Beads On A Branch: Finding Joy In The Winter

                  Beads On A Branch: 
              Finding Joy In The Winter

Dear Friends,
     It's not surprising that winter is often regarded as the dark, gloomy season.  Sunset comes earlier and sunrise comes later making the daytime short.  The garden  flowers are done blooming and the colorful leaves of fall have turned into a soggy mess on the walkway and are blown into piles along the fence.  It looks dismal to say the least.
     In the spring I found a large, forked branch under the maple tree.  I took the branch and settled it into the ground near the fence where I had the paisley dragonfly.  I got wire and colorful beads and decorated the branch so that it sparkles in the sunlight.  I liked the way it looked with the dragonfly and the bright flowers all around. 
     When I was cleaning up the yard in the fall, I decided to leave the branch there for the winter.  I am so glad that I did.  The flowers are all done blooming for now and the dragonfly is stored in the shed. When the sun is shining, the sparkling beads brighten the otherwise gloomy garden.  This has become a  focal point to brighten the thoughts that try to darken my days this season.  It will be a beautiful sight when the snow falls all glittery in the garden. 
     So, as the beaded branch helps to refocus my thoughts,  I want to encourage you to turn your thoughts toward good things.  I pray that these verses from the Word will help direct your thoughts toward The Light of the world.

Colossians 1:11-14
"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.  May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.  He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.  For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."
John 12:46
"I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark."

Come To The Table

                 Come To The Table
Dear Friends,
      Jesus calls us to come to the table.  Come and dine with Him.  I used to hear a hymn with the lyrics. "Come and dine, the Master calleth, come and dine.  You may feast with Jesus all the time."
     The tiny oak tree sprouted up in my garden and the leaves are turning brown as the days are colder now.  Under the ground is an acorn that is broken and decaying that allowed the sprout to grow up out of the ground.  
     Jesus fed the multitudes and turned the water into wine.  He broke bread and gave it to His friends.  He spoke to the disciples of the suffering that was to come, how He would be leaving them but would rise again and meet with them again.  
     He didn't just give them dry crumbs of the bread.  He gave them a glimpse into His pain. He was willing to be broken and vulnerable before those He was close to.  This was the kind of community He desired the Body of Christ to be.  One where we are willing to be authentic with one another.  I believe that He is the Bread of Life, our example.  Let's truly break bread with the community of believers around us. 
    When Jesus shared the beautiful words of the Beatitudes with the multitude He was repeating the message that if you are grieving, hurting and wounded, He would bless you.  We need to be a compassionate community where broken people are able to heal and sprout up like an oak tree!
Isaiah 61:3
"To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His glory."
Jeremiah 17:7-8
"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought."

Some Thoughts On Weeds

             Some Thoughts On Weeds
Dear Friends,
      The end of the active growing season is upon us.  My garden is entering into the time when the flowers are replaced by seed pods and the leafy stems are rusty brown, golden and shades of red.  At first glance it looks really messy with the dry, bent over plants that just a short time ago filled the yard with bold bursts of color!  
     Yesterday warmed up a bit and the sun was bright.  When I was picking up broken branches I came across a lovely little flower.  It's a weedy plant called lamb's quarters.  Some people eat lamb's quarter plants and claim that there are health  benefits from them. A lot of animals and birds eat them too.  The leaves of this plant are edged in pretty brush strokes of pink and purple.  After flowering they produce thousands of little,  fluffy  seed puffs that are carried by the wind.  After landing on the soil, each seed can remain alive and able to grow up to 40 years! 
     Weeds are generally thought of in negative ways but let's look at it differently today.  One interesting and positive thing that I read about lamb's quarter plants is that it helps to restore healthy nutrients to poor quality soil.  I have heard that this is true for some other plants that are considered weeds.  
    Now consider the story of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector in Luke 19.   We have all been told about the bad reputation he had.  Do we need to believe the worst stories and rumors about Zacchaeus?  If we look at the few  facts written about him we see that Zacchaeus was so eager to see Jesus that he climbed a tree so that he could see better.  When Jesus saw him he called up to him by name and requested to dine at his house.  The crowd began  murmuring accusations against  Zacchaeus to the degree that he felt the need to speak up for himself to set the record right.  He said that he gives half of his wealth to the poor and if  someone who is wrongfully accusing him finds that the accusations are true, he will repay them four times the amount he took from them.  He doesn't appear to think that the rumors are true.  Perhaps he had already been listening to Jesus and John the Baptist.  Perhaps he had been putting some of the teachings into practice.  Jesus could see good in Zacchaeus and  went on to say, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham."
     When I saw the pretty flowering weed it brought joy to my heart.  Let's look past the negative and see the beauty and worth of the people and world around us.
Luke 13:10
"For the Son of man has come to save those who are lost."
         
     

The Master's Hands and The Open Gate

  The Master's Hands and The Open Gate

Dear Friends,
     In my garden I have an old chain link fence with a gate.  The gate squeaks when it opens so we are alerted before the person who entered gets to the door.  In John chapter 10 Jesus uses language that has illustrations of a shepherd, sheep, and a gate.  Jesus told the disciples that He is the good shepherd.  He also said that He is the gate.  When the people didn't understand, he worded it a little differently in hopes that they understood the message.  He wanted them and us to be alerted and learn from His words.  
     The people of ancient Israel knew about gates, walls, sheep, and shepherds.  Jesus wanted to  use things that were common to them, that they could relate to.  His story-telling way of teaching gave them a visual way to remember the lesson. 
      In John 10: 7 Jesus says, "...I am the gate for the sheep."  In verse 9 Jesus says,"I am the gate."  He continues His discussion with them letting them know that He will voluntarily be a sacrifice.  
     He poured Himself out daily during His ministry using His hands to touch lives.  These were the same hands that were so cruelly pierced.  You can think of His hands as parts of a gate.  One hand is used as the hinge to fasten it to the wall, the other hand has the latch to hold it securely in place.  Jesus used His hands to heal them, cook fish on a fire for them and break bread with them.  These were the same hands that became the hinges and latch  of Jesus the Gate.  Jesus the Gate, suffered for our sins.  
     Second Corinthians 5:21 tells us that "God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 
     My prayer today is that you know that Jesus is your gate and that you go through Him into the garden.
John 10:7
"...so He explained to them: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep."
John 10:15
"...just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep."

Soldiers In God's Army

                      Soldiers In God's Army
Dear friends,
     For weeks I had Giant Swallowtail butterflies come to sip nectar  from flowers in my garden.  This one was the size of my hand, magnificent to see!  A garden is a feeding ground for God's creatures. Whether on the ground or in flight they were created with the ability to find food  and shelter.  
     Sometimes situations happen that leave us desperate and in need of help in order to have our basic needs met.  The recent catastrophic hurricanes and wild fires have been in the news recently.  Many cities and whole states are in emergency status. 
     I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a volunteer with the Salvation Army.  Many Salvation Army teams have been deployed to the areas in need.  Much organization, training and commitment is needed. Many other Christian organizations are involved in the relief efforts along with government agencies.  
    It's beautiful to see so many people willing to leave their families and the comfort of home to serve strangers in need.  
    William Booth's philosophy of soup, soap and salvation are at work on the front lines to meet human needs in times of distress.  Love and mercy are put in action to minister to those in need of food, water and someone to listen to them.  Bodies, minds and souls have the living water made available without discrimination!  God bless the first responders, and all who go to the aid of those in need.
John 4:14
"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.  It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
     

Songs From The Sky

                  Songs From The Sky
Dear Friends,
     Summer is coming to a close and I have been seeing and hearing signs that fall is about to begin.  One of these signs is the cicada insect shells attached to trees and plants.  They are monstrous looking things with buggy eyes and legs that have barbs that allow them to cling to things.  They are found after the insect has emerged and has flown to the treetops.  The insect has a monstrous green body and transparent wings and huge bulging eyes.  They make a loud reverberating chirping/humming sound from the treetops!
     God's Word has references to ways that nature worships the God who created it all.  The world is full of unique creatures that display amazing characteristics.  I am in awe of our Maker.    
     He loves His creation.  Our world displays His creativity and  we read in Psalms 148:5, "Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for He issued His command, and they came into being."
     We also are a part of His handiwork.  Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's masterpiece.  He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
     In Exodus 31 God talked with Moses and told him that He had chosen Bezalel and, " filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.  He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver and bronze...."  Bezalel was chosen to use his abilities  for building the Tabernacle of God.   
     The abilities that make us who we are can be used to glorify God.  We must never think that we are lacking in that area, but live to glorify God with our lives. He is our Heavenly Father who desires His children to be His image bearers!  How do you see Christ in your neighbor or your friend?  I want to  encourage you to look for His image in people around you!
Psalms 66:8
"Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing His praises."
     

Fertile ground: Finding a Surprise

Fertile Ground: Finding a Surprise

Dear Friends,
     I haven't written to you for a while.  Summer is a busy time in the garden.  It gets hard to keep up with the weeds and grass that try to take over. Just a few days of neglect can mean extra hours of work the next time I have a chance to work out there.   
     In the early spring a leafy plant grows in a few places in my garden. The strange thing is that nothing else appears but the leaves.  Then they dry up and return to the ground, appearing  to be dead.  Then, in the late summer stalks rise up a few feet tall and buds form at the top of the stalks. They usually open up the next day, pink with yellow centers and long, spidery stamen.  Often the next day they appear to have been brushed with a stroke of purple paint on each petal.  God's artwork for sure!  
     This flower has a few names that it goes by but I call it a surprise lily.  I love the way it pops up when I'm not expecting it, right in the middle of the black eyed Susan flowers!
     In a conversation with a friend the other day we were talking about prayer and how this helps to prepare the hearts of people to desire a relationship with God.  The soil of their heart becomes fertile ground for when the Word of God is sown like a plant.  We must continue in prayer.  Things are happening that are not seen, but are very real.  Life will spring forth and God will be glorified!
Jesus talked about a fig tree that didn't produce any figs.  Special attention and fertilizer could possibly help the tree produce fruit, much the same way that continued, faithful prayer can make a difference in someone's life.
Ephesians 6:18
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
Psalms 69:13
"But I keep praying to You, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor.  In Your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with Your sure salvation."

Be Thou My Vision: Finding The Treasure

Be Thou My Vision:

Finding The Treasure 

Dear Friends,
     More and more I am finding treasures in my garden.   I meditate on His Word or a song or devotional as I work with the earth.  While digging, weeding and planting, God ministers to me.  
     I had heard  "Be Thou My Vision" sung by Audrey Assad and her  voice echos in my mind, the phrases of the song taking root like a plant.  
"Be Thou my Vision, Oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light...."
    The seed for a blog was planted in my mind.  This is the Treasure that we seek.  That He be in our thoughts throughout each day in all we do.  The Light dispels the darkness.   
     Each day is like a fresh, blank artist's canvas. We choose the colors from a palette of rainbow colors to use just like we choose what to focus on.  Yes, we do have a choice.  We can mix some blue with purple and have black, dark depressing thoughts, or we can use red and yellow for brilliant orange, Light filled thoughts. 
     I can be honest with you and let you know that life is hard and the choice to focus on the treasure can become blurred by troubles.  I can become swallowed up by the cares in life and in the world.
"Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High king of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven my Victory won." 

Luke 12:34
"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

The Nature of God: The Color of Mercy

   The Nature of God: The Color of Mercy
Dear Friends,
     Looking at the garden, a sunset or into the eyes of a child I see God's creation painted in many colors. 
     My Bible has beautiful, intricate, nature and garden themed pictures to color. Adding color to images calms my heart and helps me focus on His Word.
      I was meditating on and adding color to a picture of flowers surrounding the words of  Lamentations 3:22,"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease."  This is a powerful verse that describes God's character.  
     I realized that His mercy has many colors. In a sunset you might see shades of white and gray in the clouds.   Their edges often outlined in shades of yellow, orange, pink and red as the sun's light glimmers from behind them!  All around us we can see His mercy displayed.  
    His love is faithful and steadfast.  It continues on! He is always ready to embrace the fallen and lost. 
     Saul (Paul) was persecuting followers of Jesus when he  heard the voice of God calling to him.  He believed that he was obeying God's laws all while he was out of God's will.  His transformation is a magnificent example of God's mercy.
     Titus 3:5
"He saved us not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy."
Hebrews 4:16
"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will find mercy and we will find grace to help when we need it most."


   

Flowers For Mom

                    Flowers For Mom
Dear Friends,
     Today I'm thinking about Mother's Day and remembering some special times with my mom.   I'm feeling thankful for those memories.  She has been gone for quite a few years and I still wish I could call her or go for a visit.  Sometimes I would take some plants to her and dig up an area around the clothesline pole and plant them for her.  She gave me an orange begonia to plant when I got home.  Sometimes she would suggest that I dig up some things growing around her house so that I could enjoy them at my home.
     A passion fruit vine grew on the railing of the front porch and a row of peonies with big, fragrant pink blossoms bloomed every year.
    As Mother's Day draws near the memories flood into my mind  along with the tears of missing mom. 
    I am so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to be a mother, grandmother and a mother-in-law.  A mother has many joys and also many challenges as we tend to try to heal all the hurts, both physical and emotional.  God has shown me that He desires us to carry one another's burdens to Him in prayer.  As a mother I have prayed as I bandaged a wounded knee, and while I listened to a child's questions, sorrows and joys.  
    If someone were to ask me how to be a mother I would say that it is only to be done with much prayer.
Galatians 6:2
"Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."



      

Meditations on His Mercy

              Meditations On His Mercy
Dear Friends,
     It is a beautiful, sunny day today after many days that were dark and stormy.  Many areas are suffering from flooding that has resulted from so much rain.  I get greatly affected emotionally by long periods of time without sunshine and time outdoors.  I start feeling dark and teary like the sky. 
     Going to God in prayer and His Word has sustained me.  Now  the sun is bright and everything is bright green with springtime freshness!
    During the dark, stormy days I focused on creating a giant dragonfly garden project.  It's made with the fan blades of a broken ceiling fan for wings and a baseball bat for the body.  To get my eyes and mind off the weather I painted it a bright paisley design.  When the paint is dry I will find the perfect place for it surrounded by my flowers.
    As I was working I had music playing and heard the song "East To West" by Casting Crowns.  The words, "In the arms of His mercy I find rest," caught my attention and I have been meditating on His mercy for a few days.   In Ephesians 2 verses 4-5 we read that, "God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead."
    In the very desolate words of Lamentations we can find a nugget of gold.  Read Lamentations 3 verses 21-23.  "The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." 
    God is not restricted by the weather or by our emotions.  He is faithful and loves us so much.   

A Jar of Buttons: Each One a Life

A Jar Of Buttons: Each One a Life

In Memory Of Those Who Died In The Holocaust

Dear Friends,

     Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day.   I dedicate this blog to remember.  

    I have a jar of buttons in my sewing room that is full of an assortment of different colored and sizes of buttons.  I hope that this blog will cause people to look at buttons in a different way, to help us remember.

    The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the location for the "Button Project" Holocaust Memorial.  Each button in the memorial is unique.  They each represent one of the six million Jews and five million others who died in the concentration camps.  Eleven million is a lot of buttons.  Eleven million is a lot of lives.  

     I got the idea for this blog when I saw an article titled, "Each One a Life... The Rebirth Of The Peoria Holocaust Memorial" in Art & Society magazine.   I want to give Monica Vest Wheeler credit where it is due.  It's a beautiful article!  If you want to read about the memorial you can find the article online. 

     It's important that the events that happened and the lives that were lost not be forgotten.

     Each life is important to God.  

Genesis 1:26

"Then God said,"Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us...."

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are His masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." 

     

     

     

Spring, a Sting and a Lesson

           Spring, a Sting and a Lesson
Dear Friends,
     Spring weather was here in all it's beauty for one day last week. I looked at the garden that is covered with brown leaves and fallen branches.  A lot of the plants from last year were still there in a dry, leaning over, not lovely way.  
     My little wren friend was singing her greeting!            
     I knew from looking at the weather forecast that the sunshine was going to only last for a day, then we were going to have a string of cloudy, rainy days.  So I got the rake and clippers out and got started clearing the dried up debris from my flower beds.  It felt so good to be out in the warm sunshine.  I hung a bird house and wind chimes.  I uncovered some new flowers with the rake!  I had made a good start on cleaning things up, then a wasp flew up at me and stung my elbow! 
     Now I had to stop, take care of my wound, put the rake away.  It hurt and I was upset that my plans were spoiled.  The beauty of the day was gone as the sting distracted me.  Now I would have to wait for who knows how long until I got another perfect day.
     So today  I sit in the house and watch the rain fall.  I see the totally gray sky.  
     I continue looking out the window.  The trees with their dark, leafless branches are  reaching up to heaven in thankful worship as the sky drips tears.  Thankfulness returns.  How many things am I thankful for?  Gratitude pours in and the debris washes away with the rain.
     Jesus was able to give thanks on the eve of His betrayal and crucifixion.  How much more should I be able to give thanks?  I will give thanks though the sky is gray and the rain is falling.  Wasps sting and sorrows exist.  Even still, I will be thankful.
Luke 22:17
"Then He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves."

The Frayed Hem: Transformation

       The Frayed Hem: Transformation
Dear Friends,
    The hem of the robe brushed against the stony road and the edges of the fabric snagged on the sharp rocks.  A sick woman who was desperate for healing hurried through the crowd and touched the hem of His robe with her fingertips.  This robe was dusty and dirty, ragged and worn, the garment of the Son of God.  It was fashioned from a single piece of  fabric and had no seams. 
     This tunic type garment was so  desired by the soldiers at the scene of the crucifixion that the played a game to attempt to win the prize fulfilling the prophecy in Psalms 22:18. 
     Artists have made paintings of  the men gambling for the robe of Jesus.  Artists have also painted scenes of a sick woman who was desperate for healing.  She was considered an outcast because of her sickness.  She hurried through the crowd after Jesus and touched the hem of this robe with her fingertips.  In that instant He knew that the woman's faith had brought her to Him.  Because of her faith she was made well.  
   Tears come to my eyes as I think of the compassionate Savior.  Even though He was interrupted, He cared and met the need that she had. 
   She had such faith and knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the living Word of God.  She is an example to all of us to go to Him, to find shelter in His presence daily.
Psalms 22:18
"They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing."
John 19:23-24
"...They also took His robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.  So they said,"Rather than tearing it apart, let's throw dice for it."
Matthew 9:22
"Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said,"Daughter, be encouraged!  Your faith has made you well."  And the woman was healed at that moment."

The Secret Wonder of Winter

                  The Secret Wonder Of Winter
Dear Friends,
        This first week of the new year someone looked at my garden  and made a remark about how it must be hard to write a garden themed blog during the winter.   I feel somewhat challenged and at the same time confident.  If you have ever read the classic novel, "The Secret Garden", you would know that the looks of a garden during the winter or one that has been left untended for a long time can be full of surprises.   The biggest problem I had today with writing this was finding the perfect picture.  The blue morning glories have been done blooming for quite a while but somehow they are perfect to go with my words today.  They seem to glow with hope and warmth. 
      The first snow that covered up my not so pretty garden didn't last very long.  Now the garden looks pretty desolate with mostly brown stems, vines and leaves.  The wrens and robins have left for warmer areas.   The sparrows use the tangled mass of leafless   honeysuckle vines to keep warm.  During the winter most of the beauty is hidden away in memories and in hope.
    With the start of the new year I am anticipating an abundance of beauty from my garden once the warm weather returns.  Fresh life will burst from the ground as soon as spring is here.  God made sure to set the cycle of life in motion.  Even though what I can see now appears less than beautiful, a lot of unseen activity is happening   The soil is building up nutrients and energy for the future.  The seeds that have dropped are resting for the right time to spring forth.  The tiny wrens will remember their home here and will return with their song in the spring. 
    If you are going through a time of loss and sorrow or other problems that try to pull you down,  remember the hope that God promises.   
Romans 12:12
"Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times."
Proverbs 23:17-18
"...always continue to fear the Lord.  You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed."
Psalm 62:5
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him."