THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

October 8, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

Jon and I recently went on vacation. After we left the Redwood Forest and was driving across Northern California towards Nevada, we were driving through mountains. The highway took us through an area where wildfires had been. It was devastating! There were large areas that were completely bare, except for the black, burnt trees.

From what research I could find, it seems that this may have been from the wildfires of 2021, which burned over 963,000 acres of land. What we saw was just a small section of that.

It was really odd. There would be huge sections of mountainside that were completely destroyed, except for the blackened trees. Then there would be a smaller section that looked completely untouched by the fire; then we'd drive a short ways to find another large section of destruction. What was even more odd, was that in a few of those areas, it would be all burned out, except for a few tree tops that were still completely green.

I did just a little research and read where when complete wildfire devastation has happened where it's steep and rugged, it could take decades to see significant regrown; but the site could be altered for over a century.

On the other hand, as we drove across Oregon, we saw many logging trucks. We saw a few areas that had been logged. One thing we noticed was that after cutting trees in an area, they will then come back and replant new trees. We saw several areas that had been replanted and were impressed with the time and work that had gone into that. Trees were planted in straight, neat rows. A few places had signs posted that told what year the replanting had taken place. We saw acres that looked newly planted, some had a few years growth on them, and some were sturdy trees that were already several feet in height.

The thing is, logging those areas is a necessity. The wood is used for lumber to build houses, make furniture, the wood chips are made into paper..... The trees are cut down for a purpose; but then replenished for future use.

I'd like to use the logging comparison first. This is an example of how God designed us and the family unit. When we allow Him to prune unnecessary things out of our life, often things that are sinful or that cause us to stumble, it gives room for good growth to occur.

There may be times when God removes things from our life, but His purpose is for bringing back something new and wonderful. And those things that seem to be cut out are taken for a reason -- there is a use for those things He took.

There are people/groups who complain about logging land and how it shouldn't be done. But I would guess that each one of those live in a home made from lumber, write on paper made from wood chips, sit on furniture or eat from dining room tables made from wood.

Sometimes there are people who may criticize us for our choices in following and obeying God. They don't like it, don't understand it, or just don't like change when it comes to family or friends. Perhaps it could be that they are resisting something that God is trying to do in their own life, so feel convicted when they see others walking in faith and obedience. It could be that they are battling an area of rebellion or their personal relationship with the Lord isn't as it should be.

When we submit to God's pruning and submit our "forest" (life) to Him, He will never leave us barren and fruitless, but will plant a new harvest within us. Our Father's desire is for new growth. He has given us a purpose and a hope.

This will not only affect us, but will impact our families now and for future generations. It will plant seeds of godliness and faith into our kids and grandkids, nephews and nieces..... then as they grow and mature in their relationship with the Lord, they will plant new seedlings that will grow and mature. You can't plant a new seedling on top of another tree, but you have to replant in good ground that gives room for roots to grow and become healthy and strong. Our descendants can't grow from our relationship with Jesus, but they have to grow their own roots and grow and mature individually. We can water and help cultivate them as new seedlings, but they have to make their own spiritual choices.

On the other hand, sometimes families can have strong roots, then Satan will cause a wildfire. It can cause devastation and loss. Decisions are made to become bitter, harbor unforgiveness, resist the wooing of God, and anger takes root. From that, decisions are made to rebel against God and addictions, too often, occur. Those addictions cause parents incapable of making good decisions, for themselves or their children. Brokenness and devastation and loss become a downward spiral. Trauma from abuse or from neglect happens. Each subsequent generation operate from trauma and abuse and addictions. Families are broken apart.

At times, when those wildfires occur, there are those who are spared. Perhaps it's because those people are deeply rooted in their faith and know the Word of God. They have learned to resist the devil and he has to flee. They stand strong and are covered with the armor of God. There may be the smell of smoke that surrounds them and the heat and fire may seem to be surrounding them on every side at times; yet, they refuse to let go of their faith in the Lord. They are determined to allow the fires to destroy them or give into the temptation that Satan has tried to entrap them with.

Other times, children may be raised to know about Jesus and trained in the things of the Lord. Yet they make the choice to rebel and go a different path. Yet they are continually covered by the prayers of their godly parents. Satan brings fire and tries to destroy and cause devastation, yet those prayers are like a shield around those who have wandered from the fold. There may be burn marks and the smell of smoke, yet there is still green left on the limbs where those seeds planted years ago are still there. The life is not completely destroyed or too far gone to resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit, that is still at work.

There is hope! Even in those families that seem to be destroyed by generations of rebellion and hopelessness and sin, those generational curses can be broken. It may take decades and look hopeless, but God can bring about new life and cause the devastation to turn to beauty. He can take those areas that are black and look beyond repair and bring about something that is incredibly amazing!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

The recovery of a forest can take a lot of different forms.

The land that was harvested is commonly driven over, and may either be dozed or left with stumps all over. Either way, it will have good soil, with roots, pine cones, and seeds scattered all over. It has something to grow from. Grass, ferns, and other undergrowth can start binding the soil almost immediately. Even without help, grass, brush, and eventually trees could grown on their own. With help, it can skip to saplings and undergrowth again within just a few years.

Land that's been burned may have good soil left, or may have all the bacteria and roots killed off. With no binding plants, the soil may even get washed away with just a few rains, especially if it is thin. It may take decades to get lichen to break down the rocks into new soil where low brush can move in.

Even with help, it may not recover quickly. A sapling stuck between rocks would just die, even if someone dumped a bucket of soil around it. The soil would just wash away, leaving the roots bare again.

On the other hand, the soil might be enriched with charcoal and ash. It may bounce back with some weeds and grass very quickly, and eventually get back to a forest. With a little help, it may recover fairly quickly.

We often encounter people in life who have been decimated one way or another. We don't always know how their soil is, or what kind of recovery they might be facing.

It is natural to want to help new friends with whatever they need. But it may take extra effort to learn what that is first. It wouldn't be any help to hand a sapling to them and hope for the best, especially if their hearts are hard as rocks. Lichen helps with solid rock, but doesn't help in good soil. Sometimes all we can do for someone is wait for them to recover on their own, with a little assistance once in awhile. It can be slow and hard, but often the best.

ON THE MENEWE:

Potato Wedges

Peel and wash potatoes. Cut each potato in half, then cut each half into three wedges.

Melt butter in baking pan.

Roll potato wedges in butter and sprinkle with salt, garlic powder,and parmesan.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until soft.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My sister was having a conversation with her daughter-in-law about elderly person who sometimes smell musty; probably due to not getting out much and the clothes hanging in their closet not getting worn or washed often. The daughter-in-law mentioned that sometimes she had to hold her breath when giving old people hugs. My sister laughed and said, "I now know that when I get old, you'll be holding your breath when you hug me."

My sister's grandson was listening in to the conversation and said, "Grandma, when you get old and stinky, I'll still hug you." She laughed and said, "Okay!"

The next day, she came home from work and he ran up to give her a hug. He said, "See Grandma! I still hug you!" She said, "I'm not old and stinky!" He said, "Not yet!!"

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

When Jesus prunes, He removes what is dead

so something new can grow and bloom. - TobyMac

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org