LIVE OAKS
- Key Verse
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1:3)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God is worth focusing on, 24/7/365.
Reflections
I grew up in Austin and spent many afternoons at Bull Creek Park, down the street from our house. My sister and I raced homemade "boats" constructed from egg cartons, styrofoam, and duct tape down the creek. The whole park is filled with towering live oak trees that extend their branches like arms to shield the grass from the sun, and bunch up their roots to get as close to the creek as possible.
When I read Psalm 1, I think of live oaks. The psalm describes a person who is "like a tree planted by streams of water . . ." (v. 3). In my mind, this is a Texas live oak, planted by steady streams of spring water. Even on the hottest, sunniest days, the tree has a constant source of water. I desire to be like that tree, like the man whose "delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). This isn't just on Sundays, good mornings, and occasional evenings. This isn't even a daily quiet time. It says "day and night," so that pretty much covers all 24 hours. It's about actively dwelling on God 24/7.
Although Psalm 1 is my favorite psalm, I often forget to live it. I forget that I need Christ's living water. The reality is that the Bible can provide a constant stream of truth, wisdom, and hope into my life. It's like fresh water for my soul. God invites me to live connected to Him so I can bring Him glory and know Him more. If I'm connected to Him, I can be a live oak instead of a barely alive oak.
My New Year's resolution for 2010 is to connect to God each day. Instead of to-do-listing and worrying, I want to start every morning with reading the Bible and talking to God. Then, during the whole day, God's truth can seep into my life. Will I be perfect? No. Will I always accomplish what's on my to-do list? No. But it's my next step toward growing in Christ.
Discussion Questions
1. When you start your day, what are you thinking about?
2. How close are you to the "streams of water" described in Psalm 1?
3. What were the times in 2009 when you felt closest to Christ?
4. For 2010, what resolution would you make?
Chip Smith
January 1, 2010 07:46 AM
Happy New Years fellow adventurers! Wow, a new decade is upon us and another year to journey together through God’s word. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning as I couldn’t wait to open today’s log and start this adventure. How exciting it is to be together again climbing to the peaks of scripture up out of the valleys of our lives and what a great start Allison! I love the live oaks too and we used to live right on Bull Creek. It is a mystical place that our family spent many times together next to the creek listening to the water under the shade of one of those live oaks. Those times were always refreshing as we connected with the beauty of God’s creation. Today’s scripture is one of my favorites and I so desire to fulfill this passage in mine and my family’s life this year. This is my new year’s resolution.
Caren Flowers Hoehn
January 1, 2010 08:19 AM
Thank you, Allison, for showing us the difference between receiving vs. pursuing. "INSTEAD he finds PLEASURE in obeying the LORD's commands" v.2 I love the contrast of types of pleasure and people. Ironically we live on a huge rock here in Texas where hydration is key, water is hard to come by and roots are shallow. The oaks here are short and sprawling as opposed to what I am used to - huge towering, shady oaks with deep, massive root systems. What a beautiful picture of planting oneself wisely and stretching out to where the water can be found as opposed to seeking worldly pleasure. The water comes to us in this land of hot sun and drought if we simply plant ourselves by its source so we can receive it and truly live. What a different picture of root systems receiving the living water as opposed to pursuing a cheap substitute. When it comes to God's INSTEAD PLEASURE, it's better to receive than give! May I plant wisely for 2010 and surrender to the stretch.
Austin C
January 1, 2010 08:51 AM
Happy New Year you are helping everyone kick off their resolutions off to a start... JTJ is a excellent tool along with other tools and resources offered by HCBC NW. It will be a great year in 2010 to start off right with God.
Nancy
January 1, 2010 09:09 AM
Thanks for your New Year's Day adjustment to our perspective on Dad and His text message to us. I often feel like "I already know that stuff", ie what the Bible says. But what would a tree look like if it said the same thing? "Oh, I don't need water during winter...I had a good drink this fall." We'd get no beautiful spring. And that is definitely worth waiting for.
Val Dugone
January 1, 2010 09:28 AM
What a great Psalm to start the New Year with, and Allison your visual of a live oak by steady streams of spring water was great. I want to flourish by actively dwelling on God 24/7 this coming year as well. Thanks.
Chip Smith
January 1, 2010 09:32 AM
Happy New Years fellow adventurers! Wow, a new decade is upon us and another year to journey together through God's word. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning as I couldn't wait to open today's log and start this adventure. How exciting it is to be together again climbing to the peaks of scripture up out of the valleys of our lives and what a great start Allison! I love the live oaks too and we used to live right on Bull Creek. It is a mystical place that our family spent many times together next to the creek listening to the water under the shade of one of those live oaks. Those times were always refreshing as we connected with the beauty of God's creation. Today's scripture is one of my favorites and I so desire to fulfill this passage in mine and my family's life this year. This is my new year's resolution.
Austin Chen
January 1, 2010 09:34 AM
Happy New Year you are helping everyone kick off their resolutions off to a start... JTJ is a excellent tool along with other tools and resources offered by HCBC NW. It will be a great year in 2010 to start off right with God.
Val Dugone
January 1, 2010 09:35 AM
What a great Psalm to start the New Year with, and Allison your visual of a live oak by steady streams of spring water was great. I want to flourish by actively dwelling on God 24/7 this coming year as well. Thanks.
Cindy S. Brown
January 1, 2010 09:45 AM
Allison - What a great start to the new year! You know, we also don't see the tree STRAINING to stay connected to the water- the source of life. But little by little, day by day those roots keep growing that way - to always stay connected. And they'll go as deep as they need to do find that life giving water. I guess that would be my resolution - to go as deep as I need to this year to find God's healing waters.
Terry Melle
January 1, 2010 09:48 AM
Allison - I really like the 'localized' word picture of the live oaks. All of our fellowship and oneness with God depends upon taking advantage of the always accessible, always flowing stream of living water.
Robert Powell
January 1, 2010 09:52 AM
A Great thought to begin the new year Allison. I love this new format!
Lynn Peck
January 1, 2010 10:17 AM
Lovely thoughts from a lovely woman. I want to be a live oak, instead of a barely alive oak!
Jim Rakes
January 1, 2010 10:47 AM
Allison, thanks for a great New Years resolution! Happy New Year!
Mary Ann Gay
January 1, 2010 11:15 AM
What an inspiring message to start out the New Year. Thanks!
Cheryl White
January 1, 2010 11:35 AM
What a great reminder of who I should be. Psalm 1 was our scripture for the summer one year when I worked at a church camp all summer. Nice to have this "refresher" course this morning! Forever His, Cheryl
Anonymous
January 1, 2010 11:45 AM
I also need the streams of water--living water--from God's word to refresh me every day. I think we don't realize how thirsty we are for him daily until there's a drought. Thank you for your insights!
Rob Rodriguez
January 1, 2010 11:56 AM
Allison, Thank you for the wonderful log today. This will help me too, start my new year with Him in me always.
Cathy
January 1, 2010 12:33 PM
I've been thinking about ways I can strive to drink from God's streams of living water 24/7 rather than listen to the "counsel of the wicked" in this world. Thanks, Allison, for some great thoughts on how to make this my New Years resolution.
Linda Jean Butler
January 2, 2010 09:05 AM
A day late, but better late than never. I loved seeing your face this morning and reading your thoughts to start me off right in the new year. I have been reflecting lately on God's many blessings in my life. He is so amazingly good to us and I especially thank Him for His word. Thank you, too, for sharing your thoughts.
randy
January 4, 2010 08:03 AM
thank you Allison for kicking off 2010 with Join the Journey! Great stuff!!
David Redding
January 4, 2010 08:36 AM
Allison, excellent devotional and one that really captures my "resolution" for 2010 and that is to live it out daily, not just in convenient times. I loved the Live Oak analogy. I'm from Texas as well and Live Oaks are a symbol of stregth and perseverance. Blessings to you and I'm proud of you and all the EL's that went over seas to live it out!
Keith Tooley
January 4, 2010 08:37 AM
What a great message for the new year! Thanks Allison! I often forget the source of this living water and focus on my own energy and strength, which is very limited. In 2010, I, too, hope to tap into the unlimited source - God - each day.