FRESH MINT

Ahhhh...life is strolling along at a nice fall pace. Fall is my most favorite time of the year. Although I must admit, I do not care for the rain that accompanies it. I just uploaded some photos on Facebook and they will be available for public viewing until this Friday if you would like to take a look at them just copy and past above: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4924228262936.2199558.1215242366&type=3

I just picked up a couple mint and basil plants to have growing in my house through the winter. It is almost time to bring in my flowers as well. We must be living for our today and making plans at times for tomorrow and that is why I purchased the new plants. I love fresh mint in a salad or water and basil is just plain good in salad or other foods. I love having the fresh ingredients as compared to the dried up ones.

This kind of reminds me of reading my Bible, praying or doing what is right...I would rather have fresh ideas come straight from heaven than dried up ones that don't have as much flavor. Dried up ones might be traditions or practices we are supposed to be moving out of to make place for the new ones...can you think of any in your life that are dried up physically? emotionally? financially? mentally? spiritually? relationally? and in your character? Well, I can and not the ones you need to change (wink) but the ones I need to change.

Just recently, I started taking classes at our churches institute. This may not seem like a huge deal to you, but I have not been in a classroom setting since my few, brief moments in college. These classes are legit with test, quizzes, homework and even credit hours. I was feeling so apprehensive because tests and quizzes just cause me to cringe inside. However, I can and do believe for my friends and husband to do well in their classes and remind them a lot not to forget to rely on Holy Spirit for the answers because He has them all and they have studied. Well, now I have to rely on Holy Spirit in the same way: to help me remember everything I read and study to do well in the class.

In taking the classes I am growing mentally. The Bible states that we love ourselves when we grow in wisdom. There are many types of wisdom we can grow in, and taking a class or two is just one. I keep reminding myself I love myself when I get a little anxiety and apprehension trying to butt into my life.

Anyway, it is fresh and new for me, which tastes good and actually helps me to feel good which I believe helps me to actually see the fruit of loving myself. You probably would not notice a difference in me, but I do. I have been so cautious about taking classes, but when it comes to leading worship, sure that is a no brainer. All I have to do there is plug into God and operate where He has called me and since I have been doing it for years it comes easier. Now taking classes on the other hand, having fresh revelation/homework/tests/quizzes and more now that is a little harder. As I said earlier, fresh is always best.

I was feeling pretty dried up in regards to learning new things, but now, I am sensing and seeing fresh water and oil from heaven poured out on me. That is a good place to be in. I just had the thought of making fresh pesto. You take fresh basil and add it with olive oil (you can add other things too) and walaah you have a tasty treat for bread or a salad. That is exactly what Christ does for us as we seek fresh things from Him, which may include us taking classes and stepping out of our comfort zone. He supplies His oil and then walaah a beautiful 'Christ-like pesto' to go with anything.

I hope you have a fresh day combined with fresh oil from the Lord so you too can be spread out on others and yourself to make a flavorful day.

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