Mystery In The Deepest Well

           Mystery In The Deepest Well
Dear Friends,
      I remember as a child leaning over the top of a deep well.  My feet were off the ground and I could only see a tiny glimmer of sunlight reflecting off the water.  Fairytale stories of frogs, princes and Snow White's song echoed through my mind.  Wells seemed to be full of mysteries.  Calling into the well and hearing the echo always thrilled me and fed my imagination!  
     A bucket on a rope is dropped into the well and fresh, cold water is brought to the surface.  Can our lives be like a well?  Jesus offered Living Water to a woman who came to a well.  He was a Well full of Living Water.  Wherever He walked, whoever He spoke to and whoever He touched was given Living Water.   He was the Well that had the Holy Spirit alive and working in His life.  When He left the earth the Holy Spirit was sent as the Living Water for us.  This Living Water provides more than a drink for us.  It changes us into a source of strength.  We become a Well, a place where people can receive healing.  He gives us the necessary resources to be able to provide a fresh drink for the thirsty.  This water is a drink of compassion, a thoughtful word, or a listening ear. It's a prayer for the hurting and fearful. 
    My prayer today is that we can be the Well that has life giving water for those who thirst.  May we seek God to fill us so that we overflow.   
John 7:38
" Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"
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."


    
     
     

    
     

Crisis In The Garden: The Rescue

       Crisis In The Garden: The Rescue

Dear Friends,

     There are songs that are written and sung because the artist had a message from God that needed to be sung.  Some books are written because a fire from God is burning inside the author and the book needs to be written so the message will be read.  God puts His message in hearts of His people.  He wants  songs to be sung and  books to be read to get His message out.  A book that I read with a message from the heart of God is, Rescue Me, by Cindee Martin Morgan.  Cindee wrote this book in time travel style to be a gentle way of teaching about God's view on life before birth. 

     The garden that is in a crisis now is the garden of the womb.  It is a garden that God designed to grow the seeds of human life.  The Bible mentions a tiny mustard seed and how it grows into a giant tree.  People talk about their family trees.  It's a tree drawn with their ancestry making up the many branches as far back in  history that they can find.  This tree had a beginning.  If the first seed hadn't been allowed to grow, if it had been dug up and destroyed each person making up the branches would never have had the chance to exist.  

     A lie has been spread like a wild fire.  The lie is destroying women and men every day.  It's also destroying the most innocent of all life, the life of the unborn.  These are the seeds of family trees that are being destroyed by the lie that they have no right to life.

    God's Word is alive and my prayer is that the message it contains will be a light on this lie.  God's love can bring healing to those who find that they were wrong.  He is ready to forgive and bring new life from this fire of destruction.  A wild fire in a forest does much destruction, but new life will spring up in the ashes.  Jesus holds the key to new life.  I pray for the end of the wild fire that is destroying life, and destroying family trees.

Psalms 127: 3

"Children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb."

Psalm 139: 13

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb."

   

Finding Sea Glass

                        Finding Sea Glass
Dear Friends,
     Today while I was working in the garden and meditating on the words that I had read during my quiet time, a message started to come to me that I want to share with you. 
     Some beaches and hidden coves are treasure troves of gorgeous, sparkling glass that has endured years of being washed against the sand and rocks by powerful waves. Things that had been discarded and broken have become treasure.  This beautiful glass is so sought after that in many places where it had been abundant in the past, it is now rarely found. 
    Each piece of sea glass is unique and beautiful.  When a beach is covered with this treasure it is like a piece of art work made by God.  Dale Chihuly  is a glass artist who has  a work called Persian Ceiling.  The colors he used created a masterpiece like a weaving or painting of  smooth, sparkling glass.  
     Because of Jesus and what He suffered in our place on the Cross we are remade.  Each of us is like a piece of this glass, blue, red, green, golden or orange that has been made into a beautiful and precious jewel for His glory.  
     When the sun shines down on a beach and a piece of smooth, sparkling glass is discovered, the one who is seeking the treasure rejoices.  Jesus rejoices when one of us realizes what He did for us and how much He loves us.
    You are a jewel and precious to Him.  He has called you to be His, a part of His masterpiece.
Romans 1:20
"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made, they can  clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God."
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." 

The Storm and A Broken Pot

                    The Storm and A Broken Pot
Dear Friends,
      The rain was wonderful for the garden but the fierce wind had knocked a pretty painted flower pot off of the patio table.  Although I was a bit disappointed that the pretty pot was broken, I was able to rescue the  plant and put it in another pot and I could use the broken pot as an opportunity to write my blog!
     I am reminded of a well known Winnie the Pooh story that has a lesson for children woven into it.  It was Eeyore's birthday and Pooh had a pot of honey to give him for a gift and Piglet had a big, red balloon to give him.  On the way to Eeyore's house Pooh snacked on all the honey and Piglet tripped and broke the balloon.  Eeyore's response was to turn the empty honey pot into a "useful" pot  to hold his birthday balloon. 
     Disappointments happen to all of us from time to time in different degrees.  People can often disappoint us.  How does God want us to respond to these situations?  
     I want to look in the Word of God and see how Jesus responded to the worst possible of  disappointments.  During the 3 years that Jesus was with the Apostles He spoke with them concerning His coming death and Resurrection.  He wanted them to be prepared.  In John 13 we read about the last Passover meal that Jesus was having with his closest friends.  He goes around the table bathing their feet and drying them with a towel.  This was a deliberate act of love toward them.  In verse 14 He tells them to do the same for each other.  In verse 21 we read, "Now Jesus was deeply troubled."  He knew that one of these friends would betray Him, and that Peter would deny knowing Him 3 times.  He was sitting with them and dipping His bread in the same bowl as Judas was.  Reading on, after Judas had left, in John 14:27 Jesus says, "I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give so don't be troubled or afraid."
    The example of Jesus is to love one another and be a servant to others, giving good gifts even during the most difficult and disappointing times.  
John 15:12
"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you."

A Bouquet For Those Who Grieve

        A Bouquet For Those Who Grieve

Dear Friends,
     I was walking in my garden and when I brushed against the lavender plant the sweet smell filled the air.  My thoughts turned to prayer for all the needs that come to me.  My prayer today is that this letter to you will be a source of comfort if you are in a time of grief.  My heart aches with you.  I hope this letter will be like a bouquet of fragrant blossoms of lavender and lilies to bring calm and rest to your hurting heart. 
    If you know someone who is grieving I pray that this will be an encouragement to you to reach out to the hurting and minister to them.  What can be done to make a difference?  How can we demonstrate sacrificial love to our neighbors?
     When we look in God's Word we see how Jesus responded to tragedies.  Some situations that cause grief in the world happen through natural disasters, others from accidents and also some from the evil that exists in the world.  
     Psalms 34:18 says, " The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."  Often in these times of tragedy  people are overwhelmed with questions, especially wondering why this happened.  They try to find answers and often feel a need to place blame and guilt someplace.  At times it can appear that an individual is acting as a self proclaimed prophet, bringing hurt to the hurting instead of healing.  
      In Luke 13:1-5 we see how Jesus responded to that line of thinking.  The people were distracted from the real picture.  Some people were suggesting that perhaps the tragedies had happened because of the sinfulness of the victims.  In these verses Jesus answers this question by saying "No!" And then He went on to encourage them to draw close to God.  He saw the greatest tragedy of all as being the death of someone who was not in a right relationship with God.  He wanted them to search their own hearts and repent and draw near to Him. 
     In Mark 16:15 Jesus says, " Go into all the world and preach the Good news to everyone."  In preaching the Good News we remember that we are in need of His grace in our lives.
      Jesus should be our example.  If you know someone who is mourning be a light to them, be kind to them, demonstrate love and compassion.  God can show us practical ways to  be a tool to bring the hurting to a place where they can find healing from Jesus.  
     Jesus has promises for those who are grieving.  1Peter 5:10 says, "...He will place you on a firm foundation." 
John 16:33
" ...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Romans 12:15
" Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."


     
     

The Light Of An Angel: a Tribute to Christina Grimmie

                             The Light Of An Angel:
         A Tribute To Christiana Grimmie
Dear Friends,
     This is a tribute to a young woman who didn't let fame diminish the light of Jesus in her life.  Christina  Grimmie grew in her faith and the Light of Jesus radiated from her not only to the people she met, but to all who heard her voice, read her blog, or had any other contact with her.  I heard that even a momentary contact with her left people with something special that couldn't be forgotten.  Her death at age 22 is tragic to say the least.  
     Christina said that the song "In Christ Alone" was her favorite song.  She overcame her shyness and was bold in her faith.  In the secular music world she was a Light in the darkness.  Christina  had the authentic Jesus.  The Light of Jesus in her drew people to listen.   She had found the unique qualities that God created in her. She used those gifts for His glory. 
    Christina lived up to the meaning of her name; anointed, follower of Christ.  The Light that she had in her life will live on.  
     The lyrics to the song, "Fly" by Celine Dion are very fitting in our thoughts of Christina. 
  Fly, fly little wing

Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love

Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this

Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me

Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light

    Christina gave her life for being a follower of Jesus.  The Light from her life will not be hidden.

John 8:12

"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the Light of the world.  If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'"

Matthew 5:14

"You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden."

http://christinagrimmie.com/users/jrraks6z/blogs/6131881

     

When Fireflies Dance

                              When Fireflies Dance
Dear Friends,
      Summer is bringing so many sweet things to my garden. Wrens are singing, bunnies nibbling and hummingbirds are sipping nectar from the flowers.  In the evening when the air is steamy with heat and humidity, I get the hose out to water the flowers.  Fireflies come dancing out of their hiding places beneath the leaves as the mist falls on the plants like a gentle rain.  Things like fireflies bring back childhood memories for many people.  We remember running into the house and asking for a jar for these delightful insects.  Just watching them dance above the spray from the hose brings a smile with the memory.  
    God created us with an ability to remember things.  Many people today write journals, biographies, and autobiographies because they feel a calling to record events that need to be remembered.  These can be important for future generations.  
    His Word is full of precious promises that give us assurance and hope.  Simon Peter was given a message full of promises of hope for us.  Take a few minutes and read 2 Peter chapter 1 and you will see a powerful message that calls us to hold on to His promises and faith that Jesus was the dearly loved Son of God.  Peter passed down these words as reminders for us that this is true, and that he had heard the voice from heaven.
    2 Peter 1:16-17
"For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord jesus Christ.  We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes when He received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.'"