Saturday, August 9, 2008

A Garden.....


Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden... John 19:41.


There was a garden "in the beginning" and there was a "garden at the end." In the midst of Jesus' darkest hour, where agony was laid upon him...our sin, there was a garden. It was not the end! A garden... ready to receive the seed, death, but then fruit, harvesting, reaping, the seed sown is alive!! In this place where I (we) have met death, there too is a garden. I am so thankful for the "living" word as I come face to face with the reality of death every morning when I wake up and Joel is not here, he's not going to come snuggle up in my arms as he rubs his sleepy eyes. I am thankful that the Lord affirms to my heart when it "feels" so sad and when I miss him so much. I am so thankful that even though Joel's life has ended in this world, that he is living in the real world, the city of the great King, Zion. As I seek to lean on the Lord's arm to get me through the days, Joel is in the bosom of his Heavenly Father,the Lord Jesus Christ! How wonderful there is a garden, how wonderful there is a "river that flows from the throne of God," that will supply me with all that is needed to keep trudging forward!

Look at those pictures above, remember Elijah was giving it a try a while back.... this week he, Micah and Andrew got it down!! Since David was here and they were rolling around David was on the "big" one, but Elijah can ride that one too!! Joshua is almost there as well!!

On Thursday, Katelyn, a friend of Bethany and Anna came over for a visit, she helped milk goats, ate lunch with us, they took a walk in the pasture and then they played Dutch Blitz for awhile. It was a good time and I am glad we can share our farm with those that live in town and they can enjoy the pleasures of country life. Friday was my shopping day and I am so glad it was not as hot due to travels in a van that does not have sufficient air can make one quite miserable. All went well and I returned home a little bit earlier than usual, so that was nice!

Most of them headed to Farmers Market this morning, (Sat.) We still have tomatoes and okra for sale. We planted a late crop of okra, it is soon to have fruit on it, so Lord willing alot of okra coming!!! Elijah, Micah and Andrew took the unicycles and were going to ride them around in town, I told Terry we need to get some tracts and they could pass them out as they will certainly get alot of heads turning.

We are having our home church meeting here tomorrow, so when all those peoples get back we have got to get busy! I hope it is cooler, 40 folks or so can bring some body heat and with only the window unit, I hope all will be comfortable.

It seems kind of "hum drum," around here, thats OK, but guess I do not have alot to write about. I'll end with a verse that I desire the Lord to do in my heart... For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Is. 51:3

Cindy

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, for your encouragement on a weekend that has been exceptionally hard for us as a family. The Joy of the Lord is our strength. Thank you for the Word of the Lord that you shared. God preparing us a garden out of this wilderness time for our family. We know he is ALL powerful and ALL forgiving. What a joy to know God WILL bring the garden to fruitfulness and will let us plant in the Land flowing with milk and honey. WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!!!

Deuteronomy 1:11
May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!

Psalm 3:8
From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah

Genesis 49:25
because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb. (When I was very young, our church would sing the song "he is able" then sing it again "he is faithful")

Psalm 129:8
May those who pass by not say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD." (my prayer is that today may the joy alone in the LORD, shining from our family, bring this) (may the people call us blessed just because we are blessed by joy from him that over powers this momentary wilderness)

Deuteronomy 33:12-14
About Benjamin he said:"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." About Joseph he said:"May the LORD bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below; with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield;

Sarah said...

Cindy,

I just came by via Sumi's blog! I have been commenting on her blog for just a few weeks now, I think.

But I was interested in Joel's story, so I came over to yours. I could not believe that Joel died of NB! My daughter Ellie, just died in December of NB. She was diagnosed, at age 8, just a month and a half before Joel was diagnosed. I can't tell you how sorry I am that you had to walk such a path... it is so hard... I am glad that you, as we, are able to grieve with hope. Even so, the journey is long and hard. I'm so sorry.

Sarah Skees
ellieskees.blogspot.com

23total said...

THANK YOU!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Psalms 25:20-21
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

Anonymous said...

I Know Whom I Have Believed

I know not why God's wondrous grace to me He hath made known,
Nor why unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own.
But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word, wrought peace within my heart.
But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word, creating faith in Him.
But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

I know not what of good or ill may be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days, before His face I see.
But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noonday fair;
If faithful, when He comes again, I'll "meet Him in the air."
But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

2 Timothy 1:12
"... nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed
unto him against that day."

......................

Anonymous said...

A garden indeed! It's so humbling to see the fruits of the Spirit come forth through trials! Is 51:3 is a verse I have been treasuring of late!!!!! It is so amazing to see the Lord take something like death (of a dear one, of a dream, of a vision, or of sinful flesh) and turn it into something truly beautiful! The Lord is our Refiner and our Deliverer! Ps40:17 "But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God." Ps46:11 "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." Ps48:14 "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." It bring such hope and boldness to know that He is our guide and that He will not keep silent! "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence." Ps. 50:3
A verse that struck me this morning was Ps 50:23 "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." I was convicted that I need to praise the Lord more (Is51:3), and also fully surrender my actions and my tongue to His control! "Dressed in His Righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!" Ps.35:34a "Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness....." That goes well with Ps 25:20-21 shared earlier!
( : I'm praying for you that our Lord shall make you like a garden full of joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody! Psalm 3:8 : )

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