I have a favorite tree. And in the fall, the leaves of this giant oak turn a brilliant orange. To me, fall days are the "glory days" of this tree; it just seems to burst with splendor. I will always be baffled by the fact that the radiant leaves on this tree are actually in the process of dying.

I think the trees of the fall season have a lesson for each of us. If these leaves are at their most glorious state in their death, could it be, that we as Christians, exhibit the most glory when we, too, are "dying" to ourselves? I think so. In fact, I know so. Listen to these words of truth:

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God... you have taken off your old self with its practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator... therefore, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... (Colossians 3:3,9,10,12).

My friend, if Christ is in you, you have the awesome privilege to experience your most radiant and spectacular "glory days", not just a couple of weeks a year, like my favorite tree, but every day of your life. Yes, (like I have been learning at my home church these past few weeks), I want to be in a perpetual state of dying to live.

So as you enjoy the fall weather and its captivating beauty, let God speak to your heart through His glorious creation. Let's ask ourselves, "What do I need to 'die to', in order that His glory will show radiantly through me?" And then, trust Him to help you do it.

...by the way, I have another favorite tree... the one that bore my dying Savior...

I have penned another devotional prayer beginning with the phrase "God, You are...". Praise Him with me as we celebrate His deep love for each of us.

God, You are Lovingkindness. I have finally come to know and now believe the love which You have for me. I feel it every breath I take, and it is better than life! You have rescued me, You have redeemed me, and You continue to reward me with Yourself. My soul will forever testify that You are gracious, and righteous; yes, O God, You are compassionate. You preserve the simple; for I was brought low, and You saved me. Indeed, how precious is Your lovingkindness, O God. I will savor You, as You continually pour into me. But tell me this, how can I contain this love that is as high as the heavens are above the earth? I simply cannot! I must overflow. So hear my heart sing to the world, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being”…”for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

I John 4:16; Psalm 63:3; Psalm 116:5-6; Psalm 36:7; Romans 5:5; Psalm 103:11; Psalm 146:1-2; Psalm 118:1

One of my favorite analogies in Scripture is found in II Corinthians 4:7. It reads:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.

My mind's eye can truly see myself as an empty hollow earthen vessel, because honestly, I often feel this way. Fatigue, disappointments, and the continuous day to day "stuff" called life-management tends to drain me... But then, I remember my Savior. He reminds me that He is my Life Source and that He can and will do a great work in and through me.

First, He wants to fill me with Himself, the Living Water. His water, His word, does all the same things to my soul that natural water does to physical life around you and me; His word cleans, refreshes, revives and sustains me.

Then, His beauty is added to my vase. Like a Master Florist He chooses specific flowers to set within the living water. Some of these flowers have names like gentleness, compassion, forgiveness, and grace. After this, He places in the greenery and "background work" to surround and enhance the flowers. These intentionally selected pieces of beauty also have names: commitment, perseverance, faithfulness, and hope.

If I let my Master do His work, instead of the hollow emptiness I started with, I am now carrying around a treasure that is from the surpassing greatness of God. What a marvelous act of love from my personal Florist!

Friends, I pray you and I will daily allow God to fill our jars of clay with first His living water, and then His beautiful handiwork. He longs to do this for each of us, for our own well-being. But God also has a second purpose in filling us... He desires to deliver our radiantly filled earthen vessels to the door of someone who needs a reminder of His love.

Yes Lord, come fill this vessel.

When we moved out to the country, the term "taking out the garbage" gained a new meaning. No longer did we have the lovely curb-side service that was supplied to us in our neighborhood subdivision. Now, when we take out the garbage, we toss it in the back of Mac's truck and drive it to the nearest dump a few miles away. Most often, Mac has this "manly" job; but when he is out of town, I then get to do the dirty work.

Just last week, while Mac was gone, I was tossing garbage every few days. However, instead of the back of the truck, I have to put the bags in my front seat. I do this in order to help me remember to make this important stop. Surely, if I see and smell the garbage, I will not fly by the dump. Can you imagine the smell as I am running my errands? (I have done more than imagine it; I've experienced it a time or two).

Thankfully, I did remember to make my stop the other day. And as I was tossing the big hefty garbage bags into the dumpster, I thought about how this resembled the concept of forgiveness. The Lord brought a portion of this verse to mind, that I looked up later:

He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)

We, as Christians, are told in Scripture to "bag up" our garbage... all our immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed... as well as all our anger, wrath, malice, and abusive speech (Col 3:5,8). We are to "throw these away", not hang onto them, they way I occasionally do with my garbage bags in the front seat. Remember, His Spirit in you will help you to do the "bagging" and the "throwing." Then, when all is said and done, believe you are forgiven. Just like I don't remember a thing that was placed in the garbage bag last week, our God promises, I will remember your sins no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)

So rejoice today as you take out your garbage. And rejoice again, because you now possess the sweet aroma of Christ's unconditional love. Yes, instead of the garbage, let His Spirit grow a garden in you, one full of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness of others, and love (Col. 3:12-14).

Yesterday, I sent my 14 year old son Davis to school for the "first time." Having been home schooled all his life, this was a big deal for him, andfor his momma. And now today, I'm packing up my oldest daughter's belongings so that she can soon begin her new adventure at Auburn University. Wow... where did the time go? (That was typed through deep loving tears and a mountain of memories).

As a mom, more than anything, my heart's desire for my kids is for them to remember who they are, especially as they move into a public place. My daily prayer is that they will be able to independently stand on the Truth that was taught in our home. With this in mind, I wrote them a definition of who they are in Christ, hoping to challenge each of them to be His light in this dark world. This is also for you, my believing friend:

By the grace of God, I am who I am.

I am a Christian. I am living for the One who died for me. I am what the world calls a "Jesus freak," but what I call "saved by grace."

I salt the earth with His kindness; I light the world with His love.

I choose to walk by faith and not by sight, and to dance to the beat of a different drum.

I am the one who has Power beyond my own strength, Peace beyond my own understanding, and Purpose beyond the ideals of this world.

I am the one who answers to the God of the Universe; and yet, I am also calmed by His Spirit that lives in me.

Because of Christ Jesus, I am living Life to the fullest--yesterday, today, and FOREVER.

I am changed; I am more than I am; I am a vessel that holds a treasure, a lamp that shines a light, and a well that springs a fountain.

And, I am the one who is pursuing YOU, the way He has passionately pursued me.

By the grace of God, I am who I am.

I am a Christian. I am free.

Sweet friend (as well as my dear children), remember who you are. The world needs you.

This past April I presented Mac with a simple 20th anniversary gift. In the presence of our children, I read him my list entitled "Twenty Reasons I love my Husband." When I happened to come across it this morning, I was reminded of the many things he does "right"...

BUT... (Mac often refers this term to the "big but(t)")... there are times he seems to miss the mark COMPLETELY, especially when it comes to understanding me. (Can any of you relate?) When this happens, I have learned to pour out my heart to the One Who knows me, from the inside-out. From sitting in this place of sadness only a few days ago, I have added to my collection of devotional prayers, all of which begin with "God, You are...". Feel free to pray this over any relationship issue that you might be experiencing right now:

God, You are the One who knows me. I feel at times, no one "gets me," not even the ones who love me most. What a sorrow it is for my heart to seemingly be unheard or even pushed aside. I am hurting, dear Lord... but I will sit with You... and I will pour out my heart to You... and I will remember... You are the understanding One. Yes, You You know me, O Lord... and all my desire is before You. And with this truth, You know my motives, whether they are selfish or pure, "over the top" or "right on". Therefore, I will trust You with all of my heart. And I will trust You to plead my case if I am in line with You, or to set me straight if I am not. And I will trust You to meet my every need according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Thank You. I will wait for You. Indeed, I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I will wait for the Lord; I will be strong, and my heart will take courage. I will wait for the Lord. Yes, today, right now, I choose to peacefully rest in the arms of the One who knows me, from the inside-out.

Ps. 62:8; Jeremiah 12:3; Psalm 38:9; Proverbs 3:5; Jeremiah 51:36; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 27:13-14

The 21st reason (and then some) that I love my husband is that he allowed me send this post to you. Mac knows from 2 decades of living with me that when I turn to the Lord, he is relieved of the unattainable ability to get it "right" all the time. However, when I take this approach, it causes Mac to be more inclined to work things through, and possibly... with the help of our Savior... understand a little more of my heart today than he did yesterday. How thankful I am for the One who knows me!