Branded

Picture by Caprice Miller

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”  - Galatians 5:22-23

 

AAAHHH…. the brand of the Lone Star state.  I won’t deny it, I’m a proud Texas girl through and through.  As I’ve met people from around the country and even the world, I’ve noticed an interesting reaction when I tell them I’m a Texas girl, “born and raised”.  Some just seem to think “Uh, that’s great.” And move on to the next subject.  Others seem a little surprised and even more surprised when they find out I’m actually a 4^th or 5^th generation Texan.  When I go out of state or country, people seem to make a connection of “I thought you were a Texan” as we chat.  You would think it could be the accent that’s the dead giveaway.   However, I have much less of an accent than most of my family members.  (Although it does become stronger when we’re together.)  But it seems to be more of a collection of character traits that mark a Texan than an accent, I have discovered.  There is a sense that people get when they meet a Texan vs. what they think they know about a Texan.  There is just something that is expected to be “different” about us.

 It could be said that to know a Texan is to love a Texan.  (Disclaimer:  As with any family, there are….challenges to this statement.)   I can’t always pinpoint what it is, but I can say that my daddy would be that example of a good Texan.  He was a 6’4” teddy bear of a real man’s man.  He loved God, he loved his country and he loved his family. He could build a house, plant a big garden and brand a herd of cattle all in a day’s work.  (Okay, perhaps over a weekend.)  He was kind and gentle, but do NOT mess with his family.  He wasn’t arrogant, but he was the one everyone sought out for help and advice.  His wisdom was legendary.  You would come to him and pour out your problem and he would just listen.   After you were done he would draw a deep breath in and say in his deep, baritone Texas accent, “Weeeelll, I’ll tell ya….”  Followed by very wise and Godly advice.  Whether you took it or not would be up to you, but you knew he would still love you either way.  He also loved my momma deeply until the day the Lord took him home.  He was truly a man of great character. 

Come to think of it, the character traits in the verse above pretty much describe my daddy to a tee.  Hhhmmm,  I suppose that while you might think that he was just a great example of what a Texan should be, which he was, he was more of an example of what a Godly man should be.  Now, he would be the first to tell you that he was not a perfect man, but any credit given to him would be attributed quickly to what God did in his life.  Because of his and my mother’s love for God, it was easy for me to come to know and accept Christ into my own life.  I’m so thankful for such a great example of someone who allowed the Holy Spirit to develop those spiritual fruits in his own life.  He was known by them.  It really was like a brand on his heart.   I didn’t realize it at the time, but that example would hugely influence my own relationship with God.  I wanted that brand too. 

I’m so grateful for the brand my daddy had and taught me of.  You see, while he was a great example of those character traits and taught me about them, he couldn’t actually give them to me as part of my genetic makeup.  I had to make the choice to accept that gift of Christ in my own life, just like daddy did.  And each day I ask God to work in me so that His brand on my heart will shine, just like daddy did.   Daddy left a legacy to his family.  It inspires me every day to continue that legacy.  Not only with my own family but with others I meet too.  I want to share what I’ve been given so others can experience life change through Christ too – I want to share the brand.   I can’t help but think what might happen if each of us would allow God to work in us so His brand shines.  Imagine the life change we would experience.  Imagine the influence we could possibly have in the lives of others.    Sure, I’m a really proud Texan who is proud of her heritage, but the brand on my heart is not a lone star, it’s a cross.   I pray it shines brightly and that yours will too.        

Who's Thirsty?

Picture by Caprice Miller

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”” – John 4:13-14

I do like knowing where I am when I travel through a chain of small towns.  If you miss the town marker on the side of the road you can always look for the water tower to let you know where you are.  It’s funny how we think of these things as more of a town “identifier” than where their water supply is stored.  When you think about it most of the town’s people probably never even consider the water supply location as they turn on their faucets and find flowing water every time.  We live in a society that tends to take this basic commodity for granted.   It’s only when it stops flowing from the faucet that we realize how we could be inconvenienced without it.    In that moment we realize all the things we can’t do:  brush our teeth, wash clothes, wash dishes, wash our hands, bathe and/or shower, cook, clean, drink it, swim in it, water the lawn, wash the car, wash the pets – the lists goes on.  We forget so easily that we can live without water for only a few days.   Not to be overly dramatic, but we would literally die without it!   

I have to confess, I’m guilty of taking something so simple and yet so important for granted.  I turn on my faucet and never think twice about it.  I reach for a bottle of water when I get thirsty and never consider that I could be without.  But a lack of water can literally bring us to a life or death moment.  What would I do if I lived somewhere that I had to actually GO to get my water?  I know I would certainly not take my water supply for granted if I had to struggle to make sure my family had enough. 

It’s hard to think of Jesus as thirsty, but He was living in that human body in a time when people depended on the town well to draw their daily supply from.  In the verse above, Jesus was the thirsty one at that moment when the Samaritan woman came up and He asked her for a drink.  She didn’t know it, at the time, but she was really the thirsty one here.  Jesus drew her into conversation and gently let her know that He knew all about her.  She didn’t seem surprised though.  I’m sure the way she lived her life was not a big secret in the town.  But He didn’t judge her.  He just helped her understand how thirsty she was.  Not for the water in the well, but for “Living Water” that would never leave her thirsty again.  As He revealed that He, the Messiah, was the source of this Living Water, she left her water jar and RAN to tell others about Him. 

This Living Water is one that can be taken for granted too.  As Christians we have a way of going about our business feeling satisfied with the water Christ has given us.  Meanwhile, we live among so many who are in that life or death moment and need the water we can bring them by introducing them to what we have – Christ.  Perhaps it’s the simplicity of coming to Jesus that can cause us to become complacent and just forget to share that Living Water.  After all, we know where the supply is, why wouldn’t others know?  And wouldn’t they tell us if they needed it?   People don’t realize they are thirsty, they just know they are missing something really important in their lives.   We should remember that our relationship with Christ is not a “one and done” thing.  Once we invite Him into our lives, we called to share that water.  We are told in Matthew 28:19 to GO AND TELL.  (I paraphrase)   Jesus came for all of us, but not everyone understands that.   We can’t keep this water to ourselves while people are dying of thirst.  Please take a lesson from Jesus’ approach to the Samaritan woman.  Who do you know who needs this water?  Don’t be afraid to just open the door to a conversation.  It’s about introducing them to a relationship with Christ – the source of Living Water.  It’s important!

Dr. Pepper And Windshield Wipers

Picture and D.P. story by Caprice Miller

“ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”  - Colossians 2:7

 

 

"During the 1920s and 1930's era, research was discovered proving that sugar provided energy and that the average person experiences a letdown during the normal day at 10:30a.m., 2:30p.m. and 4:30p.m..  A contest was held for the creation of an ad using this new information. The winner of the ad campaign came up with the famous advertising slogan, "Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2, and 4."  AND I LOVE IT! - Caprice Miller

 

It is so interesting to hear the back stories about iconic things.  Chances are you never put much thought into the “10, 2, and 4” picture on a Dr. Pepper can or bottle.  Who knew the story behind it went back so far?  Even so long ago someone was figuring out how important it was to take a break.  In this case, it was suggested to take a break to drink in some energy from sugar.  (Later, they would discover the “sugar crash”, but that’s a different subject.)  In any case, it causes you to stop and think.  As I do, I start noticing other things around me and wonder what the story is behind them.  So many everyday items have a backstory to the invention that we don’t consider.  For example, according to www.vehiclewatch.net , in 1903 Mary Anderson came up with the idea of a device that could be operated manually from within a car to clear water from the windows while driving in the rain.  Even though it was very effective, the windshield wiper design wasn’t actually adopted until 1922.  And aren’t we thankful they did!

How many things do we take for granted every day?  Today’s lifestyle is such that it is difficult to slow down at times.  As a result, we can forget how truly blessed we are.  But to truly get the effectiveness out of life that God intended us, we have to take time to slow down and take in our surroundings so we can be reminded of those blessings.  It’s important to look up from our phones and computer screens and take note of where we are and who we are with.  When we are intentional about doing this we might actually discover some things we have neglected being thankful for.  Things such as the simplicity of the air we breathe, the colors that make up nature itself, the smell and taste of the food we eat or the companionship and love of friends and family who are in our lives.  Recognizing these blessing helps to grow those roots the verse speaks of. 

Perhaps we should consider incorporating a little of Dr. Pepper and windshield wiper concepts into our lives.  Start with the concept of 10, 2 and 4 – be intentional at those times during the day about stopping to be thankful for something.   Ask God to clear the windows of your mind and eyes so He can show you the beauty of the world He has created for us.  Ask Him to clear your heart to appreciate the people He has put in your life.  By taking a break at 10, 2 and 4 we can begin a habit of slowing down and remembering to be thankful.  I’m pretty sure that the gratitude we experience will be so overwhelming that we can’t help but share the experience.  Soon we will be overflowing with thankfulness and realize how truly blessed we are.