One God..One Son..One Choice

We hear so many voices in the world and most of us are trying to choose which one to listen to. Our politicians freely give us their opinions. The media blasts us with its ideas. Even a conversation with friends and family can be riddled with opposing opinions that can cause us to rethink or dig our heels in deeper. So where is the voice of reason? Where is the one true constant that we can hold onto in these shaky times? Our anchor is in God's Word...our truth is found in Jesus Christ. Whether we want to believe it or not, the day is coming when the only thing that separates us from everyone else lies in what we do with Jesus. Do we accept Him or reject Him? Is Jesus our constant or not?
I wonder if this T-shirt upsets anyone. For some, the thought that they will one day bow down to the One they have refused must seem offensive. And what gives us the right to "judge" them or set ourselves above their beliefs. But there's the rub....it is not us who judge nor us who set ourselves above. At least if we are true followers of Jesus then we must obey His word....speak the truth in love. Yes, we will all bow down but to the God who has been calling us all to follow Him. Tell me what your experiences have been when you wore this shirt. How do handle those who oppose your beliefs? Are you out there?

One Moment

I heard a saying once....a hero doesn't choose the moment...the moment chooses the hero. I believe that to be true in our lives. But not in the life of God's only son. Since the foundation of time, Jesus knew His moment. From the beginning God's plan for our redemption was the cross. Jesus was born and lived knowing what His "moment" was and even though in human weakness He asked for another way, He followed God's plan to the letter. Jesus' decision to obey His Heavenly Father became our moment too. Our freedom was bought on that cross. Without His obedience there would be NO "whosoever believeth shall not die, but have everlasting life". Jesus' moment ...His agonizing, painful, rejected by all, life-giving moment became the greatest gift ever given to humanity. Thank you God for your "no-greater-love"!! Anyone listening? Tell me what you think....

Clean Slate

Every Saturday in the fall when I was a girl, my parents would grab rakes and spend what seemed like hours raking the leaves into huge piles. I never saw the purpose nor the fun in that task. I asked them why they raked the leaves when the October wind just pushed them around again. They answered that raking allowed the ground to breathe and cut down on potential problems. At 8 years of age I had no idea that leaves could be so dangerous! My job during the raking was to clean the slate pathway that went around the house. "Clean the slates, sweetie", my mother would say. So I would obediently (but not joyfully) sweep leaves off the Vermont Red slate tiles and then hose them down. I often noticed that the leaves left faint stains on the slate tiles. It would take some effort to wash the stains away, but sure enough, the slate would reveal the deep cranberry red color my parents so admired.
Today I thought of those tiles and how they are like my life. I get covered in the debris and rubbish that comes with living . Somewhere is the glow of my faith but I have lost my sparkle. Then, I hear my Heavenly Father say "Clean the slates!" And before I know it the Holy Spirit has given my attitude a good cleaning and I am all sparkly again. Now, sometimes the stains are deep and require some scrubbing....but God is faithful and true. When He calls us "His own", you can rest assured He will take care of us. Hey, anybody up for a good old fashion Holy Spirit scrubbing? Write me and let me know you're out there...

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........