Devotionals
My latest 'writing.' Enjoy. Be inspired. Be challenged.
They called him "Tree"
"Tree" Rollins was his name! 7-foot-1-inch tall. 275 pounds. A "tall tree" of a man! Wayne Monte "Tree" Rollins... born 6-15-53, in Winter Haven, FL--- now retired after playing 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association for the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic. A Clemson U graduate and college All-American basketball "center', "Tree" was primarily known for his outstanding defensive play, particularly his "rebounding" and "shot-blocking" abilities. The truly 'hard work' in playing basketball.
Yes, they called him "Tree."
I, myself, would be honored, one day, to be called "Tree" Gile.
Here's why...
Continuing our 'season' in Psalm, chapter 1...
Psa 1:1 Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.
Psa 1:2 Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.
Psa 1:3 They are LIKE TREES that grow beside a stream, that BEAR FRUIT at the right time, and whose leaves DO NOT DRY UP. They SUCCEED in everything they do.
Psa 1:4 But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away.
Psa 1:5 Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God's own people.
Psa 1:6 The righteous are guided and protected by the LORD, but the evil are on the way to their doom. (GNB).
Why does God describe His special "man" or "woman" as a TREE, like a TREE? A very interesting and intriguing concept indeed. Trees are an important component of the natural landscape because of (1) their prevention of erosion and (2) the provision of a weather-sheltered eco-system in and under their foliage. A tree has roots, trunk(s), branches, twigs and leaves.
Most trees begin life with a TAPROOT---A plants' taproot is a somewhat straight tapering root that grows vertically downward deep into the earth. It forms a CENTER from which wide-spreading other roots sprout laterally to form a strong, horizontal, fibrous root system. The original taproot ANCHORS and STABILIZES the tree as it grows to great widths and heights, much like the keel stabilizes a giant ship.
Furthermore, a major functions of roots, in general, is the absorption of water and inorganic nutrients to empower the "growth" and "fruit" of the tree. 2Pe 3:18 ... continue to GROW in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to him both now and on that eternal day! Amen.
Now, the TRUNK refers to the main structural member of a TREE that supports the branches and is supported by and directly attached to the roots. The trunk is your SOUL, the embodiment of the real you. 3Jn 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way and that you are healthy, just as your SOUL is healthy.
The majority of trees have UPWARDLY diagonal BRANCHES, outreaching and upreaching from the trunk. Joh 15:2 He removes every branch in me that does not produce fruit, and He cleanses every branch that does produce fruit so that it might produce more fruit. Joh 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me." ...Jesus commenting on the purpose of tree BRANCHES: bearing fruit.
There are two types of TWIGS: vegetative twigs and fruiting spurs, sprouting from the branches. Col 1:10 so that you might live in a manner worthy of the Lord and be fully pleasing to him as you bear fruit in every good work and grow in the full knowledge of God.
A leaf is an above-ground plant organ specializing in "photosynthesis" --- the process by which trees utilize the energy from sunlight (SON-light for us) to produce "fuel" used by all living things--- the conversion of unusable sunlight energy into usable chemical energy. Leaves can store food and water, necessary for sustainable life and growth---transmitting energy back to the rest of the tree. Hos 14:6 They will be ALIVE with new growth, and BEAUTIFUL like olive trees. They will be FRAGRANT like the cedars of Lebanon.
Being God's TREE is both challengingly purposeful and soulfully satisfying. Perhaps when we meet or meet again, whichever will be the case, you will say, "Hi, Tree Gile." My response will be, "God's blessings be showered upon you, Tree _ _ _ _ _ _!!!
Will 'they' (other humans) call you Tree _ _ _ _ _ _?
Let's BLOCK the shots of Satan. Let's REBOUND the 'missed' lives of others, creating new TREES wherever we go...
(1) prevention of erosion---of America's moral and spiritual values.
(2) the provision of a weather-sheltered eco-system in and under their foliage---a flourishing protective system that nurtures both truth and spiritual life---lovingly, magnetically drawing others to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ---and into a meaningful, purposeful life here on planet Earth.
If this document has been refreshing to you, perhaps it could be REFRESHING to a relative, friend, Email associate, an acquaintance, a complete stranger. Consider 'passing it on.' Thank you so much. Lionhearted Leon for Jesus in our Uncertain, Unstable, Often Frustrating Times.
Credits: Wikipedia internet encyclopedia, Good News Bible
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