Why Does God Love Farmers?

Why Does God Love Farmers? 

God is a farmer. 

    He planted the earth with trees and every kind of plant for food. So it makes sense He'd have a special place in His heart for those who work  the soil and raise animals. 

Jesus spoke a lot about farmers. 

    Jesus's sermons included accounts of different types of soil, weeds that an enemy planted to ruin his neighbor's crops, and the mystery of how seeds must die to produce plants. 

We are farmers

    Everyone plants seeds every day. Words that give life or death (Proverbs 18:21), ideas, attitudes. All we do are seeds planted in the lives of those around us. I trust you are planting life-giving seeds. 

This month, you can win a devotional book written by two farm wives (who just happen to be close friends and prayer partners of mine!):

Growing the Fruit of the Spirit: 100 Devotionals for Farm Familes by Beth Gormong and Susan Hayhurst, is a fun, make-you-think volume of short stories with pithy endings. Even if you don't farm, you'll relate to these two former city chicks-turned farm wives who raised their families on farms. All their adventures, between mud, broken machinery, and miracles, will bless  your boots off!

To win an autographed copy, please share this post on one social media site, and then respond to this post telling me you've shared. I will draw a name at random on Saturday, March 25. 

How are you planting seeds?

Add An Extra Spark to Your Marriage

Our Valentine's Anniversary

     Almost by accident, my husband and I discovered a fun way to add an extra spark of romance to our marriage. I won’t pretend this little secret has played a major role in keeping us together for 48 years, but it’s made the trip more fun.

     What is it? Our Monthiversary. Every month, we celebrate the day we were married by giving each other a little gift.

• A candy bar or package of cookies
• A few postage stamps
• A DVD from the bargain bin.
• A new kind of coffee
• A mystery book from a favorite author

   We mostly concentrate on consumables like food, so we don’t add to our piles of possessions. And we never spend a lot. Sometimes we’ve found treasures at yard or church rummage sales.

   

Even if your love language isn’t gift giving, you might remember the day with a special meal, a foot rub, or a note on your spouse’s pillow. The main idea is to say, “I love you and I’m thinking of you on this day. You are precious to me.”

   Try the Monthiversary on your day this month and let me know how it goes. 

Birthday gift ideas for Jesus

Do you give a birthday gift to Jesus? 

     Many years ago some friends suggested this to their children, to help their family focus on why we celebrate Christmas. This is how I'm incorporating this excellent idea into our church's celebration:

          We have a fancy purple Christmas gift box that sits on our piano at church. But it's empty. 

     I'm asking each member of our congregation to write--leaving off their name--what they plan to give Jesus for His birthday. And then put those gift promises into the empty purple box. At our Christmas Eve service, I will open the box and read aloud all the ideas people committed to do for Jesus. 

Here are a few things I thought to write on my own paper:

• Prepare communion elements for the month of December
• Repent of criticizing anyone for any reason
• Give $XXX to an orphanage or homeless shelter
• Invite someone who can't repay us over for dinner 
• Show more respect to my husband

What will you give Jesus this year for His birthday? 

photo by Matthew Gilson

In case you don't receive Guideposts magazine, 

here is a link to a recent story I wrote about how writing Thank You notes increases your joy. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

In Praise of Praise

Why Be Thankful in Terrible Times?

Why Be Thankful In Terrible Times?

            I recently heard a message about being thankful. Although I'm usually upbeat, even zany, this teaching convicted me. I need to be more thankful to the Lord for all I have. I need to wake up in the morning praising God for my health, my job, my family and my mind that works (most of the time!). I’m especially thankful for a place in Heaven, and my sweet relationship with a loving Heavenly Father.         

     My pastor husband, Kevin, and I don’t own our own home; we live in a parsonage. But it’s a lovely house in the country surrounded by great neighbors and few noises, apart from birdsong and cricket opera. We have no smog; we enjoy crimson and lavender sunsets and delight in brightly colored leaves dancing on our trees. 

            Our church is comparatively small. But the people love, support and pray for each other. Some even tell us how grateful they are to have Kevin pastor them. I benefit from new recipes at our potluck dinners, the prayers of our Monday night ladies’ group, and Kevin gets to preach every week.

Our family in 1986

         Both our kids and all three of our grandkids love and appreciate Kevin and I. We live in close proximity of them, so we can see them often and share holidays as a family. 

         I refuse to allow the news media, pessimists on Facebook, or anyone else, to tell me what to think and how to feel. There is always, always, always something to be thankful for. I choose to focus on the good in our lives.

     I want to be sunshine going somewhere to happen. I hope that makes God smile. 

What three things are you most thankful for?