You are going to
think I am crazy (except those who know me best) but last Saturday I was down
in my creek with my high-powered Husqvarna Backpack Leaf Blower.
"O.K., Buck,
we'll bite. What were you doing in the creek with a leaf blower?" You
might ask. I would logically reply, "I was cleaning my creek."
"Don't you clean your creek?" "Isn't that the way everyone
cleans their creek?" Now, I realize this may prompt several questions so
let me explain. First among your questions would be, "Why is it necessary
for you to clean your creek?" Well, let me explain.
Over the course
of time, my creek accumulates sticks, rocks, leaves and other debris such as
signs and landscape timbers (I have even found golf balls from a golf course
over a mile away and, once, a dollar bill, but I digress) from places up
stream. This naturally impedes the flow of the creek. If this debris remains,
the water becomes stagnant and algae forms on the streambed. Algae consume the
oxygen in the water and can smother life in the stream. Stagnation also becomes
a wonderful breeding ground for mosquitos, whose presence deters grandchildren
from playing in the yard. This is unacceptable.
"Tell us
about the high-powered backpack leaf blower, Buck."
Well, I have developed a
highly efficient method of cleaning the creek. Using my technique with
my trusty Husqvarna, I can push large volumes of water with wind power, which
is so in vogue these days, over the debris, thereby dislodging it and scouring the bottom of the creek. Voila! A clean creek! There
is no muss, no fuss, and no bother. You stay relatively clean and keep your
hands out of a germ-infested creek!
You know, sometimes our
lives are like my creek. Worry, doubt and sin clog the flow of joy and peace in
our lives. God's Spirit is hindered from flowing freely in our lives. It causes us to stagnate. Stagnation smothers
our spiritual lives and leads to impurities in our thoughts and actions and
perhaps worse things.
There is a remedy, a way
to "clean our creek". I John 1:9, which says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Hebrews 12:1
says, "Let us throw off everything
that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles". As we
confess our sins, the Holy Spirit can more freely flow and continue to
"scour the streambeds" of our thoughts and actions for greater purity
of life and purpose.
"Cleaning our
creeks" is a continuous process. We must regularly and carefully inspect
our "creeks" to check on the "stream flow." Are there areas
of stagnation in our spiritual lives? Are we neglecting our prayer life? How
long has it been since I have picked up my Bible? When was the last time I was
in fellowship with other believers? When is the last time I had a conversation
with someone about my faith in Christ?
Just some questions to
consider regarding the health of my "creek."
Net Work News:
- The
Friday Morning Group has started a new study book. "Love Does" by Bob Goss, who is a Washington D.C.
attorney who finds new ways of expressing God's love to others and
challenges us to do the same. This book is full of good humor and
inspiration.
- Our Friday
Group had a weekend retreat to one of our member's farm in middle Georgia.
- We were
able to move our disabled friend into a much nicer senior living apartment
where he has many friends. He is also now getting much better medical care.
Thank you,
my friends, for making all this possible by your encouragement, prayers and
financial support