Love is..

Love is a four-lettered word. Granted it is the most sought after word displaying the basic of all human needs. But it has become, like other four-lettered words, a warped expression of the depravity found in humanity. This word has been abused, overused, misused, and prostituted as the enemy of the Author of Love tries to negate this word's greatest purpose. So what does all the "fluff" mean? Simply that to understand and experience Love, you must know its Author...God, our Heavenly Father, Who has created all things. God, who has loved His creation and given His Blood for its life. God, in the form of Jesus, who has sacrificed that we might know Love. Yes, this four-lettered word has become the battlefield where God proves Himself. True Love cannot be denied. True Love cannot be broken and True Love cannot be counterfeited. And our command....to Love God with all our heart, soul, and mind that we might be one with Him.

Get Set

These are three of my Grandson's favorite words. He is always ready and on the go. As I think many of us are. Ready to jump into something that is over our heads....ready to butt in and give our opinions...ready to run away when called to complete something that seems impossible...ready to run when conflict raises its ugly head. Yes we are ready and often on the go but God calls us to be "set" too. "Ready" reminds us that God wants a willing heart open to His calling. We are to respond with joy and enthusiasm. "Set" means to be seasoned through His Word and equipped by His Mercy and Grace. Then, and only then, are we truly able to "Go". This Christ-like walk is no child's play! And it is not for the fainthearted. But, it is the grandest walk we will ever be part of and God promises to be right there with us! So, Christians, Start your engines! Are you out there?....write me.

Worship

Merry Christmas to all!!! For many this is a season when hearts turn towards the birth of the baby that changed the world. For others, it is the only time their hearts are tender and opened. Still, for some it is a time of worry and chaos. So how do we live victoriously in the midst of such diversity? Do we sing carols, pass out cookies and trust that the message of Christmas is revealed? I'm all for singing and cookies, but we need to show our love for God everyday...all the time...to everyone. Wow! How do we do that? Through worship! The Word tells us that we are to be living sacrifices....examples to all mankind. We do this by our worship. Not a song, not a church service...but by living the way Jesus lived, holy and acceptable to God. Our lives are a worship to Him. This Christmas decide to find fun and unusual ways to share your faith. Let people in on "the secret". Use your Christian t-shirts to worship. Use your voice to worship. Use your joy and inner peace as a worship to the Most High. People will see and believe. Be a living sacrifice for God! Be sure to visit GardenFire.net and tell me what you're thinking. Share your worship with us and let's start a "Fire in our Gardens!!"

Romans 5:8

As in any garden, there are weeds that hide in the midst of beautiful flowers. Sometimes the weeds are not hidden. In fact, they pass themselves off as cultured flowers sporting bright colors and enticing foliage. But do not be deceived...they are weeds just the same and must be plucked from the garden lest they overtake the more delicate flowers and choke the beauties that the gardener has so carefully selected and toiled over. So it is in life. We are the fertile soil that God tills and in which He plants the word of truth. He waters and nurtures our soil day and night. We are also the home for weeds that take root and soon try to overtake the truth that God has planted. But do not be discouraged or forlorn. God, the Greatest Gardener, has a plan. Romans tells us that all of us have sinned. We all are not worthy and wickedly turn to our own understanding. God, the Merciful, having seen that we would loose our way, sent Jesus to the rescue. Jesus would die for us so that the evil root could be weeded out of us and make us God-worthy once again. The cross is a symbol of death , sacrifice, and sin. But Jesus' love for us makes the cross bloom with hope, salvation, and a promise of forgiveness. Wear this flowered cross as a reminder of the ever growing love of God that reaches out to us all. Are you out there? Write me........