Category: Gardens

Prayers of Restoration

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  John 11:44

And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:34-35

Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”  And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. Mark 5:41-42

 Jesus never prayed for bread, He thanked His Father for it and the bread was multiplied. Jesus’ prayers were never for His own provision. He prayed and restored the sea to calm when the disciples were in fear.  He prayed and the blind man’s sight was restored. The entire ministry of Jesus was about His prayers of restoration for others.

How differently might our own prayers be if we prayed as Jesus did. Prayers of restoration might be for a neighbor or even a stranger God sends our way. Prayers of restoration don’t need to focus on our desires but on God’s. Prayers of reskimg2486toration are like the stone jars of water being transformed into wine at His command. When our prayers are poured out and given for others then the miracle will happen. When we pray for others then our plain water prayers turn red with the restoring life of Christ!

 

Is it Time to Pray?

In the Old Testament we learn that Daniel prayed three times a day

And though we can’t be sure of the exact hours they do correspond to praise a chorus we used to sing, “Jesus-Jesus- Jesus in the morning, Jesus at the noon time. Jesus-Jesus-Jesus when the sun goes down!” That little song neatly sums up the simplicity of prayer.Some of us say, “Well I’m really not a morning person!” Or “I’m no night owl!” as excuses why we don’t begin or end our days with prayer. But in the his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul tells us to” pray without ceasing” and king David tells us in Psalm 34 that he will bless the Lord at all times. In fact everywhere we look in scripture prayer is far more than just a night cap or a “Good morning Lord”. When the Lord Jesus was on earth set us an example of all different times for prayer.

Early Morning Prayer:  And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35

Mid-Day Prayer Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”  Luke 11:1

Evening Prayer And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went upon the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone   Matthew 14:23

Jesus prayed when he had to make decisions and he prayed to bless his food. Jesus prayed when he was sorrowful and He prayed when he was joyful. Jesus prayed for his disciples and He prayed for Himself. Jesus prayed at all these different times. While on earth Jesus prayed and taught us how to pray. How wonderful to remember that the prayer ministry of Christ did not end on the day He went to the Father but the Bible tells us that He is always there still praying for us!

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Beating the Heat!

 

Isaiah 35:1-2 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus,  it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy

While her weaker cousins are wilting or just plain cashing in their blooms till next year this Salvia sylvestris is only beginning to show her true colors. KIMG0187

“When the going gets tough the tough get going”  Knute Rockne

With a touch of both toughness and beauty this flower gives her all to ensure that the gardening season isn’t over. God created both her delicate flowers and tough roots so that on the hottest summer days she will stand proud and strong. If you are facing some wilting heat in your life maybe the sister Salvia can encourage you to stay strong. The same God who understands how to beat the summer heat in the garden knows how to help us beat the heat in the desert places of our lives!

 

D-Day for day lilies

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This is the Day Lily that the Lord has made!

I have always loved loved this simple flower. The day lily starts its bloom in mid to late June then just goes on giving till the summer is done. There is a plain and honest integrity about it. Like a willing servant it goes about doing its job simply glad to be a part of God’s garden!

Bloom where you’re planted!

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Maybe when this Bougainvillea was just a tiny seedling it dreamed of growing in a fine garden on the palace grounds, or nestled among roses and boxwood in the botanical gardens. But to be brought home and planted by a concrete path with just a few feet for its roots to take hold – this was not the dream at all.

But the dreary foggy mornings gave the seedling just a kiss of moisture every day and before she knew it she grew over the small dooryard. Her owners were not kings and queens but just ordinary people who loved the reddish blooms that came every year and cheered them as they came and went.

Just because God has not chosen for us to often be among the “Important” people and places of our world means nothing in His grand scheme of things. He may daily give us dreary misty days so that our roots will be nourished and give us what we need to rejoice and bloom  exactly where we’ve been planted.

 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:30