First

Have you ever considered the depth of information in the first verse of the Bible?  Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis - an origin, creation or beginning - is first.  The first verse of the first chapter of the first book is all about the beginning as we know it.  Those ten words contain the fact that God exists.  They contain the fact that He witnessed the beginning.  He was there before the beginning.  He made the beginning.

Those ten words contain the fact that God is smart.  He created the heaven.  Have you looked up there lately? Have you seen the marvelous sights?  Have you heard on the news about the amazing discoveries of planets and stars and galaxies and more?  He created the heaven and it reflects His glory.  It is amazing how all that works together and stays in place and moves and lives.

Those ten words contain the fact that God is logical.  He created the earth.  Have you gazed in wonder at an infant lately?  It is astonishing that all those systems work together just they way they do.  Have you examined the ecosystem of a pond lately?  Have you observed the incredible diversity and harmony that works there?

Those ten words contain the fact that God is love.  In the beginning, He created the heaven and the earth.  It's like He was making them for something special.  It appears that He was going to do something awesome.  And, He did.  He placed humans in the midst of the heaven and the earth.

Wow!

Garden Lessons: The Squash Plant

It is mid-summer and sitting on our back porch nestled snugly in its pot is a single squash plant.  It is a beautiful plant.  I admire the large gorgeous yellow blossoms it produces.  Its lovely green leaves are strong.  It's a great plant.  It's beautiful to see.

But, in all those blooms, we've not seen any fruit.   A squash plant has two types of flowers, one male and one female.  Some type of pollinator, such as a honeybee, is required to move pollen from the male flower to the female flower.  The flowers are only receptive to pollination for one day.  I haven't observed any honeybees around our squash plant.  Ugh.  This means that I'm going to have to intervene.

What does the squash plant tell me about God?  God is an amazing creator.  He has fashioned so many incredible systems - our own human body made up of the muscular, skeletal, endocrine, circulatory, and other systems in one body.  There is the ecosystem of nature.  And, there are social systems such as the work place, school, and other places where people interact.

Is your church like our squash plant?  Is it gorgeous on the outside but unable to produce fruit?  Are the environmental factors taking their toll?  Is someone going to have to intervene in order to cause the production of fruit?  God has set these systems to work properly.  Our indifference to God and His ways have resulted in some factors that influence the system.

Within any church, there are a multitude of people.  It may be a small group or an expansive group.  In either case, some people have the skills, ability and desire to accomplish one part of the job such as the flowers and  the honeybee.  The flower cannot do the honeybee's job and vice versa.  And sometimes, it takes an outside influence to accomplish the job.  Is God calling you to a specific job within your church?  If so, do your part to produce the fruit.

(Father God, how amazing your creation is.  Your intelligence is evident in the various systems.  O how I long to see it in it's original perfect state.  Help me to work as you designed me.  Thank you.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.)

Gloomy and Grey

It's a little gloomy and grey this morning. Yet, the birds are diligently seeking their food. I hear their melody of chirps and tweets. I watch as they wander about the yard checking my tomato plants.

I'm thankful that my Great God provides for their every need. Their creator and sustainer also created and sustains me. And, best of all, He created me in His own image. I am loved. I am cherished. I am His child. I choose to believe what He says is true. I trust Him. I talk with Him. I love Him because He first loved me.

(Father God, thank You for being the great I AM. Thank You for showing me that there is so much even in what I consider a gloomy and grey day. I pray that You will continue to remind me of all that You are. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.)

Itty Bitty Bunny

I have an itty bitty bunny living on my back porch. Now, I live in a non wild area. Yes, there's some trees and stuff around but there's not a whole lot of places this bunny could have come from. And finally, today, my cat saw the bunny from the kitchen window. I'm not letting that cat out today. No way.

I'm always awed by God's provision for even the least of His creation. I love seeing this little bunny as it ventures out to get food and water. It's quite a treat to see.

Now, I'm amused by my cat as she is intently watching this little bunny. She wants out there very much. But, I'm protecting that itty bitty bunny. My husband said to me, "God will provide for that bunny." And I told him, "Yes, and He's gonna use me to do it."

That little bunny is teasing my cat. He's just sitting there watching the cat. The cat is pacing in the window, breathing hard, whipping her tail around. Okay, maybe that shouldn't be funny but it is.

Itty Bitty has gone into hiding. The cat's still looking for it, though.

Luke 12:6-8

6) Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

(Father God, thank you for the reminder of your daily provision and care for even me. Thank you for using an itty bitty bunny for that purpose. Please use me as a vessel to care for your creation. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)