Religion and Spirituality

Garden, Blooms and Scripture 1

/ Bill Jones / 3 Comments
Screen Door in the Blueberry Frame

Screen Door in the Blueberry Frame

Time for a garden, blooms and Scripture update. I added “garden” since they’re not all blooms.

The photo shows the new screen door I put in the blueberry frame. For several years I’ve used a “flap” of bird netting to get in and out. Finally decided it was time to stop hooking and unhooking and stooping to get in and out. Maybe a bit over the top, but it was fun.

We’re studying the Gospel of Mark in our Bible Study class (the study is by Sinclair Ferguson), so I’ll use some Scripture from Mark.

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11 ESV

 

God Graciously Gives the Increase

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Garden Waiting

Garden Waiting

There are many opportunities waiting on God, and also waiting on us. God must be in it and God must provide the power, but we have the blessing of being involved, too

Garden Getting Going

Garden Getting Going

And when we do work at it, we can see the results that God brings about.

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ESV

 

Absorb God’s Word – Don’t Worry About Overflowing

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Pitchfork Pots Flowing Over

Pitchfork Pots Over Flowing

Water absorbent crystals perform as the name implies: they absorb water. And they can absorb an amazing amount of water. When placed in pots with plants they slowly release the absorbed water and keep the plants hydrated over a longer period of time. Just when they need it.

Pitchfork Pot Overflowing

Pitchfork Pot Overflowing

I have used the crystals for several years but with these pots I apparently was thinking about something else and misjudged the number of crystals needed. As you see, after a 2 inch rain, the crystals expanded many times larger than their “dry weight”. They erupted over the side and took some of the potting soil with them to the ground. I’ll have to re-pot the moss roses and redistribute most of the crystals to other pots.

The sight of the engorged crystals and the thought of letting out the water as needed made me think of God’s Word – in a good way, of course. We need to absorb His Word daily – storing it for just when we need it. We don’t have to worry about taking too much in – that can never happen. Plus, if it overflows or even erupts from us, that’s all part of God’s plan to spread it around.

 Jesus said: “A sower went out to sow his seed…Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:5, 8:11 ESV

We aren’t all called to be preachers, but we are all called to be sowers of the Word. Fill your seed bag to overflowing so there is an abundance to sow.

Redbud, Clouds and Sky – What a Sight! And, Jesus – What a Savior!

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Redbud, clouds and sky

Redbud, clouds and sky

Redbud 2014

Redbud 2014

While not yet a big tree, the redbud in the front yard bloomed spectacularly this year. The Lord’s Creation is spectacular all year round, but Spring is especially wonderful. The process of new life appearing certainly reminds us of Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Hallelujah, What a Savior!

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16:6 ESV