The Mighty Saguaro

You can always tell a newcomer to Arizona when they pronounce the saguaro cactus as "sa-goo-row" instead of the proper, "suh-whar-oh" with the accent on the middle syllable. It's almost unforgivable when a new weather person does this on local television. They end up apologizing with a red face.

Photo taken at the Lake Pleasant Visitors' Center

The saguaro is a magnificent phenomenon found only in the Sonoran Desert--that is in Arizona, northern Mexico, and just a smidgen in southeastern California. It's the mother of all cacti and the one seen on countless photos trying to lure visitors to the Southwest. I've lived in Arizona over forty years and I still am amazed at their stature and uniqueness.

Some interesting trivia (in case you ever compete on Jeopardy):

• most saguaros develop arms as they grow older, as many as 25
• beneath their prickly outer shell is a wooden spine, hollow in order to hold water
• they are slow growers--1/2 inch a year and live to be about 200 years old
• they grow in a very limited span of elevation, 200-foot window, I think
• they produce white, waxy flowers in the spring and red fruit in the late summer
• they obtain most of their moisture during the summer monsoons and very little from the more frequent but weaker winter rains
• their roots are shallow, 4 to 6 inches deep, and radiate out as far as they are tall
• they have one tap root which goes deeply into the ground--2 feet
• birds and owls make nests in the crook of a saguaro's arm (cactus wren is the Arizona state bird)
• when they die, the wooden spines are used to make furniture, fences, roofs, etc.
• it is against the law in Arizona to kill a saguaro

Well now, using this stately plant as a metaphor for living the Christian life is just too easy, but I'll go there anyway. 

If we are to exist in a harsh world (the desert) we must accumulate nourishment (water in the hollow cavity of the cactus). We must grow our roots deep into God's word, his instruction manual (the tap root), and we must be patient to grow steadily (1/2 inch a year).

We could get really sappy and consider the importance of growing arms, reaching out to others, but that makes even me gag. Metaphors can be overdone and I'm sure the saguaro cactus is sick of being held up as a model for strong Christian living. We could also point out the obvious:  we produce beauty in our lives (white, waxy flowers) and produce results from our testimonies (summertime fruit).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5: 22-23)

The one fact, however, that surprises me is that they obtain most of their water to store up for survival from the rainstorms of the ridiculously harsh summer, not the rains of the comfortable winter climate. Obviously, God created them to adapt to and endure the desert.

What does that say about us? Growth in God is a major theme of this blog and I know from personal experience, God grows me more fully during the times of distress and tragedy in my life than in the relaxed times of comfort and peace. I'm always striving for peace but he speaks to my heart and teaches me to rely on him during those awful times--times I'd rather do without.

So, Mighty Cactus. I admire your strength, uniqueness, survive-ability, longevity, and even your strange beauty. I must remember to burrow my tap root deep into the Word of God and seek my nourishment from him through study and prayer. Maybe I can even get to the point of being grateful for those tough times when God teaches me the most. Hmmm. Don't know if I'm there yet.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5 16-18)

I think they look like whiskers on the hillside

Some perspective on their enormous size

For more fascinating information on this strange plant go to http://www.dbg.org/



If Southwestern gardening interests you, go to a friend's blog at www.azbackyardeden.blogspot.com
She is a master gardener and her backyard is 
 incredible. 


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The Power of Language

Aa-chooooo! It was quite a sneeze, one of those Arizona pollen-triggered jobbies:  loud, long, and startling. From the back of the crowd came an equally loud, "God bless you and God bless those around you!"

Everyone laughed because that response aptly summed up what we all were thinking in this day of "germaphobia" and hand sanitizers. It was a new take on an old cliche--like gesundheit with a twist.

There are other cliches we use that can be quite helpful to convey complex thoughts and opinions in just a few words. They also can be a lazy way of communicating without thinking. It's like verbal shorthand. 

Pat phrases come from all sorts of sources:  great literature, the Bible, Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, advertisers, television comedians, etc. For example:

• He/she marches to the beat of a different drummer (Thoreau)
• God helps those who help themselves (Ben Franklin)
• Grab all the gusto you can (beer commercial)
• No pain, no gain (probably a sadistic coach or trainer)
• You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours (business person or politician)
• Double-dipping of a potato chip (Seinfeld)
• Fish and visitors smell after three days (Mark Twain)
• Paradigm shift (business)
• Think outside the box (?)
• Not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed
• Not the sharpest tool in the shed
• Stupid is as stupid does (Forrest Gump's mom, Sally Fields)
• Build your castles in the air (Thoreau & Les Miserables)
• Dumb as a box of rocks

Cliches are not bad, in fact they're part of every culture. When taking a foreign language class some of the first phrases taught have to do with "Hi, how are you? I'm fine, thank you." (For travelers the first phrase is, "Where's the bathroom?")

Cover up?

Sometimes, though, they can be a cop-out, a cover up for our real feelings when we don't know what to say. For example, when someone experiences a tragedy we often rely on pat phrases to fill in awkward silences. Or if there's something too painful to talk about we explain things using familiar words to soften the impact.

The Bible talks about the importance of using clear, thoughtful language.

 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5: 12, RSV)

In his interaction with people, Jesus was clear and direct, zeroing in on their need:

"Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5)
"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." (Mark 2: 12)
"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4: 40)
"Little girl, I say to you, get up!" (Mark 5: 41)
"'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" (Mark 8:29)

Our goal should be communication, connection through language. Sometimes a cutesy cliche works, and sometimes  a heartfelt use of fresh phrases or words is best. It takes sensitivity to others' needs to figure it out.

Language can be fun...

Listen to your language and to the conversations of those around you. Are you picking up on any fun, clever, or antiquated phrases? Do  you use advertising slogans in your dialog? They want you to do that, you know. Advertisers--that's "another kettle of fish" (this one's from England, I think).

It might be interesting to use the Comments section below to share some of the funny or meaningful phrases that are part of our communication. Click on Comments, use the pull-down menu to register as Anonymous, write a response and hit Publish.

Meanwhile, I know you probably didn't sneeze, but "God bless you" anyway. And I really mean it--I pray God will fill your week with his goodness and joy.

                                                                                    Blessings,
                                                                                                   Sue

I could play you like a fiddle/that hurt like there's no tomorrow/she's got a bee in her bonnet or a burr under her saddle/if you can't beat 'em, join 'em/don't poke the bear/run like a gazelle/he's a piece of work/drives like a banshee/there's no crying in Disneyland/it won't be noticed on a galloping horse/if you can't stand the heat, get outta the kitchen/for cryin' out loud in a bucket!/I'm so mad I can't see straight/......:)








Our goal

Cud-Chewing

Imagine a lovely scene of contented black and white cows, lazing around in a field of wildflowers. So serene and so very country. Aren’t they adorable? But wait. Do you know what these little lovelies do? They spend a lot of time chewing and chewing and chewing. It’s called ruminating, a necessity for their digestion. Yuck. What a mental image that brings to mind!

 

 Sadly, we, too, sometimes ruminate--on hurts, injustices, or negative circumstances. You know the scenario:  we replay a conversation over and over, nursing our hurt feelings and imagining all sorts of clever, forceful responses. It’s devastating and we don’t even realize we’re doing it

  

God has a better plan for our minds that is expressed beautifully in these words:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things….And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4: 8 & 9)

 30 Days to Establish a Good Habit

It’s not easy overcoming the destructive habit of negative rumination but we can be proactive in eliminating it from our minds.

• Ask God to alert us when we dwell on negative situations and then confess it as a sin.
• Replace the negative thoughts with a verse of scripture or praise song.
• Pray for the person who is at the center of our thoughts and experience sweet relief.

Freedom from the devastating practice of rehashing, chewing, and ruminating old hurts leads to inner peace.

Maybe the rural image of cows doesn’t cut it for you. Think instead of instant replay. Years ago an NFL player suffered a horrific tackle resulting in a serious leg break needing extensive surgery. The cameras caught the graphic incident on film from many angles and they replayed it over and over—throughout the rest of the game and then throughout the following several weeks. It was excruciating to watch. The player himself must have cringed from his hospital bed every time the tape ran. His loved ones probably refused to look at it anymore. I know I did.

 That’s what we do in our minds whether we’re remembering a major tragedy or a minor infraction to our egos. We run the instant replay DVD over and over. We may think we have the hurt all splinted up and on the road to healing but then we replay it in our minds and become spiritually paralyzed.

A good question to ask:  "Do my thoughts reach the standards set in this scripture verse from Philippians?" Cows and Instant Replay. Both are enemies to peaceful living.

Family tradition from my youth:  when a young person leaves home, they're given a brown cow filled with cookies

Hand painted by my daughter many years ago

Suppport Personnel

The movie just ended and people are filing out of the theater. If you see someone walking backwards up the aisle reading the credits on the screen, that would be me.

I am an obsessive reader, especially when it comes to acknowledging the support team that produces a movie. A friend who knows the industry, once said if a person gets their name on the credits, that means they've worked long and hard to get there. Someone other than their parents should read the names of these diligent workers so I feel obligated.

Let's face it, support personnel often don't get the credit they deserve in most endeavors. That's why I'm fascinated by the story of an obscure woman named Biddy Chambers. Her real name is Gertrude Hobbs Chambers and she was the wife of the famous pastor/teacher/author, Oswald Chambers. He authored over 30 books, his most notable being My Utmost for His Highest. It is a devotional that has been continuously in print in the United States since 1935 and often is on the top ten titles of religious book best-seller lists. 

Biddy?

Why is this woman so interesting and how did she get that strange name? The name was his nickname for her, the daughter of a friend. Even before they married, he saw her as a partner in his ministry--one who could help him get his sermons and lessons into print. Why? Because she was a court stenographer who could write 250 words a minute in shorthand.

They served together in many posts but the last was in Cairo, Egypt, under the authority of the Y.M.C.A. He was sent there to provide a positive social life for Australian and New Zealand soldiers fighting in World War I. Basically, his job was to keep the men from visiting brothels.

He came under criticism from the Y.M.C.A. for giving away refreshments rather than charging the soldiers. When he cancelled the concerts and movies provided for their entertainment everyone told him he would lose his audience. The opposite occurred. Men flocked to his sermons--such was his personality and teaching and their need to learn about God before going into battle. And there sat Biddy, in the back of the room taking down every word her husband spoke.

How does Biddy fit into all this?

Sadly, Chambers died barely into his forties from a ruptured appendix. Though she was devastated, Biddy spent the rest of her life transcribing her notes of his lectures into publications. Today we have the classic My Utmost for His Highest because of the tedious work done by this humble woman, Biddy Chambers. She is so humble she signs her Foreword to the book, B.C. She doesn't even use her complete name.

What do I take away from her story?

• She lost the love of her life much too early but she channeled her grief into preserving his works, knowing how effective his words were in bringing people closer to God.
• She used her skills to keep his teachings alive and available to millions of readers throughout the years.
• She exhibited a spirit of humility. 

What Can We Learn?

• Life throws curve balls (like the early death of a loved one) and we can channel our energies to go beyond mere survival to service for God.

• If we know God, we must share him.

• We each have skills God can use to further his work on earth.

• God honors a humble heart. 

 If there were a blockbuster movie about Oswald Chambers, I believe Biddy Chambers' name would be emblazoned in gold lettering.

Let the Credits Roll! 

 

(Information from Introduction to My Utmost for His Highest, 1963 edition Discovery House Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI & Online Wikiepedia)

Power of H2O

  Recently, Arizona experienced the power of unleashed water in the form of a five-hour rainstorm--nothing of consequence in the Midwest but destructive in our thirsty desert. Interstate 10, the main artery from California to Florida which cuts through the heart of Phoenix, had to be closed for most of a day due to flooding, stranded vehicles, and the slippery muck left behind as the water receded. Schools were closed and neighborhoods were flooded.

Neighborhood park after Phoenix' 100-Year Flood                (photo courtesy Peggy Gregory)

 I was reminded anew of the immense power of water on a recent visit to the Grand Canyon. We hadn't seen this amazing wonder for about thirty years and wanted to check to see if it had changed. It didn't. It is still the inspiring view that elicits gasps. The steady erosion of the relentless Colorado River flowing for eons carves out this exquisite Natural Wonder of the World, both creating and revealing the striped beauty of the Canyon.

 











Arizona is the Grand Canyon State and residents and visitors enjoy it close up and personal, as hikers or mule riders, close but safe from viewpoints along the ridge or the new clear viewing platform that juts over the abyss, or from afar in an airplane or helicopter.

 


We visited another spectacular phenomenon on our recent trip to Canada where we hiked up to the base of Takakkaw Falls, formed by a melting glacier. The roar was deafening, the mist drenching, and the power thunderous.



The Bible talks about the power of water in its metaphor about believers being channels of God's love to others--living water leading from Jesus, the Source of abundant life and salvation. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7: 37-38) Jesus was teaching about the power of the Holy Spirit which soon would come to his followers. He was encouraging them to believe and then spread the Good News.

Imagine yourself as a living stream, a channel filled with fresh, clear, life-giving water. You can be the one who carries the message of salvation and blessings to your family, friends, and acquaintances. People all around are hurting and craving hope in a world gone crazy. What strengths, love, faith, etc. do you have to offer? 

Go and refresh the world around you.

"If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished in you mighty torrents of blessing for others." 

                                                                    Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest

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God's Employee

Ann Vallotton was a Swiss artist who died in December, 2013, at the age of 98. She is relatively unknown but has been called the most widely sold artist of all time. That’s because she created 500 illustrations for The Good News Bible which sold 225 million copies. This was one of the first of several translations written in everyday language, designed to make scripture understandable.

            The King James Version was the only Bible available in the Protestant Church up until the Twentieth Century and was difficult to understand because the “King’s English” represented the spoken word of the Elizabethan Age. Think Shakespeare, Folks. Thankfully, a handful of modern translations appeared. What a treat to be able to read such an important book and understand it.

            The American Bible Society commissioned a group of translators to take on the daunting task of creating The Good News Bible and in 1966 The New Testament portion was published. In 1971 a consultant from the British and Foreign Bible Society added his expertise to the American team, resulting in a translation of the Old Testament along with the fourth edition of the New.

The Most Widely Sold Artist of All Time 

            Ann Vallotton’s simple line-drawn illustrations accompany the modern text beautifully. Her stick-figure drawings don’t interfere with the reading but rather support it in a subtle yet meaningful way. My favorite is the one accompanying Galatians 6: 2: “Help carry one another’s burdens.”

            Interestingly, nowhere is Ann Valloton’s name mentioned in the Preface or copyright page of the Good News Bible. She asked to remain anonymous. Her goal was to make people want to read the scriptures and her beautiful, simple drawings do just that. They are delightful and her humility is inspiring. She was a gifted artist who obviously used her ability to glorify God.

A Truly Humble Servant

            The lesson I take is the awesomeness of her humble spirit. She totally exemplifies the instructions given by Paul to the believers in Colosse:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for men. Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.” (Colossians 3: 23-24 – The Good News Bible translation)

            God gifted this amazing artist with insight and artistic ability and she used it to encourage people to read his Word. Likewise, God has gifted each of us and wants us to use our abilities to honor him and point others to him.

            Find a translation of The Good News Bible and look at Ann Vallotton’s illustrations. Enjoy browsing through them and let them touch your heart. Think about your own strengths and abilities. Are you letting God use them to help others? 

* * * * * * * * *

(Her illustrations don't show up in the online version of The Good News Bible, possibly because of copyright infringement. Instead, Google Ann Vallotton and you'll find her images. They are delightful and worth the search.)

(Information is from the Preface to The Good News Bible, Broadman Press, 1976 edition. Information on Ann Vallotton is from various online sites.)

From Chaos to Calm

Who depends on you? What are your responsibilities? How many items are on your to-do list for the week?

Overwhelmed yet? The jumble that makes up your daily life can cause incredible chaos. This doesn't even factor in the biggies that occur:  loss of health, relationships, job, or home; fear, either real or imagined; worry about, well, everything.

How can we manage an overloaded life so there are pockets of calm?

Proactive Steps:

• Pare down
• Simplify
• Just say no

No, no, no! That's insulting if you are in the throes of life right now because often you can't eliminate anything. It would be like asking

• Which meal can my family do without?
• Which kid do I neglect today?
• How do I tell my boss I can't do the work she assigned?

So, how can we manage all we must do and stay upright? Try this:

1. Work diligently and efficiently. Focus 100% on the task at hand and then REMOVE YOURSELF FROM IT. (see a previous post, Formula for Busy People, about setting priorities and working through goals.)
2. Take care of yourself physically. Eat healthy (try eliminating one not-so-good item from your diet), exercise (each week move around a little more than the previous week), and get good sleep (work on your before bed sleep routines and allow enough time for proper sleep). Even Elijah took a God-ordered nap when he was depressed and overwhelmed. (see I Kings 19: 3-9)
3. Work on improving your relationships. Schedule time for fun and social engagements.
4. Be sure to spend time alone with God.

Now...

Invert that list so it looks something like this:

1. Spend time alone with God
2. Work to improve your relationships ("People are more important than things")
3. Take care of your physical well-being
4. Work responsibly and productively

Do you see the difference? Allowing God to be first in your daily priorities enables everything else to fall into place. The busier you are the more you need to place God first.

Wonder of all wonders, privately communicating with God makes me more energetic, it clears my thinking, it minimizes stress, and increases my productivity.I don't know how, but it works every time.

Too Busy not to Spend Time with God!

 

My Prayer Chair in a former backyard

Old Testament David, a man with many responsibilities as king of God's people and a man who frequently found his life in chaos, said it best:  "I seek you with all my heart;...I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees....I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways....I will not neglect your word." (Psalm 119: 10-12, 15-16)

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (Psalm 145: 18)

David learned to go from chaos to calm by spending time with his God.

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