A Rose Is A Rose

Several years ago I planted a rose bush in our front courtyard. The blooms aren’t very big but they are plentiful. They have a beautiful yellow base, tipped in red.

Once a week I go out and prune the blooms that have dropped their petals. There are always new buds getting ready to open. I love to see the new growth.

Our lives are much like that rose bush. With the right amount of sunlight, water and care we blossom. We grow and fill our little world with beauty.

“Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me. 5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father. 9 “I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Now continue in my love. 10 I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and he continues to love me. In the same way, if you obey my commands, I will continue to love you. 11 I have told you these things so that you can have the true happiness that I have. I want you to be completely happy. 12 This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you. ” John 15: 4-12 ERV

See how many times in these few verses Jesus repeats “stay joined to me”? Go back and read it again and let it sink in.

Stay Joined to Me!

When we are joined to Him we produce fruit. Beautiful blossoms just like my rose bush. Our fruit, love for one another, brings beauty into the world and brings joy into our lives.

Stay Joined to Me!

Jesus isn’t separating from us. In fact, we have His promise in Hebrews that He will NEVER, no NEVER leave us or abandon us.

“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say,“The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

We don’t have to be greedy and selfish when we are joined to Him. The vine supplies all we need for a good, healthy and prosperous life. What a wonderful promise. Never, under any circumstances, will He desert, abandon, forsake or let us down! Never!

Stay Joined to Jesus.

His commandment to love is what produces good fruit in our lives. It causes us to blossom. He promises us true happiness and His constant companionship, in this way we bring the beauty of Christ to our world.

Going Through The Gate

The other morning we took a walk. When we left the campground area we had to go through a gate at the start of the trail. There’s a country or ranch tradition that our family is very familiar with – if you go through a gate, close it.

Plain and simple. Gates have a purpose. It’s either to keep someone or something in or to keep someone or something out. Gates are important.

We enjoyed our nature walk. We saw some of the tallest Ponderosa pines I have ever seen. It was a beautiful area; unspoiled nature. I didn’t see anything that needed to be kept behind a gate but the gate was there all the same.

Isn’t that the way it is with life? We don’t always see or know the purpose for something but its there for our protection.

Jesus was telling his disciples a story about some sheep who were being kept in a pen behind a gate. They were safe from outside harm. The disciples didn’t understand the meaning of the story so this was Jesus’ explanation:

“So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. 10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:7-10 ERV

In the natural, sheep don’t have any common sense. They need a shepherd to protect them and to lead them to good pasture. Jesus had said He was the good shepherd. He was the one to protect and to provide “Everything they need”.

He hasn’t changed! His promises to protect and provide are still valid. Jesus repeated this mission that He had been given by God, the Father, using a variety of examples. He said I AM the gate, the shepherd, the living water, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the life! Not once did He say I am the destroyer, the condemner, the abuser, the neglecter. Never! That’s not who He is.

He has given us so many examples of who He is, if we look for them they will become clearer and clearer.

Today I am glad that He is the gate – He opens and closes to protect me in all I do.

Time to Clean Up

There’s an interesting phenomenon, that occurs where we live, each Labor Day weekend. Most years I forget about it. This year was no different.

I went out yesterday to fill the hummingbird feeders in our backyard and I heard it…the whirl of weed eaters. Neighbors all around – east and west were in their yards, cleaning up weeds that had been growing, unhindered for months.

Very few people who live on our mesa have grass lawns. Most of us have desert landscaping with cacti and flowering shrubs that flourish in the warm, arid, desert climate. However, there is that contingent that allow the weeds to grow, unhindered, for months. And on Labor Day weekend the clean up, which takes several weekends to complete, starts.

Why? I have no idea but it is a process embraced by more than a few.

I guess that “fall clean-up” is a bit like “spring cleaning”. I find it much easier to do neither. Instead I have found that a little time each week working in the yard and cleaning the house are tasks that let me enjoy the beauty of my yard and home all year long. I’m glad Dave feels the same.

Isn’t that just like life?

We’ve all seen those movies where people are on their death beds and someone sends for the preacher or the priest. Death bed confessions they call them. Those who have lived their lives, letting them fill up with weeds, but before they die that want to make sure that they have asked forgiveness for the wild seeds they have sown.

I am so grateful that our Father hears those confessions, answers their cries and forgives. Just like the thief who hung next to Jesus on a cross. He recognized his guilt and his need for the Savior. His death bed confession was heard by a compassionate, merciful Savior.

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 NKJV

Unconditional love, total forgiveness. How amazing! It’s never too late while we are here on earth to be reconciled to God. How much sweeter it is to walk in relationship with Him each day and experience the abundant life He has promised us.

“All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.” John 6:37 NLV

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

It is so wonderful to live each day wrapped in the Father’s love! We don’t have to wait for “Fall Clean-Up”, we can be enjoying the fullness and beauty of life in Christ each and every day.

Celebrate Life!

There is a word used in Jewish toasts – L’Chaim! Lifting a glass of wine to celebrate an engagement or marriage, the birth of a child and everyone says L’Chaim. To Life!

Each day we should be doing the same. We should be toasting the life that God has given us. Celebrating life and His goodness. A life of thankfulness and faith.

L’Chaim!

The just shall live by faith. Faith isn’t just something we have when we can’t handle things on our own, it’s a way of life.

Faith is what pleases God and God is the one who has given us the faith that we need to please Him – pretty good right? God doesn’t leave us unprepared or without the proper equipment. He tells us what it takes to please Him and then he supplies us – gotta love that.

“I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.” Romans 12:3 CEV

“But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

I understand where people get the idea that God is sitting up in heaven just waiting for us to fail or mess up; I lived that way for years. However, Moses told the nation of Israel that God set before them life and death, blessing and cursing. Then he told them “Choose life”. That was Jesus’ purpose – to provide the way of blessing – choose life.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

Jesus said: “The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

L’Chaim!

Choosing to live by faith brings reward. God is the one who promised it, our part is to seek Him and not give up.  Faith is believing that God will be faithful to His word; that what He has said WILL come to pass. And why shouldn’t we believe Him – He hasn’t lied yet!

The greatest miracle in the Bible was the result of a young woman’s faith. The angel came to Mary and told her that she would have a child. Mary asked how this could happen since she was a virgin and hadn’t been intimate with any man. (You all know the story). I love what the angel, Gabriel, said in response.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.” Luke 1:37-38

I want my response to God to be the same “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it happen as He said”.

What are you facing today? NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE when we put our faith in GOD.

Lift your glass and celebrate life. L’Chaim!

The Lamb and The Shepherd

As we enter Easter week so many are focused on the crisis we are going through. That was true in Jesus day as well. He was focused on the events of His week. He came to earth to be our sacrificial lamb. We have His promise of forgiveness and a life-long relationship with our heavenly Father; we must keep our focus on that.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3 ERV

I saw a post on a friend’s FB page “Easter isn’t about the bunny; it’s about the Lamb”! Jesus is called the Lamb of God. He came to be the sinless sacrifice; the atonement for our sins.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God. He takes away the sins of the world!” John 1:29 ERV

The Lamb of God is also our Good Shepherd. As the Son of God, He recognized that we are vulnerable as lambs and can easily be led astray. He promised to be our Good Shepherd, our protector and provider.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good. 11 “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 ERV

Jesus used this analogy to make his ministry and purpose easy to understand. Raising sheep was a common profession in that day, Jesus used something they were familiar with to teach his lesson. At night the sheep were kept in a gated pen for their protection and early each morning the shepherd would come and lead the sheep out to pasture. The sheep had become accustom to the shepherd’s voice and so when he called, they would follow. They wouldn’t follow someone who would sneak in and try lead them astray.

Jesus was telling them, and us, if they spent time with Him, listening to His word and getting to know Him, they would follow Him and keep His commandments. He would lead them “in green pastures” (Psalm 23).

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Jesus’ mission statement, His purpose, is to give us life and life more abundantly. He warns us that there is a thief who wants to kill, steal and destroy – that’s the devil. Everything that falls in one of those categories – stealing, killing and destroying – doesn’t come from God.

Those things that bring life, abundance and fullness to life comes from God. “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 ERV

Our Good Shepherd gave His life for us. Let’s keep our focus on Him, following Him and living the life He has provided for us.

Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Abortion, Infertility

I will warn you. Today’s blog will be a bit heavier than most of my posts. Yesterday I was out pruning the plants in my yard. It has been a winter of heavy frosts and there was much to do. As I was pruning my geraniums I was overwhelmed. It was like someone had dropped a heavy blanket on me. I knew this was something I had to share.

In 1979, I had my first miscarriage and in 1983 I had my second. After that we decided not to try again. Our family would be complete with our son and our daughter. Our hearts were broken and we didn’t want to experience that kind of sorrow again.

We had two wonderful children. Healthy kids! A girl and a boy but we also experienced the lost of loosing two babies.

As I was pruning back the geraniums all this came flooding back. Cutting away the dead to make room for the new. At that moment I realize there are millions of families who are experiencing or have experienced the same loss.

We had some dear friends who came to visit shortly after my second miscarriage and shared God’s promise with us.

““So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 26 No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.” Exodus 23:25-26 NKJV

They prayed with us that our next child, should we choose to try, would be covered with the Lord’s protection from the moment of conception. Since then we have shared that truth, the truth of God’s word, with a large number of women who thought they were barren and with those who had lost children to miscarriage, still birth and abortion.

They prayed with us that any child we would conceive in the future would be covered with the Lord’s protection from the moment of conception. Both babies we lost were lost in the first few months after conception and we didn’t even know to pray over them. Two years after this prayer we conceived our youngest daughter, Kaci. I held my breath and prayed. We waited several months before we announced her arrival to the world. These dear friends who prayed with us were there to officiate our youngest daughter’s marriage 30 years later! And now she is the mother of three beautiful children.

A number of years later my last miscarriage, about seven years, I was blessed to share with a class on childhood development at the local high school about the heartbreak of miscarriage. I was able to tell them that this was not a fetus, a blob of tissue, but a living being who became a part of our family and was gone.

I had never allowed myself to grieve. I didn’t know I should. I was the church administrator and one day I was covering the bookstore during lunch. It was slow and I grab a book from the shelves and began to read. As I read, I began to weep uncontrollably. My broken heart was allowed to speak. And healing began.

The book was “I’ll Hold You in Heaven” by Jack Hayford. He’s a wonderful Bible teacher. The entire book deals with miscarriage, still birth and abortion. It was my cry for healing and I didn’t even know I needed to be healed.

What I realized yesterday afternoon in my backyard is there are many women and their husbands who need to hear this message of healing. The pain and heartbreak have been pushed aside. There are those who are barren that feel there is no hope and those who have lost their babies before they could hold them who ache with grief. We all need to experience the Lord’s healing, comfort and hope.

If you know someone who is dealing with the anguish of barrenness, share with them the truth of God’s word. They may be a Sarah who has waited many years but they have God’s promise. He doesn’t lie!

Others may have lost a child, or two, as I did and didn’t know God’s word to cover that child with protection. The same holds true for those who have experienced a still birth. God is not a killer – He comes to bring life and not death. For those who have gone through abortion there is hope. Hope of a future.

Be kind, be compassionate, be truthful and share God’s word and His promise with those who are in sorrow.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

Life Lived Well

We all desire to have a good life but what does that mean? To some it brings images of wealth and nice things while others see health, physical well being and strength. Still others will envision a happy family and peaceful contentment.

What is the good life to you?

Each time I listen to my mother talk about her upbringing I know that she has experienced the “good life”. Her family wasn’t wealthy but they were rich in love. Her home was modest in furnishings but lavishly decorated with peace, kindness and caring. I can only hope that my children and grandchildren will speak of me with the same love and affection that my mother expresses for her parents and grandparents.

The book of Proverbs gives us many insightful verses on life. Verses on a life well lived and instruction on what is truly important.

“Any bragger you correct will only hate you. But if you correct someone who has common sense, you will be loved. If you have good sense, instruction will help you to have even better sense. And if you live right, education will help you to know even more. 10 Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. 11 I am Wisdom. If you follow me, you will live a long time. 12 Good sense is good for you, but if you brag, you hurt yourself.” Proverbs 9:8-12 CEV

If we follow wisdom we are promised a long life. A good life. Jesus said he came to give us an abundant life.

“I am Wisdom—Common Sense is my closest friend;  I possess knowledge  and sound judgment. 13 If you respect the Lord, you will hate evil. I hate pride and conceit and deceitful lies…What you receive from me is more valuable than even the finest gold or the purest silver. 20 I always do what is right, 21 and I give great riches to everyone who loves me…Pay attention, my children! Follow my advice, and you will be happy. 33 Listen carefully to my instructions,  and you will be wise. Come to my home each day and listen to me. You will find happiness.” Proverbs 8:12-13, 19-21, 32-34 CEV

There is much to learn by listening to and applying God’s word. Wisdom will be our constant companion and we will have joy. That truly is a life well lived!

Red & Green Have New Meaning

I don’t really know much about the traditions of Christmas. Why the use of red and green, what’s the message behind the tree, and the tinsel? I’m sure they have meaning but I’ve never researched it.

And really, I’m not a big “red and green” person. They add festive color to our homes at the holidays but  they’re not colors I would decorate with the rest of the year.

Looking around my living room  I was struck by the red and green poinsettia, it’s absolutely beautiful! Then I noticed a deer with a nice red bow. He’s adorned with a holly sprig and sits on my fireplace hearth. He was a  gift from a dear friend years and years ago. 

As I sit here, I realize I am impacted in another way by  red and  green. The words, in red, in my Bible have had a life changing effect. The words of Jesus, and His shed blood, have brought me life. Green is the color of living things.  God’s word gives me abundant life here on earth and eternal life with my Father in heaven! 

“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6 ERV

“10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Today’s Christmas carol is an old traditional carol from England. In European Christian tradition, the prickly leaves of the holly bush represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified. The berries are symbolic of the drops of blood that were shed by Jesus because of the thorns. In Scandinavia, holly is known as the Christ Thorn. It would seem then that holly would be more appropriate at Easter but it grows in winter and so it was used to adorn homes during the holiday season.

If you’re not familiar with this carol, you may click this link to hear the song, The Holly & The Ivy.

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.

 When I see the red/green color scheme now, I won’t just think of Christmas but I will be mindful of the words of Jesus, and the growth they have brought  to my life.

Shouts of Triumph

This morning I feel like shouting! Really shouting.

Clap your hands, all you people. Shout to God with a loud, joyful song. We must fear the Lord, the Most High. He is the great king of the whole earth.” Psalm 47:1-2 GW

You know the kind of shouting I’m talking about. It could more appropriately be called cheering. That makes it clearer right?

That cheering, roar-of-the-crowd, winning touch down, home run kind of shouting! The “victory is mine” kind of shouting. The walk around Jericho, let the walls fall down kind of shouting.

So then the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the trumpets, they began shouting. The walls fell down, and the people ran up into the city. So the Israelites defeated that city.” Joshua 6:20 ERV

Today is our day of victory! Maybe you feel you have been in a battle for a very long time. Almost ready to give up – feeling winded, knees wobbly, biceps quivering and shoulders drooping. Don’t quit now – it’s time to shout!

“I celebrate and shout because of my Lord God. His saving power and justice are the very clothes I wear. They are more beautiful
than the jewelry worn by a bride or a groom.
11 The Lord will bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth, like flowers blooming in a garden.” Isaiah 61:10-11 CEV

Not only do we have reason to shout but heaven is shouting too. The Bible tells us there is great rejoicing in heaven when we come to the Father and receive His love and forgiveness. He marks the day we find life in Him.  He circles it on the calendar. The angels in heaven sing and heaven’s “social media” come alive with the announcement of our birth.

Suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house, and look for the coin carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Let’s celebrate! I’ve found the coin that I lost.’ 10 So I can guarantee that God’s angels are happy about one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts.” Luke 15:8-10 GW

And oh how the Father rejoices when we come to Him! It’s party time!!

Yes, it truly is time to shout!

God has made us His own. He has given us new life, new hope and a joy that is almost unimaginable.

You have now become a new person and are always learning more about Christ. You are being made more like Christ. He is the One Who made you... Christ is everything. He is in all of us.

12 God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others.” Colossians 3:10-12 NLV

More like Christ. Each day the Holy Spirit is working in us to make us more like Christ. Christ lived a life of victory; He had challenges, attacks and all out persecution but He knew victory was His because the Father had promised that He would triumph.

I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

Join me please. Let’s start this day with a shout! Let the voice of triumph be heard!!

L’Chaim – To Life

There is a word used in Jewish toasts – L’Chaim, to Life!

Lifting a glass of wine to celebrate an engagement or marriage, the birth of a child and everyone says L’Chaim.

Each day we should be doing the same. We should be toasting the life that God has given us. Celebrating life and His goodness. A life of thankfulness and faith.

L’Chaim!

The just shall live by faith. Faith isn’t just something we have when we can’t handle things on our own, it’s a way of life.

Faith is what pleases God and God is the one who has given us the faith that we need to please Him – pretty good right? God doesn’t leave us unprepared or without the proper equipment. He tells us what it takes to please Him and then he supplies us – gotta love that.

I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.” Romans 12:3 CEV

But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

I don’t understand where people get the idea that God is sitting up in heaven just waiting for us to fail or mess up. Moses told the nation of Israel that God set before them life and death, blessing and cursing. Then he told them “Choose life”. That was Jesus’ purpose – to provide the way of blessing – choose life.

Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

Jesus said: “The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

L’Chaim!

Again, choosing to live by faith brings reward. God is the one who promised it, our part is to seek Him and not give up.  Faith is believing that God will be faithful to His word; that what He has said WILL come to pass. And why shouldn’t we believe Him – He hasn’t lied yet!

The greatest miracle in the Bible was the result of a young woman’s faith. The angel came to Mary and told her that she would have a child. Mary asked how this could happen since she was a virgin and hadn’t been intimate with any man. (You all know the story). I love what the angel, Gabriel, said in response.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.” Luke 1:37-38

I want my response to God to be the same “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it happen as He said”.

What are you facing today? NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE when we put our faith in GOD.

L’Chaim