Narrow Road

One of the Fab Four infamously remarked that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus" -- a statement that many Christians find infuriating. But if you think about it, popularity is not the issue, at least it never was for Jesus. In fact, he regularly went out of his way to offend his listeners! That move would have undoubtedly annoyed a modern day publicity team, had he needed such a thing. Instead, Jesus emphasized the difficulties in accepting his message, but also the rewards to come. It's a musical group's job to be popular, but not so a Savior. Christ did not choose the way of fame and fortune, but instead the Way of the Cross that leads to salvation -- for anyone who can accept such an "unpopular" message.

Good

The Bible is filled with many lovely 4-lettered words that we forget to demonstrate. Love...Give...Sing...Word...Pray...Come...and Good. I rather think "Good" was one of God's favorite since that is the expression He used about everything He created. God tells us to : Do good
      Be good
      Love good
      Live good
      Show good
And of course, there is the state of good..Goodness! which will surely follow.
So here's the point.......If God says it then we should be it. God says that He made man in His image...and it was Good. Reveal to the world that you belong to the One Who makes all things Good. And, oh yeah, Have a Good day!

Mustache

Any way you look at it this is just plain clever. A play on words...a smart way to grab your attention and any number of other ideas. But the truth behind this is serious and life changing. The question demands an answer. ..so I ask you... DO YOU?

Make Noise

One of my new favorite things is to sit still and listen. Listen to the hundreds of birds that sing in chorus...listen to the wind talk to the trees...listen to the waves tickling the shore then running away again. Listen to the night orchestra of cicadas, frogs, and crickets and the occasional owl. Listen to the stillness...listen.
 Scripture tell us that all of God's creation sing praises to Him. How could we not join in this Heavenly salute to our Father as well? Make a joyful noise...not just any noise but one that comes from complete and abandoned love for God. Sing a new song...a continuous "thank you" to the ONE would made us. Sing..Praise..and Make some noise!!!

Coexist

  We are all a part of humanity regardless of our ethnic backgrounds, our particular persuasions, our value and belief systems, and our political preferences. We are made of  blood, bones, and body while different in type and structure.
 We all want the same things..to be
happy..loved..successful..needed..of worth.
So why do we tear at each other? Why do we belittle each other ? Why do we reject the very idea that we are family?
 Can another who does not lay claim to being a member of "God's Family" truly be accepted by one who is in "God's Family"? Can we really coexist with one another despite our differences? Join in on this discussion and let us know what you think.

Let's Love

Love is a rare 4-letter word that we throw around often not realizing the depth and cost of the word. Actually Jesus is often named in 4-letter words....He is the WORD. He is LOVE. He is LIFE everlasting. And then there are the 4-letter words that He does for us....He will HEAL us. He teaches us how to LIVE. He will FILL our need. He will CALL to us and HEAR us.  And His ultimate gift...He DIED for us and ROSE from death for us.
Seems that JESUS is God's act of love put into something that we can see, hear, and touch. Thank you God, for Your LOVE!

Explicit Content

Freedom always comes with a price. In the USA we have just celebrated our Independence Day which began the birth of Democracy in our country. We gained the freedom to live as we choose, govern ourselves, and a long list of rights for the citizens including the freedom to worship. The price was great to us in death and well as financial loss...but, oh! the outcome was so much greater!
Freedom from sin... shame...guilt...worry...fear...anger...and so many others is also extremely costly. But here's the thing..it is FREE to you and me!!! This unbelievable price was paid in full by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He willingly fought the war and gave His life for your freedom. And for your eternal reward...to live with Him and God, our Father in Heaven for all of Eternity.
Jesus destroyed completely and forever the enemy's hold over our lives. That is why the Gospel is banned in many nations. That is why Christianity is under attack. But Gardenfire is here to declare that the Gospel is one of Love..Peace..and Hope! Rise up and fight the enemy with God's Holy Word and belief in Jesus! Have your very own Independence Day right now!!!!

Beautiful Things

I come from a family that is extremely creative....musicians, singers, artists, writers, gardeners, and intellects. They make beautiful things using their talents and gifts. I, on the other hand, am not endowed with any of those gifts. Consequently I often wondered what my special talent or gifting was. What did I have or what could I do that I could give to God to use for His Glory? Then I had children and through them I learned to love in a way I did not know possible. I did not love them for what they could do or how brilliant and creative they were. I loved them simply because of who they were.
It was then that God revealed to me that He loved us the same way....just because we belonged to Him....just because He made us....just because we were.
God makes all things beautiful...even us! How wonderful and loving a Father He is to us. How comforting to be loved by a God Who creates everything yet chooses to bestow His greatest love on us. What a mighty God we serve!

Rebel

Whoever said that being a Christian was for whimps...well, they obviously weren't Christians! That being said, Christians aren't trying to be trouble makers...but trouble finds them. Whenever a Christian refuses to buckle under peer pressure, takes a stand for what is pure and Holy, or tries to talk about God you can rest assured that the Christian's actions will be met with disdain. But Christians continue to raise the standard set forth by Jesus. Now if that's not being a rebel with a cause..... So do not despise the well appointed rebel Christian. Even Jesus was considered to be a rebel in His day!

omg!

I find it strange that so many phrases are created to suggest a feeling or to have impact when we express ourselves. Even more strange is the fact that many of these phrases include references to God and/or an attribute of His. Take "omg" for example...it has become the iconic term to express shock...surprise...annoyance...whatever. Yet, taking a closer look we find praise to the One and Only! Perhaps we all speak the same language without even realizing it. Next time you hear an "omg",  tell that person of the OMG!! you love and worship.

Commission

Are you in a job that doesn't pay what you're worth? Does your boss take advantage of you...overwork you...with no bonuses, rewards, nor commendations? Are you sick and tired of working for "the man"?

Well, maybe its time to work for THE MAN!!! The work is satisfying. The boss is incredible...fair...loving and supportive. The pay is stupendous and the benefits are out of this world!!!
Why not give God a call and sign up with Him? You won't be sorry and you'll wonder why it took you so long!
Call 1-800-SALVATION....you'll be glad you did!

Sight

Name any problem or sticky situation in life that didn't seem impossible at first. Most times we can hang on until the pressure breaks or the answer arrives. Usually just in the nick of time.
But what about the darkness that has no light...the tunnel that has no end...the problem that is too big to handle? What of those times? You've prayed, listened, and waited...still no resolution. In those times we often think God has abandoned us or left us to rot in our own misery. But, as strange as it seems, that is when God does some of His best work! Faith kicks in and breathes hope to life. Personally, I rarely understand God's timing nor His decisions. But this I do know...His ways are always perfect!
So if this finds you suffering from "up-hill climbing", "running a rat race", or "free-falling in blackness"...be filled with hope for your days are about to be changed by an Almighty God Who loves you more than you can possibly imagine!

The Lord's Army

Never was much for fighting nor confrontation. Yet here I am a soldier fighting for what I believe in a war not of my own making. Or is it? As a Christian we are asked to defend the truth in word and deed. We are earthly representatives of a Heavenly Father who is the captain of this army. We have been called to preserve truth in love, but we have an enemy who is out to destroy all that is good.
So how do we fight this enemy? Do we attack or wait and just defend? What are our weapons? Do we train? Will there be blood shed? Will we be called to die for this cause?
The answer is YES to all the above. And if you question this or want clarification or advise...go to the training manual...The Holy Bible..the Word of God!

Recovering Sinner

Sitting by the fire in the last flicker of pink as the sun sets, I contemplate the end of this year and the beginning of a new one.
For each thought of happiness and blessing, a voice contradicts my mind and reminds me of a sadness or hardship or an uncertainty in my present surroundings. I try to squeeze the darkness out and think happy thoughts, but instead I sink slowly into a state of "poor me".
Now, what has brought this on? I think back over the last few days and only recall good times. Hmmm...I have become melancholy! A condition that I experience whenever I am not in control of all the issues in my life. Which, I might add, is at least once a week. I shake myself and remind myself of all that God has done and is doing.
I recall each blessing, at least all the ones I can name but find that soon I am overwhelmed with God's grace.
Then I begin to laugh...yes, once again I think I have "arrived" at my state of grace. You know, the place where you can sit back and just wait for God to come and get you...you never have to lift a finger ...never need to spend hours in prayer repenting 'cause now you are righteous...never need to think of others before yourself.
Well, He reminds me that I have not"arrived" yet and should not quit my day job of leaning on Him and being a living sacrifice of worship to Him. So, I am back on track.
And I share this with you...Open your hearts to God's grace this new year. Listen intently for His purpose then seek with all your being to obey His word. Be kind to others and do them no harm. Love one another as He loves and run to Him whenever you can for He waits to be with you. Happy New Year and may God shine His face upon you!

Living He Loved

Whether by song or printed word, this word is so true. This Christmas share God's love by loving...spread cheer by being cheerful and kind to all...rejoice in the season by being joyful.
Our gift to Jesus on this, His birthday, should be the compassion we pour out on all we see, the prayers we pray for those in need, the kindness we do in deed and word, and the manner in which we live our lives. I pray for God's grace so that I can be a good steward of all He has given me. I ask Him to teach me how to be a better example of His love and to forgive me of my failings. Let us rejoice this season in God...for He is the Reason we celebrate at all!!!

Psalm 29

What better time of year than now to thank God for His grace to us...for His undying love for us...for His most precious gift to us...His only son, Jesus! We are incapable of returning such love to the same extent in which it was given. Yet, God does not require that we match Him in any way..who could?!! All God requires of us is to love Him, worship Him, and give Him His due.
This season as we celebrate Jesus' birthday, let us demonstrate Psalm 29:2 so all may see God's glory!
Merry CHRISTmas and a wonderful New Year filled with God's mercy and grace!!!

Pray To Win

It's football season! Somewhere, just before each game, there is a prayer going up for victory of a particular team. I have even heard prayers from the pulpit on a Sunday morning asking God to give a win to a favorite team.
Now I am not begrudging the safety and health of any team or any football players, but Gardenfire reminds us that "The Prize" for which we seek is victory in Jesus.
Our focus is to be on our eternal life with Him. Every day we have an opportunity to live as an example of a righteous and Christlike existence. We are charged to be "the light" to a dark world. We are commanded to love one another and be a living sacrifice so that all can see Jesus and His great love.
When we Pray to Win it is for the endurance to be steadfast in our resolve to exhibit a love and mercy that will lead others to Jesus. That is the true victory in each of our lives.
Let us pray for each other...call forth the best in each other...and be victorious for Jesus!

Karma

We often speak of "crossing over" as a form of combining medium, talent, philosophy, even life styles. When someone adapts to another idea we say they are "crossing over". When Luke succumbed to the dark side we said he had "crossed over".
Even musicians "Cross over" when they incorporate a new genre in their music. It is sort of a rite of passage to "cross over" into whatever as we mature or just change our thinking.
Gardenfire reminds us that the only "Cross" that is true is the Cross upon which Jesus bought our freedom. We are not prisoners to a "cross over" into the dark side ...strange philosophies, or even mixed life styles. We are saved from all that is unholy and untrue through the Cross of Jesus.
Jesus saves us from Karma...that which we do to lead us into a better existence in our next life.
The Bible tells us that our next stop is eternity...either with Jesus or without Him. The salvation God offers comes with the security that we can do nothing in ourselves, but through Jesus we have all we will ever need and an eternity with Him. This security cost Jesus His life...all it costs me is my acceptance and love. What a deal!!! I say YES..what about you?

Hello I'm FREE

Who likes free stuff? Who wants free stuff? Sure...you know you do so go ahead and admit it. We are free stuff junkies! Gardenfire has created a platform to advertise the free gift of life everlasting. Gardenfire's christian t-shirts offer free Biblical advise, free meditation prompts, free challenge starters, and free motivational concepts. Gardenfire gives to the church world a free and easy way to witness. Got an opinion concerning your faith? Find a t-shirt and watch the fun begin.
Yep, freedom is a big deal at Gardenfire. Freedom from sin...freedom from damnation...and freedom in Christ. Why don't you let the world know what true freedom is? Support Gardenfire and share the free gift of God's love!

One Love

The media tells us that there is someone out there for everybody. If we are pretty enough or handsome enough...make enough money or are successful in our careers...if we are charming. witty, and charismatic then we are worthy of a great love.
Yet God's word tells me that I am to come just as I am..poor, wretched, brokenhearted, unworthy and He will be the One true love of my life. There is no need to clean up nor work for His affection. There are no hoops to jump through and no rituals to follow for His acceptance. All I have to do is love Him back with all my heart..my soul..my strength.
I have been wretched and brokenhearted. And I have been successful and well thought of in my arena. But nothing nor no one has shown me love like Jesus. No one has died for me like Jesus. No one lives for me like Jesus. Do I deserve His love? No, yet God reaches out with loving arms and draws me to Himself.
One God
One Savior
One Love....ours for the asking.