Another pretty day, could see both mountains today.  I just hope that the trees don’t leave out too early – we are getting frost at night which helps, but I have seen trees thinking winter is over because of the warming sun bud out, only to be harmed by a harsh spring. 

Got my studying done and have to get supper ready.  We had a whole chicken a couple of days ago.  I’ve got the carcass simmering in the pot and will use the broth and left over chicken for a good homemade chicken noddle soup. 

Acts 14:22-23 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

²³ And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

We were coming back from the doctor’s yesterday and driving by a grove of oak trees.  As we drove by I took a good look at them.

They are stripped bare of their leaves this time of year.  All of their limbs and branches are exposed to sight.  All of the years of growth could be seen in their posture.

As I looked at those trees, the trunks twisted and bent with thick rough bark; knots on the limbs and they too were twisted as if someone had deliberately changed the way they were growing.

I couldn’t help but think of how long they had been there; they were old when I first came to town, almost 50 years ago.  They had survived harsh winters, strong winds, heavy rains and days of drought, yet they continued to live.

The years were hard on them; they had to send out new branches as the old ones were being attacked by insects, disease and broken by the weather.  Each knot and gnarl attested to their strength and endurance over the years; the struggle of living their life.

It reminded me of many Christian people, both men and women, I have come to know since accepting Christ.  The strength in faith that many had due to trials and tribulations in their lives assures me of their ability to give good advice.

Elders have basically two connotations (as far as I am concerned) the first is those that are appointed by the leaders of a church as ‘elders.’  They have proven their relationship with Christ over the decades.  They have faltered, they have failed, but they have overcome and remained true to God.  They have shown to be wise in their comments and decisions and can guide others through difficult times.

They can be used as an example and emulated by others.

Those are the appointed ones by some churches; other churches do not have a position(s) called Elder.

While the first is appointed, the second kind are elders, not because they are appointed (as we said, many churches do not have that position) but because they are recognized to have those same qualities.  They have proven their faith and have proven their wisdom as they have lived for God.

These are the people we feel comfortable in going to when we have trials and tribulations in our life; when we need guidance from a Christian that has ‘been there’ with proven tenacity.

Many of these elders are like those oak trees, gnarled with time and the trials they have gone through: sickness, disappointment, death of loved ones, maiming accidents, false accusations, trials involving family or finances, just to name a few.

They have gone through the storms, they may have scars and broken gnarled fingers and hands, but you know they will draw on their experiences and use their wisdom to help their fellow Christians.

They have a covering of calm assurance because they know who their redeemer is; they have been tried in the troubles of this world and they stand tall spiritually if not physically.  We are drawn to them because they can help us find the answer in Christ.

When the leaves are on the tree we don’t see all of the pain that the tree overcame; but it remained fast regardless and provides beauty and shade in the heat of the summer sun.

We don’t see all the things that our elders go through, but we do see the covering of the Holy Spirit as they provide wisdom and comfort to us in the heat of our trials.

It is an ‘office’ we all should aspire to so that we can be of service to God and to our brethren that need a helping hand in Christ.

Later, Art :-)