May 16, 2012 
There is a type of oak tree called the Pin Oak. This tree is like most any other oak, except that it keeps its leaves through the winter. In the Fall, the leaves change color and die, but they stay attached to the tree until the new leaves start to sprout. The new growth pushes out the old dead carcasses.
Sometimes followers of Jesus choose to believe that we can’t change our sinful habits. But God’s Word says those sinful ways are dead to us. We are holding onto them like the Pin Tree holds onto dead leaves. Maybe we should concentrate on growing new habits in line with God’s Word and the old dead habits will fall effortlessly to the ground. That’s the Pin Oak Principle, let me know your thoughts.
2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Great visual CH! Thank you. I was just meditating this morning on God making all things new. When I get stuck in fear, it’s usually because I am focusing on what’s happened in the past. But God is doing a new thing, it springs up, do you not perceive it? (that was a paraphrase!)
Hope your trip in NY is going well!