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Sunday is the day I usually take notes of my Pastor’s sermon - - but I was not in church that day.
It went like this; I did stop by my church to pick up a bulletin, and tell one of our dear ladies that I would not be there, as I was on my way to drive the 150 mile round trip to pick up my husband from the hospital. His pneumonia was in check, and the staff worked him over pretty good for three days. Sunday they released him, and told him to return to see his Doctor for a follow up in ten days. (He was very happy to be home.)
The bulletin I had grabbed from my church stated that the Pastors sermon was from Luke 13: 6-9. This scripture portion is about Jesus telling the story of the fig tree and the farmer who asked his workers to cut it down because it was not producing fruit. His gardener requested, “Please give the tree another year. I’ll dig around it, fertilize it, and maybe it will produce next year; if it doesn't, then chop it down.”
During this past year, I have followed and read after several well known bloggers. Some have written books, newspaper columns, and devotionals that knock your socks off. Yet underlying I have also noticed at times a hint of fear, thinking they are not good enough, and real doubt that they are even making a difference.
On some days, this might include all of us!!
Perhaps at times we all feel discouraged, and we wonder if we are like that fig tree who is being given another chance to revive, to pick up and begin again and to reach out in our ministry with faith and fervor.
Might I be so bold to say, to come alive with a renewed Spirit Filled Anointing that will actually make a difference in the lives we touch.
May we continually be reminded that each of us is unique? We are all different with our varied writing and ministry skills, but that is what causes us to each be distinctive and only one of a kind special in God’s eyes.
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Here we are resting on the doorstep of a New Year – a new beginning of sorts.
Let us determine to keep our thoughts full of faith, and positive - -.
To expect, and to anticipate miracles. May we use our imagination to envision fertile ground, and an abundant harvest ahead!
At this time I am asking our God to dig deep into each of us, to stir us up, saturate us with the fire of the Holy Spirit and sprinkle us with some of His “Miracle Grow,” that we may produce much fruit - - all after our own kind.
This post has been Linked with Joan Davis at Sharing His Beauty
And with Deidra at Sunday Tandem
and also with Shanda’s On your Heart Tuesday
If you are not already a follower of Ann's site: "a Holy Experience" you might enjoy her post for the New Year! http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/01/what-the-new-year-needs-most/
13 comments:
Yes...to expect and anticipate miracles! God is working all around us. Sometimes we don't see because we are so "busy" focusing on issues or problems. But, when we remember to look to Him, He will grow us so we may produce much fruit!
Blessings, Joan
I appreciate your visit and comment. Your words are so true and what we focus on is of utmost importance.
What a good word, Hazel. A great reminder here at the beginning of the year. I especially appreciate that last line about producing fruit after our own kind. That's the kicker, isn't it? To be okay with being ourselves, instead of trying to write or love or live or be like someone else.
I love how bold you are Hazel. This post resonates with me on so many levels. I definitely need the reminders.
Spiritual food for our spirit.
I struggle a bit in some of the ways you described. Sometimes I just hope that when I get to heaven some of my particular spiritual gift areas will be even more useful.
Glad your husband is home ...
Your enthusiasm is contagious Hazel. I guess we all have doubts, but in the end, our family of Christians comes along side and gives us that boost of encouragement we need. I hope the other people you're writing about get to read this too. It is full of truth and wisdom. Hazel style!
thank you so much for this, Hazel. What a great reminder to be faithful! I'm grateful for your faithfulness. And I'm praying your husband feels fully recovered very soon! (And that you take care of yourself as well as him.)
This is wonderful Hazel--the end of a year, the beginning of a new one, it all brings so many things to think about. I'm sure you didn't know it when you wrote it, but you wrote this for me: "Let us determine to keep our thoughts full of faith, and positive - -.
To expect, and to anticipate miracles. May we use our imagination to envision fertile ground, and an abundant harvest ahead!"
Thank you for being the umpteenth person God has used to speak this thought to me!! I seem to be hard of hearing or slow to absorb it, but with His patient repetition, it's starting to sink in!
Hazel - What a simple, inspired message. Yes, let's all give it another year, and help each other with the digging and mulching, and really make something of this writing we are doing. Blessings for 2012!
Hazel - What a simple, inspired message. Yes, let's all give it another year, help each other with the digging and the mulching, and see what God will do! Blessings for 2012!
Hazel:
I'm thankful Robert is home and doing better.
I love your enthusiasm! Your thoughts about the fig tree remind me that we can bloom right where we are planted as long as we stay nourished and cultivated in the word!
Blessings,
Joan
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment at Jeremiah 29:11. Hoping to get to know you better in 2012!!!
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