Winter In The Garden: The Song Of The Chimes

                      Winter In The Garden: 

                    The Song Of The Chimes

Dear Friends,

      Our lives are organized into years, seasons, and days.  It was all put into motion during the days of creation.  God had all the intricate details planned. Knowing that God included His Son and redemption for us in His plan makes me unable to express my gratitude except to worship Him.  

     Seasons come and go and we turn the pages on the calendar each month.  Each day we have the opportunity to focus on the tasks that need to be done and to watch and listen for God’s still, soft voice.  Who needs my attention today?  How can I make a difference?  What is God’s will in my life today?

     During the summer these baby wrens demanded the attention of their parents! They were so hungry and very noisy.  I’m not sure when they realized that they could sing instead of screaming, or when they decided to fly out of the birdhouse, but it seemed to happen all of a sudden.  The wrens have come and built nests and had baby wrens every year for many years. I like to think that they are from the same family, and that the grandparents tell the little ones stories of past summers in the garden. I think that these little birds are something I can count on to show up next spring, like I trust that some cosmos flower seeds that dropped from the summer flowers will sprout and bloom next to various perennials that will return to grow and bloom again. 

     Today it’s winter and it’s raining.  I can hear the wind howling through the trees and the chimes on the porch are singing the song of winter. Trust. Remember. Pray. Listen.

Psalms 104:19

“You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set.”

     This creation that surrounds us is marvelous in the way it changes as the seasons change. He made it that way to demonstrate His faithfulness.  We can count on Him to have the sun rise in the morning and have the wrens come again next spring.

    During this winter  season, when we can listen to the chimes, let’s pray to see the work He has planned for us.

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

Snow Falls and Tears Fall

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                    Snow Falls: Tears Fall

Dear Friends,

     It's nice to be here again.  The list of reasons for being absent and neglecting this time with you is long.  I think the break away was needed and I am ready for a nice visit.  

     Jesus experienced times that He needed to distance Himself from others.  Sometimes people didn't understand why He wasn't there when they needed Him.

     In Mark chapter 4 we can read about a time when Jesus was so exhausted that He was sleeping soundly during a storm at sea.  His disciples thought He didn't care that they might all drown.  This situation makes me ask myself, "Would I be afraid of the storms around me if Jesus was physically with me?" After the storm quieted at the sound of His voice He asked them a question.

     Mark 4:40

"Then He asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

     I want the kind of faith that grows stronger during these storms.  Can you pray this with me?  The storms don't seem to be subsiding right now.  Every day is full of challenges for all of us.  Jesus is with us and He won't leave us.  I love the image of a giant bird that has the strong, soft wings over us for protection. The storm blows. The wind blows like whispers.   Singing beautiful songs over us that bring tears streaming down our faces. 

     Let's pray and pray for one another that our faith will grow and we can face these storms!

1 Thessalonians 3:24

"And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows."

Through The Storm: Seeing His Faithfulness

                  Through The Storm:
                Seeing His Faithfulness 
Dear Friends,
      God alerted  Noah that a storm was coming.  Noah and his family trusted God and remained safe throughout the flood.  I can’t begin to imagine the difficulty in that situation.  So many questions race through my mind.  The lack of  things  that we today consider necessary must have made the experience extremely challenging!  
     A storm is raging. 
    When Noah was waiting for the dove to return he didn’t despair.  He knew that God had a plan, even if the details weren’t clear to him yet.
     The storm brings many challenges depending on our individual circumstances.  During this time we all have moments or days that we need to take a breath, look around us and take inventory of what we do have.  Maybe our gratitude list is short today.  Today we can look at the story of Noah and see his faith and obedience, his patience in the storm.  
     The dove came back with an olive leaf!  The flooded earth was showing signs that the water was receding and an end of the flood was near!  They waited and continued trusting for two more months until God told them that they could release the animals and leave the ark.
     Throughout history men  have faced extreme hardships.
     I pray that this storm we face today will be remembered by the love we had for one another, the sacrifices we made for each other.  I hope this time in history is remembered for how people united in the cause to bring healing to the world.
May God be merciful and help us all!
Genesis 8:3-4
“So the floodwaters gradually receded from the earth.  After 150 days, exactly five months from the time the flood began, the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.”
Genesis 8:12
“He waited another seven days and then released the dove again.  This time it did not come back.”
Psalms 90:14
“Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”

     

The Seed Gifts

The Seed Gifts

Dear Friends,

     I have been thinking of seed gifts and what they are and how God uses them.  

     Many years ago, before I had a flower garden, I called my children my garden.  When the twins were babies, I took them for a stroller ride in the neighborhood.  I exclaimed over the beauty of the row of giant hibiscus lining a driveway.  The owner asked me if I would like some seeds from them.  After I replied that I would, he went to the garage and brought out a large coffee can and proceeded to fill it with enough seeds for me to plant a flower  garden!

     A year later we lived in a house where I had a yard for a flower garden, so I planted several of the seeds and by mid summer I had gorgeous, red, pink and white hibiscus blooming.  When the seed pods formed and dried, I collected them and started sharing those seeds with people who liked them.  

     Many of the plants I have now have similar stories of where they came from and who gifted me with them.  This year I am growing beautiful moon flowers from seeds that a cousin gave me.  That flower will most likely be featured in my next letter to you!  A garden is for sharing, you know!  These letters are a way for me to plant seed gifts.  I want the words to build up and encourage you!  The memory and blessing of the seed gift lives on!

     A seed gift doesn't need to be actual seeds, but can be an act of being kind in some way.  It has to do with listening to the Holy Spirit and acting on the whispers you hear spoken.   

     Ruth listened to that quiet voice and gave Naomi her companionship and loyalty.  A boy shared his lunch with Jesus when the multitude was hungry.  A widow used her last bit of  flour and oil to feed a stranger.  A woman broke her alabaster jar and anointed Jesus with fragrant oil.  These were examples of seed gifts.  Those gifts blessed the ones who received them and continue to be remembered and still are a blessing.  Seed gifts keep giving hope, joy, and life! 

    Do you have things in your life that were seed gifts from someone?  Maybe it's a memory of a kind word that still puts a smile on your face.  

Acts 20:24

"But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others  the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."

1 Corinthians 12:6

"God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us."

Romans 12:8

"If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.  If it is giving,  give generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."

From Deep Inside Comes A Sacrifice of Praise

     From Deep Within Flows A Sacrifice Of 
                             Praise
Dear Friends,
    Once again it has been a while since I wrote to you.  I was just in the garden this morning waiting for the Voice to whisper a message for me to share here.  The message was given.  When I opened the blog page, this one had been started, but left unfinished. The message started then is meant for today.
     The garlic scape bends and curls as if bowing low in agonizing praise.  It’s agonizing because the longing to be intimately communicating with the Savior cannot be held back any longer.  The message to the one or ones who will hear the voice calling them is clear.  Come to Me if you are hurting, grieving.  Come if you are guilty of wrongdoing.  Come if you are lonely.  Come if you are thirsty.   Come to the well to be renewed, refreshed.
    The rose bush caught my eye this morning, as it's covered in delicate, velvety, red blooms.  Some of the leaves are glossy as if recently polished, but others are brown and full of holes.  They have been lunch for some hungry insects.  
     Even now, in late July, the rose bush is giving.  In the midst of her pain and loss she is still beautiful, worthy.  Her roots have reached out and found a source for refreshment.  She has sacrificed many leaves and suffered a lot of damage but is triumphant through the suffering she endured.  The Source is always willing, able and sufficient to fill the empty places.
  No matter how long it's been, the Well is sufficient when we offer a sacrifice of praise.
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."
Psalms 141: 2
"Accept my prayer as incense offered to You, and my upraised hands as an evening offering."
Psalms 106:1
"Praise the Lord!  give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  his faithful love endures forever."
      

Rejoice in the Lord, Always

            Rejoice in the Lord, Always
Dear Friends,
     Finally things are sprouting and we have had two sunny days in a row!!!  I've got color popping up here now!  I will have lots of new things to discover in the garden during the coming days.        
The flower  that you see in the picture today is the same plant that I use for the border picture, only that one is when this silver dollar plant goes to seed!  It's so unique and nice to have it blooming early in the spring!  The seeds drop and I usually have them sprout in a lot of haphazard  places. 
    Rejoice!  Always!  That sounds good when things are bright like a sunny day filled with sweet scents and bright colors!  Tomorrow and actually the rest of the week is forecast to be cloudy, and stormy.  I know myself well enough to realize that I need to be alert to the fact that the weather does not need to control me.  I can rejoice in the Lord, even on a stormy day!  I confess, I do have a hard time when I don't have the right weather to be outdoors.  
Romans 8:39
"No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
     When the sun shines brightly and we look closely at a flower, we notice the intricate design and details that God created.  My thoughts return to Him and I remember His love for us and how He cared enough to fill His creation with things like the silver dollar plant for our enjoyment!
Hosea 6:3
"Oh, that we might know the Lord!  Let us press on to know Him.  He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring."

Stone Walls and Golden Shields

         Stone Walls and Golden Shields 
Dear Friends,
     I’m going to be honest here.  I’ve been struggling this winter.  The long months of cold, snow and gray days, along with the sickness and death of my dear friend have made me have difficulty focusing to write.  When I’m able to be outdoors and working in the garden I feel renewed in mind and spirit.  I’m able to pray and meditate while I do the work.  Often it's during these times that I start to get an idea of what to write in these letters.  Now, because it’s not garden season yet,  I will try to use my imagination to take us to summer time in the garden.
     It's often hard for me to keep up with the garden work during the summer.  The weeds compete with the flowers for space and seem to take over when I'm not looking!  The weeds could be compared to a relentless enemy.  They  are determined to control the garden.  Enemies can be described in different ways.  The army of an opposing country, or one person who has harmful intentions or even thoughts that attempt to take us away from God’s path can be considered enemies.  
     God makes provisions for us to be safe from these enemies.  We need to be alert and aware so we can put up the walls of defense to fend off the thoughts that can hold us prisoners.  He is our defense, our strong tower and our armor.  Staying close to God in prayer and the Word can be difficult during the time of warfare but it also is where we will gain our strength for the duration of the attack.  So let's think about the strong, stone walls and golden shields while we draw on the provisions God has for us to use for the purpose of protection!  
Ephesians 6:11
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” 
Psalms 91:4
“He will cover you with His feathers.  He will shelter you with His wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
Psalms 122:3
“Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached.”

    
     

Butterflies, Colorful Leaves and Snowflakes

        Butterflies, Colorful Leaves and Snowflakes

Dear Friends,
     I have started to write a letter to you a few times and it didn't go as I wanted.  Since I could wait and start over, that is what I have done again in hopes that the words flow and can reach where someone needs them. 
     The snow and cold has already been happening here in the midwest.  It's a little early for that as it usually waits until after Thanksgiving.  
     The other day, out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a butterfly fly past the window.  I took a closer look and realized that  it must have been leaves being blown off the tree.  I kept looking and realized that it was snowing, huge, fluffy flakes!  It took me by surprise!  Life does that sometimes.  Sometimes a surprise is happy and sometimes they bring us to a stand still.
      I have had to pause again and now it is past Thanksgiving and more snow is falling, like tears that fall as you cry out in prayers for a loved one.   It’s a very heavy snow.  
     Praying and giving thanks are linked together like the links of a paper chain made with glue and glitter.  I’m praying for a very special friend who has been sick.   I'm so thankful for the blessing of a special friendship.  Friendship includes going through valleys with each other.  Jesus had a special friendship with Lazarus.  He spent time with him and his sisters, Mary and Martha.  In John chapter 11 we read that the sisters sent an urgent message to Jesus.  “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”  
     Jesus had a plan for Lazarus and He has a plan for us.  His desire is always for God to be glorified.  His decision to postpone going to Bethany must have been a difficult decision since it brought His friends grief and also grief for Himself.  He was also angry at the unbelief He saw when He told them to roll the stone away from the grave that had held Lazarus for four days.  “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believed?” 
     Then He thanked His Father for hearing His prayer!  “You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 
     To all who are reading this, the message is to always pray that God will be glorified!  Pray to be His hands and feet here on earth that He will be glorified!  God desires that we hold on to hope to see answers to our prayers!   Turn our thoughts to remember past answered prayers so that our faith be built up!  He does answer prayers and He does miracles still today!  Remember to thank Him, like He thanked the Father!
John 11:41
"So they rolled the stone aside.  Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, Father, thank you for hearing me."
Isaiah 53: 5
"But He was pierced  for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed."
Jeremiah 17:14
"Oh Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved.  My praises are for You alone."

A Worthy Vessel

                     A Worthy Vessel
Dear Friends,
     I was reading about the Samaritan woman at the well and some thoughts came for this blogpost.  
     The story is found in John 4. 
      While on a journey, Jesus stopped in Samaria at a well called Jacob's well.  Normally, Jews didn't speak to Samaritans.  Jesus asked the woman for a drink, which surprised her.  She also was surprised that a Jew would speak to her because she was an outcast of society. She only came to the well during the time of day when it was less likely to be busy.  
     Jesus had a lengthy conversation with her.  Her eyes were opened to believe Jesus when He boldly told her that He was the Messiah!   He who had asked her for a drink was now offering to give her water that He called Living Water.   
     The fresh, bubbling spring in her heart couldn’t be contained!  She went running into town to tell  the Good News to the very people that she had been avoiding!  They were fascinated by her message and came running to listen to this man who claimed to be Messiah and had told the woman all about herself! 
     He wants us to have this same spring of Living Water bubbling up that this woman had.   Let’s let this spring bubble up, overflowing and touching lives of people around us!

“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.””
‭‭John‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬



“Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.”
‭‭John‬ ‭4:39-41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Becoming Beautiful

                  Becoming Beautiful
Dear Friends,
     It has been a while since I've written to you.  I've started a few letters, then life happened and it was hard to come back to the same thought line.  Last week I saw this butterfly on this particular zinnia and God spoke a message to my heart.
     Something you will immediately notice about the flower is that a lot of the petals are gone.  Life still exists in the flower and it still holds nourishing nectar for the butterfly to sip.  The beautiful butterfly hasn't noticed a problem or flaw with the flower and is enjoying it immensely.  
     As I was taking pictures the butterfly would sail through the gentle breeze.  It circled past me so near that I could feel a soft breath-like movement as it fluttered past my cheek and landed back on the top of the broken flower.  I was mesmerized by the beauty!
     I thought, "This is why I grow flowers!  To see a sight like this and to hear God whisper a message to me is why!"
    We all experience brokenness at some point during life.  It can be caused by a number of things and can have many different outcomes.  God sees all the brokenness too, and He sees it like this butterfly sees the broken flower.  It's worth something.  The flower has worth to the butterfly and God sees our worth and potential through our brokenness.  
     A man who does volunteer work with me at the Salvation Army gave his testimony at a meeting I attended.  He shared about his brokenness.  He had come here from another country  as a small child.  They were very poor and  at a young age he got involved in gangs and drugs and spent time in prison.  Then God got ahold of his life and he has spent the past 40 years serving others.  He glows with the love of God!
     I want to encourage you today to know that God sees your worth!  You are beautiful to Him.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Ephesians 2:10
"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."

     

Manna From Prayers

                  Manna From Prayers
Dear Friends,
     When I look at my garden full of pink Missouri primroses I think of the manna that God provided for the people as they journeyed through the wilderness.  They would gather the sweet tasting manna that had dropped from heaven.  I can imagine the children filling their mouths with it as they helped fill the baskets.
     Have you ever seen an artist's work studio, a carpenter's shop or a gardener's potting shed.  Tools and equipment line the shelves in the midst of projects that are being worked on.  In my sewing room are bins full of linen and silk fabrics that were cast off and discarded by former owners.  The sewing machine, pin cushion and thread rack are ready to be put to use.  The garden shed is filled with bags of soil, various sized pots and tools for gardening.  The wheeled cart has been left in the garden by the area that I was working in, along with some gloves, trowel and clippers. 
     God delivered the Hebrew people from the Egyptians and led them through the wilderness.  The wilderness was a sort of work shop.  God continually gave them signs of His presence and protection. He opened the Red Sea for them.  He fed them from heaven.  He guided them with a cloud always providing for their needs.
     When Jesus had a multitude of people following Him, He spent days teaching and healing.    
     In Matthew 14 we read of a time when Jesus told His disciples to feed the crowd of 5000 men plus women and children who were following Him.  Five loaves of bread and two fish were blessed and broken by His hands and given to the crowd.
     In Matthew 15 we read the account of when Jesus had compassion when He noticed that His followers were hungry.  Seven loaves of bread and 2 fish were found.  Jesus blessed the meal and the food was distributed to all 4,000 men plus the women and children.  All were fed until satisfied and the left overs were gathered into 7 large baskets. 
      As I read the account of the time in the wilderness, tears come to my eyes and I pray that I will be thankful and see His hand at work in my life.   I desire to be soft clay in His hands and  I pray that the manna I gather be sweet to taste and full of the nourishment I need.  Each of our lives is like an art project.  God uses events and people like tools to mold and shape us.   The words that come to my mind when I think of the Israelites journey through the wilderness and the feeding of the multitudes is abundant provision.  God is the abundant provider.  May our prayers bring the manna from Heaven so God will be glorified!  When we are in need we can remember the manna blessings, the past times when prayers were answered and when needs were met.  We can pray with thankful hearts to the wonderful provider!
Numbers 9:17
"Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it."
Matthew 15:37
"They all ate as much as they wanted.  Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food."

Finding The Promiser

                 Finding The Promiser
Dear Friends, 
     When I saw the word 'Promiser' being used, it grabbed my attention.  The word brings some questions to mind.  Who is this Promiser and what does He promise?
     George Mueller said that when a trial comes, "I will wait and see what good God will do to me by it, assured He will do it."  He was confident because he was intimately acquainted with the Promiser. 
     We know that the Word of God is full of promises.   He also put His promises in creation to draw people to Himself.  The promises are not hidden.  They are in sight for anyone to see!  
     The sight of this blooming pussy willow was a promise that the season is changing from winter to spring.  Signs of newly sprouting plants bring hope and knowledge that God is in control.  He hasn't hidden this truth, but displays it openly throughout the world.     
     The grip of winter has been unusually tight this year.  Many areas have been experiencing unrelenting wintry weather when normally spring is in full bloom by now.  We had a small glimmer of warmth that made the plants including the pussy willow wake up, but then freezing temperatures came and snow covered the ground again.  Life is unpredictable like that sometimes!  The little bits of yellow from the blooming daffodils poked up through the snow helping me remember that spring will come eventually. 
     Our wonderful Promiser has given us hope to hold on to the promise of the coming change of seasons, the dawning of a new day and the turn of trials into something good! 
Ecclesiastes 10:7
"Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning."
 2 Peter 1:4
"And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises...."
Psalms 147:4-5
"He counts the stars
and calls them by name.
How great is our Lord!  His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!"
     
      

An Interruption Becomes A Blessing

     An Interruption Becomes A Blessing
Dear Friends,
     Spring is trying to enter this part of the country.  We have experienced a few interruptions from cold fronts, ice storms and even some snow.  Because of the interruptions I haven't been able to be in the garden much yet this year.  While I was looking at my pictures I found this one from last spring.  I was getting the garden cleaned up so the new growth could get sunlight and I came across this cute little bog plant.  A few years ago it had been given to me my one of my children.  The following spring I found that it had dried up and disappeared.  I thought it was dead.  Disappointments happen in gardening.  
     I was overjoyed when I saw new growth from it after experiencing a couple of years with no signs of life! 
     We all experience interruptions of one kind or another.  They can last anywhere from a few moments to many years.  How we react to interruptions can be life changing.  We can look in the Word to see how Jesus reacted to interruptions.
     In Matthew 19:13-14 we read that some parents interrupted whatever Jesus was doing.  They wanted Jesus to pray for their children!  The disciples wanted the people to leave Jesus alone, but Jesus opened His arms for the children to come to Him!  He took time to bless the children before continuing on His way.  
     In Matthew 9:18 Jesus was having a discussion with his disciples.  A man came up asking for Jesus to come to his house and bring his young daughter back to life again!  Verse 19 says, "So Jesus and His disciples got up and went with Him."  That hurried walk was interrupted by a woman whose faith and desperate need led her to rush up and touch the fringes of His garment.  He stopped and said these kind words to her, "Daughter, be encouraged!  Your faith has made you well."
     When Jesus finally got to the house of the little girl He took her by the hand and she stood up!  The interruptions didn't stop Jesus from attending to the requests of anyone.  The girl's father hadn't been complaining or wringing his hands in frustration at the delay.  Faith and trust bore good fruit. 
     In Acts 3:1-10 we read that Peter and John had learned to react to interruptions in the way that Jesus reacted.  A lame man received the gift of healing when he least expected it!  They had learned to be like Jesus by using interruptions for His glory!   
   My hope and prayer today is that you will be encouraged to press on in prayerful anticipation in spite of delays and interruptions!
Mark 10:51-52
""What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.  "My Rabbi," the blind man said, "I want to see!"  And Jesus said to him, "GO, for your faith has healed you."  Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road." 
  

A Vessel Worthy of Treasure

           A Vessel Worthy of Treasure

Dear Friends,
     I found this giant terra cotta pot in a thrift shop and planted herbs and succulents in it and gave it an honorable place on the painted chair in a corner of the patio.
    Clay jars, pots, vessels and oil lamps are mentioned quite a few times in the Bible. 
    2 Corinthians 4:7 is a verse to look at first.  "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves."  The light in our hearts is a great treasure!!
    In Ephesians Paul wrote some beautiful prayers for the people he cared about.  Ephesians 1:18, "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with Light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called - His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance."  I want my heart to be flooded with this Light, this treasure!
    God is the Great Potter who makes each of us in His image.   If you have seen a Potter at work in His shop, you probably have noticed that he has shelves of pots that are drying prior to being glazed and fired in the kiln.  Since they are  made by hands instead of a mold, each one is unique.
    Jeremiah 18:4 says,"But the jar he was making did not turn out as he hoped, so he crushed the lump of clay again and started over."  When we pray for God to shape us and make us, to remove the stones and imperfections, we can expect some pain in the process. I have felt His strong  hands digging out the rocks, pushing the clay into a mound reshaping me over and over as I pray to be His masterpiece, complete, mended, refined by fire, a vessel worthy of His treasure!
    Another of Paul's prayers is  Ephesians 3:16-19, "I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.  Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how high, and how deep His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."
    The vessels on the shelves are fragile before the firing.  The glaze is applied often several times adding colors and shine to the pot.  Although the vessels remain fragile, they are less likely to be chipped and broken after going through the extreme heat of the kiln.  The color often changes when going through the fire of the kiln.  The end product is strong, beautiful and unique.
     When we keep our eyes on the Light as we go through the trials of life  the Great Potter is strengthening us so that His Light in us shines brightly!

     

The Well of Refreshment

              The Well Of Refreshment 
Dear Friends, 
      This was the first time I had an amaryllis bulb to add a ray of color to the frigid winter days! What a glorious sight it was when it popped open as if to shout "Happy Winter!"
     A ray of color brings refreshment during this time of winter when outdoor activities are limited.  
     Jesus needed refreshment also.  Let's look in the Word to see how Jesus was refreshed!  
      In John 4 we read that Jesus was traveling to Galilee and had to pass through Samaria.  He came to the town of Sychar.  His disciples had gone into the village to buy food, so Jesus was alone.  In verse 6 we read, "Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime."  A  Samaritan woman came to draw water and Jesus asked her for a drink.  We see that she was surprised that He would ask her for anything, even for a drink.  
     The conversation takes a turn around when she asks Him why He was asking her for a drink, and He answered by telling her, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." 
      The conversation continues on with His request for a drink forgotten.  Jesus goes on to explain to her that, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  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." Jesus talked with her at length, leading her to an understanding about true worship and the knowledge that He was the Messiah! 
     The disciples returned with food and the woman ran back to the village with the news about the Messiah.  The disciples encouraged Jesus to eat, but He wasn't hungry any longer.  He said, "I have food you know nothing about....My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing His work."  
So we see from this that the life-giving spring inside of Him refilled Him as it flowed out to nourish the woman's hungry soul.  
     She went out proclaiming the Good News, becoming refreshed herself. Those who heard her rushed to hear Him!  She had received the gift  that God had for her!  The spring of life-giving water was bubbling out of her heart!
John 4:42
"Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves.  Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world."

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."