Bearing Fruit

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7‭-‬8 ESV

A tree in a commercial orchard is as pampered as any king or queen on planet earth. It is planted in the best soil, fertilized and kept free from weeds. In the growing season it is sprayed and treated every 10 days to guard it from pests and disease and irrigated in drought. Yet with all the advantages the farmer gives it, there are years when the harvest fails because of a late frost, an unexpected new disease or a late snowfall. Ultimately the farmer may do his best but only God is really in charge of the results.

The same is true in our lives. As today’s verse tells us, our fruitfulness is dependent on only one thing. We must decide to trust the Lord. Unexpected events and even calamity strike without notice. But God is never taken by surprise. Are you trusting in His care? Is He the stream your soul drinks from? Is He the keeper of your heart?

Goodnight Prayers and Kisses

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:4 ESV

After three weeks of visiting with family and friends we are saying goodbye. I think most of all I will miss morning walks with our grandchildren. Their loud happy excitement and curiosity have more than kept both I and my wife on our toes and worn us out. But how I will miss those goodnight kisses and prayers tomorrow. How good to know as I shed a tear or two that someone greater than I still listens to my own goodnight prayers and kisses me on the cheek each night as these graying hairs lie down on my pillow!

My morning walking friend
My afternoon walking buddies

Morning Come

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
When will morning come?
With the sun
With the cars
In the rush
Or riding on the bus?

And does it rise
In the skies
Unending work
On the farms
Filling up the barns?

Or could it shine
At a time
In the dark
Filled with cares
With a prayer?

Or with a light
In the night
Mary's child
God's own Son
His morning come!

Morning Come 
by Peter Caligiuri 
copyright 2021 
All rights reserved

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. Luke 1:78 KJV