It's so hot!

Wow it sure is hot outside these days. But it is the end of July and it is the middle of summer, so I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that it is. The surprise for me is that it doesn't seem like it has been a year, already, from last year's heat. God has promised that as long as the earth exists we will have the changing of the seasons. The scriptures tell us so...

Genesis 8:22

Common English Bible (CEB)
22 As long as the earth exists,
seed time and harvest,
cold and hot,
summer and autumn,
day and night
will not cease.


But to me the changing seasons just seem to be coming quicker and quicker!

I really dislike the saying "that as you get older time passes quicker". But it does seem that way as we get busier with all of life's demands. There are so many obligations that have been put on us, from demanding jobs, to our children's sports and school events and, even, for the one's who believe in helping their local church, all the different jobs that need to be done there.

This isn't an article on trying to slow down. I know that sometimes that is an impossible thing but as we lay down to sleep each night, I do know how tired we can be though. It is nice to know that we have the, God given, gift of sleep. 

He is so good to help us with so many gifts of support.... 

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

The Message (MSG)

15-17 So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

So as you and I live our busy lives, through each and every hot or cold season, it is good to remember that we have the promise of the help of God to see us through each and every day.

Blessings!

Growing!

What a beautiful morning, this morning. I was out in the garden tending to those silly weeds and slugs. While out there I got to enjoy the peacefulness of the cool, quiet early part of the day.

It is my favorite growth time in the garden. The blooms are coming on and you can tell it won't be long till the vegetables start to form. Yes I do love getting the veggies.  But I do so enjoy seeing the miracle of the blooms moving into fruit.

Reminds me of how God works in our lives. As young Christians we are like the early plants. We accept the gift of Christ and then move into the growth process of blooming, (sanctification). Growing into perfection. Of course perfection will not totally come till we see God in heaven but we are growing everyday as we read the scriptures.and spend time in prayer with our Holy God.

We also need the strength of other Christians to help us in our growth. I had to tie up the tomato plants today, so to keep them from falling over as the fruit comes on. It's not that the plants are weak it is just that sometimes the burden of growth can be tough to maintain. Just like these plants need extra support, so do we. Life gets tough and it is hard to keep growing when struggles keep getting piled on. Loving and caring for each other and worshiping together helps our roots stay strong and gives us the extra support that everyone needs to keep growing. We just get better together......!

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

11 So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26

The Message (MSG)

25-26 The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.


You know, we all are blooming and growing. Hope you make it to church this Sunday. So you can receive, and help give, the support that gets us all through this wonderful, challenging, garden of life!

Blessings!