Sunday, June 29, 2014

Blindness; The Problem With Leadership





Who led Moses? God softened his heart.
Who led Pharoah? God hardened his heart.
Moses stood up to Pharoah. He was used of God to bring the Hebrews, (2.5 million people), out of bondage by signs and wonders!
The day after the blood of the sacrificial Lamb was applied over their doorposts, "They were brought out of Egypt with Silver and Gold and there were none feeble among them."
God went before them in a pillar of cloud and in a pillar of fire.
The presence of God dwelt among them.
Clearly it was God who led both Moses and the Hebrew children to Life . . .  Pharoah and the Egyptians to death in the Sea of Suf.

Yet, many of the Hebrew children, my ancestors, rebelled against the leadership of Moses. Moses' own sister questioned his authority. Then, there was the rebellion of Korah.

Who leads our leaders today; whether they are like Moses or Pharoah?
Blindness is a very prevalent problem in our history isn't it . . . Romans 8:28

Saturday, June 28, 2014

About Squirrels; "The Hiding Place"

'Piggy"
One of a my Squirrels, a big Ol' red one, is named 'Piggy.' Piggy likes Chocolate chip cookies. He doesn't like to share. He beats up on the smaller Squirrels and eats all the cookies! So I've always got to put some cookies in another place, so the other squirrels can get some.

I think us people are a lot like those Squirrels. Some of us are a bit like Piggy and the rest of us smaller Squirrels just need to start lookin in the 'Hiding Place,' for our cookies.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Stuck in Quicksand



If you or I were stuck up to our neck in quicksand and someone walked by, we wouldn't just look 'at' the passerby . . . we would look 'UNTO' him.
The difference being looking unto and not at someone, when you are in trouble or in need, is expectancy . . . You would look unto him for help.

" Looking UNTO Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12

Where Help Comes From




I'm not worthy of anything, but I am as worthy as anyone else; you are too!
What makes a man or woman worthy of God's Grace, (unmerited or unearned favor), anyway?
Well, his NEED of it does!  I know I need help, don't you?

'Therefore we can come BOLDLY before the Throne of GRACE where Yeshua, (Jesus), sits at the right hand of the Father, (God who lives in light so brilliant it can't be looked upon by human eyes. 'For in HIM there is no darkness at all),' to receive HELP in time of need." Hebrews 4: 14:16
 

If I, am ALL THAT, then the Messiah died and rose from the dead in vain . .
And that , my friends is why I walk the path to the THRONE of GRACE every day!
My tracks on the path are wearin it out.
My help and worth come from the Lord, where is yours coming from today?  :)

Thursday, June 26, 2014

The Way of Life




My move is finished. I have my new, (150 years old), home livable now. My garden is in. I'm starting to have some time to get back to things I had to leave for awhile.
Sometimes, it's difficult to wait for the next step in my journey, especially when I can't see what or where the next step is.

God knows the path I take.
Often in my life, I didn't know where the path would lead, or how long it would take me to walk it . . . until He revealed the way home for me.

In the mean time, I just needed to keep on trusting Him. He knows where I am today and he knows where He wants me to go tomorrow.

He always brings me through the fire and the flood out to a place of abundance; when I let Him do the driving, that is
I just need to make sure I don't miss the 'bus.' Then when I am on the bus I just got to rest in the passenger seat and enjoy the ride. He always get's me to my destination, when I trust Him to.

"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day."
Proverbs 4:18

This is what the Sovereign Lord, (Jesus)
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it."
Isaiah 30 :15


The Way, the Truth, and the Life said, "I have a plan for you for good and not for evil that you might have a future and a hope." What I got to be sure of is, that I am following His plan for my life, the Life He gave me. Not my plan and especially not someone else's.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

About Help



Famous Last Words . . .

Just as the rains began they all said, “No thanks Noah, we don't need any help.”

see Isaiah 30:15, 18 and Philippians 4:6-7 Think about it some :)


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

The Gift of Life



A Man, Jesus, who is the express image of God, once decided he was going to help me in every area of my life. In spite of my complaining, grumpiness, worry, and a mutiplicity of other shortcomings, He did just that!  He did it 2000 years ago!  He continues to do so today! What can I do but say thanks?!!
His grace, (unmerited favor), is always sufficient for us isn't it?

"Those who RECEIVE abundance of Grace and the GIFT of righteousness will rule and reign with Him in LIFE." That's in the Book, aint it?

His Grace isn't just for salvation, It is for Life. He is Life.  "Life gives Life to every thing He created." 
John 1:4 
Even though the fruit of Life is 'green' for awhile. it will ripen in due season. Quit worryin . . . it's about what Life did, not us.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Gettin Real





A friend of mine, who is of a certain ethnicity, and is for some reason not proud of his race, moved to a Polynesian island thinking others would consider him Polynesian.

I wonder if we don't often, in some ways, make the same mistake.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."  1 Timothy 1:15

Friday, June 20, 2014

A Snapdragon Named Lazarus

Liberty Lavender Snapdragon


Recently, I was visiting with a friend who I had made flower beds for and planted with a variety of ornamentals and veges.

There was a little purple Snapdragon that looked to be dead.  Leaves were all wilted and crumbly.
My friend was preparing to pull it out of the ground.

She commented there was no hope for the plant.  She said, "I've seen this many times, I know it's dead.

I said, "Lets try something before you pull the plant up."

My friend said with conviction, "There's nothing that can be done."

I had read that morning in John 1:4, "He gives life to everything He created."  Now, I'm pretty simple in my faith and believe that when His word makes a promise well, I choose to believe it!  :)

So, I said to my friend, "Lets speak words of Life to the little plant."  She laughed and kinda made fun of me, but she agreed.  I told Abba what we needed and thanked him for it.  see Philippians 4:6-7.  Then I said "You shall live and not die and you shall proclaim the Glory of the Lord."  What proclaims the Glory of the Lord better then a beautiful flower!  Jesus created flowers for that purpose

Three days later, my friend called and said, "Come and look at my Snapdragon!"
I could tell she was excited!

When I got there, to look at the plant, three new shoots with many leaves had sprouted up and there were three new blossoms!

We now call the little Snapdragon "Lazarus."  :)

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Tomato cages and Texas Toast Tomato Sandwiches

Cory Tenboom said, "A broom will not stand by itself, but will fall, unless it is leaned up against a wall."
In the same way, the fruit of the Tomato plant will rot if not supported and then lays on the ground.
It is the Holy Spirit who supports us and enables us to stand.  I think we become more fruitful when we let Him support us . . . Don't you?
Tomato Cages

Folding Wooden Tomato Cages

These tall, wooden tomato cages add a beautiful vertical accent to your garden and are strong enough to support a bumper tomato crop. They also work well with other vining crops. To construct a cage, build two tomato “ladders,” with three rungs and a brace to stabilize the sides against strong winds. Connect the two ladders at the top with a piece of scrap wood, which you can easily remove to fold the ladders for storage at the end of the season.
Supplies: Six 1-by-3-inch wooden pieces measuring about 8 feet long One 8-inch 2-by-4 Two 3-inch deck screws About 30 1 1⁄2-inch galvanized deck screws 
Estimated cost: about $20 per cage (less if you use recycled materials , or maybe saplings)

Just about everything needs a little support now and then. Even me. :)
You’ll enjoy a bigger tomato harvest if you use stakes or tomato cages to help your plants grow vertically, saving space in the garden while keeping fruits off the ground, preventing rot.





Texas Toast Tomato Sandwiches



Ingredients

    1 (9.5-oz.) package five-cheese Texas toast
    2 pounds assorted heirloom tomatoes
    1/4 cup bottled blue cheese vinaigrette
    6 tablespoons torn fresh basil
    Salt and pepper
    Garnishes: crumbled blue cheese, fresh basil leaves

Preparation

1. Prepare Texas toast according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, halve larger tomatoes and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices; halve or quarter smaller tomatoes. Gently toss tomatoes with vinaigrette, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately over hot Texas toast. Garnish, if desired.
Note: We tested with Pepperidge Farm Five Cheese Texas Toast.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Strawberry and Jalapeno Jam



Well my strawberries are starting to get some fruit on em!  In light a that, thought I'd share this little look toward the future with a recipe, from Mother Earth . . . .  Enjoy!!  :)





If you’ve ever made jam or jelly at home, you know most recipes require more sugar than fruit — oftentimes 4 to 7 cups! — causing many people to look for other ways to preserve more naturally and with less sugar. Pomona’s Pectin is the answer to this canning conundrum. The following Strawberry-Jalapeño Jam Recipe was created by Pomona’s jam maker, Carey Nash.
For more Pomona’s Pectin recipes, you can purchase Preserving with Pomona’s Pectin from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store.
This Strawberry-Jalapeño Jam Recipe is a low-sugar jam made with Pomona’s Pectin. Pomona's Pectin contains no sugar or preservatives and jells reliably with low amounts of any sweetener.

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 cups chopped strawberries (about 1 pint)
  • 1 cup chopped sweet red peppers (about 3/4 lb or 3 medium bells)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped jalapeños, depending on how hot you like it (about 12-15 small peppers)
  • 1-1/2 cups lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons calcium water
  • 2 teaspoons Pomona’s Pectin powder

Instructions:

1. Prepare calcium water by combining 1/2 teaspoon calcium powder (in the small packet in your box of Pomona's pectin) with 1/2 cup water in a small, clear jar with a lid. Shake well.
2. Extra calcium water should be stored in the refrigerator for future use.
3. Wash jars, lids, and bands. Place jars in canner, fill canner 2/3 full with water, bring to a boil. Turn off heat, cover, and keep jars in hot canner water until ready to use. Place lids in water in a small saucepan; cover and heat to a low boil. Turn off heat and keep lids in hot water until ready to use.
4. While you prepare your jars, wash, finely chop, and measure the strawberries and the peppers. Remove stems, seeds, and white membranes from the peppers before chopping. Use latex gloves when handling the jalapeños. (I used a food processor to chop the peppers and berries so the measurements listed are exact.)
5. Put measured berries and peppers in the pot along with the lemon juice and vinegar. Slowly bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer covered for 5 minutes.
6. In a separate bowl, thoroughly stir pectin powder into sugar and set aside.
7. After simmering for the 5 minutes, add the calcium water to the jam pot and stir well. Bring the jam to a good boil, then stir in the sugar-pectin mix.
8. Stir vigorously for 1 minute then boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
9. Fill hot jars to 1/4” of top. Wipe rims clean. Screw on 2-piece lids. Put filled jars in boiling water to cover. Boil 10 minutes (add 1 minute more for every 1,000 ft. above sea level). Remove from water. Let jars cool. Check seals; lids should be sucked down. Eat within 1 year. Lasts 3 weeks once opened.



Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with cream cheese and crackers.

  • Spoon onto grilled chicken or shrimp.

  • Try it on a taco.

  • Toss onto steamed vegetables.

  • Mix a dollop into your fruit salad.

  • Eat with a spoon directly from the jar.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Life's most Important Questions

Job said, after being assailed by his religious friends, whom he called 'miserable comforters.'  "I need someone to mediate between God and me as a person mediates between friends."  Job was speaking prophetically of the Messiah who is now our Great High Priest, who now mediates between man and God.

A mediator speaks on the behalf of another and settles the differences between them by a covenant which is legally  binding FOREVER between the parties mediated.



Some questions:

If we reject the Mediator, can anything be mediated?
If we reject Life, what is left?
If we reject the Way, can we ever arrive?
If we reject Truth, isn't all that's left just a lie?

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no man can come to the Father except by me"

I wonder if we need to ask and answer those questions today . . . . I think those questions  need to be answered by the mediator and not trusted to any man to answer for us.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Kvetching - Complaining

'Kvetching is Hebrew for complainingg or griping . . .


Moses was not simply kvetching, but expressing legitimate despair.  God heard his cry.

In response, He put the spirit of Moses on 70 elders to ease the burden of leadership.



An Ethiopian Israeli woman plays a djembe, a goblet-shaped drum
originally from West Africa.

As if the sin of thousands of Israelites complaining were not enough to bear, his brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, publicly criticized Moses for marrying a Cushite, (Ethiopian), woman.  They became envious of his status with God as a prophet and leader.

After all, God gave Miriam and Aaron His Spirit to prophecy as well—but not as much or in the same way as He gave to Moses.

A prophet should know better than to envy another prophet.

God asked Miriam and Aaron, “Were you not afraid to speak against My servant, Moses?”  (Numbers 12:8)

After seeing thousands of Israelite's struck dead from their complaining, they should have been very afraid, but they weren’t.

As a consequence of their verbal attack against Moses, Miriam was struck with leprosy.  (Numbers 12:10)

Leprosy is a punishment for the sin of Lashon Hara, literally, evil tongue.  It is the use of truth,  for a wrongful purpose; i.e., to lower another persons status in the eyes of God and people while seemingly elevating our own in the eyes of people.

The truth is never to be used as a weapon of hate or envy.  While we are to be speakers of the truth, we are to do so with love.

"Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become, in every respect, the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Messiah."  (Ephesians 4:15)

Friday, June 6, 2014

Pentecost or Shavout; The festival of Weeks or First Fruits

 
 
 
Shavuot: The Giving of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit)
 
This ancient Biblical festival is particularly relevant to New Covenant followers of Yeshua (Jesus).
 
On this very day, the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) came upon Yeshua's talmidim (disciples) who had been studying all night in the Upper Room.  They were waiting according to His final instructions.  That outpouring came around 9 a.m. during the morning sacrifices.
 
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit....  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:48)
 
What an awesome event in Biblical history!
 
On Shavuot, the disciples of Yeshua received power from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to be His witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth!
 
“When the day of Shavuot came...  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  (Acts 2:1, 2–4)
 
 

Pentecost, by Jean II Restout
 
Shavuot has significance for all followers of Yeshua, both native born and those “wild branches” grafted into the natural olive tree.
 
Today, therefore, Messianic Believers in Yeshua are gathering throughout Israel for outdoor picnics where they will worship the Lord and bring their first fruit gifts and offerings.
 
Without Shavuot, we would not have the power to witness for Yeshua about the Good News of salvation for all people. 
 
Witnessing to the lost about Yeshua does not come from our own might or power, but by the Ruach HaKodesh that came at Shavuot (Pentecost).
 
 

Children dance on Shavuot in Israel.
 
 
Shavuot:  Being Empowered to Live a Holy Life
 
Shavuot is about giving, because God is, by nature, a giver.
 
God gave two of His most priceless gifts on this day:  the Torah (His Word) and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
 
This holiday emphasizes our need for both Truth and the Spirit of God who empowers us to live holy lives.
 
The Torah is the Word of Truth that reveals what a holy life looks like, but it is the Ruach that gives us the grace to live out that truth in our daily lives.
 
The Ruach would not have been poured out, however, if Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) had not come.  He is the most precious gift that God gave—eternal salvation through Yeshua HaMashiach.
 
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)

Thursday, June 5, 2014

'I Came to Give you Life and That More Abundantly'


"Yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance!"
Psalms 66:12

There is a fence next to where my Tomatoes are growing.  The birds are always welcome in my garden but they don't know it; so they perch on the fence for a bit and carefully survey the field for sometime before they commit to landing there to search for food.  They are fearful I guess.
Eventually, they decide to get off the fence . . . .  :)

"You take care of the earth and water it,
    making it rich and fertile.
The river of God has plenty of water;
    it provides a bountiful harvest of grain,
    for you have ordered it so.
You drench the plowed ground with rain,
    melting the clods and leveling the ridges.
You soften the earth with showers
    and bless its abundant crops.
 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
    even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
 The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture,
    and the hillsides blossom with joy.
 The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
    and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
    They all shout and sing for joy!"
 Psalms 65:7-13

"So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help."
Isaiah 30:18 

Jesus said, "Consider the Lillies of the field, they don't toil or struggle they just let Him make Life beautiful, they soak up His goodness and reflect it back to us . . . Maybe that's how we should live . . .

Tuesday, June 3, 2014



Hummingbird

Yesterday, while taking a break from garden chores, I visited a bit with a friend who lamented the Hummingbird feeder she had put out a few weeks ago had gone unvisited by even a single bird.
I suggested she ask Jesus to send her one.

She laughed, but agreed to ask him.  She made a little request right then and there.
She simply said, "Jesus, send me one Hummingbird today."

Long story short, about and hour later, one little green Hummingbird showed up at her feeder!

"Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand."
Philippians 4:6




Sunday, June 1, 2014

Just some Food from My Garden . . .







Purdyville Spinach Salad
24 cups washed, spun-dry, coarsely chopped (or torn) spinach
2 pounds thick-sliced bacon–fried, drained and crumbled
6 ounces mushrooms–sliced
12 hard boiled eggs–peeled or chopped
Wash spinach, spin dry, place in refrigerator to chill. Fry bacon until a combination of chewy and crunchy is achieved (about 10 minutes of medium-slow cooking). While bacon is cooking, clean mushrooms and thinly slice. Drain bacon on paper toweling and then crumble. Chop spinach into coarse pieces and toss spinach, bacon and mushrooms together. Top with chopped egg and serve with a sprinkle of paprika if you’re feeling fancy. Makes enough to serve 12.
That’s the basic idea, and each person adds the dressing of their choice. But last night was short notice for spinach salad, so I used only one pound of bacon and skipped the mushrooms (not sure who likes them besides me, anyway) and I threw in some sliced green onions because I needed to use them up. Feeds 12
Kathy Purdy from www.coldseasongardening.com

 A little food for the Spirit  .  .  .
In the end, this may be the most important thing about frost: Frost slows us down. In spring, it tempers our eagerness. In fall, it brings closure and rest. In our gotta-go world–where every nanosecond seems to count–slowness can be a great gift. So rather than see Jack Frost as an adversary, you could choose to greet him as a friend.
~Philip Harnden




God told Isaiah 2 curious things . . . .

"I give the Farmer wisdom and I bless all the works of the farmers hands . . . ."

Paul said it this way in Philippians 2:13 . . . . "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his own pleasure.

Farmers cultivate ground, develop planting mediums, plant and germinate seed, care for, water, and prune their plantings. Then at just the right time, they harvest . . . But it is God who gives the "increase."

"I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow."
1 Corinthians 3:16

Who should the Farmer trust in, his knowledge and effort or God's ability and promises?
Who or what we trust in is the most important decision we will ever make. 
He promises to bless 'ALL' the work of our hands .  .  . if we don't do any work with our hands God has nothing to bless. As we do the work, we just . . . Trust.  Jesus called it rest.

Jesus gave us, access to the Father, and the right to be blessed . . . Go get some!  :)