Another Year, Another Celebration

 

Here we are again in the middle of our calendar year and it’s a time to celebrate the birth of America! 240 years ago, our forefathers wondered what it would be like to live outside of the oppression they felt from Great Britain. Through sacrifice and a bitter war, America was free. Their dreams had come true.

 

DSC02411mI pray that today you won’t take their sacrifice and dream for granted.

 

As you prepare to worship this Sunday morning, I pray that you will find great joy and abundant life in Jesus. Now that is worth celebrating!

 

Sunday is the day I repeat a blog post, so here’s today’s post. Have a blessed day!

 

Air Plants

 

If you know me well at all you know that I kill plants. Not that I mean to, but I find that I either over water or forget to water. I’ve never found the balance of caring for plants.

 

I will admit that I love seeing beautiful gardens. Maybe it’s because I’m so plant challenged that I’m in awe of anyone who is able to produce such beauty. Maybe it’s because I am reminded of my grandmother’s flower beds that she cared for so tenderly. Whatever the reason, seeing a beautifully landscaped garden warms my heart.

 

I’ve received plants as gifts in the past and as soon as I accepted them, I’ve known the fate of these unsuspecting beauties. They would soon wither up and die or their soil would be covered in mold.

 

Recently someone offered me a plant. I declined. I didn’t want another plant’s death on my hands.

 

However, in my new beach office, I wanted something green. So I remembered the Air Plant. Surely I could care for it. Well, actually my thought process was that it would take care of itself. You know, very little effort or work on my part. Ha!

 

I purchased two and brought them home. Then I did the research for how to care for these plants. It appears that these little gems capture their life-giving nutrients from the air and the sunshine. There’s no dirt (which is nice because remember I manage to get mold all over that stuff). However, they do need a good spritzing about once a week. And the spritzing needs to have some nutrients in it.

 

So my care-free plants that I so hoped to enjoy have turned out to be a little more work than I first imagined. So now I have to remember every Friday to give them a good spray. So far I’ve done my part and they actually seem to be growing!

 

I am reminded of the image in the Book of Isaiah when Israel was described as “…a garden without water.” (Isaiah 1:30b – NIV) They were a rebellious nation and had suffered. They were being punished for their rebellion.

 

But Isaiah continued to give Israel hope throughout the book and in Isaiah 58:11b (NIV) he assures them, “…you will be like a well-watered garden…”

 

Yes, if Israel was willing to put their rebellion behind them, if they were willing to stop the blaming and gossiping, if they were willing to give to those in need, if they did as God asked them, God would rescue them.

 

If Israel allowed God to lead them, they could once again be great. A great light would shine from Israel. Their broken lives could be repaired. Their ruined spirits could be restored. Through the Repairer and Restorer. God.

 

We have the choice to be one of these two gardens. If we are rebellious against God, then we can expect to be a garden without water. If we are obedient to God, then we can expect to be a well-watered garden.

 

Isaiah also spoke of the coming Messiah throughout this Messianic prophetic book. We know this Messiah to be Jesus. Jesus, the Living Water. “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him like a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14 – NIV)

 

Through Jesus we have the opportunity to be a well-watered garden, with abundant life.

 

Plants and gardens are green when water is present. We too can be green (spiritually healthy) when Jesus is present in our lives and when we seek out the watering holes.

 

The watering holes of prayer, Bible study, Bible reading, fellowship with other Christians, worship, and serving others. By continually visiting these watering holes, we will always be green and will have the Lord to guide us in all we say and do.

 

I haven’t done so well with the plant thing, but I’m so thankful that I am much better at tending to my spiritual life. I’m thankful that my relationship with Jesus showers Living Water upon me. I’m thankful that the “spiritual gardener” within me has a green thumb.

 

How are you doing with this? Are you green (spiritually)? Does the grass (your spiritual life) crunch under the footsteps of your day-to-day life? Are you parched? Are you feeling the drought of separation from God and His people?

 

There is an easy fix. A relationship with Jesus Christ in which you can have Living Water. And through the Living Water you will be bubbling with abundant life. Now, who wouldn’t want that?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

A Bit Lazy

 

I wrote a prayer a while back that asked God’s Spirit to remind me when I became spiritually lazy. I read through that prayer again this morning and realized that I had landed in that arena. Oh I look busy spiritually. I do Bible study. I lead Bible study. I journal. I talk about God. I talk to God. But I think I lean more on the lazy side of my spiritual development.

 

???????????????????????????????This week, I went through two days of learning how to lead others on a spiritual formation path. I suspect if I’m going to be leading it, I better be living it!

 

So before I lead a group of ladies this fall, I will begin this journey on my own. I will begin to answer the questions, “Who am I?” and “Who is God?” and “What does God want to do through me?” Understanding these questions will help me with my spiritual walk with the Lord. I look forward to seeing how God answers these questions in light of my personal spiritual formation.

 

God has answered this prayer over and over throughout my life. I’m thankful this morning that He has revealed a weak link in my spiritual armor. Laziness. For me, it’s time to get busy!

 

What about you? Are you spiritually lazy? If so, what steps do you need to take to get out of that spiritual slump? If you feel confident in your walk with the Lord, are there ways that you can grow closer to Him? Is there someone you know who could use some encouragement from you as they journey through their spiritual walk?

 

I pray that God’s Spirit will be at work in your life today and that you will recognize His promptings.

 

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

July 4th Weekend

 

I am ready for a long weekend! I feel drained after a couple of busy weekends. So today is the beginning of my 4th of July weekend. What a glorious day.

 

Eagles 050Now if you’re like me, perhaps you are just thankful that you have a few days off, but there are some important things to remember through this weekend.

 

First, we must remember that there were great sacrifices made so that we, as American citizens, might enjoy the freedom we hold so dear.

 

Our financial advisor sent a letter with a list of important events that revolve around this special date of July 4th. I want to share them with you.

 

1776 – USA declared independence from Great Britain.

1777 – On the 4th of July, 13 guns were fired once in the morning and once in the evening in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated our country’s first birthday with toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, fireworks and parades.

1778 – George Washington marked the 4th of July with an artillery salute. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams held a dinner for fellow Americans in Paris, France.

1781 – Massachusetts became the first state legislature to recognize the 4th of July.

1791 – The first recorded use of the name “Independence Day” occurred.

1826 – On July 4th, former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died.

1831 – Former president James Monroe died on July 4th.

1884 – In Paris, on July 4th, the Statue of Liberty was presented to the USA.

 

What a history we have here in America. The blood of patriots from our past flows through the veins of many in this country. We have much to be thankful for on this holiday weekend. Let’s not forget those who paid the price for the freedoms we have today.

 

Second, above all else, we must remember that Jesus’ sacrifice allows each one to live freely through His Spirit. Take a look at a few verses of Scripture about freedom in Christ.

 

“…Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-36 – NIV)

 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 – NIV)

 

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 – NIV)

 

And if you want to read more about freedom in Christ, read through Galatians 5.

 

I pray that you will have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend. I also pray that you will not take any freedom in your life for granted. Great prices have been paid for you.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

“Come and See Jesus” – Today’s Touch

 

It’s Thursday and I remembered to write about poetry! I pray that you will find some joy in today’s poem.

 

Holy Land Experience 023mThe title of this poem caught my attention and as I read through it. I loved the many ways we can see Jesus throughout Scripture. As you come to see Jesus, He begins to show up in your own life and then others see Him through you. What an encouraging word today. Many blessings to you, my friends.

 

“Come and See Jesus”

by Kim Merryman, ©2008 Guidepost submission

 

Come and see the tiny baby,

sleeping on a bed of straw.

The angels came and sang His praises,

and shepherds watched in silent awe.

 

Come and see who’s in the temple,

listening to the rabbis teach;

a twelve-year-old who asks them questions,

His wisdom is beyond their reach.

 

“Come and see,” said John the Baptist,

“The Lamb of God sent from above.

On Him the Father sent His Spirit,

it came down on Him like a dove.”

 

“Come and see,” insisted Andrew,

when he found Simon by the sea.

“I believe we’ve found Messiah.

Drop your nets and come with me.”

 

“Come and see”, cried out the woman,

“The man who told me all I’d done.

He said He’d give me living water.

Could He be the Holy One?”

 

Come and see this man called Jesus.

He heals the sick, the blind, the lame.

Even demons are subject to Him.

Those He touches are never the same.

 

Come and see this Jewish Rabbi,

as He teaches on the hill.

The crowds are spellbound by His message,

He teaches them about God’s will.

 

Come and see the righteous anger,

of the man from Galilee.

See Him cleanse the crowded temple,

of the merchants and their greed.

 

Come and see the Lord at prayer,

in the garden on His knees.

Sweating drops of blood in anguish,

God’s will be done is what He pleads.

 

Come and see the man betrayed,

by His own disciple’s kiss.

Sold for thirty silver coins,

by a traitor in His midst.

 

Come and see the suffering servant,

hands and feet nailed to the cross.

Hear Him say, “Father, forgive them,”

as His friends weep for their loss.

 

Come and see, His tomb is empty.

See, the stone has been rolled away.

The Son of God has conquered death,

He has risen from the grave.

 

Come and see the risen Savior,

See and touch His nail-pierced hands.

Hear Him say, “Go preach the gospel,

to every nation, every land.”

 

Come and see, men, women, children,

Jesus is the Life, the Truth, the Way,

to peace and joy and life everlasting.

Believe in Him without delay.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share

Need Some Help

 

I find myself needing a few words of encouragement this morning. Maybe you’re in the same boat. So here are a few of my recently pinned Pinterest pins that I love. I pray that you will find exactly what you need in God’s Word today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

Share
Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On Linkedin