Grateful for Good Friday
Dogwoods and Lenten Roses — GREEN GARDEN THERAPY
Dogwoods and Lenten Roses — GREEN GARDEN THERAPY
Tag: nature
Hidden Potential…
As posted on Green Garden Therapy.com where you can find Lilka in the garden.
For the twenty years I’ve lived in my home, I assumed the trees in my backyard are some variety of maple based on the shape of the leaves and their brilliant fall color. Only recently did I realize that they are instead American sweetgum. This is rather amusing considering my yard is scattered with their brown spiny seedpods.
I noticed birds picking at the seedpods a few days ago. Apparently, they provide quite the buffet. That’s when I realized the seedpods were hanging from my maple imposters. All these years, I thought those brown balls were just wandering over from my neighbor’s yard.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I did a bit of research. First, I was perplexed when I found that you can purchase these same seedpods online. Pinterest has several uses for them. There is quite a demand for something I consider yard trash.
More importantly, I learned that the seeds found in these pods contain shikimic acid—one ingredient in the prescription antiviral Tamilfu. As a pharmacist, I find that fascinating. What I consider a nuisance is loaded with healing potential. The sap from this same tree is thought to have antiseptic and antifungal properties as well.
My newfound discovery makes me wonder what other things in life are right in front of me that I’ve underestimated and underappreciated. As creatures with our own prejudices, I think we often fail to see the hidden potential in things (and people) unless we are forced to. Some people readily see the positive in everything. Still, for most of us, it takes a bit of work.
Gardening has taught me that there is usually far more to everything than I can physically see. In these challenging times, let us seek to find the hidden potential in all of us.
Devotional prompt: The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous. Psalms 146:8 NKJV
Love…
The greatest of the commandments instruct us to love God and each other. The Bible defines love in many ways; however, love is never defined as is easy.
Love never fails. God never fails.
Love suffers long and is kind. God suffers long and is kind.
It is difficult to suffer long and be kind simultaneously. It can be trying to bear all things and always give those things required of love—generosity and sacrifice.
Love rejoices in truth. God rejoices in truth.
Love does not rejoice in iniquity. God does not rejoice in iniquity.
The truth about ourselves and the people we love is sometimes painful. Even ugly. We fall and we fail. Yet, God continues to love us, pick us up, and grant new mercies each day.
Love bears all things, such as a cross.
Love endures all things—even the crucifixion.
We can never replicate God’s love for us. Still, what if we allowed His Spirit to continually manifest even a fraction of that love in us?
Collectively, we could change the world.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV
God is love…
Omnipotent…
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
Psalm 24:1-2 NKJV
Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?
Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Proverbs 30:4-5 NKJV
Cast your cares.
The Creator of the multiverse is more than capable of handling your problems.
Let Him.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
“I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:2-4 NKJV
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all those men who are strong when we are weak, offer shelter from life’s storms, and pull us up when we fall down.
In memory of fathers who served and sacrificed, held thankless jobs without complaint and simply did the best that they could…
Thank you.
The Holly…
As a kid, one of my favorite Christmas carols was The Holly and the Ivy. I’m sure I had no idea how both related to Christmas back then. When I finally recognized and understood the words I was curious why this carol called the holly and the ivy. There is very little mention of the ivy!
Holly has roots deeply embedded into the pagan solstice celebration. Its evergreen qualities nod to a promise of better times to come and were absorbed by Christians. Holly and other evergreen plants later became part of traditional Christmas celebrations.
The consensus from various sources is that the white lily flower alludes to the purity of Jesus Christ. The red holly berry is symbolic of His blood. The prickle of the holly represents the crown of thorns our Savior wore. And finally the bitter bark may reference the drink offered to Christ upon crucifixion.
I’m grateful I can find God not only in His Word but in His world…
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown.
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour.
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good.
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown.
I pray we all seek more of Christ this Christmas Season as we give of ourselves and receive more of Him.
Be Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Closed for Renovations
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16
The passage of time, storms, and decay will take a toll on nearly every structure man can build. Even as temples of God, we are no different.
Fortunately a carpenter’s “son,” can take what we are and make us so much better. Jesus allows us the grace to be repaired and totally transformed. However, His transformation may dictate that we “close for renovations.”
Closed for renovations may require shutting away people who impart only negativity. Closing may entail loss of things near and dear to you such as habits and pleasures you squirm at the very thought of losing. Closing may require that you change your mind, thoughts and priorities. It may even require fixing what you watch and read.
If you can’t tolerate your present condition, God can renovate you!
God takes away addictions. God heals. God can grant you grace for the changes you seek.
He exchanges cracked foundations for solid footing. Whatever our need, God repairs or compensates for any deficiency. God can rebuild us so completely we don’t even recognize ourselves!
If we are willing to be transformed we must study God’s Word, and implement His teachings! Doing this imparts wisdom in us and glorifies Him. This submission to change requires determination and motivation.
It is often painful and messy.
It will take longer than expected and cost more than anticipated. You may find yourself in the very midst and wonder why you ever asked for “help” as everything in your life appears to get worse.
The guts of your temple get exposed and rearranged. Your comfortable insulation may be ripped away. But God also removes old floors of guilt and walls of shame. God can even make you energy-efficient!
It is only through God’s hand on us that we can resist the rain, withstand the floods, and endure harsh winds.
Are you tired of the same old thing? Are you ready for something new?
Answer His call.
Let Him do a good work in you and on you. Let Him rebuild you inside and out.
Dare to renovate and then celebrate the new thing God does in you!
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. “Matthew 7: 24-27 NKJV
How Do You View It?
perspective a) a specific point of view in understanding things or events b) the ability to see things in a true relationship, Webster’s Dictionary
The majority of the frustration and anxiety we face is not necessarily due to an “enemy attack.” The mental chaos we sometimes experience stems from failing to view things in the proper perspective.
Psalms teach us to “Magnify the Lord.” However, many Believers who magnify the Lord at church services obsess about and magnify their problems when challenges arise.
We sometimes fail to appreciate just how great our God is and His omnipotent power. Instead, we may talk (repeatedly) of our problems, struggles and daily aggravations.
If we would put the same effort into acknowledging the greatness of our God as we do reiterating our circumstances, we would realize how inconsequential most of our “problems” are in comparison to Him.
God is larger than your “situation” or whatever you are dealing with. You must have faith that what you can’t do, God can do for you!
When we continually moan, gripe and complain the only thing we do is enlarge our “thing” in our mind’s eye. Our negative words distort our vision. We can find faults where there are none and create major issues out of minor annoyances.
The wrong perspective is akin to viewing life in a carnival house of mirrors. What we see is distorted and warped, not at all reality.
The right perspective guides us away from poor decisions. The right perspective eliminates stress and allows us to live blessed. 
P is for perspective. Changing how you view it might just get you through it!
Goal Oriented!
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3 13-15 NKJV
Beauty for Ashes!
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified,” Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
Isaiah 61 is probably one of the most comforting chapters in the Bible. The very first verse begins with good news preaching “good tidings to the poor,” speaks of “heal the broken-hearted,” and proclaims “liberty to the captives.”
We have all at one time or another been in need of good tidings, healing or freedom from bondage. This chapter provides hope of change or rather an exchange of what we have for what our God is willing to give us instead.
God’s love for us allows us the opportunity to give Him those things that are painful and receive from Him beauty, joy and relief from oppression. These things He gives to us not only for our good, but that He may be glorified in the process.
We all suffer wounds along our way. We have losses and people we mourn. There are things we’ve held dear that have been reduced to nothing. We’ve all felt overcome by fear, doubts, and even the duties of daily life. But we don’t have to stay bound by any of this!
The cherry tree pictured below has been wounded. The gouge in the trunk was not created by nature. So great a wound could have killed it. Some of the things we experience can kill us too.
But God! This damaged tree yet blooms! And we can too! 
We can rise up and above our losses, regrets and missteps! God enables us through the anointing and blessing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus died for us that we may be freed from the pain and suffering sin brings. When we choose Him, He exchanges what we have for what can be.
Choosing God allows us to be planted and restored as His people; strong, beautiful and useful. We have a purpose to serve!
If you are feeling wounded, don’t give up! Instead, give yourself over to God. He can take what is left for dead and give new life! He restores us! He can even equip us to restore others! God can take our pitiful selves and through us to do the miraculous!
God’s blessings aren’t always “in your face.” His blessings often start small and grow. Like a seed, God’s blessings can evolve into more than we can even imagine. What is at first naked to the eye can develop into something so large there is no doubt God has caused it to thrive and prosper.
Isaiah preached of what was to come.
The God Isaiah spoke of is available to us now. Accessible. Ever present. Healer. Redeemer.
The key to receiving the beauty of God is having faith in not only what He has done but in what He can do for us. Now.
“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalms 90:17 NKJV
B Is for Blessed! 