"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
This is a parable Jesus taught. What does it mean? What does it have to do with us?
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom of God and does not understand it, Satan comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. but since he has no root he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the woman who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the person who hears the word and understands it.That person produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
(From Matthew 13:3-9 and 18-23 with gender attributions by me)
What are we supposed to produce as the result of receiving God's word? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - these are called the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Sweet Peas
It's hard to think of spring flowers when it's late fall in California. It seems I've only just cleaned up the remains of the pumpkin vines when it's time to plant sweet peas. Forcing myself to visualize their vivid colors and deliciously sweet smell, I prepare the ground and sow the seeds. In the still warm earth, the seeds spout and within weeks the baby plants are 3 to 4 inches high. Then they seem to stall, waiting through the winter for spring. My gardening book says they need this long cool growing period to develop a strong root system. The approach of spring and longer days triggers the top growth and a few months later I have a profusion of fragrant, colorful blossoms, my reward for planning ahead.
There will always be times in our lives when we want instant results, and God says, "Wait." We move, leaving friends behind and it takes time to form new friendships. We are injured or ill and must wait for recovery. Our job is terminated and we wait for a response to our new application. We wait for school to be out and vacation to start.
It's been said, "While you're waiting for God to open a door, praise Him in the hallway." In God's eyes, it's not how long we wait, but how we wait. We want our outside circumstances to change, but God is producing strength and character on the inside.
Finally, the result of sowing in our own life, or in the life of someone else, appears. We see we are changed because or someone's sowing in our life, and we thank God.
"He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
There will always be times in our lives when we want instant results, and God says, "Wait." We move, leaving friends behind and it takes time to form new friendships. We are injured or ill and must wait for recovery. Our job is terminated and we wait for a response to our new application. We wait for school to be out and vacation to start.
It's been said, "While you're waiting for God to open a door, praise Him in the hallway." In God's eyes, it's not how long we wait, but how we wait. We want our outside circumstances to change, but God is producing strength and character on the inside.
Finally, the result of sowing in our own life, or in the life of someone else, appears. We see we are changed because or someone's sowing in our life, and we thank God.
"He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Fruit Trees
Wouldn't it be fun to enjoy fruit from your tree the first year it is planted? When we landscaped our large backyard in the Bay Area, we planted four bare root fruit trees: a cherry, a golden delicious apple, an almond, and a freestone peach. We anticipated great rewards, but the first season our cherry tree produced only three cherries, two for the blue jays and one for us. The other trees produced no fruit at all.
The second year seemed to be magical. We harvested our first delicious apples, our first almonds, and eight more cherries. But we had to wait until the third year for the peaches. Then we got the most luscious fruit we'd ever seen or tasted.
A "real" gardener will tell you the trees need to spend their first couple of years establishing roots before bearing fruit. Some even advocate pulling off the fruit for the first two years.
New Christians are like baby fruit trees. Sometimes spiritual fruit appears soon after a person becomes a believer, but more often, really mature fruit comes after time studying with the Lord Jesus in His Word. Even the apostle Paul spent three years learning what God had called him to do before beginning his ministry. (Galatians 1:17-18)
Maturity takes time, nourishment, and mentoring: time to experience and process, nourishment from studying God's Word, and mentoring by a pastor, fellow sojourner, or friend.
Where are you on your spiritual journey? Are you a new Christian? Welcome! Or are you ready to mentor someone else?
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
The second year seemed to be magical. We harvested our first delicious apples, our first almonds, and eight more cherries. But we had to wait until the third year for the peaches. Then we got the most luscious fruit we'd ever seen or tasted.
A "real" gardener will tell you the trees need to spend their first couple of years establishing roots before bearing fruit. Some even advocate pulling off the fruit for the first two years.
New Christians are like baby fruit trees. Sometimes spiritual fruit appears soon after a person becomes a believer, but more often, really mature fruit comes after time studying with the Lord Jesus in His Word. Even the apostle Paul spent three years learning what God had called him to do before beginning his ministry. (Galatians 1:17-18)
Maturity takes time, nourishment, and mentoring: time to experience and process, nourishment from studying God's Word, and mentoring by a pastor, fellow sojourner, or friend.
Where are you on your spiritual journey? Are you a new Christian? Welcome! Or are you ready to mentor someone else?
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Pruning, Disbudding, and Thinning
Pruning
When I prune my roses in January, I have to realize that when I'm finished, I will have only three or four canes sticking up and pointing in different directions. The pruning looks quite severe and indeed it is, but that's the way I get the biggest and most beautiful roses for the next season. A healthy plant is one that is constantly renewed, so I try to substitute new canes for old each year. Blooms are produced on new wood.
Disbudding
How disheartening to twist off all but one bud in a cluster of camellia buds. Wouldn't I get more color if I let them all mature and open? But by taking off all but one bud, I get larger blossoms, ones that look better in flower arrangements for my dinner table or for corsages. It's a choice I have as the gardener.
Thinning
Have you noticed that nearly every package of seeds tells you to sow the seeds and then when the plants are up a few inches, thin them to six inches apart? How can such a smart idea seem like such a waste? Look at spring poppies and lupine that cover the hills. God sows His seeds freely. But gardening experts are knowledgeable, and I'm still learning. Vegetables, especially, need their own space to produce extraordinary fruit.
As a busy person, I have found I need to exercise the same discipline I use in the garden when choosing activities for my day, week, or year. Perhaps you, too, have trouble saying "no" when you see needs all around that you know you could meet. How do you prune, disbud, or thin your activities so you can be the most productive and still have time to grow personally? Who else can fill those jobs?
Suppose God planned something for you, that only you can do? Find that, and give it your all.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
When I prune my roses in January, I have to realize that when I'm finished, I will have only three or four canes sticking up and pointing in different directions. The pruning looks quite severe and indeed it is, but that's the way I get the biggest and most beautiful roses for the next season. A healthy plant is one that is constantly renewed, so I try to substitute new canes for old each year. Blooms are produced on new wood.
Disbudding
How disheartening to twist off all but one bud in a cluster of camellia buds. Wouldn't I get more color if I let them all mature and open? But by taking off all but one bud, I get larger blossoms, ones that look better in flower arrangements for my dinner table or for corsages. It's a choice I have as the gardener.
Thinning
Have you noticed that nearly every package of seeds tells you to sow the seeds and then when the plants are up a few inches, thin them to six inches apart? How can such a smart idea seem like such a waste? Look at spring poppies and lupine that cover the hills. God sows His seeds freely. But gardening experts are knowledgeable, and I'm still learning. Vegetables, especially, need their own space to produce extraordinary fruit.
As a busy person, I have found I need to exercise the same discipline I use in the garden when choosing activities for my day, week, or year. Perhaps you, too, have trouble saying "no" when you see needs all around that you know you could meet. How do you prune, disbud, or thin your activities so you can be the most productive and still have time to grow personally? Who else can fill those jobs?
Suppose God planned something for you, that only you can do? Find that, and give it your all.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Easter, really?
I really don't like sarcasm as a means of humor. It seems, though, that I resort to sarcasm two times a year: Christmas and Easter. Easter has passed and I let it go for a week. But my goodness, how Easter has changed! You'd think the news that Someone had come out of the grave would be all-consuming. Jesus died, didn't He? A Roman soldier attested to His death by plunging a sword into Jesus' side as His limp body hung on the cross. His disciples validated His death, too, by taking His body down from the cross, wrapping it in cloths for burial, and then putting it into a tomb.
But Jesus had said He'd rise from the dead in three days. The prudent thing to do to prevent any such hoax would be to guard the entrance. So the Jews asked for a guard and the Romans sent a detachment of soldiers for a three-day stint, and placed a seal over the entrance.
But we know that after three days the seal was broken, the stone across the entrance was rolled back, and the tomb found to be empty except for the grave clothes. Hallelujah! What an exciting story. A mystery. How could it happen?
Now, hop with me from this awesome tale to a bunny that distributes eggs for children to find.
I don't hate the Easter Bunny. He's cute. But that's only half the story. Real decorated eggs aren't sufficient anymore. We have plastic eggs that open, so there must be someone to put something inside for the child to discover. The Easter Bunny, perhaps? These various-sized plastic eggs can be filled with jelly beans, peeps, candy kisses, or money. In our family, this year's top amount was a $20.00 bill.
For a child, how does that compare to Someone rising from the dead - Someone you can't see, play with, eat, or spend? My, what we've done to Easter.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
But Jesus had said He'd rise from the dead in three days. The prudent thing to do to prevent any such hoax would be to guard the entrance. So the Jews asked for a guard and the Romans sent a detachment of soldiers for a three-day stint, and placed a seal over the entrance.
But we know that after three days the seal was broken, the stone across the entrance was rolled back, and the tomb found to be empty except for the grave clothes. Hallelujah! What an exciting story. A mystery. How could it happen?
Now, hop with me from this awesome tale to a bunny that distributes eggs for children to find.
I don't hate the Easter Bunny. He's cute. But that's only half the story. Real decorated eggs aren't sufficient anymore. We have plastic eggs that open, so there must be someone to put something inside for the child to discover. The Easter Bunny, perhaps? These various-sized plastic eggs can be filled with jelly beans, peeps, candy kisses, or money. In our family, this year's top amount was a $20.00 bill.
For a child, how does that compare to Someone rising from the dead - Someone you can't see, play with, eat, or spend? My, what we've done to Easter.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
An Ornamental Shrub?
What joy can there be in untangling stickery berry vines in the fall, pruning thorny rose bushes on a midwinter's day or coaxing a less than abundant summer garden to grow? Even an avid gardener finds some drudgery in his usually enjoyable hobby. However, weary muscles, dry hands, and dirty fingernails are soon forgotten when he discovers God's truths clothed in nature's exhibits, along the path or among the rows.
Jesus taught His disciples many lessons using parables from earthly things. During the times when my hands are busy in potting mix or pulling weeds and my mind is free, He teaches me, too. Undoubtedly you've made similar discoveries -- some, perhaps, that have meaning only for you. Here is one just for me.
When we lived in the East Bay area of California, we planted two kinds of grapes: Concord and Thompson Seedless. Both grew well over the top of the fence and looked healthy; however, only one, the Concord, bore fruit and did so year after year. Each winter we faithfully pruned both grapes so they would produce fruit the following year, but one remained no more than an ornamental fence-cover. After several years, we finally took it out.
Jesus said,"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:1-2, 5)
Periodically I ask myself, "Am I one who bears fruit for the Father, or am I just an ornamental shrub?
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Jesus taught His disciples many lessons using parables from earthly things. During the times when my hands are busy in potting mix or pulling weeds and my mind is free, He teaches me, too. Undoubtedly you've made similar discoveries -- some, perhaps, that have meaning only for you. Here is one just for me.
When we lived in the East Bay area of California, we planted two kinds of grapes: Concord and Thompson Seedless. Both grew well over the top of the fence and looked healthy; however, only one, the Concord, bore fruit and did so year after year. Each winter we faithfully pruned both grapes so they would produce fruit the following year, but one remained no more than an ornamental fence-cover. After several years, we finally took it out.
Jesus said,"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:1-2, 5)
Periodically I ask myself, "Am I one who bears fruit for the Father, or am I just an ornamental shrub?
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Listening to God in my Garden
For Christmas last year my daughter and son-in-law gave me three raised garden beds. They sit atop legs that make them about waist high for me. No more hands and knees, but I can still tend a garden.
I've dug in the dirt since I was a kid. After the stress of a school day, my greatest relaxation was to make roads and villages by myself in the backyard dirt.
That grew into wanting to clean out my mom's iris beds and cut off the suckers around the roses, but not to pull out dandelions from the lawn.
When Bill and I married, we planted gardens wherever we lived. Working in the garden became "playing in the yard" again. My hands were engaged and my mind was free to listen to God teach me, like He did His disciples, from earthly things. My strawberry plants became analogies of the life He wanted me to live.
Healthy strawberries produce luscious berries in the summer. Then they send out runners that root down into the soil and become new strawberry plants. The beautiful delicious berries are like the fruit of the Spirit seen in a life devoted to Jesus - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The runners show me the reproduction of Christ's life in others as they watch believers live and bear testimony to Him.
I have never seen strawberry plants that don't evidence life in both ways, but notice the order: first come the ripe red berries, then the runners and new plants.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
I've dug in the dirt since I was a kid. After the stress of a school day, my greatest relaxation was to make roads and villages by myself in the backyard dirt.
That grew into wanting to clean out my mom's iris beds and cut off the suckers around the roses, but not to pull out dandelions from the lawn.
When Bill and I married, we planted gardens wherever we lived. Working in the garden became "playing in the yard" again. My hands were engaged and my mind was free to listen to God teach me, like He did His disciples, from earthly things. My strawberry plants became analogies of the life He wanted me to live.
Healthy strawberries produce luscious berries in the summer. Then they send out runners that root down into the soil and become new strawberry plants. The beautiful delicious berries are like the fruit of the Spirit seen in a life devoted to Jesus - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The runners show me the reproduction of Christ's life in others as they watch believers live and bear testimony to Him.
I have never seen strawberry plants that don't evidence life in both ways, but notice the order: first come the ripe red berries, then the runners and new plants.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
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