Now that it is early summer, the garden is beginning to give us veggies. All the planting and weeding and cultivating are showing results. It is also the time of year with which I struggle. I even hesitate to write this as it only reveals one of the many sins that give me trouble. One of my besetting sins. (Thank you John Owen.)
Shortly before we moved to this home, I was reading in the Old Testament and came across the whole concept of "firstfruits". (see Exodus 23:16 & 19) While I had heard about tithing as first fruits of your paycheck, the idea of giving from your harvest was a new thought for me. Since I was no longer working outside the home, my thought was that I would give a "tithe" of my garden. Sounds easy enough. I wrote a check out each payday for the church, this will be a no-brainer. You have no idea how difficult it has been for me.
Each spring as I plant and pray over each crop that is planted, I figure that I have this thing licked. Then comes the harvest. Then comes the doubt. "How will I know if I have enough for us?" Shouldn't I "get all I can and can all I get?"
Every summer I wrestle with this basic concept. Will God take care of us? Can I trust His promises?
Did the Old Testament folks struggle with this too? Of course, back then "everybody was doing it"...really, they were. But did that make it easier? In our day, we are pretty detached from the agricultural way of life and, well, if my beans don't come up, I can always buy canned ones from the store (sorry, yuck). To most of us our gardens are a hobby. We have the store to fall back on, but our ancestors and the O.T. folks did not. It seems that it is far easier to write a check than to hand over food that you have lovingly labored over. When you give the first fruits, you have no idea what can go wrong in the meantime, or what your yield will actually look like. It is an exercise in faith and trust.
In my devotions today, the scripture passage was 1 Timothy 4:10, "To this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." The devotional goes on to talk about the hard work of sanctification. That growing in the knowledge of God is exhausting and progress is wearying. That left to ourselves, we would give up striving and be discouraged with our progress. It is discouraging for me to have to wrestle with this same issue every year. What is so sad is that I have always had enough. Always. So, after six years, you would think I had a better handle on this. Well, maybe a bit better. I don't try and talk myself out of it anymore. I've been battling with this each summer, so I know all the stupid arguments that I will throw at myself. The worst part of this whole exercise is that I really enjoy giving my veggies away! When I can give something that is a little part of me, it truly is a joyful thing. Another reason, I can't figure why I still struggle.
The long and short of it is that God uses my garden for my sanctification. He gives me the opportunity to trust him through my veggies. It might even be that whole "working out your salvation with fear and trembling" thing going on. I know that I will continue to delight in giving and just need to continue to prayerfully work out the kinks that come in the summer.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12 & 13 NIV
Showing posts with label growing in Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growing in Christ. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Crop Failure
On the 25th of May, I planted my green beans.
Green beans are the main veggie in our household. They are easy enough to can, which our family seems to prefer over frozen. This is OK with me, since we eat to many, it leaves more room in the freezer. Green beans eaten freshly picked with melted butter...oh yeah. My hubby likes them with olive oil; he likes everything with olive oil.
There is only one other time that I have had trouble with my beans. One year about half the seeds never came up! One whole row. This year, none of them came up. Day after day I would go to check to see if they were beginning to peak through the ground...nothing. On Friday, I dug around a bit to see what was going on underground...nothing. So, Saturday, I got out our little Mantis tiller and worked up the area where the beans had been planted. I found the remains of only two bean seeds. Neither were even sprouted. Thankfully, there remained enough seeds to replant the two long rows of beans. I put some old CDs on string and hung them from stakes to, hopefully, help keep the birds away with the movement and flashing sunlight. I also hung up an old aluminum pie pan out to make some noise.
Our garden gives us the bulk of our vegetables for the year. Since we are no longer such an agrarian society, I think that it becomes so easy to forget how much we are dependant on God for our food. Even with all the technology that the huge farms use, they still are dependant on the Creator for the growth of their crops.
All this helps me remember that I can plant the seeds, but I am not in charge of their growing. I am totally dependant on the Creator for rain and other favorable conditions to grow the plant that gives us food. I plant and pick and preserve (there is sweat in there, too...remember that whole "...by the sweat of your brow" thing?).
Of course this goes hand in hand with sharing the gospel. We are to used by God to plant seeds. God gives the increase. We are not in charge of what God does with the seeds.
R. C. Sproul said in this month's Tabletalk, that " I can take no credit for the response that I made for Christ. God not only initiated my salvation, He not only sowed the seed, but He made sure that the seed germinated in my heart by regenerating me by the power of the Holy Ghost. That regeneration is a necessary condition for the seed to take root and to flourish." God does all the work from beginning to end.
May I continue to grow in Christ as his seedling, working my salvation out with fear and trembling. I am praying, too, for my little garden and its increase.
Green beans are the main veggie in our household. They are easy enough to can, which our family seems to prefer over frozen. This is OK with me, since we eat to many, it leaves more room in the freezer. Green beans eaten freshly picked with melted butter...oh yeah. My hubby likes them with olive oil; he likes everything with olive oil.
There is only one other time that I have had trouble with my beans. One year about half the seeds never came up! One whole row. This year, none of them came up. Day after day I would go to check to see if they were beginning to peak through the ground...nothing. On Friday, I dug around a bit to see what was going on underground...nothing. So, Saturday, I got out our little Mantis tiller and worked up the area where the beans had been planted. I found the remains of only two bean seeds. Neither were even sprouted. Thankfully, there remained enough seeds to replant the two long rows of beans. I put some old CDs on string and hung them from stakes to, hopefully, help keep the birds away with the movement and flashing sunlight. I also hung up an old aluminum pie pan out to make some noise.
Our garden gives us the bulk of our vegetables for the year. Since we are no longer such an agrarian society, I think that it becomes so easy to forget how much we are dependant on God for our food. Even with all the technology that the huge farms use, they still are dependant on the Creator for the growth of their crops.
All this helps me remember that I can plant the seeds, but I am not in charge of their growing. I am totally dependant on the Creator for rain and other favorable conditions to grow the plant that gives us food. I plant and pick and preserve (there is sweat in there, too...remember that whole "...by the sweat of your brow" thing?).
Of course this goes hand in hand with sharing the gospel. We are to used by God to plant seeds. God gives the increase. We are not in charge of what God does with the seeds.
R. C. Sproul said in this month's Tabletalk, that " I can take no credit for the response that I made for Christ. God not only initiated my salvation, He not only sowed the seed, but He made sure that the seed germinated in my heart by regenerating me by the power of the Holy Ghost. That regeneration is a necessary condition for the seed to take root and to flourish." God does all the work from beginning to end.
May I continue to grow in Christ as his seedling, working my salvation out with fear and trembling. I am praying, too, for my little garden and its increase.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
So, Who Is In Control?
It seems awhile since I have posted anything. There has been sewing and quilting that has required my attention lately. There is a comfort to having fabric in your hands and doing something creative and constructive. One baby quilt is completed, the one for Zachary is about half way quilted. My sister's birthday present is cut out and started. Another baby quilt needs started--at least I have the fabric. There is still the Ihlenfeld reproduction quilt that I would like to spend some time on before the grass and garden season begins.
My mind has been occupied on our country as of late. I am constantly wrestling with what is racing through my mind and what I know to be true in my heart.
Our country may have been founded on Christian principles, but the people have left these guiding values and have decided that God is no longer in charge, but man.
In 1Samuel 8, there is the story of the elders of Israel that came to the prophet Samuel and asked for a king. They wanted to be like all the other surrounding countries that had kings to lead them into battle. Samuel was not pleased with the idea and when he inquired of the LORD, God told him that it was not Samuel the people had rejected, but God. At God's instruction, Samuel warned the people that a king will take your children to serve him in battle and in his household. A king will take a tenth of your crops and flocks. The best of all the people had would go to the king and they would become his slaves. Samuel's final warning was that the day would come when the people would cry out for relief from the king they had chosen and God would not answer them. Of course, as we all know, the people didn't listen. In this account, God tells the people that the king will require a tenth of their flocks and crops. That is the tithe that was to belong to God. The king's demands parallel what Israel was to give to God. The people really did reject God and wanted a king. Though they didn't listen to the warnings, the kings really did burden the people in a way God never would.
In my heart, I know that my King is in Heaven, but my heart hurts to know what is being done to our country. Socialism and Marxism have been creeping in up to this point for quite a few years, but in the last few weeks, it has been coming at break-neck speed. People wanted a 'messiah', but just like the Israelites of old, we may be crying out to God because of his burdens. Burdens that the real Messiah has never placed on us.
I am just as guilty as anyone. Surely if we just elect the 'right' man everything will work out. But there is the rub. A man. To put so much trust in a man, who can be corrupted by interests of other countries as well as by men from within who look only for their own selfish gain and power.
While America has never been a theocracy, we have a system of checks and balances built into our representative republic that is based on Christian values. The Founding Fathers realized that men are basically flawed and corruptible. But along the way the system was overrun by those who were hungry for wealth and power. Our second President, John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." When we were a more moral and religious nation, that was part of the check and balance. God-fearing people are called to do what is right, even when no one is looking, because they answer to God, not just men. People were accountable to each other. Neighbors looked out for each other and respected one another.
People of God should be model citizens, caring for the poor, obeying the laws, living peaceably with their neighbors and praying for those in authority over us. When we are not, we give all Christians a black eye and give the 'world' reason to point the finger at us and say we are not any better than anyone else. Christians are called to be perfect. Most of us realize that this will not be attained this side of heaven, but that doesn't mean we stop trying. It is our calling to be obedient. Because God has chosen us, redeemed and saved us, we obey because we love Him. In somewhat the same way as a child who loves their parents, wants to please them and be obedient.
No matter how far the stock market falls, how many more stimulus packages are brought forth, how high our taxes go or who is in the White House, God is still in control. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases", Proverbs 21:1.
All this may just be me 'talking' in circles and my theology may not be completely accurate, but I guess what I'm trying to say, if only to myself, is that God is still in control of this world and I can trust him. He has not failed me and he is my real King. I should not despair.
God knows what He intends....The will of God must be done. Without effor, He molds all events into His chosen form. In the spheres of mind and matter, His dominion is absolute....God can bend the thoughts of people as easlily as we can turn on a water faucet.
Tested believer, the Lord will be as faithful to you as He has been to me. The Lord will not fail you. Do not be discouraged, "the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everrlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27). You will conquer. You will be delivered, and God will be glorified." from C.H. Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, Roy H. Clarke, Editor
My mind has been occupied on our country as of late. I am constantly wrestling with what is racing through my mind and what I know to be true in my heart.
Our country may have been founded on Christian principles, but the people have left these guiding values and have decided that God is no longer in charge, but man.
In 1Samuel 8, there is the story of the elders of Israel that came to the prophet Samuel and asked for a king. They wanted to be like all the other surrounding countries that had kings to lead them into battle. Samuel was not pleased with the idea and when he inquired of the LORD, God told him that it was not Samuel the people had rejected, but God. At God's instruction, Samuel warned the people that a king will take your children to serve him in battle and in his household. A king will take a tenth of your crops and flocks. The best of all the people had would go to the king and they would become his slaves. Samuel's final warning was that the day would come when the people would cry out for relief from the king they had chosen and God would not answer them. Of course, as we all know, the people didn't listen. In this account, God tells the people that the king will require a tenth of their flocks and crops. That is the tithe that was to belong to God. The king's demands parallel what Israel was to give to God. The people really did reject God and wanted a king. Though they didn't listen to the warnings, the kings really did burden the people in a way God never would.
In my heart, I know that my King is in Heaven, but my heart hurts to know what is being done to our country. Socialism and Marxism have been creeping in up to this point for quite a few years, but in the last few weeks, it has been coming at break-neck speed. People wanted a 'messiah', but just like the Israelites of old, we may be crying out to God because of his burdens. Burdens that the real Messiah has never placed on us.
I am just as guilty as anyone. Surely if we just elect the 'right' man everything will work out. But there is the rub. A man. To put so much trust in a man, who can be corrupted by interests of other countries as well as by men from within who look only for their own selfish gain and power.
While America has never been a theocracy, we have a system of checks and balances built into our representative republic that is based on Christian values. The Founding Fathers realized that men are basically flawed and corruptible. But along the way the system was overrun by those who were hungry for wealth and power. Our second President, John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." When we were a more moral and religious nation, that was part of the check and balance. God-fearing people are called to do what is right, even when no one is looking, because they answer to God, not just men. People were accountable to each other. Neighbors looked out for each other and respected one another.
People of God should be model citizens, caring for the poor, obeying the laws, living peaceably with their neighbors and praying for those in authority over us. When we are not, we give all Christians a black eye and give the 'world' reason to point the finger at us and say we are not any better than anyone else. Christians are called to be perfect. Most of us realize that this will not be attained this side of heaven, but that doesn't mean we stop trying. It is our calling to be obedient. Because God has chosen us, redeemed and saved us, we obey because we love Him. In somewhat the same way as a child who loves their parents, wants to please them and be obedient.
No matter how far the stock market falls, how many more stimulus packages are brought forth, how high our taxes go or who is in the White House, God is still in control. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases", Proverbs 21:1.
All this may just be me 'talking' in circles and my theology may not be completely accurate, but I guess what I'm trying to say, if only to myself, is that God is still in control of this world and I can trust him. He has not failed me and he is my real King. I should not despair.
God knows what He intends....The will of God must be done. Without effor, He molds all events into His chosen form. In the spheres of mind and matter, His dominion is absolute....God can bend the thoughts of people as easlily as we can turn on a water faucet.
Tested believer, the Lord will be as faithful to you as He has been to me. The Lord will not fail you. Do not be discouraged, "the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everrlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27). You will conquer. You will be delivered, and God will be glorified." from C.H. Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, Roy H. Clarke, Editor
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Blahhhh
I'm just not sure what the trouble is, but I'm just feeling down. Could be the weather...not much sun lately or knowing that it's getting colder or post-election crud. Maybe it's just that I'm fighting some virus.
So many of my church friends and family members are going through difficult times and that may weigh on me more than I think it really is...no matter how far off in my brain I try to store it.
While I know that God holds the future and that all things work together for good, I must not really know it, because I am fearful for our country and what that all means. As I listened to the radio last night, so many people called in to say how scared they are. I just never thought this type of thing would happen.
The government and media have lost my trust. And maybe that is just where God wants me...to trust in Him. Urghhh...I hate that I am 50 + and still don't think I have a handle on Christianity at all! The more I learn, the more I see I know nothing...that I still have so far to go; that God has so much more work to do with me...its like I'm a little kid or something.
I have bread rising (hopefully, it will work on this dreary day), and I should run the sweeper. I need to get back to quilting, too.
"Glorious and Holy God, Provocations against thy divine majesty have filled my whole life,
My offences have been countless and aggravated. Counscience has rebuked me, friends have admonished me, the examples of others have reproached me, thy rod has chastised me, thy kindnesses allured me.
Thou hast seen and abhorred all my sins and couldst easily and justly have punished me, yet thou hast spared me, been gracious unto me, given me thy help, invited me to thy table....
At the cross that relieves my conscience, let me learn lessons of self-denial, forgivenss and submission, feel motives to obedience, find resources for all needs of the diviine life. Then le me be what I profess, do as well as teach, live as well as hear religion.
~ Valley of Vision excerpts from A Neophyte's Devotion
So many of my church friends and family members are going through difficult times and that may weigh on me more than I think it really is...no matter how far off in my brain I try to store it.
While I know that God holds the future and that all things work together for good, I must not really know it, because I am fearful for our country and what that all means. As I listened to the radio last night, so many people called in to say how scared they are. I just never thought this type of thing would happen.
The government and media have lost my trust. And maybe that is just where God wants me...to trust in Him. Urghhh...I hate that I am 50 + and still don't think I have a handle on Christianity at all! The more I learn, the more I see I know nothing...that I still have so far to go; that God has so much more work to do with me...its like I'm a little kid or something.
I have bread rising (hopefully, it will work on this dreary day), and I should run the sweeper. I need to get back to quilting, too.
"Glorious and Holy God, Provocations against thy divine majesty have filled my whole life,
My offences have been countless and aggravated. Counscience has rebuked me, friends have admonished me, the examples of others have reproached me, thy rod has chastised me, thy kindnesses allured me.
Thou hast seen and abhorred all my sins and couldst easily and justly have punished me, yet thou hast spared me, been gracious unto me, given me thy help, invited me to thy table....
At the cross that relieves my conscience, let me learn lessons of self-denial, forgivenss and submission, feel motives to obedience, find resources for all needs of the diviine life. Then le me be what I profess, do as well as teach, live as well as hear religion.
~ Valley of Vision excerpts from A Neophyte's Devotion
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Is This November??
What a wonderful, relaxing day. Lunch in the sunshine, bedclothes on the line, did devos in the sunshine, sat with my neighbor, Betty, in the sunshine...it's 68 degrees, some windows are open and it is just glorious!
Right now, I'm waiting for cookies to come out of the oven and I'm hanging out with Mozart. We will have potatoes from the garden tonight, and I'll make some Apple Crisp.
Keith and I will go vote when he gets home from work. I expected to be anxious about the election today, but I only listened a bit to the talk shows. That probably helps. Only God knows what tomorrow will bring, but He is faithful and controls everything...I'm having trouble spelling soveriegn, OK, and this thing doesn't have spell check, that I know of :-).
In my devos today in Tabletalk, I read an article about the gospel in Africa. There are brothers and sisters in Christ suffering over there. Limbs being cut off, just because they preach the good news. Churches are being burned, yet the faithful return, time after time to rebuild. And the church is growing. The author, Dr. Peter Hammond, said this, " Bad times are good for spiritual work." If we are headed for rough economic and spiritual times, this is good to remember. The church grows stronger in tough times. I need to be among those who are tough. Usually, I'm the one who runs from confrontation. There is a lesson from our African church family. That, for me, at least, Christ needs to be most important, not what men can do to me or threaten. I have a great deal of "growing up" to do.
Enjoy another beautiful fall evening!
"I make this sad confession. When my soul is happy and things prosper, I do not live so near to God as I do in the midst of trials and depression. When the world's bread is sugared and buttered, we eat it until we become sick. then the world changes our diet, filling our mouths with vinegar and making our drink bitter. The world's wells are full of sweet but poisonous water. We pitch our tents at the mouth of the well and drink until we forget the well of Bethlehem. When earth's waters become bitter like Marah's stream (Ex 15:23), we turn away sick and faint. But this affliction brings us to our God, just as the barking dog drives the wandering sheep to the shepherd's hand." C.H. Spurgeon
Right now, I'm waiting for cookies to come out of the oven and I'm hanging out with Mozart. We will have potatoes from the garden tonight, and I'll make some Apple Crisp.
Keith and I will go vote when he gets home from work. I expected to be anxious about the election today, but I only listened a bit to the talk shows. That probably helps. Only God knows what tomorrow will bring, but He is faithful and controls everything...I'm having trouble spelling soveriegn, OK, and this thing doesn't have spell check, that I know of :-).
In my devos today in Tabletalk, I read an article about the gospel in Africa. There are brothers and sisters in Christ suffering over there. Limbs being cut off, just because they preach the good news. Churches are being burned, yet the faithful return, time after time to rebuild. And the church is growing. The author, Dr. Peter Hammond, said this, " Bad times are good for spiritual work." If we are headed for rough economic and spiritual times, this is good to remember. The church grows stronger in tough times. I need to be among those who are tough. Usually, I'm the one who runs from confrontation. There is a lesson from our African church family. That, for me, at least, Christ needs to be most important, not what men can do to me or threaten. I have a great deal of "growing up" to do.
Enjoy another beautiful fall evening!
"I make this sad confession. When my soul is happy and things prosper, I do not live so near to God as I do in the midst of trials and depression. When the world's bread is sugared and buttered, we eat it until we become sick. then the world changes our diet, filling our mouths with vinegar and making our drink bitter. The world's wells are full of sweet but poisonous water. We pitch our tents at the mouth of the well and drink until we forget the well of Bethlehem. When earth's waters become bitter like Marah's stream (Ex 15:23), we turn away sick and faint. But this affliction brings us to our God, just as the barking dog drives the wandering sheep to the shepherd's hand." C.H. Spurgeon
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