God is Glorified, Even as the Garden Fades Away

/ Bill Jones / 3 Comments

         Since it’s the third cold snap of the year and all the flowers except a few mums have faded away, I thought I’d ponder the garden and gardening a bit. I’ve also added a Garden Pictures page with some of the successes this year (check it out!).

          My wife, Sharon, and I usually declare it the “year of the…”, based on whichever plant or flower stands out the most. This year there were multiple choices. Early on, it was the “year of the purple verbena”. It survived the extreme cold last Winter (at least extreme for here) and exploded with blooms at the first hint of Spring. A month later, the peach tree limbs were sagging to the ground from the weight of the fruit, so it was the “year of abundant peaches”.  Then we had two new plants later in the summer – moonflower and devil’s trumpet. Both were covered in huge, brilliant white blooms for several weeks – so it became the “year of the moonflower and devil’s trumpet.” We could call these our successes, but what they really reveal is that it was yet another “year of God’s grace and glory!”

         It’s a wonderful blessing to have the time, space and energy to do a little gardening. I sometimes get frustrated with my efforts to grow certain plants or flowers, and feel guilty when I fall behind in caring for the garden, but overall I stay amazed at God’s creation. What beauty, how intricate the process, what a marvelous variety – all pointing to the goodness and greatness of God.

Two Scriptures come to mind:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” 1 Corinthians 3:6. Paul was writing about spiritual things, but I consider it applicable to physical work in the garden too – any “success” is from God.

“Consider the lilies, how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Luke 12:27. This is Jesus speaking in a passage that encourages us to not be anxious about everyday things. A God who would “clothe” the lilies so beautifully, even though they last a very short time, will certainly care for His Children.

     As we ponder the garden, we can be reminded of our Heavenly Father, who gives us every good and perfect gift from above. (James 1:17). The garden is one of the good gifts and the perfect gift He gave us was His Son, Jesus Christ.

A Psalm for the Weary

/ Bill Jones / 1 Comment

Dear Lord, sometimes I feel so tired.

In my fatigue, my faith dwindles.

In my weariness, my passions sleep.

In my daily busy-ness I tell myself I am serving You,

Yet at the end of the day I’m not sure whether I did.

But then You give me a word, or a thought, or a verse, or a song, or a sight –

 From those around me whom I love or those around me whom I don’t even know.

You give me an opportunity to recognize Your Holy presence.

And I remember that I am Yours and You are my God – The One I’m trying to serve –

The God Who does not tire.

The God Who truly wants the best for me.

The God Who will carry me and give me all the strength I need to serve Him.

In this my faith is strengthened and my passions awake!

I will praise You, and worship You, Oh, merciful and gracious Lord of all!

Heading Home…Eventually

/ Bill Jones / 1 Comment

            Thursday I was travelling from the western edge of Georgia heading to near the eastern edge. I’ll date myself and say, as the old Ten Years After song said, “Goin’ Home…to see my Baby.” I was driving on the winding, hilly two-lane backroads coming from Pine Mountain and nearing the four-lane with the 65 MPH speed limit – ready to hit the cruise control and leave the school buses and small towns behind.

            The road split at one point and as I took the correct direction, I noticed two barricades with a “Road Closed” sign attached. They were pulled off on the shoulder and weren’t blocking the road so I didn’t think much about it. I continued another 6 or 7 miles and was very near the four-lane when I saw another set of barricades. This time, though, they did block the roadway and the road closed sign clearly meant what it said.

            I stopped and looked around for alternatives. If I went around them and continued, it’s possible I could find a way to get past whatever (if anything) was up ahead. But I could also find I had uselessly gone another few miles to only have to turn around. So, I decided to backtrack to where the road split and take the other fork. I didn’t pull out a map or the GPS – I knew I was heading west and at some point would come to a north-south highway that could take me to the four-lane.

            The “other” fork, which I had deemed incorrect, had now become correct. The detour added another 20 miles of winding, hilly backroad but thankfully it was past time for school buses and the only small town I had to pass through was where I hit the four-lane. I set the cruise control at 65 and headed home.

            The backtracking and detour weren’t really much of a problem – they delayed my homecoming by only 15 or 20 minutes. And I did get to take a road I had never driven before, had a safe side trip and saw one of the prettiest red barns I’ve ever seen.

            The Lord often takes us on what seem to be detours in life. Sometimes we even have to backtrack and make something right before we can head off in the new direction He has for us. We need to follow the path and enjoy the trip, for we know Who will be with us on the journey.

“For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  Hebrews 13:5

Devil or Angel?

/ Bill Jones / Leave a comment
Devil's Trumpet

Devil's Trumpet

In the garden, as in life, there are angels and there are devils – such as the angel’s trumpet and the devil’s trumpet plants.

If you look closely at each plant with its beautiful flowers, it’s easy to distinguish between them. The structure of the bush and shape and texture of the leaves make it obvious the flowers are from different plants. But, if you take the flowers away from the plants and compare them, it’s not so simple. That’s a good analogy to what the Bible tells us – when a new and beautiful idea or plan (or person) comes into our life, it’s good to make sure what “bush” they’re coming from. (“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14.)

Angel's Trumpet

Angel's Trumpet

 I don’t know how each plant got its name but there are two characteristics that possibly led to it. The bell end of the devil’s trumpet comes from the  ground and points up – as if from Hell, blasting out at Heaven. The angel’s trumpet is the opposite – as if from Heaven, blasting out at Hell.
The most interesting fact is, while the angel’s trumpet flowers remain for several days, the devil’s trumpet blooms at night and the flower dies the next morning after it sees the light of day.
(“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” John 3:20)