Lessons From The Garden Index
Introduction to Lessons from the Garden “…but what we ARE!”
THIS site is written with the thought towards Spiritual Growth in Christian Character. It is an outgrowth of weekly emails titled Morning Greetings that were distributed to a small group beginning in March of 2009. At that time the focus was to share thoughts and considerations, to encourage and instruct
How Long, O Lord, How Long?
WHEN James Garfield (President of the U.S. – 1881) was principal of Hiram College in Ohio, a father asked him if the course of study could be simplified so that his son might be able to go through by a shorter route. “Certainly.” Garfield replied, “But it all depends on
For Such A Time As This
I ACTUALLY started this blog in 2009 as weekly emails titled “Morning Greetings” sent to a group under my assigned care as an elder in our church. The emails were meant to be a way to stay in touch in addition to other means of weekly fellowship and contact. LAUNCHING
The Rains Do End
WHEN ever it rains –which it is doing as I write this- I am reminded of a godly gentlemen, a retired pastor in our church who has gone to be with the Lord, who frequently and faithfully prayed for rain like no one else I knew. I never thought to ask
How bad do you want it?
IN my last posting I spoke to learning fundamental principles and grounding in key verses of the Bible. Over the years I’ve discovered one indelible fundamental to add to the list critical to understanding and spiritual growth – the necessity of the teachable heart. I COULD talk at length on this topic,
“All men find what they truly seek”
“All men find what they truly seek” – Aslan THAT line above is one of my favorites from the Chronicles of Narnia. It coincides with my life verse Matt 6:33, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and … .” THE previous posting ended with the closing thoughts from Miles J.
Identity and Purpose
LATELY, I’ve been enjoying a little discovery I’ve coined by the phrase as “little providences,” a providential connecting of the dots in daily occurrences, encounters with scripture, devotional readings, sermons, conversations, happenstance, and such, … life’s “seemingly” random events that are not. I don’t know, maybe these “little providential” happenings have
The Necessity of Heat
“Afflictions are in the hands of the Holy Spirit to effect the softening of the heart in order to receive heavenly impression. Job said, ‘God maketh my heart soft’ (Job 23:16). … This is how the previous posted meditation ended. The point being made was, “As the wax in its natural
A Great Meeting
A Great Meeting I’M diverting from the path taken in the past few postings. Today’s consideration comes from a reading of Bent Knee Time* referencing Phil 2:1-11. What was said on this passage is as follows: A GREAT MEETING The extremist extremes meet in Jesus. He came from the highest down
Powerless Recipients
I RECALL the day of turning in my Christian life; it is funny how such things stick with you. I remember the time and the place as if it were yesterday, though it occurred nearly 50 years ago. The Bible verse is the key; it is the trigger to that moment. Today’s
Rest in Him
I HAVE posted a short story here titled Digging up Seeds. I hope to post more here in time with a dedicated page of linked articles by Timothy Shay Arthur. TIMOTHY Shay Arthur was born in the year 1809, near Newburgh, Orange County, New York. He was a popular 19th-century American author, most famous
Designer and Designed -Part 1
Designer and Designed – Part 1 I WANT you to pay particular attention to the consideration that follows this two part posting – “Designer and Designed.” I never really weary of this topic, because it is so critical for spiritual growth. It never fails that when I have a discussion
Designer and Designed – Part 2
Designer and Designed – Part 2 IN the previous comment I asked the question – Do you know what God is doing to you; do you know what His primary purpose is regarding you in this and all matters in His dealings with you? I’m not going to rehearse the previous comments
NOT THINGS, BUT……
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matt. 17:5 THE above text is not the only time we read this “My beloved Son” phrase in Matthew. Mark and Luke repeat this in their gospels as well. I mention this to reinforce the theme from the
Developed Gift
It is not things that our God wants. He wants us. (Micah 6:8) BKT THE above was in the closing of the last comment. I recall many years ago when my boys were still rather young, talking to a pastor about parenting and my own insecurities regarding fatherhood, when he said to me, remember, it
Chapter 19 – The Principle of Position
THERE are a few books on a shelf that I keep near my desk, close at hand, and return to frequently. These are old friends that have nurtured me along the way and continue to refresh and keep me centered in my Christian walk. The books on that shelf have grown in number and
Position Defined and Illustrated
We continue with another excerpt from The Principle of Position, following on last week’s introduction. By way of review, please know that when we speak of our “Position in Christ” it is in reference to our Union in Christ. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s
Taking an aside…
HOW are your daily devotions going? I ask because I recall this question being asked of a group of men, church leaders, sitting around a meeting table where we were discussing various church concerns, especially the spiritual well-being of several under our care. I remember that sort of “deer caught in the
Position Defined and Illustrated – Review
THERE is a principle I learned many year ago, one that is repeated over and over again in scripture –and if you observe closely, in life itself, all around us – and that is “the way up is down.” In fact, I first came to be exposed to this principle from
The Principle of Reproduction
WE continue now where we left off in the previous comment, Chapter 19—Position Defined and Illustrated. I’m going to forgo my introductory comments, and get right to this important lesson. In the wondrous blessings of Christ,JoeNeh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10 ************************** The Principle of Reproduction There is another wonderful
The Vine and the Branch
THERE are a couple of things needful before we proceed on with our next consideration in the Principle of Position, two questions from the Larger Catechism, and a backyard observation. WLC Q77. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ? Ans. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, yet they differ, in
Taking Our Position
WE are still in the first chapter of our study in Foundations For Spiritual Growth, Position Defined and Illustrated. We have observed the definition for Position summed up in the one word source, illustrated in The Grain of Wheat that must die; followed by the Principle of Reproduction and the analogy of the Vine and the Branch, which we looked at last
Taking Our Position -Part 2
I REMEMBER a conversation with a beloved pastor years ago, Pastor William Warren, after having been at Garden Grove OPC for a while. He made a comment referencing John Murray’s book Redemption Accomplished and Applied. I told him I had never read that book. I can still see his facial expression as he looked
Taking Inventory
OPENING my Bible to the Psalms, I noticed that at sometime I had placed a little penciled star next to the heading of the 25th Psalm. Reading it again, it didn’t take long to remember why I had have done that. What a wonderful Psalm. It now has a second star by it.
As You Have Received
I’M not quite ready to return to our consideration in the book on Positional Truth. We took a little detour last week, and I’d like to spend a little longer there, going a little further into what it means to “reckon” upon the finished work of Christ. “AS you therefore have