Wow, has it ever been beautiful out of late. I've been feeling especially blessed because, not only do I have juvenile bluebirds from the first brood earlier in the Spring, but mama and papa bluebird are now working on brood #2. That's real excitement for me. I'm especially looking forward to when they finally discover the birdbath in the back and teach the juveniles how to bathe. Yesterday, a daddy cardinal was feeding his juveniles and they were geting baths for their first time.
Walking was nice this morning. Barry, who bares his teeth at us, the beagle was again a problem, but I don't let it ruin our walk. We just have to get by him and take a few minutes to catch our breath before continuing on our way. We have one less horse in the field across the street. Mark mentioned that he saw the horse trailor go by, so I'm not surprised to only have two to enjoy across the road.
Taffy looks rather ridiculous these days. She refused to quit licking her incisions as they healed. I only kept her wrapped for a week or so, and now she is on antibiotics to take care of infections. She also has a lovely E-collar as they call it, referring to an Elizabethean type collar. Others refer to it as a cone. So for the next week or so, Taffy will be my little conehead.
I'm still watching over my gardens and flower pots. Thankfully, not a lot of weeds, but I do need to get down around the zuchini, yellow squash and cucumbers and start some pulling. I discussed Jesus' parable of the weeds found in Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43 with my Bible study group at church. It's actually harder to understand than I first realized. Whereas, in the Parable of the Sower, Jesus is sowing the word of God, which is represented by the wheat. He explains what happens when we receive it. It is up to us to manage our heart and attitude upon recieving His word and allowing it to flourish, thereby eventually producing fruit and a harvest.
The Parable of the Sower also has Jesus sowing the good seed, but there is also an enemy sowing a bad seed, which grows up as weeds among the wheat. Rather than pull up the weeds, it is recommended that the weeds and wheat are allowed to grow side by side until the harvest. At that time, the weeds are picked, bundled and thrown into the fire and the wheat is then harvested and placed in the barn.
I was troubled in the explanation that the devil was planting seeds that became evil people, not to be redeemed. However, after discussions at church, I believe that the devil plants the seeds of sin in our hearts, as Jesus plants the seed of God's word. We can allow both to grow, but it is up to how we choose to live our lives as to which will flourish and be ready to be picked at the time of the harvest. I hope we all try to refuse to be tempted to nurture those seeds of sin in our lives. Allow yourself to simply care for the wonderful word of God that teaches us to love God, love one another and treat everyone as you'd want to be treated.
My hope is that you have the ears to hear what God is telling us. Verses 41-43 of Matthew says: "The Son of Man will send out his angels and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
I'm going outside to enjoy this beautiful time of year. The days are still getting longer and will continue that trend until the first day of summer actually arrives. You have a great day, stay safe and enjoy every minute of these nice long days. luv, Susan
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
GOOD DIRT
I just looked at the calendar and a song popped into my head. "It was the third of June another hot and humid summer day......I was out chopping cotton and my brother was baling hay...." is running through my head. Not sure if the words are correct or not, but I think it's Bobby Gentry's "Ode to Billy Joe". The last time I remember hearing it on the radio, the announcer actually noted her birthday by wishing him a happy birthday. Guess that means I'm getting old when things like that happens. Let me know the right words, if you know I've got it wrong, cause I know it doesn't sound quite right.
Anyway, it is hot and humid out there on this third of June. We got our walks in early enough to enjoy them and I have my clothesline filled with wet towels. Thank goodness for cool mornings and air conditioning. We again had our friend, the beagle at the top of the hill, but Riff and Roy are starting to figure out that all the barking and pulling only makes them exhausted, and I think the beagle is beginning to think the same. I sure hope so. I prefer nice quiet uneventful walks where I can enjoy the occasional deer wandering out into view.
This week I've been enjoying discussions Mark has had with some of our friends and neighbors. The big topic of discussion this time of year has been dirt. It actually sounds funny hearing them compare their dirt, how much they got, how they like it and how much they've paid for it. But, then as we've brought home several bags of
"good dirt" from the store for our vegetable garden and some of the potted plants, even I realize how important "good dirt" is for growing the flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables we all enjoy so much.
It's not surprising that Jesus used the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23 to teach his disciples about the word of God. Rather than discussing buying good dirt, Jesus chose to compare God's word to the seeds sown by the farmer and the outcome when the seeds failed to land in good soil. The seeds inadvertently landed on the garden path, where they were snatched by birds; on rocky soil, where they withered and died; and among weeds where they were choked out and died. Jesus further explains that man's attitude upon receiving the word of God can compare to each of these scenarios. When one hears the message and fails to understand it, Satan can simply snatch it away; when one hears the message and receives it, yet doesn't let it root, it withers and dies; and when one hears it, receives it, but lets the worries of everyday life and distractions of wealth prevent the further growth of the seed, it too, is choked out and dies.
Jesus makes it clear to his disciples that the seed that falls on good soil is the one that receives the nurturing and nourishment needed to see it to full growth and future fruition. When we make our attitude and heart welcoming to the word of God, we can be sure to grow spiritually and eventually bear the fruit that God intended of us.
I've been enjoying the purple petunia's and the blue hydrangea's that are, so far, surviving my limited gardening skills. Hopefully, the "good dirt" will help overcome my lack of a green thumb.
I hope your gardens and flowers are blooming and producing all that you have in mind for your summer season. I'll continue with the gardening tips next time when I share Jesus' story of the weeds. Take care, stay safe and have a great day, luv, Susan
Anyway, it is hot and humid out there on this third of June. We got our walks in early enough to enjoy them and I have my clothesline filled with wet towels. Thank goodness for cool mornings and air conditioning. We again had our friend, the beagle at the top of the hill, but Riff and Roy are starting to figure out that all the barking and pulling only makes them exhausted, and I think the beagle is beginning to think the same. I sure hope so. I prefer nice quiet uneventful walks where I can enjoy the occasional deer wandering out into view.
This week I've been enjoying discussions Mark has had with some of our friends and neighbors. The big topic of discussion this time of year has been dirt. It actually sounds funny hearing them compare their dirt, how much they got, how they like it and how much they've paid for it. But, then as we've brought home several bags of
"good dirt" from the store for our vegetable garden and some of the potted plants, even I realize how important "good dirt" is for growing the flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables we all enjoy so much.
It's not surprising that Jesus used the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23 to teach his disciples about the word of God. Rather than discussing buying good dirt, Jesus chose to compare God's word to the seeds sown by the farmer and the outcome when the seeds failed to land in good soil. The seeds inadvertently landed on the garden path, where they were snatched by birds; on rocky soil, where they withered and died; and among weeds where they were choked out and died. Jesus further explains that man's attitude upon receiving the word of God can compare to each of these scenarios. When one hears the message and fails to understand it, Satan can simply snatch it away; when one hears the message and receives it, yet doesn't let it root, it withers and dies; and when one hears it, receives it, but lets the worries of everyday life and distractions of wealth prevent the further growth of the seed, it too, is choked out and dies.
Jesus makes it clear to his disciples that the seed that falls on good soil is the one that receives the nurturing and nourishment needed to see it to full growth and future fruition. When we make our attitude and heart welcoming to the word of God, we can be sure to grow spiritually and eventually bear the fruit that God intended of us.
I've been enjoying the purple petunia's and the blue hydrangea's that are, so far, surviving my limited gardening skills. Hopefully, the "good dirt" will help overcome my lack of a green thumb.
I hope your gardens and flowers are blooming and producing all that you have in mind for your summer season. I'll continue with the gardening tips next time when I share Jesus' story of the weeds. Take care, stay safe and have a great day, luv, Susan
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