Tulips

An Unexpected Promise

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2 ESV

While the other gospels just tell us that Jesus went from the Last Supper table to the Garden of Gethsemane; John allows us to listen in on the conversation along the way. Jesus begins by letting them know that one of them will betray Him, the rest of them will run away, and Peter will even deny Him. Of course, they are shocked and start to argue with Him. (Haven’t you argued a little with God once in a while?) But in today’s passage, we see that Jesus pivots, from the bad news about the disciples’ impending failure, to the amazing news about what God has in store. Today’s verse is one you probably have heard at a graveside ceremony or to people living out their final days. And while God’s promises certainly apply in those end-of-life situations, they are also true in our everyday world. Just like the disciples, we may be facing discouragement, confusion and fear. We find ourselves in the middle of battles we didn’t start and conflicts that we don’t know how to resolve. At exactly our lowest moment Jesus comes and gives us these words; “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me!”

You see, faith is not just handy for funerals or on Sunday mornings. Real faith, the Jesus kind of faith is meant for every day of our lives and can help us with whatever we are facing today. But real faith is more than just a gift. It is also a spiritual muscle that God wants us to exercise. Jesus actually commands us to get off our duffs and take control of our heart and say, “Stop all the fussing! God is still in control!” You might say you don’t have a lot of faith, but Jesus tells us we only need a mustard seed of faith to move mountains. So pick yourself up from the feeling sorry for yourself corner and to turn to God for strength. He knows what is going on and He says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled!” He has a special place prepared for us today!

No Death Was Not My Plan!

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
“No death was not my plan” God said 
When Adam chose the names for beasts 
When I in secret fashioned Eve 
While He lay fast asleep 

Now when Spring seems far away 
And under snow the garden sleeps 
Remember that in frozen ground 
The Tulip’s promise keeps 

For as the last frost leaves the earth 
The flower finds its way 
And just as Jesus rose from death 
It breaks through to sunny day! 

No Death Was Not My Plan! 
by Peter Caligiuri copyright © 2022 
All rights reserved


The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 ESV








Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com

			

	


			
				


	

							
Blossoming Hope
						

			 / pastorpete51						 / Leave a comment
								

			


		

		
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.  Luke 23:3


 P1030284


For those of you who like me are gardeners you know that Tulips, Daffodils and other tuberous flowers are never planted in the spring. Instead we go out to dig up some corner of the garden at the end of October. At that time there are no blossoms whatsoever in the flowerbeds, but the earth is still slightly warm from the summer’s heat and it offers the perfect place for bulbs to make a home. Autumn rains then soften the bulb and while no one is watching it sends out tiny roots into the surrounding soil. Then, winter’s wind and cold freeze the ground solid. The tiny tendrils are locked in an icy embrace for four to five months. It would appear to the unknowing observer that there is no hope for beauty or blossom. Yet all the while, under the surface God does His mysterious work. Then we look out the window one early April morning and suddenly the bulbs amaze us with their brilliant yellows, whites and reds!KIMG1163


In the same way as the tulips and daffodils were planted so our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave forgiveness in the face of cold hatred, scorning and mocking. He freely forgave with no apparent hope of anyone accepting the pardon He gave. He was planted in the ground and then not only on the third day when He arose but on every day when His forgiveness blossoms in a heart His act of love continues to yield an abundant harvest!


IMG_4165