Gardens along the way...36...leaves...

 Gardens along the way...36... leaves...

My trees are pretty well nude now, in stark contrast to the flourishing green two months ago...the ground is covered with leaves, some wet; others, blowing, twirling in the wind....from dingy browns to yellows, reds...matching the wonderous sunsets and sunrises on our cloudy days...

As I walk or drive around, some yards are meticulously cleared of leaves, others are completely covered, while others are piled waiting for that last jump and tussle into crinkly, dry mounds...the last gift of summer... before the snow flies again, putting all to sleep...

There are those of us who are perfectionists who want the symmetry and organization of a well manicured yard, others who procrastinate raking- hoping upon hope the leaves blow into another’s yard before we get to them, or those of us who are slowly getting to the job between other tasks just as relevant for this time of year...

All of our personalities, time management skills showing again through those pesky brown leaves...needing some kind of attention...sometimes I think like the “born looser” comic strip waiting for that last leaf to fall, other times I am out there shaking the trees, or running my hands up and down the branches pushing those leaves to the ground, “finish your task” so that I can do something else...of course they do it their way...the way God made them to work...not necessarily on my time schedule...but, God’s...

Then I have another lesson on God’s plan versus my own....I have those often...there are so many things I would hurry up or ignore, or whatever...time schedules, personalities, events, outcomes, so they would be more like I want them to be...

But, God’s timing is not mine, nor are his decisions...He Still answers, yes, no or wait...even when I want my way..

He gives strength through each, He is there all the time, He cares and He is just...never lies, always sovereign, all knowing...

Thank YOU...for another lesson in the gardens along the way...

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

Job 42:1-3

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Cozy spot...

 Cozy spot....

My cozy spot is my bed, where I read and write early in the morning...

I have a chair-back pillow that I toss up on my bed when I awaken, pull out my Bible, iPad, iPhone, notes, any Bible lessons I am working on and cozy up...there is not anywhere else like it in the house where I feel this comfortable...The other places are too businesslike, not as comfortable,  too open, too stark, and have work associated with them...my office is for business/sewing/crafts, my kitchen is for cooking/eating...plus, I can take this cozy spot with me wherever I travel...just pile a bunch of pillows up, grab my “needed” accompaniments and I am set....

Where is your cozy spot?

My husband’s was a big chair in the living room. He piled all of his books around him,  added a cup of coffee and he was cozied up.

Friends have a fireplace spot, a special window seat, the kitchen table, an attic hideaway, a studio, a garden bench, a porch swing, a particular couch spot...add a cozy blanket, good light, maybe a cat or dog, maybe a morning sunrise view and we are all set...

I was struck with this as I was reading about Jesus’ prayers...in the garden... although he prayed in many places, just as we all can...he gravitated to the garden, his cozy spot...it is pictured/spoken of in the scriptures ...he took his disciples there...he spoke there, he met others there...he prayed there...

Going to Israel last year, we went to gardens which may or may not have been where He ventured , but they were special spots, twisted, old  trees, rock benches,  views of the city/the sea/hills and mountains, quiet, leaves rustling in the breeze, fresh air...contemplative...cozy, wrap-around-you places...

This morning as I read John 17, I was picturing Jesus in the garden praying for “the people whom you gave me out of the world”...” I am praying for them”, not only the current ones but those who come through their word...what a cozy spot...to be prayed for, known, loved ...( one of my favorite Bible chapters)...

Thank YOU...

I picture this as John’s cozy spot...

One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.

John 13:23

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.

John 18:1-2 

The safest cozy spot...

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Psalm 139:5-6

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Isaiah 49:16 

Psalm 23...

Gardens along the way...34...my mind...

Gardens along the way...34...my mind...

On a beautiful fall day, walking my pathways through the fallen leaves....stepping sometimes from one fallen leaf  to another...crunching, crunching, crunching...(there is a certain amount satisfaction of crunching leaves), enjoying the weather, to colors, the people, the changing seasons...my mind wandering from thought to thought, sometimes rejoicing to deep contemplation to fears to worries to prayers...a wide spectrum of subjects...and around ....putting fears and worries in God’s capable hands...

Taking captive those thoughts trying to think on the good...the positive...the pure...the right...the things I want to cultivate in my mind...praiseworthy ....

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9 

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 

In the garden of my mind, I want to “crunch” out those thoughts which hinder me, which lead me down wrong paths, which take away peace, which hurt others...

Then this morning I awoke to the following article,   “Okay, now I know why I was crunching those leaves yesterday...and need to put these words down “...another garden to cultivate...my mind ...cleaning, plowing, planting, sowing spiritual seeds...to reap a better harvest...thank YOU....

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 

I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 

Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. 

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:1-11 

https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/10-ways-you-need-to-detoxify-your-soul-right-now.html?utm_source=Daily%20Bible%20Living&utm_campaign=Daily%20Bible%20Living%20-%20BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3880642&bcid=ba40280389f9235dfbc80e5dbb6609f6&recip=538340200%20

Gardens along the way...35...my mind 2

Gardens along the way...35...my mind 2

Anxiousness, anxiety, fear, unrest, lack of inner/outer peace seem to be reigning right now...

I barely turn on the news ...except to catch the weather forecast...

The Bible study I was doing early this was continuing yesterday’s theme  from Psalm 16...then I opened another devotional and it was a continuation of the same theme, verses to show that God is in control through our fears...

I realized that God has kept my eyes on His word, on Him through and around all the “gardens” this year...instead of looking and living in the anxiousness that this unprecedented year has wrought, we have His “gardens”...His presence, His word which can surround, indwell, speak truth....we have only to seek Him and He may be found...looking at lessons we see around us...what He is trying to tell our hearts in all circumstances...in all of our walks, in the confines of our homes, wherever He has placed us...

When we “think on these things” in Philippians...further into the passage...the outcome can be...not only peace, but contentment in whatever, wherever we are placed...but in His  strength, His abiding...

That is the garden along the way...His presence...

Thank YOU....

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. 

And the God of peace will be with you. 

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:8-13

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
 
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” -1 John 4:18

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” -Psalm 94:19

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Isaiah 35:4 

because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Mark 6:50 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Ephesians 1:7-10

https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/33-verses-to-remind-us--we-do-not-have-to-fear.html

 

Gardens along the way...blowing out the pipes...

 Gardens along the way...blowing out the pipes...

Down every street, there are trucks running around with air compressors, going from house to house, yard to yard....signs abound advertising “we blowout your sprinkler systems “ adding their phone numbers....a yearly ritual and needful job before the really cold of winter sets in, and freezes the pipes....(the next signs will be “we repair sprinkler systems)...

You watch these workers, their equipment, the process of blowing out the pipes...water, and then vapor exit all the sprinkler heads, drip systems, eliminating any excess or “standing” water from the underground/unseen pipes...one of the final preparations for winter...(we are still raking leaves, waiting for those final ones to drop).

Not sure I am ready for winter, but it is built into our world, giving rest to us all...after the fast growth of spring, the vigor and harvest of summer, the richness and final harvest of autumn...the earth needs the rest in preparation the the next year ...around and around, season upon season...

But, back to the “blowouts “....a reminder of what do I still harbor in the hidden  underground “pipes” of my life...what needs to “blowout “...so that it doesn’t expand and break ...

I thought of Jesus’ analogy of the yeast, leaven...it expands, like sin, it grows...beware of false teaching...when we thought it was hidden...

Repeatedly, for offerings, the Israelites were told to offer bread without leavening..the finest flour, without yeast... offering themselves, clean...no sin...they left Egypt with bread within leavening...they have the "feast of unleavened bread”...commemorating their leaving Egypt on the way to the promised land...God’s deliverance...

Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste —so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt.

Deuteronomy 16:3

 

If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast.

Leviticus 2:5

11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Matthew 16:11-12 

Or Paul’s reference to yeast...

Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Just like blowouts...a little water can damage a whole piping system...

The yeast of hidden old bread, old habits, old life, old sin...I need to lay those down, clean out , “blowout “...get rid of...confess...in preparation for the new filling...truth, sincerity, the fruit of the Spirit...the transforming....

Thank YOU again for simple pictures to remind me of your lessons for my life....help me be watchful of things I need “blown out “...gotten rid of...

Old friends, new friends...

 Old Friends, new friends....

This week is a Tapestry of old and new friends...threads woven into my life making a beautiful picture...

What started as an innocent question from a new friend lead my mind to wonder into the past and present...

“Do you know how to use..”a particular product? Was the question...my mind fought back, “ I have used this since it came out on the market” ...but of course the questioner wouldn’t know that as we have only been acquainted with one another for a year or so...she doesn’t know my history or what I have done or not done...has no long time trust of me...

This  has made me delve into the past a bit...as this week I am meeting with a friend whom I have not seen or heard from basically since high school, another friend is coming this weekend whom I have known since  our children were small...these mixed with new acquaintances and friends from this last year...each has blessed my soul in different ways...tea with a new friend, exchanging ideas, history...

Then last night one of my dreams was of a long time friend who has passed away...I heard her laughter as we strolled along a path...what memories we made...

And I have been receiving cards, notes, texts and gifts this week from far and wide from the past and present, yet again reminding me of the blessings of friendships acquired along my path in life...

So many have touched my life, added to the richness of it...I can only hope that I have done the same to theirs....

Thank YOU for being the ultimate Friend in my life...one who laid down your life  and rose again that I might have life eternal, thank YOU for friends you have put along my path...

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Proverbs 27:9

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 

15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

17 This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:13-17

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.

Acts 13:38

What A Friend We Have in Jesus Lyrics

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged—

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised

Thou wilt all our burdens bear;

May we ever, Lord, be bringing

All to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright, unclouded,

There will be no need for prayer—

Rapture, praise, and endless worship

Will be our sweet portion there.

 

Songwriters

Charles C. Converse

Published by

Public Domain

Those simple boxes...

Those simple boxes...

I have written about “simple boxes”, operation Christmas boxes, in the  past...

At our worship service we had our first short video about those simple boxes...the smiles, the joy, just permeated the room, my soul...

I just pictured and replaced in my mind all the people seated there, was transported to Columbia, South America...

The congregation would been seated on a hard concrete floor, louvered 2x4 board “windows”, each in their best shorts and tee shirts....they would have walked up to 2 1/2 hours on dusty country trails to get to the meeting place in flip flops or similar “shoes”...they would have been seated in age groups 2-14 years of age, anticipating whatever was going to happen....

The abundant harvest display in the front of our sanctuary would be replaced with a covered pile of boxes, no music or fancy equipment ...(the children don’t know that they are getting a free gift symbolizing the free gift which God gives Through Jesus)...the pastor would have been a former witch doctor...the only chairs available would be relegated to “visitors”...

Clowns would appear giving a fun presentation...then a speaker would explain their free “gift”,  boxes would be uncovered,  each one distributed to each child, a countdown made, then pandemonium as  boxes are ripped into...squeals, , giggles, laughter...parents, grandparents, onlookers would watch and listen to all..

Those simple boxes have the opportunity to change lives...an invitation would be issued to all to attend a Bible study to learn of the Savior of the world, the real gift...a church may be planted... a village changed...lives transformed...

Simple boxes with a simple message...a gift, freely given...tells the story of Jesus who gave his life that all may live...

Thank YOU for the memories...the opportunity to give, the opportunity to receive ....

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17