{"id":2036,"date":"2005-05-22T12:58:00","date_gmt":"2005-05-22T12:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/orthodixie\/2005\/05\/the-two-trees-pt-2.html"},"modified":"2005-05-22T12:58:00","modified_gmt":"2005-05-22T12:58:00","slug":"the-two-trees-pt-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/orthodixie\/2005\/05\/the-two-trees-pt-2.html","title":{"rendered":"The Two Trees (Pt 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

These Meditations were posted last year when this Blog was a babe and readership small. After this go-round they\u2019ll be retired so as to be recreated in another form. They\u2019re intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.<\/em><\/p>\n

Part One (1 \u2013 5)<\/a><\/p>\n

(6 of 33) \u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Again in the Wilderness \u2026<\/strong>
<\/span>
We were too smart for the Hill. The dream must have worn off. Now, in the Wilderness, we are tired and hungry. O soul, where art thou?<\/p>\n

Depression sinks in. It is lonely and arid in the Wilderness. We know that in the Garden there is an abundance of fulfilling things. In the Garden is fame, fortune, and power. In the Garden is sensual pleasures, passionate pastures, and delights for the eyes.<\/p>\n

O, to be in the Garden.<\/p>\n

As we enter the Garden, we again see the beautiful and inviting creature on the Tree. He assures us that we will not become sick. \u201cCome, eat!\u201d In an instant our soul cries out, \u201cNo!\u201d Our bodies deny the hearing. Our bodies KNOW better.<\/p>\n

Better me, O Garden Tree. Better me, I beg thee \u2026<\/p>\n

(7 of 33) \u2026
<\/em>
In the Wilderness \u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Wilderness is not where we want to be. Yet everyday finds us there with decisions to make.
We are in the Wilderness today with bruises. We were kicked out of the Garden. Did we kick ourselves out? Anyway, we didn\u2019t want to leave. But our friends betrayed us.<\/p>\n

There we were with all the powers one could ask for \u2014 and WHAM! Betrayal. We lost all, in the Garden.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s on the Tree. The Hill that looks like Hell. Bruised and empty, we\u2019ve had it with the Garden. Our soul sighs, \u201cLord, forgive.\u201d<\/p>\n

We are there, beneath the Fruit of the Tree on the Hill. Feeling betrayed from the bountiful, beautiful fruit of the Garden, we decided to partake of this food. It looks bitter, dying \u2026 dead? Yet, behold, there is redemption thereon, for the fruits of this Tree are Humility, Patience, Chastity, Contentedness, Temperance, Liberality, and Diligence.<\/p>\n

We look upon the Fruit, the man on the Tree. \u201cMay we stay here always, Lord?\u201d With eyes of love he looks upon us and says, \u201cI love you\u201d \u2026 and dies.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d we cry.<\/p>\n

Immediately we are transported to the Garden.<\/p>\n

(8 of 33) \u2026
<\/em>
In the Garden \u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Garden there is only life. The hill of death and doom seems to us now like a bad dream. We are thankful to be in the Garden. The beautiful and inviting creature tells us that the Tree in the Garden is known as the Tree of Life. After what we saw on the Hill, we believe him.<\/p>\n

We then sink our teeth into a good-sized bit of sloth and decide to give the Hill no more thought. We lust for more, proud of our new found life. We eat, and eat, and eat. A glutton never had it so good. It is easy, nay necessary, to be greedy in the Garden. Our avarice knows no bounds \u2014 we envy all. \u201cI want it all!\u201d we shout in anger.<\/p>\n

We are clothed as royalty.<\/p>\n

The beautiful creature in nowhere to be found. Does this mean? Of course.<\/p>\n

We are in charge!<\/p>\n

(9 of 33) \u2026
<\/em>
Again in the Garden \u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our soul alone in silence waits.<\/p>\n

Something is not right. In the Garden, we think we have found Paradise. Yet why is our soul so unhappy? Can it not taste the fruit? Does it not feel the power? Is it not shining with the light of the Garden?<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d says the soul. For a moment, our brain \u2014 even our body \u2014 agrees. But we KNOW better.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil,\u201d says the soul. \u201cThis, says God, is forbidden.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet, we are in the Garden. \u201cIn the Garden, nothing is forbidden.\u201d The beautiful creature said so. And, besides, we KNOW that the Tree in the Garden is the Tree of Life. It must be. For the man on the Tree on the Hill has died. A tree that ushers in death cannot bring life. This much we know. Therefore, this Tree, in the Garden must be \u2026<\/p>\n

(10 of 33) \u2026
<\/em>
In the Wilderness \u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It seems that every day we awake in the Wilderness. Then we must choose to either spend our time in the Garden or on the Hill.<\/p>\n

Decisions, decisions, decisions \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot do it alone.\u201d It was just a thought. Or did it come from deeper within? Whatever it was, it landed us on the Hill! But, immediately upon our arrival, we found that we were surrounded by blood. Just before we cried \u201cNo!\u201d \u2026 our souls fed on \u201cfaith, hope, love.\u201d<\/p>\n

At rest in the Garden, we put such things out of our minds as we bask \u2018neath the Tree.<\/p>\n

(11 of 33) \u2026
<\/em>
In the Garden \u2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Knowledge.<\/p>\n

Eating of the fruits of the Tree in the Garden, we find that we can\u2019t get our fill. \u201cMore, more, more!\u201d we passionately cry. Though we tire of anger, it seems to be a constant, consistent, emotion in our domain.<\/p>\n

Lust, we find, leads to action. The deed being done, we lie alone wasted with grief and remorse. The cure for which we also seek upon the Tree in the Garden. For the beautiful creature claims to have a remedy for all our ills.<\/p>\n

This day, as we shrink from the fruit of lust, we are offered an orb of pride. The beautiful creature tells us that this fruit is the chief remedy of all ailments. \u201cTaste and see,\u201d says he.<\/p>\n

(12 of 33) \u2026
<\/em>
On the Hill we sit \u2026<\/strong>
<\/span>
How we got here, we\u2019re not quite sure. Yet, we\u2019re thankful. For some odd reason, it seems that we\u2019ve been sitting here \u2018neath the Tree on the Hill \u2026 staring off into space. And, oddly enough, this seems all right.<\/p>\n

We remember that in the Garden we were clothed as royalty. Here, we sit in the shade of redemption \u2014 naked \u2014 with a cross. The man who led us here told us that we had to bear it if we were to find rest in him and his kingdom.<\/p>\n

Funny, it seems that he met us in the Wilderness. We didn\u2019t have to make the decision to either go into the Garden or to climb the Hill. Instead, we were met by a man who seemed to know us \u2014 and, we him. He lovingly said, \u201cCome, follow me.\u201d And now, here we are.<\/p>\n

Where did he go?<\/p>\n

Where is his kingdom?<\/p>\n

Why did he call us?<\/p>\n

+ + +<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These Meditations were posted last year when this Blog was a babe and readership small. After this go-round they\u2019ll be retired so as to be recreated in another form. They\u2019re intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33. Part One (1 \u2013 5) (6 of 33) \u2026 Again in the Wilderness \u2026We were too […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1691,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Two Trees (Pt 2)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These Meditations were posted last year when this Blog was a babe and readership small. 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