Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Tropism and Worship

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Nationaltoday.com says March 11 is Worship of Tools Day.  What?  I think I’ll write about worship that makes more sense.  And throw in a biology term. I subscribe to a Word of the Day e-mail and this week, the word “tropism” captured my imagination.

 

My mom and daughter bond over their love of biology and other types of science.  I guess that skipped a generation.  I can’t be bothered, but this definition instantly reminded me of following Jesus.  And that is my jam.

 

Tropism – the turning of all or part of an organism in a particular direction in response to an external stimulus.  

 

My mind immediately went to the plants in my kitchen window.  They always grow in the direction of the sun (if I don’t kill them first).  Eventually, the vegetation will look so lopsided that I will need to turn the pot to allow growth in another area.

 

As followers of Christ, we should be ever growing toward the Son.  Being human, we often have parts of ourselves that we try to keep away from Him.  For this reason, it is good to have other believers in our lives who can see our growth patterns (accountability) and gently turn us to shine His light on the hidden parts.

 

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

2 Peter 3:18 NIV

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Barbara Lee Harper reviewed the book 100 Best Bible Verses to Overcome Worry and Anxiety.  I can’t think of a book that would be more helpful to me right now.  And I suspect some of you could use it too.

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

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MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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Praying Glory to God in the Highest #5

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Glory to GodChristmas day may be past, but we are still praying glory to God in the highest.  The Christian calendar still observes Christmastide until Thursday January 6, Epiphany.  Also called Three Kings Day, Epiphany commemorates the Wise Men finding Jesus after their long journey. May we still seek Him as they did.

 

“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11 NIV

 

In this account, the Child is mentioned before Mary.  Ordinarily, attention would have been brought to the mother first.  But this Child is special and must come before all else.  So special is He, that the men fell down to the ground in awe and worship.  And then they presented Jesus with costly gifts.  From the Believer’s Bible Commentary:  Second Edition:

The treasures they brought spoke volumes.  Gold is a symbol of deity and glory; it speaks of the shining perfection of His divine Person.  Frankincense is an ointment or perfume; it suggests the fragrance of the life of sinless perfection.  Myrrh is a bitter herb; it presages the sufferings He would endure in bearing the sins of the world.  

 

Oh, what a Savior!  My prayer from this passage today:

 

Glory to God

 

Don’t let this season end just because the calendar turns.  Comment below on who He is to you.  And share this on your favorite social media platform using the icons below.  Invite others to join in giving glory to God in the highest.  And if you don’t want to miss any of the party, subscribe using the form on the right hand side of this page.

 

Praying for you in this.

Lauren

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