper. Do you think I can send them to bed early and get away with rice? Oh, forgot, three of us are still sleeping in the living room because we're still waiting for the swamp cooler.
    You know, not having use of the bedrooms and schoolroom has gotten old. Putting mattresses down every night and up every morning is old. Not having privacy is worse than old. Pollyanna might observe that we're growing in tolerance and patience. That's good. But the cooler will be better.
    Maybe you've heard about the violence and corruption in Mexico. This week two friends lived it first hand. A pastor friend was on his way home and had to pull over, jump out of his vehicle, and throw himself on the ground: bullets were flying as the mafia shot rounds into the police car in front of him. Very frightening. But he's safe, thank God!
    Another friend's story may explain some of the police killings. Her brother tried to interrupt a car theft, but somehow he got accused of doing it. After threats, torture and extortion, the authorities sent him back to his family. This is what they do when they know the person is innocent but need to make a show of policing.
   I'm thankful for my family, for a house to live in and for a mighty God to keep me, to guide me, to speak to my heart and to take care of all our needs. Having a place to share my journey is a very good thing, indeed! I look forward to comments!