October, 2000

New! Prophecy Aunt Eller's Garden

A Garden for Your Spirit

In the cool of the day, after the Fall, Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden. They were still in the garden of Eden, and God obviously was in the habit of meeting them there for fellowship, however on this day, they hid themselves in shame. No longer would they joyfully run to meet their Creator or share a quiet stroll in this most lovely place He had prepared for them. Never again would they experience the indescribable joy of such intimacy with their Father...

How their hearts must have ached as they recalled those special times when they were yet undefiled. I believe mankind has ever longed for those days of perfection when walking with the Almighty was as natural as breathing... I myself have known such a yearning for that unique sort of relationship with my divine Lord that I could scarcely keep from crying out in pain...

Oh yes, there is prayer - and I do it always - indeed, I could not survive a day without it! I offer prayers of petition and praise, talking all the day through with my precious Lord. And it is GREAT! I also spend time in worship, a different kind of communication with the Master. Singing - He loves to hear it, although no mortal can long withstand my off-key gratings - praising, dancing... completely adoring Him... It feeds my hungry soul! Yet still I thirst for more...

And I am in communion with Him through reading the Scriptures - I love to study them in depth as the precious and patient Holy Spirit teaches me opening up the awesome mysteries to my waiting heart. Christian friends are a part and parcel of my walk toward Heaven, and this fellowship with other believers is a vital nutrient for spiritual growth. But something is yet missing...

Then after many prayers and much pleading for what ? I did not know, but I was finally led to see that just as God had created The garden of Eden as a place of peaceful fellowship with man before foul sin did drive them apart, He has done the same for regenerated souls like you and me. Bathed as we are in Christ's life giving blood, we stand before the Father in spotless purity, fully qualified to walk with Him in the cool of the day, to enjoy intimate fellowship in that unique and perfect way.

Not in prayer or petition, nor in any form at all, just a quiet stroll with my Lord, His arm around my shoulders and His tender smile upon me, I just joy in being with Him. My heart has overflowed. Perhaps He will speak to me, or maybe we'll just love in silence as we walk the lovely garden He has placed here in my heart.

Then, our gracious Father led me to create the Spirit Gardens, showing me the gardens of several people so far, one just last night... I pray you will be blessed by them.

Oh, illusive Eden Garden, how my heart for thee did pine
'Til with compassion God made for me a garden that's just mine
Where I love to walk with Him in the coolness of the day
To intimately fellowship in that unique and perfect way.

I've not yet "seen" my garden, though He still meets me there
But He's shown me other gardens that He wants me to share
None have been what I expect, and I oft know not for whom
The art and poetry will be for, nor which flowers are to bloom

He never lets me know these things, for I'd get in the way
He sends the art and gives me words I'd never know to say
And when it's done, and only then, God gives me the name
Of that precious child He loves, a dear one to whom He came

In a secret, fragrant garden rare, He's placed within that heart
Though imperfectly depicted here in these words and by this art
For even with His leading, my own weakness mars each scene
Yet in His tender mercy, He bids me these blessings glean

If you've not "seen" your garden, dear, don't weep in sad despair
Just close your eyes and tell the Lord you'd love to meet Him there
You may not see the blossoms, and a poem you may not hear
But none of that can matter much when the King of Kings is near

Just walk with Him in fellowship, He wants and needs it, too
That's why He's made this place of peace especially for you
One day your garden or perchance mine, He may lead my hand to trace
I want so to "see" my garden yet I'd much rather seek His face

Humility
by Staff Writer Janet Davis

We need to know the importance of humility. Jesus taught it, commanded it, lived it.

Romans 12:3 says"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you".(NIV)

One aspect of humility honest self evaluation, as Paul teaches above.

Another is keeping your mouth shut. I know that may seem harsh, however sometimes we need to be quietly assertive rather than boldly demanding as is so common is society today.

Contentment, too, is a part of humility. Being content with yourself, your circumstances, etc. gives you a sense of safety and always leads you closer to an accurate perspective of yourself in relation to God, not in comparison to other people..

Humbling yourself should never make you feel less of a person. God has given you gifts to use, and it's just a matter of using those gifts. Say ,your best friend tells you "you are a gift" YOU ARE! Of course you also possess certain gifts. Use them. You may even have a gift which isn't immediately apparent. Ask the Lord to reveal and incite the gifts and talents He has placed in you. Then pursue these gifts in humility.

Do you know a very talented or well known yet humble person? Consider the example they set... It touches all who know them. Well, to someone, you are also high on a pedestal. A smile, a hug, a wink - says so much coming from you.

Another facet of humility is teachability. Are you one of the Lord's better students, pliable, willing to learn? Few of us are Honor Roll candidates in that department! Now is the time to ask God's help.

There are many ways we can learn and progress through practicing humility. The first lesson we must all learn is to humble ourselves before God. We are all sinners and He knows that, however we must learn to recognize that as well!

It's easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good. A day without sunshine is like night.

Christian Bumper Stickers:

1. Give God what's right, not what's left!

2. "Pray" is a four letter word that you can say anywhere (except in a public school).

3. Man's way leads to a hopeless end! Gods way leads to an endless hope!

4. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

5. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!

6. To be almost saved is to be totally lost.

7. We're too blessed to be depressed.

8. In the sentence of life the Devil may be a comma, but DO NOT LET him be the PERIOD!

9. Don't put a question mark where God put a period. (Comment: Isn't that what the Devil did to Eve: "Hath God Said?")

10. God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts"!

11. God grades on the cross, not the curve.

12. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come on into Church for a faith lift!

13. Prayer - Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

14. Wal-Mart isn't the only saving place!

15. God doesn't want shares of your life; He wants controlling interest!

16. Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

17. A family altar can alter a family.

18. We don't change the message, the message changes us.

19. This Church is "Prayer Conditioned"!

20. When God ordains, He sustains.

21. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning!

22. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

23. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.

24. Having truth decay? Brush up on your Bible!

25. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord!

26. Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

27. Wisdom has two parts: 1) Having a lot to say. 2) Not saying it.

28. Never give the devil a ride! He will always want to drive!

29. Watch your step carefully! Everyone else does!

30. A clean conscience makes a soft pillow.

31. Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.

32. You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

33. He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

34. Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

35. He who angers you controls you!

36. Worry is the darkroom in which "negatives" are developed.

37. Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.

38. For all you do, His blood's for you!

39. Forbidden fruits creates many jams.

40. Be ye fishers of men. You catch them and He will clean them.

41. Deciding not to choose is still making a choice.

42. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

43. "Read The Bible.....It Will Scare The Hell Out Of You!"

44. If God is your Co-pilot -- Swap seats!

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