gracious lord

God Blessed the Garden, but the Cucumbers Had a Problem

/ Bill Jones / Leave a comment

Cucumber Failure

God really blessed my vegetable garden this summer. If you’ve followed my blog you’ve seen some of the pictures of zucchini, peppers, beans, etc. etc. I truly enjoyed the growing and eating!

But, the cucumbers had a problem. They were slow to sprout (some had to be replanted) and never made it as you can see from this picture. That was a surprise because last summer I couldn’t keep up with them. If I skipped even a few days of picking, they outgrew their good and became too large and tough with giant seeds.

Last year we had more than needed, so I was able to pass the extras around (and that’s one of the best blessings of a bountiful garden). But not this year. The vines looked like they had a disease or other malady but I don’t know what it was. I may try to do a little investigation before next year.

However, I am optimistic about next year. Even as the vines were sitting there fading away this year, I bought a neat frame with netting that the cucumbers can climb up and around. I won’t hesitate to try again with the hopes of numerous burpless cucumbers for eating and giving away.

Being a gardener (or a farmer, or many other undertakings) requires hope. We look forward to next week or next season, or next year with hope. That also follows our walk with Christ. But the “hopes” have different meanings.

I will hope for a good cucumber crop next year – and it may or may not happen.

I will put my hope in Christ in all things – and that hope is assured because of Who He is and what He has done for me. “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!” That’s a hope that will not fail.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 ESV

As the Deer Pants for Water….

/ Bill Jones / 8 Comments

Kittens Say It’s Supper Time

These kittens know what’s inside the door and that it’s time for it to be brought out to their food bowl. They jump on the door and scratch in anticipation. Squeaks, purrs, and meows fill the air. They strain to see any indication they will be fed. They’re not really starving, but apparently they feel like they are.

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.” Psalms 42:1 NKJV

The kittens’ antics reminded me of the verse above. As I understand it, from the Hebrew, the deer is panting because of thirst from being pursued. That’s a true need of water. More severe than the kittens’ hunger, but the kittens don’t know that. To them, their need is for food and that’s what they pursue.

We can learn from the deer and the kittens. Our soul’s need is God. He is Who we need to pursue.

Lord, help our souls  pant for you – to pursue being close to you – For you are the Bread of Life and the Living Water.

Heirlooms – Inherited Estates Aren’t Always Good, but can be Wonderful

/ Bill Jones / 30 Comments
Son of God, Son of Man

Son of God, Son of Man (Photo credit: pmarkham)

I was sidetracked from my “heirloom” blog this week. On Tuesday, I went to the ER with chest pains and by the end of the day had a heart cath performed and a stent put in. The Lord had put me in the right place at the right time – 2 blocks from the hospital – and has been with me, and sent me home yesterday. So grateful for His care!

I did have some time to think about the blog, though – As others have written, an heirloom is “A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations. Or, an article of personal property included in an inherited estate.”

My father died from a heart attack when he was 63 (I’m 60), so some of my problem most likely was passed down through generations. It certainly isn’t a “valued possession”, and not technically property, but you can say it was included in an “inherited estate”.

I have another ancestor who gave me an inherited estate – Adam. His sin has passed down through all human generations. I was born a sinner, and am still a sinner.

But, praise God, I’m a sinner saved by grace – because my inherited estate (heirloom) is now as a child of God.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:14-17 NKJV

Please check out the other “heirloom” blogs from the ChristianWriters.com blog chain, on the appropriate dates in the list on the right.

Blessings from God – Peanuts!

/ Bill Jones / 10 Comments

Peanut Field in Georgia

Well, along with the Cotton, they’re also harvesting peanuts around here. This is the field across the road from our house. The peanut plants were turned over a few days ago and are now dry and ready to harvest.

Peanuts Closeup

Above is a closeup of the dried peanuts. And below is the harvester that picks up the vines and separates out the peanuts.

Peanut Harvester

Our gracious Lord has provided thousands of plants in abundance that give us food and clothing. And an extra blessing with peanuts is the chance to have some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”  Psalms 36:7-9 ESV