Religion and Spirituality

Blessings from God – Surprise Lilies

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments

Red Spider Lily, Hurricane Lily, Surprise Lily

I guess the official “common name” of this flower is Red Spider Lily.

Down here in the South, if you’re close enough to the coast to notice hurricane season, they’re sometimes called Hurricane  Lilies. Since they’ve been blooming over the last two or three weeks, they usually bloom at the height of hurricane season.

But, my favorite name is Surprise Lily. I don’t know if there’s an official reason for that name, but, several possibilities come to mind. One is the time of the season – everything’s winding down and more unexpected flowers arrive – surprise!

As you see, there aren’t any leaves that come up first to let you know there’s a flower on the way – it just shoots up from the ground – surprise!. And as you also see, it’s not in a bed, it’s just coming up in the middle of the grass. Each year more show up in new places – surprise!

So, I guess the theme of this one is more surprise blessings from God. More than we can even think.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

Blessings From God – Blackeyed Susan Vines

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments

Blackeyed Susan Vine

A few years ago I planted Blackeyed Susan Vine seeds along one section of the back fence. They grew and flowered wonderfully that year and the following year self seeded and blanketed the fence section in yellow again. I didn’t plant any more seeds so the annual show declined.

This year I had not seen any, until last weekend when I saw a peek of yellow in one of the hydrangeas. A vine had come up in the bush and had made it to flowering. One of those unexpected blessings from God – even though I had done no work to help the plant along. Sound familiar?

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

The Fragrance of Christ – Part 2

/ Bill Jones / 3 Comments
English: Perfume burners lampes Bergers França...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“But, thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

Last week I used this verse in reference to the fragrance of four-o’clocks in the garden. As I thought more about it, another fragrance came to mind – women’s perfume.

Not all women’s perfume is pleasingly fragrant to me. Some is too strong (or applied too heavily) and is overpowering. Some has what I consider a strange smell – but that’s just a matter of taste.

But, I do have a favorite perfume that other women wear (other women being all who are not my wife, Sharon). My favorite perfume that other women wear is any one that reminds me of Sharon. If their perfume is one that Sharon uses, the fragrance takes my mind immediately to her.

That seems to be the way to spread the fragrance of Christ. Our actions and words should remind others of Jesus and take their minds immediately to Him.

Delight Yourself in the Lord!

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments

Butterfly Net Whimsy

Sometimes you just go with the flow (sorry for the cliche’). I received an email last week that had this metal butterfly net and butterflies on a clearance sale. I couldn’t pass it up. Now it’s a bit of whimsy in the garden.

You might say it’s delightful!

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4

This is definitely a verse that requires both parts be considered – If you delight in the Lord, your desires will be what He delights in.