a horticultural tale by Tara Banks

(Grab a cup of coffee… it’s quite a read… but it just might be worth it.)

Anyone that is around me long knows of my deep connection and passion for the Hawaiian islands. Eight years ago on a visit, in an effort to bring aloha back with me, I brought home two very small thick green sticks and with great hope plunked them in two huge pots to watch them grow. For several YEARS they did absolutely nothing. Just two thick green sticks in the ground. I was faithful to water, bring the pots inside when it got cold, make sure they had sun… basically, baby them. Finally, about four years ago, (no, I’m not joking) they actually started to look like plants and these sticks began shooting out leaves and ultimately plumeria flowers.

If you’ve ever been to Hawaii – it’s THE smell of the islands. When you get off the plane and walk through the open-air airport – it’s the aroma that’s in the air all the time. The only way I can describe it is like a little whiff of Heaven. It MUST be the literal fragrance of Christ, I’m convinced. (Ok – do not send me emails… just let me take my own creative liberty and enjoy this moment as I type.)

Back to the point – my precious plumerias have become part of the Banks family. They now have become so large that in order to keep them healthy, we actually sink the pots in the ground during the spring and summer right by the front door. They love the sun and I love the fragrance as I pass by. It reminds me of home – Hawaii and Heaven.

This spring, I noticed there were fewer leaves, then no leaves as they all began to fall off! My heart broke as I searched the internet for information about what was happening to my trees. Then I read it: “Black Tip Fungus”. The DEATH of plumerias!! I frantically began to spray them with everything prescribed and do all I could to save these plants. As a last resort, and on the advice of a plumeria specialist (yes, there are such people), I took a very sharp knife to my precious trees and cut off each limb, systematically, making sure the blade was wiped clean at each cut. I cut off all the remaining brown leaves. I cut off the ends of every stem. I cut each branch until white sap ran from the deep scars. The black tip fungus was, in essence, gone, but so were my beautiful plumerias.

I essentially, at that point, looked at my stubby, leafless trees and said, “You’ve been wonderful – thank you for the joy you’ve brought to my life… goodbye.” I thought, for sure, there was no hope. Nothing beautiful could ever come from them again. I left them in the ground, in their pots, to die.

Fast forward two weeks… I stared in amazement as fresh, green bumps began to appear where the deep seeping black scars ended on each stem. Go forward two more weeks… more amazement. Tiny, tiny leaves. Two more weeks…. lots of leaves, and as if by sheer “you aren’t going to take me” kind of iron will – branches forming from each cut to enable more leaves, more branches….growth. The plumerias not only are BACK but in just a few days are ready to bloom again. Fuller, more vibrant, stronger even… despite the terrible wounds. Better than they ever were. Miraculously, life had returned to these plants.

What’s the point to this horticultural tale? (Yes, there is one.) As I was walking by the plants a few days ago, the Lord spoke to me and said, “How many people have you written off when they were in a season of pruning… when they looked too ugly in their sin or situation? Aren’t you glad I didn’t write you off?” OUCH. And then the parallels and started flooding my mind: The deep wounds that had to be inflicted to the plant in order to make it bloom again…. the deep purposeful wounds of Christ’s pruning tool of discipline or trial in order to make all things new. Me, leaving the plants to die just like I’ve been guilty of leaving friends in their struggles rather than getting in there and helping them sort through them on their way back to the Cross. Then He began to remind me of times I’d been deeply wounded for “pruning” sake: when areas of my life weren’t growing the way He wanted and He had to take them out, or, when I resisted in obedience and had to learn the hard way. He reminded me how those situations or seasons or years brought me to a place that was so much more beautiful than the previous place I had been and how even during those times when I felt lost, without hope, ugly, broken, and like I would never bloom again – I did.

Can you see? It’s the terrible, hope threatening, severe wounds in our very lives that produce the kind of growth He’s after. Does He enjoy the pruning process? I don’t think so, no more than I enjoyed it… but I do believe that he knows the necessity and looks on it with love – a love that sees the fabric of our lives in a way that only He can and what needs to be weaved in. A love that looks at what we truly are and what we can be, not who we’ve settled for and allowed ourselves to become. A love that looks down from the Cross and says – I’m willing to take these wounds, to die, and to be “written off” by the world in order that you might bloom in My abundance. (I’m sure you’re following along and making all the connections as well.) So listen to Him as He says, “Behold, I make all things new.” and believe Him for it. Oh how He loves us. Oh how he longs to show us Himself in all He’s made. He’s in it all – just breathe it in and if need be, wait for your cuts to heal…. it’s amazing what happens when He shows up and turns “nothing beautiful will ever come from this” into “something beautiful is coming, indeed.”

The following is a timely reminder from our friend ‘Pastor Joe’ – with summer approaching and a ‘vacation’ mindset in place, it’s easy to slip away from our daily devotional time and spiritual feeding. As a Mom we can fall back on, the ‘kids’ take up so much of my time. Well, how about including the kids! Find an age appropriate bible study or using one of Joe’s suggestions below, read from the book of Proverbs during the summer. If your children have been struggling with a particular character issue this past year or you know that the next school year is going to present some new challenges for your children, find scripture that applies to the situation so your children can see and learn God’s perspective. Use the ‘extra’ time provided during the summer to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Think everyone would agree that we’re glad God never takes a ‘vacation’ from caring for us, so no matter the season, as parents the example we are setting in demonstrating our continual dependence on God and the importance of building our relationship with Him – will provide healthy fruit. With Blessings! Anne Marie

It is hard to believe the incredible weather that we are enjoying right now in the Pacific Northwest. The last ten days or so remind me of the fabulous weather we usually get in August. The hot spell means that we need to be more vigilant watering our lawns, gardens and plants. It is time to water!

Thinking of the blessing of the weather from the past few days I was reminded of the spiritual danger that often accompanies God’s blessing in our lives. The danger of what happens when we fail to spiritually water our lives with God’s truth. In Proverbs, Solomon, the wisest guy that has ever lived passes on some essential instructions to his son. He encourages him to be careful to water his spiritual life. He does this by the personification of wisdom. “Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:” Proverbs 1:20-21 In doing so he encourage his son not to neglect his spiritual life!

I want to share with you four insights that illustrate your need to water your spiritual life. The first danger is that there is always something else to do. Watering the lawn on a regular basis takes time, and it seem like there are always more important things to do. It is easy to rationalize “I will do it tomorrow.” Wisdom cries out ““How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?” Proverbs 1:22 Wisdom’s challenge to us is “Why would you neglect what is right?” It has been said that “we often sacrifice the best on the alter of the urgent.” Or as another saw says, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.”

That leads to a second insight. When the grass turns brown it is too late to start watering. Yes, your lawn can be saved at that point but it takes a tremendous invest to reverse the damage done. The same is true in our spiritual lives. All too often we try to get “wisdom” when it is too late. Listen to lady Wisdom’s words about consequences. “If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.” Proverbs 1:23 She then goes on to mock the foolish, “since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—” Proverbs 1:25-26

Something else happens as the summer heat sucks the vitality our of your lawn… the weeds take over. The greatest danger in your spiritual life, just like your lawn, is a lack of health. The neglect of days past eventually takes its toll and that brings us to our last insight.

The outcome of neglect is certain death to our lawns, plants, gardens, spiritual lives and relationships. Psalm 1 which might possibly have been written by Solomon as an introduction to his father David’s psalms reminds us that the godly person” is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:3 NIV

Let me offer some practical suggestions on how you can water your spiritual life this summer. Read a chapter of Proverbs each day of the month. Better yet, get the Bible on cd/dvd/mp3 to listen to while traveling. Read a book on Christian Living this summer. Audio books also work great for trips. Make it a point to attend church each Sunday this summer when home and away. It’s time to water!  Pastor Joe Parkinson

What are you celebrating this Memorial Day weekend? I am sure that you will be celebrating a three day weekend. You will probably be celebrating the coming of summer (at least those of us in the Northwest.) What I am wondering, is when I mention Memorial Day do you think of the purpose for this holiday?

Memorial Day, formerly called Decoration Day, dates back to May 30, 1868 when it was enacted to honor Union soldiers that died in the Civil War. The 30th of May was set aside as a time to visit and decorate the grave to honor those that had fallen. “Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at National Cemeteries. Many Americans also use Memorial Day to honor other family members who have died.” (www.wikipedia.com, Memorial Day)

It was after World War I that the commemoration was expanded to include all fallen soldiers from any war or military action. The alternative name, Memorial Day, was first used in 1882 and would be more commonly used after World War II. It became the official name by Federal Law in 1967. The Uniform Holiday Bill passed on June 28, 1968 moved Memorial Day (President’s Day and Veterans Day) to a fixed Monday to allow for a three day weekend. Memorial Day has been celebrated on the last Monday of May since the law took effect in 1971.

As we consider the significance of Memorial Day (and several other National Holidays) for the follower of Jesus, it is hard to find a Biblical parallel; however, the Scripture do have much to say about “remembering” the past. In each of the passages that come to mind, we are called to remember God’s provision and deliverance (Deuteronomy 8 and Psalm 106), and even the leaders who have modeled a Godly life (Hebrews 13:7). We also know that all of the Old Testament Feasts served as a reminder of Jehovah’s provision in the past while pointing to a future fulfillment in the coming Messiah. Even the New Testament celebration of the Lord ’s Table (based on the Passover feast) remembers the work of Christ on the Cross while looking forward to His return (1 Corinthians 11:26). And in the seventh verse of Romans 13 the Bible also speaks of the importance for you as a follower of Christ to participate in holidays like Memorial and Veteran days. “”Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Romans 13:7 ESV

The purpose for this three day weekend is not to celebrate the beginning of summer, or even a time to get away, but to remember those whom have given their lives for our great country. You can honor those whom have given their lives by offering a prayer of thanks at one of your family meal times. It would be appropriate to send an email to a military widow(er), or parent, thanking them for the sacrifice of their spouse/ child. It would be even better to take a family field trip Monday to visit a local veterans’ cemetery. Memorial Day is a time to remember those that have given their lives for our country. Pastor Joe

Anne Marie Ezzo writes: “As believers we should reflect on the event of Easter everyday, not just once a year. It is because He is the risen Christ and is alive that we have life. Once again Denise shares with us thoughts to ponder and As God pleases, dispose the day….”

“Psychics are busy trying to give people hope with a glimpse of the future,

while Christians who have hope live as this world was all there is.”

In Jude 1:3 believers are called to “contend earnestly for the faith’. The word “contend” in this statement is an athletic term, which comes from the root word “agonize”. It is a picture of a devoted athlete stretching every nerve and muscle to win. It reminds me of Paul’s letter to the Philippians where he says “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). The apostle Paul uses athletic metaphors often when talking about the believers walk. As believers we aren’t to meander haphazardly to the finish line but we are to “press”, to buffet our bodies, not looking to the left or right, but striving for the goal. Paul always emphasizes the goal.

As believers, when we look around at our church locally and nationally, we don’t see a lot of “athletic Christians”. More often you see an exhausted saint spinning in circles on the middle of life’s race track. In fact from their perspective the race track is more of a convoluted maze with no means to find the end. They are so focused on where they are at that moment that they have lost sight of the goal. The goal scriptures mention is the glory of Christ’s return. “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). Our citizenship is in heaven and we should eagerly wait for Christ’s return (Philippians 3:20). There are actually more references to Christ’s second return than there were to his first coming in scripture. Why? Because, the ability to run the race successfully is determined by our focus. In the end we want to say as Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8).

How would the lives of today’s saints look like if they “loved His appearing”? If believers focused on the glory of eternity, instead of their few years on this sin marred earth, then they would live with eternal purpose. Each generation of believers carries the responsibility of Christianity. St. Augustine stated this centuries ago, when he argued against the monastic movement, saying if believers locked themselves away, that there would be no light to the lost and thus Christianity would die out in one generation.

If eternity was the focus of Christians, then as parents, they would not just struggle like crisis managers, merely trying to survive each new phase (troublesome twos, rebellious teens…), but would see that they were training and equipping those who would replace them in the furtherance of the gospel. They would understand that they were passing the baton for the survival of Christianity. They would see the necessity of teaching their children how to do quiet times, and study the Bible and how to handle life situations Biblically and live righteously. Parents today seem more concerned with their children’s safety, comfort and happiness than their character and holiness.

If believers lived in the expectation of Christ’s return, they would be less likely to hang on to sin, thinking they had plenty of time to repent later. The urgencies of today would lose importance in the realities of eternity. People would become more important than self and things. The wealth and acquisition of goods they spend so much time stockpiling would take their correct importance as the transitory things that they are, which will only become the possession of another person, or line the walls of some Salvation Army store after they are gone. They would be more concerned with the preciousness of others, knowing their opportunity to show them Christ is short. There isn’t any aspect of our life that would not be altered if we saw our daily life through the eyes of a bride on her wedding day in Glory looking back to today and seeing the things that needed to be done before her Bridegroom calls her to His home.

Lord, as Easter approaches we look back to nearly 2000 years ago, when you betrothed yourself to us with the bride price of your blood. Now, as the decades pass, take our wandering hearts and give us a new anticipation of your return. We do not know the hour or the day, but help us to live as if it were coming shortly. “And the Spirit and the Bride say “Come”. (Revelation 22:17)

As God pleases, dispose the day © 2009 is an electronic devotional by D. A. Brewer. All Bible quotations are from the New American Standard Version, © 1993 Lockman Foundation and used by permission. The title “As God pleases, dispose the day” is a quote from Henry V by William Shakespeare.

The following newsletter came today and after reading it, thought about all the dedicated parents who are part of our GFI family and the ‘difference’ you and your children are making. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like much and you may even think, ‘is it all worth it? Yes, our family is ‘different’ but are we making a difference?’ The fact that as parents and children you are committed to ‘putting on Christ’ each day, being that ‘living epistle’ that Paul speaks of, light in a dark world. Remember, none of the people we read about in the Bible [except Jesus] were aware of the difference they would make for millennia to come. They were ‘ordinary people, used by God to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom sake’ Be encouraged and continue being a ‘difference maker’ in your home and community, God will take care of the rest. Blessings, Anne Marie

We all appreciate “difference makers”. The hope held by the American people is that our newly elected president and his team will make a difference! Those of you that are into football are watching the activities of free agency and wait for the big April event, the NFL Draft, with the hopes that their team will select a “difference maker”. So the question is, are you a “difference maker”?

We should not be surprised that many of the “difference makers” both in the real world and the Bible are/were common people. Several years ago, I heard a statement about the world being run by “C” students. As I teach through the Bible in our Real Bible Institute, I’ve been impressed with all the common people that made a difference for God! Luke has impressed me this past week, as we are studying his gospel. While some may have a more difficult time relating to him due to his professional manner (as a doctor), he was still a difference maker.

In many ways, Luke was an outsider and didn’t really “fit the mold”. The fact that his parents were Greek made him the only Greek writer of a New Testament book (In Colossians 4:10-14 he is not identified as one of “the circumcision”, or as a Jew). His heritage would also have made him an outsider during much of the first century Judeo-centric church. In addition, he did not possess a Jewish/Christian pedigree, and while we believe that he was similar in age to Jesus and Paul, it is doubtful that he was born into a believing home. Thus, it is very possible that Luke was an adult convert of Paul’s ministry.

Here are two lessons from Luke on being a difference maker:

He ministered. Luke did not allow himself to focus on his limitations; he just did it. He did not get hung up on who he was. He did not allow other gospel accounts to keep him from writing to an influential gentile friend, Theophilus. Neither did He allow his lack of pedigree keep him from writing a two-volume work on the life of Christ and the expansion of the church. The Gospel of Luke and Acts came to comprise 28% of the New Testament, his gospel being the longest work in the New Testament. He was also responsible for more New Testament content than any other author.

We also know that Luke was faithful. He rolled up his sleeves and got involved. He was a man who kept ministering through the ups and downs of life and Christian ministry. His use of “we” and “us” in Acts (16:10-ff) indicate that he joined Paul on his second missionary journey in the early A.D. 50’s, and continued to minister with Paul for the rest of his life, (almost 15 years; 2 Timothy 4:11).

What a testimony! Think of the people that have made a difference in your life… Chances are, they were just like Luke. What a challenge! How often do we fail to make a difference because we do not even try? How often do we give up or move on before God has a chance to work! You and I are no different than Luke or even Mark. Some of us have been raised in Christian homes and others of us came to know Christ later, but we can each make a difference. How will you make a difference this year?

- Pastor Joe