In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, “Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!  ”Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Mark 11:20-25 The Message

A small boy, new to Sunday school, was greatly pleased with his picture card and its text, “Have faith in God.” On the homeward way, however, the precious possession slipped from his fingers and fluttered from the open streetcar window. immediately a cry of distress arose: “I’ve lost my ‘faith in God’! Stop the car?”  The good-natured conductor signaled and the card was recovered amid the smiles of the passengers. One of them said something about this “blessed innocence of childhood,” but a more thoughtful voice answered: “There would be many happier and truer lives if only we older ones were wise enough to call a halt when we find ourselves rushing ahead on some road where we are in danger of leaving our faith in God behind us.” From The Montview Monitor, August 1971

As we cautiously, wearily travel on this unbeknownst journey, you, like the young lad, may have suddenly realized that your faith in God has slipped away. But take courage! Shout out for help like this young fella!! Others will come to you, encouraging you to ardently keep your faith steady and to continually seek His guidance.

The mountain Jesus’ refers to is not an actual physical mountain but the challenges, the obstacles that choke our path. This scripture reminds us that our faith in Him is the true essential, to believe and trust in Him in all situations and that He will take care of us.  With each other’s support and encouragement and our faith in Christ, the fig tree shall bear good fruit!

Grasp onto the life saving faith God has bestowed us…hang on to it for dear life as we travel and work together!

Enjoy some fig newtons along the way

love, Kim

Joan Doss, a gifted lady whose love for Jesus didn’t just shine from her eyes, the love sounded forth from her beautiful voice as she sang…Mrs. Innis Jackson, a mighty prayer warrior with an infectious giggle…Ms. Kay Fulp, high school counselor who was genuinely interested and concerned for the wellbeing of her students…JC Leonard, strong man of God and lover of God’s people…Rev. George Culbreth, clergyman with a wealth of faith, common sense, and devotion…Kristie Eller, a noisy sunbeam who loved her ma so…Lynne Gilbert, Miss Worm, Connie Heffner, momma and daddy, Dixie Liggett, Rev. Bev Coppley, Rev. Carolyn Sims….Heather Harris….balcony  people, my balcony people.  I owe them my life.  God has blessed my life with these balcony people and countless more. Each of them has participated in molding me into who I am…which could be taken a number of ways.

That cloud of witnesses, balcony people, those folks watching over you, those that are with you still, or those in that cloud, encouraging you, lifting you up, forgiving you, supporting your dreams and passions and ambitions, holding you accountable.  They allow you to soar or to fall flat on your face, they are there to pick you up, to bind up your wounds and soothe your aching heart and shoulders with a balm of beautiful words or small sweet gestures that breath hope, direction, joy, peace into your faltering soul.  They are your cheerleaders, your Barnabas, your Silas.  Joyce Heatherley, author of Balcony People proposes that we acknowledge our balcony people and give them thanks; but she also inspires us to get out on the balcony ourselves to cheer those around us onward to the prize!

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Hebrews 12:1-3 The MSG

Shake those pom poms! Shout boisterously from that balcony! Provide the sustenance needed to endure this marathon and give thanks to your balcony people. Raise a ruckus as we all race to the Prize, Jesus the Christ! And be sure to smile and wink at that cloud that passes you by.

Waving you on, giving thanks for you, love, Kim.