My “bonsai “ apple tree…

 My “bonsai “ apple tree….

 I walked early this morning on my “healing” lane as the temperatures are to rise considerably today…each time I go back and forth I pass my little tree…this year it has an amazing apple crop, even after thinning out about half the apples…

But each year I have trimmed it, babied it, rerouted the water to it, staked it, trying to make it grow better…thinking of the orchardist in the Bible who begged for another year to help his tree grow…

 (Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Luke.13.6-9)

Reading Isaiah 44 this morning…he talks about the carpenter…and who really is the maker…

 The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker;he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses.He shapes it in human form,human form in all its glory,that it may dwell in a shrine. 

He cut down cedars,or perhaps took a cypress or oak.

He let it grow among the trees of the forest,or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is used as fuel for burning;some of it he takes and warms himself,he kindles a fire and bakes bread.

But he also fashions a god and worships it;he makes an idol and bows down to it. 

Half of the wood he burns in the fire;over it he prepares his meal,he roasts his meat and eats his fill.He also warms himself and says,“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” 

From the rest he makes a god, his idol;he bows down to it and worships.

He prays to it and says,“Save me! You are my god!” They know nothing, they understand nothing;their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,and their minds closed so they cannot understand. 

No one stops to think,no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,“Half of it I used for fuel;I even baked bread over its coals,I roasted meat and I ate.

Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?

Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” 

Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;he cannot save himself, or say,“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” 

“Remember these things, Jacob,for you, Israel, are my servant.I have made you, you are my servant;Israel, I will not forget you. 

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,your sins like the morning mist.

Return to me,for I have redeemed you.” Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this;shout aloud, you earth beneath.

Burst into song, you mountains,you forests and all your trees,for the Lord has redeemed Jacob,he displays his glory in Israel. 

“This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:I am the Lord,the Maker of all things,who stretches out the heavens,who spreads out the earth by myself,….

Isa.44.13-24

I may have babied this poor tree along, but the Maker of heaven and earth decided its life…I was a tool, but He was the grower…

Thank YOU…

The Maker…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMZhQZZ9sC0