Deep Thoughts and Little Happenings

I have moved. You can find me at  https://barbaracoulson.com/ I hope to see you there every Thursday! Thank you for being a part of what the LORD's doing in my life!!! "I thank my God every time I think of you." Philippians 1:3 (CJB)

Happy 4th of July! This is a time of great celebration for all Americans. It's a time of remembering and looking forward with both gratitude and expectation.   I'm so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy here in America. I'm not so naïve as to believe we live in a perfect nation but I do believe America is an amazing place to live. A nation worth the effort of every resident to preserve and exercise their freedom with kindness and compassion. Never turning a blind eye to injustice, but speaking out and standing against it. Seeing the value in every person, desiring their good, doing good to them, and never tearing them down with our words or actions. Many have paid a high price for the right of all Americans to choose. And one of the greatest choices we're free to make is to whom or what we will assign first place in our lives. We must choose wisely because to whomever or whatever we assign the greatest value will determine every other choice we make. Which...

"Simon says, 'Clap your hands.' Simon says, 'Stick out your tongue.' ' Pat your head.'" "Haha! You're out! Simon didn't say 'pat your head'!"  Can you hear the laughter? Maybe some excuses? We've all played the game and we've all gotten so focused on doing the next thing Simon says that we do something Simon didn't say. Yep! You guessed it. Today's deep thought is about listening to and following directions. UGH! I know, it's a tough topic but it's something we all want to do well. As followers of Jesus, we're listening for His instructions. We're seeking to know the next thing He wants us to do. But sometimes we get bound up in the doing instead of the following. We even come up with our own things to do in hopes of pleasing Him when all He wants from us is obedience. The LORD used our Scott to bring this truth into a place of experience for me. He took it from an abstract lesson to...

One, Two, Three, Four, ...Twenty! Ready, or not, here I come!  Hide and Seek is a game my grandchildren love to play when it's too cold or wet to go outside. They squeeze into cupboards, behind curtains, and into closets, all in hopes of evading the one who's looking for them. Adults like to hide too. We hide ourselves from others as well as ourselves, but not as a game. Hiding isn't something new. It's been going on as long as sin has been in the world. Adam and Eve hid themselves from one another and from God after that first sin. Guilt, shame, and fear consumed them; initiating the first cover up. (Genesis 2:25 & 3:6-10) We were created to be in transparent relationship with our Creator and one another. No separation or fear! Only intimacy through the experience of living life together. Thankfully, the LORD provided the ultimate covering. Jesus! His sinless life, death, and resurrection brought a covering that is eternal for all who will receive it. F...

Red Rover, Red Rover, send ___________ right over! You remember the game. You stand with hands linked and offer a challenge to someone on the other team. If they break through your defenses, you go back to their side. If you hold the line, they stay with you and become a part of your team. Okay, we don't want to get too literal with our comparisons, but I believe there's a beautiful reminder of the gift of friendship in this child's game. I have several "Red Rover Friends."  These friends are also Christ followers, and they stand with me when the adversary comes storming my way. They're friends who won't let go when the pressure is on. Their grip never loosens, regardless of the pain it may cause them or me. They are reliable at all times, but especially when I'm feeling weak and vulnerable (Proverbs 17:17) . Red Rover Friends cry with me, celebrate with me, and comfort me during times of hardship. They know me; therefore, they cho...

George and I packed all we'd need for a day at Silver Lake and set off. The trail was mushy from all the recent rains and we had to step carefully or sink to our ankles in black goopy mud. I fell back and let George take the lead. As we single filed through the sun-dappled area, my mind wandered. I enjoy every season the LORD gives, but the warmer days and extended daylight hours seem to bring renewed life to our neighborhood.  The air echoes with the squeals of children playing and the buzz of friendships being renewed after cold indoor months. My mind soon skittered back to childhood and times spent playing with siblings and cousins while the adults sat talking into the dark hours of night. One of those games was Follow the Leader . The leader chose where we went and what we would do on the way. Those following had to watch carefully. Those following the followers were depending on them to do it right. The same is true for Christ Followers! Someone is always watching u...

June is coming, but I cannot leave the garden before taking a second look at the pruning process.  I want to look at pruning from the perspective of the one being pruned. A plant in our garden has no say when we pull out the clippers or shears, but it's a different story when God is pruning His children. We are not plants; we are living beings. God created us and He gave us free will.  He wants us to choose Him and His ways; not out of obligation but because we love, value, and trust Him above all others (including ourselves). Jesus gave us a word picture in John 15 to help us better understand our need to stay in relationship with Him. He also said everyone connected with Him will be pruned. I've heard there are only two responses to the pruning process. Rebellion or cooperation. I believe there are two more. Resignation or gratitude . Why do I believe this? Experience! The LORD pointed out my "I'll accept Your way but I don't like it" attit...

My azaleas have finished blooming and it's time to prune them in preparation for next year's b looms.  I've learned timing and method is im portant when pruning, and not all plants should be pruned at the same time or in the same way.   For instance, deadheading is considered pruning.  Who knew?! Pruning is an ongoing part of our life in Christ and plays a major role in our ability to bear fruit.  In John 15, Jesus refers to Himself as the Vine and us as the branches of the Vine.  He also tells us very directly; we will be pruned.  We aren't pruned as punishment.   We're pruned so we will be stronger, more useful, and bear more fruit. Not one branch on a vine will bring fruit on its own.  The only thing a branch must do is stay connected to the life-giving vine.  The same is true of us and our relationship with Jesus.  W e cannot be fruitful apart from Him.  One other thing, Jesus is ver y clear about the pruning proc...

Perennials live for more than one season. T hose in Christ are perennials. God made a way for me (and you) to have eternal life. He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died in our place, and was resurrected. Jesus is living in heaven right now. He's preparing a place for each of us to live when we get there.   Jesus also came to give us abundant life on earth. Abundant living sometimes seems impossible when life brings hardship and heartache. So h ow do we keep from living stunted, withered, and unproductive lives?   Keep the LORD as our first love. Seek to know Him and His ways through Scripture and prayer.   Walk by the Spirit. He was given to us to help us live the most joyful, beautiful, and vibrant life possible. S eek God’s perspective in every relationship. God is the Master Gardener; He did not plant us haphazardly. We’re planted where we are for a purpose.  Those around us are there for a reason.   ----------- ...

I’ve always been fascinated by bees.  They’re beautiful and tempt me to touch.  A word of caution, the females sting.  And before you ask, I have no idea how to tell which bees are female. I do know bees play an important role in the garden.  They pollinate flowers, vegetables, fruits, and trees.  It’s the result of their movement, but it’s not their reason for going to the garden.  No, t hey’re there to gather food.  They’re doing what bees do. Bees seem to defy the laws of aerodynamics, and at one time, it was thought the flight of a bumblebee was a physical impossibility.  Bees never stopped flying because man didn’t understand how it was possible .  No! They continued flying because that's what bees do. I see two important spiritual lessons here:  1 – Be who you were created to be, and 2 - Don’t listen to those who question your ability to do what you’re created to do. Being is freedom.  God put me (and...