Flower

Different From the World Can Be a Good Thing

/ Bill Jones / 10 Comments
Shrimp Plant

Shrimp Plant

Here’s a Shrimp Plant Sharon and I bought at a Flea Market a few years ago. I don’t know what the scientific name is, but the colors and curl do resemble a shrimp. Something different, at least around here.

And different can be a good thing, especially if it means different from the world around us. Caleb demonstrated that when he and Joshua were the only spies who came back from the Promised Land with faith that they could succeed because God was with them.

“But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.”  Numbers 14:24

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.

The Lord Will Answer Those Who Thirst

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments

Hanging Basket Closeup

Here’s a close up shot Sharon took several weeks ago of the hanging basket on the back porch. That was before the weather got really hot, and it’s struggling these days. I don’t seem to be able to give it all the water it needs.

“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” Isaiah 41:17 ESV