Today is Memorial Day and a day for remembrance of America’s fallen patriots who have ensured ongoing liberty. For many gardeners, though, it has also become a border crossing saying “Goodbye Spring” and “Hello Summer!” Among the Spring Goodbyes are a farewell to tulips and daffodils. The blossoms of many of these—except the latest season […]
Part of our BE-ing (that extends far beyond our doing) is that we were Created to BE Blessed. I don’t know about you, but I don’t wake up every day thinking that God is looking to bless me from the moment the sun rises until the sun rises the following day. I’m too busy? Too […]
There are few passages of Scripture that point out God’s vision for Community better than the story of the Good Samaritan. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do […]
There are ants on my peonies,” she said to me. “I’ve heard that peonies need ants for the buds to open. Is that true?” When I worked at Home Depot, I could guarantee this query at least a dozen times each weekend that the peonies were in bloom. Gardening has its share of pieces of […]
Isn’t it interesting that God said it wasn’t good for the man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) so He made woman? God was there with Adam, yes? Adam wasn’t truly alone in one sense, but very much alone in a human companionship and community way. God created us to be in community. This was brought […]
Every house in which I’ve lived has had its garden problems: too much shade, too much moisture, too much sun, too much heat. The key to overcoming these garden problems is plant selection. Just as every one of us has unique personal tastes, every plant has conditions that promote its best growth, conditions it will […]
Isn’t it wonderful that when God set out to create human beings, that He made us each to be individuals? No cookie cutter, mass-produced, dime-a-dozen clones. Each one of us is handcrafted. Beyond that, each of us is handcrafted for a purpose. And while we are each gifted with personalities, talents, and abilities to do […]
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26 When God created us, He created us […]
Every year at this time, I get asked, “Where do you buy your plants?” My answer reveals much about what I think of God’s first Commission for man. We were Created to BE Stewards. Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath […]
As I’ve pondered the American reaction to the death of Osama Bin Laden, I’ve been trying to decide what word would characterize my reaction. Rejoicing isn’t right. Happy isn’t right. Celebrating isn’t right. Glad. Gratified. Grateful…none of these are exactly what pinpoints what the reaction ought to be because of this: Like it or not, […]
