BFF (Best Friend Forever)

All little girls travel in packs at one time or another. And they organize their friendships into several groups...friends (those who are in and out on a daily basis)...good friends (those brought together by situations which may or may not last)...best friends (those who are with you in good and bad experiences for a length of time)...and Best Friends Forever (those whose existence is so wrapped into yours that the two of you are a trapestry that has no beginning and no end). While we want our BFF's to last forever, life has a way of severing these relationships often breaking our hearts and making us sad. Prehaps they weren't really BBFs or prehaps we grew up and out of the relationship. Either way there is a hole in our hearts where there was once love and acceptance...a sense of belonging...a completeness.
Well..cheer up...there is great news!!!! There is One who is truely your Best Friend Forever...He will never leave...never disappoint...never betray...never die...never critisize. Jesus is the best friend you will ever have!! Scripture even tells us..."He calls us FRIEND". Jesus is the one who fills the hole left by life. Jesus is the identity we should strive to emulate. Jesus is the one who "gets" you. And that is a God-given promise.
Need that kind of friend? Look no further. You will not out-grow Jesus and He will not forsake you. What a friend we have in Jesus!!!!

Live Free

Ahhh...feeling the wind in my hair and the warm breeze on my face as I ride top down in my convertible on the open road!

Oh... to feel the cool water tickle my toes as I wander the forest streams!

Just to hear the mighty ocean as the breakers crash into the shore!

Mmmm... the sweet smell of the earth after the rain!

Whoa... the thrill of the twists and turns on a mountain road!!!

Oh... blessed silence after a day well spent!
Whatever your personal choice for enjoying freedom from the routine...imagine that 100 times greater and you can begin to understand what God has in mind for those who love and serve Him. Freedom, according to God's word, is abundant living...no regrets, no shame, no worries!! Who wouldn't want that! But it is not a blind walk..it is a forward movement under God's grace and by His leadership. And it is a ride we are all to experience. It is our Heavenly Father's design for each of us....to live free!
Gardenfire reminds us that it is our faith that activates God's design...so, to all my fellow brothers ans sisters in Christ...ride on!!!!

Every Creature Sings

Some might think that to love nature is new age. Some might be offended by those who find awesome beauty in creation. Some might confuse loving creation as a substitute for loving the Creator. But if you listen closely you will hear God's heart in all He has made. The wind carries His voice in secret and quiet ways. The rocks and hills declare His majesty and the oceans show His power as it covers the earth. Every creature is a testimony to God's incredible imagination and design. Yet it is us that God has chosen as His best work. It is us with whom God desires to have relationship. It is for us that Jesus died and rose again thus buying our reconciliation back into the Heavenly family. So do not dismiss the world and its wonder. All creation is an expression from a Mighty God who takes delight in all He has made. We, too, do honor to God when we give thanks for all He has created. Enjoy the beauty and awesomeness of this world and thank our heavenly Father for your life and for loving you beyond measure. He created this world for us and lovingly gave us dominion over it to guard and preserve this earthly garden. Rejoice, for One so Great loves you. Sing His praise in everything you do!

Made To Praise

We sing about it...we talk about it...we go to conferences, practices, and tweet about it....we wear shirts declaring it! Yes, we were made to worship and praise our Most High God! I often wonder what the outcome would be if I asked 100 people "What does Praise God mean? I would probably get 100 different answers all variations of the same concept. Scripture tells us that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our mind, all our strength. That's a lot of loving to do! So I would guess that Praising Him would involve ALL of us in every way possible. Ever loved something or someone with complete abandonment? Gardenfire uses the image of a wild, free horse to illustrate our complete abandonment to the concept of loving God totally. We were made to give our selves totally to God in gratitude and service for our salvation, the sacrifice of Jesus. Often we look at this as a chore or payment. NO way!! There is nothing that we can do to repay our Heavenly Father. He only wants our love...all of it.

Isaiah 41:10

My Mother and I had a routine when we went grocery shopping. Of course, it began once I was about 8 years old. She would shop and I would race to the magazine/toy section where I occupied myself choosing the book, magazine, or puzzle that I would buy with my allowance. The rules were simple. I could stay there until she got to that aisle. I could not wander off or run around the store. I was to be respectful of the merchandise and not talk to strangers. Now in truth, she was within four aisles of me at any given moment and because of the way the store was setup, she could see me every time she started a new aisle. But I didn't know that. I basked in my new independence and freedom feeling grownup and sure of myself. On one occasion as my Mother came around the corner to pick me up I saw her but instead of responding when she called, I ignored her. She called to me once again but I didn't acknowledge that I had even heard her. Quickly her "bothering" me ended and I went back to full concentration on looking at the books and toys. What seemed like a long time passed and my Mother was nowhere to be seen. I looked up and down the aisles now sure she had forgotten me. I broke the rules and left my assigned spot beginning to travel all over the store even asking strangers if they had seen my Mother. No one could help. My bottom lip began to quiver and as I retraced my steps, I panicked....I was lost, alone, and forgotten. The sense of fear completely overwhelmed me and I sat down in the middle of the store aisle and cried.
Within minutes an announcement came over the store's loudspeaker, "If you are missing your daughter, she can be found in aisle 6". Now the whole store knew I was lost and I couldn't decide if I was more scared of being lost or of my Mother's anger over my disobedience. Just seconds later I saw her! And she was smiling...at me! I ran to her and told her how sorry I was that I had ignored her and that I would never do it again. She took my face in her hands and said, "Sweetie, I knew where you were all the time. I just need you to realize that following my directions is for you own safety and happiness. I would never loose you or forget you. I love you".
Well, that settled it! My Mother loved me even though I had messed up. She would always love me and be there for me.
Gardenfire brings to remembrance God's word to us. He, Almighty Father, will never leave us...He will never abandon us...He will never allow harm to come upon us...We must listen and obey. How wonderful to know this kind of love. Christians are not to fear for God is ever before us. Gardenfire brings this life-changing message in an art form that we can share with all we encounter.Wear the Word...Share the Word...Live the Word!!

Grace

Many have tried to define the word "Grace". Some have said it is unmerited favor...others have cited that Grace means being forgiven even before you commit the wrong act. Still others have explained Grace as God's expression of love to us even before we knew Him.
I use to say Grace was when God looked the other way when we sinned. But I was wrong! Grace is when God looks us right in the face while we are sinning and says' "My love is enough. Don't do that any more". Then He forgives and forgets....now, that's Grace! Can we earn Grace? No...can we bargain for Grace? No...it is free from God for our redemption. What other God (or god) do you know does that? Why would we choose any other substitute for God's love? Hey, if you can find something better, let us know. Gardenfire stands behind God's word and makes no excuse to bring God's word to you. Be a walking gospel....wear the shirt and share God's Grace.

Tools Of The Trade

Gardenfire has created an award winning T-shirt with the message of Salvation vividly portrayed in graphics and Word.
It's not the nails that were blunt and painful...It's not the hammer wielded by hate with pounding force...It's not the wood scarred and ripped by past use...It is the Love of God and the Sacrifice of Jesus that is the story.
A teacher's tools of the trade are textbooks, paper, lesson plans,
pencils,markers, chalk,
tape, rulers, sticky notes, etc. etc. But what use are those tools without the driving force behind them. In this case, the teacher with his/her dedication, love of students, and expertise in subject matter.
A farmer's tools include tractors, shovels, gloves, hoes, watering utensils, etc. etc. But without the desire to plant nor the willpower to cultivate, care for, or even get up early in the am, what crop would there be?
It's not the tools that get the results, it is the one using them for a desired purpose. The nails and hammer fulfilled the purpose of God...the reason that Jesus came from Heaven...to buy us from the grips of eternal death and reconcile us to God. Look at the tools...feel their impact...be repulsed by the image...but remember their purpose and live like it matters!