HEART THOUGHTS from Helen

"What Kind of Tree Is That?"

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to the level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 (THE MESSAGE)

“Nana, what kind of tree is that?” Nine-year old Boaz asked from the car in my front yard.

“Bradford Pear Tree.”

“Does it grow pears?”

“No, actually it doesn’t.”

“Then why is it a pear tree? “

“Good question, Boaz. The Bradford Pear is shaped like a pear but bears no fruit except for the beautiful blossoms.”

Spring brings new life. Have you noticed? The sap in the trees couldn’t wait any longer! It bubbled up from the roots to the trunk to the branches to the limbs. Now, spring nudges the old away and pushes the new, tiny, fresh green buds out the ends of the tree fingers.

Baby buds look so fragile...so clean; as with all new life that springs from renewal. Just soaking in the glory brings a smile.

The growing stage of life in Christ follows the beginning state or ‘the Will Principle’. Once we set our minds on things above, His thoughts bud within us; not unlike new growth on the trees. New, fragile thoughts spring into refreshing ideas that grow into action and produce the Fruit of the Spirit.

Our body grows by producing new cells. Our lives sustain that production. The newness shows life. We don’t even think about it; we just expect that it will happen. And it does.

Expect newness in your walk with Christ. His mind constantly renews us, like spring births new life. Renewal brings newness, new insights and fresh spiritual energy. The world’s stagnant conformity must fall from our limbs when we submit to Spiritual growth. Truth wakes us up…eager to meet the new day.

Renew your mind. It’s invigorating! And, besides, renewal is a command.