Comments on: A Barren Tree http://birgitwhelan.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:35:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Birgit http://birgitwhelan.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2869 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:46:48 +0000 http://birgitwhelan.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2869 Wow, Rain, that really is beautiful! I hadn’t thought about it in that way. The barren tree with its branches like arms outstretched and open before God – “completely surrendered.” And what hope there is in your description – that even though the winter may be harsh and bleak and go on and on for the longest time, the blossoms do eventually come with the spring, and our God is perfect in His timing, even though we might sometimes wonder … I love your thoughts on this, thank you! Lots of love.

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I think you would so enjoy this book @ngie when you do get to read it, and I would love to know your thoughts … I loved that description too – a love for God “that never ceases to burn.” Just the idea of a quiet, lasting, sustaining passion for God.

]]> By: @ngie http://birgitwhelan.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2865 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:20:53 +0000 http://birgitwhelan.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2865 That is a book on my looooooong list of ‘must reads’. :-) What a wonderful God we have that He can speak profound truths to us through commonplace things, if we will choose to see and hear. Thank you for this reminder of the possibility to know a love for God that never after ceases to burn.

]]> By: Rain http://birgitwhelan.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2861 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:54:17 +0000 http://birgitwhelan.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2861 Hi Birgit:) As I was reading this I could see this image of the barren tree, like the photo, but it just really hit me I think what Brother Lawrence must have seen: the tree standing, arms outstretched, completely surrendered. And as the wind battered and the snow came, the tree remains, arms outstretched, completely surrendered. And God comes and He brings the rain and the sunshine and dresses the tree again beautifully with leaves and blossoms. This is the posture that I want to take in my own life arms outstretched, completely surrendered, knowing that always, in everything, God is wise. Thank you Birgit, love and blessings:)

]]> By: Birgit http://birgitwhelan.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2860 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:35:52 +0000 http://birgitwhelan.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2860 Hi Cindy, it’s lovely to hear from you, and I know exactly what you mean – “every moment in God’s presence” – what a powerful, beautiful thing to cultivate! And I love the way you described wanting to feel like a “love-sick teenager” about God, thinking about Him, desiring Him, and being so conscious of Him all the time – I definitely relate :)

]]> By: cindyinsd http://birgitwhelan.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2859 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:55:51 +0000 http://birgitwhelan.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/a-barren-tree/#comment-2859 Brother Lawrence’s life has been a big inspiration to me. I aspire to, like Him, live life so in the presence of God that the set-apart times do not differ from the rest of the day. Every moment in God’s presence–what a concept! Of course God is with us and in us always, but how many of us are able to retain that God consciousness 24/7? I want to obsess over Him like a love-sick teenager, desiring and requiring Him is my most urgent need.

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