Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for day 8 of LENT Thursday, March 16 The infamous groundhog determined there'd be another six weeks of winter. Hmmm, I wondered if it would apply to Little Rock too. It was a wonderful winter with us receiving about eight inches of snow in January. We built a snowman and parked the vehicles at the bottom of our hilled driveway for several days, so that we could go sledding. In spite of the fun, I longed for sunshine. I longed for the bright days with the sun's accompanying warmth. I waited. It came. It was wonderful. As I was driving home from work today, I noticed the Dogwoods along my route home. They have begun to bloom. I love Dogwood Trees! Their blooms are so dainty and yet durable. They withstood a very hard rain last night. Even some of the oak trees are beginning to show new life. New life....that struck another thought. Further down the road I began noticing how the Pine Trees stuck out among the just-beginning-to-bloom Oaks. Pine Trees?.....Evergreens. Ever Green. This brought Christ to my mind. Christ is an Evergreen to me. Always the same -- never changing. As I am an Oak Tree, I bloom, grow, mature and then rejuvenate. I repeat this process every day of my life in some way. As I study God's word and apply it to my life--I Bloom. As I allow myself to bloom in Him, my spiritual life grows and I grow in Him. As I bloom and grow I become stronger and thus mature in my walk with Christ. Then, sometimes, although I don't like to, I stall or become somewhat dormant. God doesn't seem as close somehow and His voice not so clearly heard. And yes, though I may wonder if He is still there and if He hears my pleas and prayers, I continue to walk and weather the storms that may come my way. Still trusting that God has everything in control. Then one sweet day, I begin to feel new again. Refreshed. My walk becomes lighter and the days brighter because I'm blooming again. My faithful study of His word, my faithful prayers have been heard, and it's time for me to start again. To bloom again, grow even stronger and stretch out just a little more. Jesus was born to a human world where he lived, learned, grew and matured into the man God intended Him to be. Jesus Christ's life fulfilled the plan for man's salvantion. At the end of Christ's time on earth He died to make renewed life possible for us, through Him. At the center of all was the Heavenly Father who was ever-present, ever-watchful and ever-loving. Vicki Tompkins North Little Rock, Arkansas Father, Thank you for the reminder. Your presence is so evident and precious - even on a drive home from work. Your commitment to me is far more than I deserve or could ever hope to repay, but thanks for the chance! Thanks for being an Evergreen for me. I love you, Vicki Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalms 50,59,60] [Gen. 39:1-23] [ I Cor. 2:14-3:15] [Mark 2:1-12] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 6, 8:10 p.m. Page designed by: Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Vicki Tompkins The background set is provided by Backgrounds by Marie Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.