Blessings from God

Unless the Lord Builds the House, or Grows the Figs

/ Bill Jones / 8 Comments

Fig Preserves

We finally found success. Sharon was able to make strawberry-fig preserves this year.

I’m not sure how long we’ve had the tree but it’s been a while. There were 2 or 3 winters that were cold enough to kill it back and it would start over. The last few years there haven’t been enough figs at one time to gather (but I did munch on them as I walked by the tree).

Fig Tree – Fruitful after all these years

Here’s the tree that finally bore the good crop this year. It’s still relatively young, so hopefully we can look forward to many more years of figs.

I guess the lesson is to be patient – continue working with your trees (or your Bible Study, or your ministries, or your prayer life, or yourself, etc.) and hope and plan for the best. And, of course, rely on God’s help, because nothing will be successful without Him.

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalms 127:1 ESV

God Blesses Us With Peppers… and So Much More

/ Bill Jones / Leave a comment

Last Harvest of Peppers This Year

I had a pleasant surprise when I checked the peppers Saturday. There were a lot  more than I expected and all good size and weight.  There are a few small ones still on the plants but I’ll figure this as the last “big” harvest of the year.  More everyday blessings from God in the garden!

“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of theLORD thy God.” Deuteronomy 28:2 KJV

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3 KJV

I’m Tired, but God is Still Here

/ Bill Jones / 10 Comments

Oak with Sunflowers

It’s been a busy few weeks here and I’m tired. But, thankfully, I finished one of the major projects I was working on and hope to get a little breathing room (But not too much – if you’re a contractor these days, you don’t hope for much breathing room.)

As always, the Lord has been there during the busy time. He gave me the work to do, the strength to work, safety in travels, and especially gave me Sharon to encourage me along. And, as you see in the photos, he gave me a neighbor down the road that planted a patch of sunflowers. I get to say “Wow, that’s beautiful” each time I pass by.

Sunflower Patch

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

Revive us again, Oh Lord.

The Beauty of the LORD

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments

Purslane in pots

Several years ago Sharon bought a plant stand for me. It consists of copper legs and an upright copper post that holds three 8″ pots as you see here. I tried different types of flowers for a few years but nothing worked to my satisfaction until I tried Purslane. It fills the pots and flows down the sides – and it covered with flowers most of the time (this picture is early in the season – see the one below).

In our heat and drought, a necessity has been water absorbing crystals. They have worked wonderfully and I think have helped the plants to stay alive.

Purslane full flower

“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple” Psalms 27:4

As beautiful as flowers are (and I believe they are a reflection of the beauty of the LORD), they only reflect an infinitesimal portion of His true beauty.