“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Walking through a landscape nursery, I wasn’t looking for it when I saw it. The plant just sort of ‘popped out,’ causing me to stop in my tracks and stare. Having never seen a pepper plant like that one before, I marveled at it’s beauty. As the sun made the colors shine and come to life, I wanted it!

I had just spent over $60 for milkweed plants. Katie likes spring butterflies and butterflies like milkweed. Since I like Katie, I decided to get some for her. Returning the cart, I saw the pepper plant in all it’s glory! The longer I looked at it, the prettier it got. Though an unusual plant to give to a woman, I figured Katie would appreciate it. So I bought it!

The key to any gift is presentation. Once home, I placed it in front of her flower garden where it would be easily seen… figuring she would HAVE to notice! True to habit, when she came into the house, she passed by the glass doors to admire the flowers. Her jaw dropped and she let out a gasp! “Where did you get THAT?!” “At the pepper plant store,” I replied.

Ephesians 4:8 fulfilled a prophecy of Psalm 68, both which show God receiving and giving “gifts to men.” Which is how it goes! I received the gift of joy in the beauty of the pepper bush. In turn, I presented that joy as a gift to my wife. She blessed me again with the joy of her favor. Which again… is how it goes.

New Life in Christ is promised to all who choose to receive it. But like the ‘flower’ gift of the ‘pepper bush,’ His gift is hidden in mystery. Presentation is everything, and when mystery is added, the gift becomes even more desirable. After he reveals Himself to me, He asks ME to go and show it off to the world by doing things HIS way! In turn, HE gets glory from ‘showing off’ our true colors! And that’s how it goes!

Are people amazed by YOUR Jesus life and asking, “Where did you get THAT?”  Shine on!

“’Drink, my lord,’ she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.’” Genesis 24:18-19

‘Florida’ means ‘Covered in Flowers,’ and because my wife likes flowers, we have our share. Flowering is kind of a necessary hobby for her because she likes pretty. But pretty doesn’t just happen without work! I like pretty too… which is why I married her. Let’s just say ‘work’ and ‘pretty’ kind of go hand in hand.

Water is the biggest need for plants in a hot climate. No water, no flowers. So I came up with a couple of ideas to get water without having to pay for it, then pour it into the dirt! One of those ideas is a rain barrel that catches the rain coming off the roof. Once collected, we fill jugs, carry and distribute that water around to the posies! It’s a daily task.

I know we have 31 jugs which we fill from the barrel, because I counted them. This allows the barrel to collect as much rain as possible. When it is dry, that stored water is a blessing. Yesterday, while passing the time, I was figuring out how much water we use when the story of Rebekah and Issac came to mind. It’s a classic Bible love story that makes a type of point!

The story is in Genesis 24 and is worth reading. Choosing to go deeper, I did both the work and the math. Master Abraham sent his Chief Servant to go find a wife for his Son. With a 10 camel entourage, the servant flipped up a prayer to God, asking a sign for success. That Rebekah was beautiful was not one of them! He wanted to see her work ethic!

10 camels, 26 gallons per camel, a 2.5 gallon water jar, 8 lbs per gallon and over 100 trips to the well produced about 260 gallons, weighing over a ton. And it was transferred QUICKLY! The servant had found His Master’s Son a worthy bride! And pretty too!

I said this is a type of a point, because Bible stories are written to MAKE points. The Master represents God. The Servant is the Holy Spirit. The Master’s Son is Jesus. And Rebekah… since I am a member of Jesus’ Church… is ME! The proof of my character and loyalty lies in just how good and enthusiastic a water boy I am!

Jesus said, “Go into the world and carry the Gospel with you.” And just like I enjoy a smile from Katie as I help with her flowers, I hope and want to make Jesus smile as I enthusiastically splash His Truth around! Cuz I KNOW He’s watchin’!

Get the point?