Ambassadors for Jesus

an Online Magazine  


jo@ambassadorsforjesus5.com

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  • *Previews & Highlights
  • *The Greatest Love Story Ever ToldClick to open the *The Greatest Love Story Ever Told menu
    • Act I
    • Act II
    • Intermission
    • Act III
    • Act IV
    • Act V
  • 1. Moving to Higher Ground in JesusClick to open the 1. Moving to Higher Ground in Jesus menu
    • Knowing God
    • A Christmas Message: Giving birth to Jesus
    • Are Mars and Venus Really That Different?
    • The Master Strategist
    • Father Sergius by Leo Tolstoy
    • Keeping it Simple Pt 1, God's Love, Simply Divine
    • Keeping it Simple Pt 2, The Holy Spirit
    • Keeping it Simple Pt 3, What's the Problem?
    • Deeper, Addressing Need Beyond Sin
    • Godly Sorrow and Repentance
    • Partaking of the Wrong Fruit
    • Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
    • The Heart of the Matter
    • The Eye of the Beholder
    • Equality at the Cross
    • The Simplicity of the Gospel
    • Do We Really Have a Choice?
    • Is Faith Blind?
    • Is it Really not About Me?
    • Our "Rubber to Road" Experience...
    • Bearing Fruit
    • The Love of God and Change
  • 2. The Twilight ZoneClick to open the 2.  The Twilight Zone menu
    • Episode 11: The View
    • Episode 1: Food Fight
    • Episode 2: My Run for Office
    • Episode 3: Crash Course
    • Episode 4: Double Blow
    • Episode 5: Bo Bo the Boxing Cat
    • Episode 6: A Rude Awakening
    • Episode 7: The Clinic
    • Episode 8: A Quality of Mercy
    • Episode 9: What Lies Ahead?
    • Episode 10: Inception
  • 2b. Twilight Zone Study GuideClick to open the 2b. Twilight Zone Study Guide menu
    • Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
    • Points of View
  • 3. A Cup of LaughterClick to open the 3. A Cup of Laughter menu
    • I Think I Prevented a Murder...
    • What's with the Buzz?
    • Bo Bo the Boxing Cat
    • When Laughter Becomes Horrific
    • Cyber Wars
    • My Run for Office
    • Walking in Your Shoes
    • This Earthen Vessel
    • Signs That You May Talk too Much
    • The "ITES" Family
    • Pesky Squirrels
    • No Cheap Thrill
    • Biketoberfest is Here
    • Mercy for Me
    • A Letter to Pastor and his Homies
    • Holy Spirit Take the Wheel
  • 4. Family MattersClick to open the 4. Family Matters menu
    • Jesus or Santa Clause?
    • A Journey Called Life
    • Discussing Theology...and Everything Else
    • Growing up...by Grace through Faith in Jesus
    • Lessons from Corporate America
    • Lessons from Family Life
    • Those Sensitive Teen Years
    • Intimacy, Love, and Commitment
    • Points of View
    • Say What?
    • Identifying with our Beliefs and Values
    • My Multi-Racial Complex
    • Soul Ties
    • Home Building, Phase One
    • Home Building, Phase Two
    • Home Building, Phase Three
    • Family Matters
  • 5. Soup for the SoulClick to open the 5. Soup for the Soul menu
    • Love so Big and Faithful...
    • Transparent Butterfly
    • Down to Your Final Grains...
    • First Love
    • The Wounded Soldier
    • When Your Hut's on Fire
    • The "W" in Christmas
    • God Cares for You!
    • The Mechanical Pencil
    • The Child in Me
    • Princess Jen's Story
    • The Cake
  • 6. ExtrasClick to open the 6. Extras menu
    • The Legend of the Three Trees
    • The Song of the Heart
    • The Progressive Journey
    • What's all the Worship About?
    • That Shiny Nose
    • The Call from the Dark Side
    • A Cinderella Story
    • The Invisible Woman
    • Captivity, Love, and Liberty
    • The Story of a Soul
  • *Holiday Greetings all Year RoundClick to open the *Holiday Greetings all Year Round menu
    • What is Christmas About?
    • The "W" in Christmas
    • That Shiny Nose
    • More Holiday Music Videos
    • Review: Christmas Show at the Gaylord Palms
    • Host an International Student for the Christmas Break
  • 7. ReviewsClick to open the 7. Reviews menu
    • St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Savannah, Georgia
    • Religulous by Bill Maher
    • Villa Mirabella - book
    • We Cry Out / Jesus Culture - music
    • Confessions of a Shopaholic - movie
    • Christmas Shows at the Gaylord Palms - entertaiment
    • The Big Kahuna - movie
    • Jumper - movie
    • Inception - movie
    • Temple Grandin - movie
  • 8. Story: Christian Stepfordville, Book One: Fire and IceClick to open the 8. Story: Christian Stepfordville, Book One:  Fire and Ice menu
    • Part I: A New Season
    • Part II: Christian Stepfordville
    • Part III: Close Encounters
    • Part IV: Alex
    • Part V: A Delicious Surprise
    • Part VI: This Masquerade
    • Part VII: A Glimpse Behind the Veil
    • Part VIII: What to Make of it?
    • Part IX: Under the Influence
    • Part X: The Revolutionary
    • Part XI: Reuben
    • Part XII: A Table for Two
    • Part XIII: JC
    • Part XIV: Eclipse
    • Part XV: Wake Up Call
    • Part XVI: The Dance
    • Part XVII: The Recruit
    • Part XVIII: Growing Pains
    • Part XIX: The Law, To Protect and Serve
    • Part XX: A Radiant Covering
    • Part XXI: Jim
    • Part XXII: Contemplations
    • Part XXIII Hope Floats
    • Part XXIV: Reality Check
    • Part XXV: The Sower and the Seed
    • Part XXVI: Out of the Comfort Zone
    • Part XXVII: The Promise, The Problem, and Uncertainty
    • Part XXVIII: Meeting the Boys
    • Part XXIX: The Master's Touch
    • Part XXX: The Mark of Maturity
    • Part XXXI: Camille
    • Part XXXII: Bible Reading
    • Part XXXIII: Where's Your Faith?
    • Part XXXIV: Angela
    • Part XXXV: The Prognosis
    • Part XXXVI: A New Start
    • Part XXXVII: Dinner Invitation
    • Part XXXVIII: The Deep
    • Part XXXIX: The Receiver
    • Part XL: Dance Lessons
    • Part XLI: A Genuine Proverbs 31 Woman
    • Part XLII: Letting the Cat out of the Bag
    • Part XLIII: LIght and Darkness
    • Part XLIV: Fair Play
    • Part: XLV: Motives
    • Part XLVI: Bilingual Lessons
    • Part XLVII: Where to go from Here?
    • Part XLVIII: The Confessional Booth
  • 8b. Christian Stepfordville, Book Two: Loving God and Loving NeighborClick to open the 8b. Christian Stepfordville, Book Two:  Loving God and Loving Neighbor menu
    • Part I: Who's Calling?
    • Part II: A Rebel Without a Cause
    • Part III: The Importance of, "In the Beginning..."
  • 9. En EspanolClick to open the 9. En Espanol menu
    • Lucha de Alimento
    • ¿Son Marte y Venus Realmente Que Diferente?
    • Curso Intensivo
    • Cuando La Risa Se Convierte En Horribles
    • Hasta su final de Cereales, Alimentación de Migas
  • 10. Jo's CornerClick to open the 10. Jo's Corner menu
    • A Getaway with the Lord in Savannah, Georgia
    • Stalking the Divine
    • Robin's Egg Blue Eyes
    • Dating the Lord
    • His Awesome Craftmanship
    • More Signs of New LIfe
    • Signs of New Life
    • Seeing the Flip Side of it all
    • Vision
    • Wind Surfing
    • Prayer, a Precious Gift Indeed
    • In Touch with our femininity
  • 11. Scriptures, Quotes, and Prayers
  • 12. Art Gallery featuring Henry JackmanClick to open the 12.  Art Gallery featuring Henry Jackman menu
    • An Interview with Henry Jackman
  • 13. Media Center: Sermons and MusicClick to open the 13. Media Center:  Sermons and Music menu
    • Music Videos, Page 1 of 2
    • Music Videos, Page 2 of 2
  • 14. Free Products
  • 15. Contact Us
  • 16. AnnouncementsClick to open the 16. Announcements menu
    • 16b. Upcoming Christian Art Show
  • 17. Links

 

What's with the Buzz?

 

(ambassadorsforJesus5.com)

 

 

Click here to view my home video

 

 

     Ah springtime, it is a season blossoming in new growth after a restful one of hibernation. What a lovely display of new life, warmth, and a fresh new start. Then just when we begin to join nature in its enjoyment, we spot them. Along with the entrance of this new season are those pesky little critters we are asked to share our lives with.

     I own a wood home and get enjoyment out of it, and with the spring season it didn't take me too long to discover carpenter bees also share my sentiments. They like to boar holes in the trimming that hangs just behind the gutters. There they lay their eggs. It is an unpleasant intrusion that can dampen my enjoyment of the season.

     I used to try and shoo them away yet I discovered for little critters they are quite brave. If they mark you as a threat they have this way of getting in your face while flying suspended in mid-air, you know, like hellicopters do. They flap their wings while going nowhere, a sobering picture of what our lives can be like when we've lost our head named Jesus.

     With determined resolve I approach my home invaders equipped with my battle gear: my hose, my poison, and for extra measure my broom. Even so, my collection of household weapons doesn't seem to phase them. In an impressive display of aggressive bravado they get right in my face in a challenging and ugly face-off, and maybe I've inhaled too many fumes but I can almost hear them say, "Go ahead, make my day."

     Really, it's like being caught up in some awful, western flick set in the wild, wild west.

     Well, I ain't no John Wayne in some make believe movie so that is about the time I drop my battle gear and go running to save my hind, for although they come from the smaller life form these critters are armed with a large barrel, and if their barrel is a valid indicator of the ammunition within I prefer to dodge that bullet than get stung.

     No kidding, they look like overgrown bumble bees. Critters in the south make the ones up north look like child's play. It may have something to do with the sun and heat. I think it is the male that doesn't carry a loaded barrel but you think I can tell which is which? Either way, I'm not taking my chances. Although I've also given them a run for their money. I've got my days. 

     On a good day I can be a pretty quick draw, and on my slower days I've sometimes wondered what my neighbors thought the times I went running while a hollaring. They may be observing from their windows saying, "Look honey, that neighbor of ours done lost it again. She's running around hitting herself on the head."

     That be in case one landed in my hair.

     Amazing how much terror a little life can strike, for they've earned the respect of those of us who have been the unfortunate victims of their flight. We know not to under estimate them by their size.

     And really, you can waste more energy, grow more aggravated, and such trying to rid your home of them. They really don't cause that much harm so I find I am better off just letting them do their thing for the season. Alhough, I do recognize a better route is preventive maintenance, to fill in the old holes with quality material and make sure my paint job along the trimmings is well kept.

     Reminds me of life itself, how some small thing comes along in our lives flapping its wings and going nowhere. We can waste much time and energy trying to deal with it when in actuality it doesn't cause that much harm. We are much better off keeping our eyes on Jesus and keeping the maintenance up on our homes (personal lives). Much better to come from an offensive position within rather than trying to gain ground from a defensive one. 

     Furthermore, these pesky critters don't seem to be looking to bother me. They just try and defend what they see as their ground when I get too close and start to challenge them. Although I wish they could see the view from my side and how they can get in my way when I am trying to work on my home. They appear to perceive it as theirs and look to challenge me. Whose home is it anyway? The answer may be both as it is in its present state.

     And this seems to be the way God set things in place in nature. Those things that are wood in our lives will benefit from some challenges.  And as we journey through life these challenges can serve to show us issues with the foundation in our homes if we find that they are shaken by these little annoyances. If that is the case, more than maintenance is called for. It is true that my home invaders also have an important role in the larger picture of life.

     In the meantime, I see it as beneficial to keep the maintenance up while I let go of these little annoyances in favor of my eyes on Jesus, and most important is the life within as I grow in my intimate relationship with Him; to keep an open heart before my Lord while He turns my home to gold.

     As such, those pesky critters will no longer find it an adequate place to call home and vacate the premises on their own.


jo@ambassadorsforjesus5.com