Jesus

The Garden of Life

/ Gail Johnson / 13 Comments

Spring has a way of turning my thoughts to the Creator. For instance, have you ever pondered the pollination process in light of our relationship with the Lord and with each other? No? Great! Allow me to share my thoughts with you this morning.

There are three types of pollination: self-pollination, cross-pollination, and artificial cross-pollination.

Self-Pollination

gailjohsonauthor.comSelf-pollination happens when an excess of pollen in a flower causes pollination to take place within that same flower.

Prayer turns my heart to the Lord and renews my mind. Fasting teaches me discipline and helps me to submit to His will and not my will. Biblical studies grow my faith and knowledge in Him. All of this, combined with the work of the Holy Spirit, helps me to produce that which God has planted in me.

Cross-Pollination

gailjohnsonauthor.comThe next technique is cross-pollination. This pollination takes place when small animals, rain, wind, and insects carry pollen from one plant to another.

I imagine the small animals as inconveniences that arise and hinder my plans, the rain as dark days that hide life’s sunshine, the wind as the storms that test my faith, and the insects as situations that irritate me.

Yet, I have a choice how I respond to the pollinators that God sends into my life. If I’m willing, each instance can produce fruit. The small inconveniences cultivate steadfastness and instruct me in diligence no matter the deterrent. The rain promotes contentment in every season of my life that I may know an unspeakable joy. The wind rocks me and loosens the earth around me allowing my roots to go deeper. And finally, those irritants urge me to have patience by teaching me self-control. All work to strengthen my faith in the Lord.

Artificial Cross-Pollination

Lastly, artificial cross-pollination occurs when a person gathers pollen from one flower, and then using a small brush or blower, applies it to another flower.

Gail Johnson © 2017Just like artificial cross-pollinators leave pollen, people leave a signature fragrance that remains long after they’ve gone. Some leave a sweet smell while others leave an unpleasant odor that may linger for years. Each produces its own kind of growth.

The “sweet” pollinate the Word along with encouragement into my life promoting deep thirsty roots of faith in Christ and juicy fruits of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, the “odoriferous” flit about pollinating the latest gossip, strife, anger, and bitterness often disrupting my peace and stealing my joy.

Gail Johnson© 2017Unlike the flowers in nature, I have a choice to refuse or accept odorous pollen. The solution? Allow the Holy Spirit to blow upon me each day.

As a pollinator, I also have a choice. Brush people with the stench of this world or the sweet fragrance of Heaven.

To become a stinky pollinator, I need not do anything. But to become a heavenly pollinator, I must allow the Master Gardener to deadhead, fertilize, and water my spirit each day!

May we all be a sweet fragrance to those we meet along the way. 🙂

Click to Tweet: People leave a signature fragrance that remains long after they have gone. Some leave a sweet smell while others leave an unpleasant odor that may linger for years.

Share The Love – March

/ Gail Johnson / 5 Comments

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Hebrews 6:18-19

Good morning, dear reader! We have been talking about hope this month. I pray the posts and posters have encouraged you to move ahead in your walk. Remember, we are never without hope. Jesus is our Hope.

Last week, I began a new series called Women of Faith and Fiction. Lynnette did a wonderful job sharing her heart. Your comments and responses on social media blessed me. Thank you for your participation.

To choose the winner of our giveaway, I assigned numbers in the order of comments, and then Random.org chose the lucky number. Drum roll, please…

And the winner of Not A Sparrow Falls is…Tori Kayson! ❤

Be sure to check out this month’s Share the Love. Alert: If you are on a diet or planning to go on a diet forget the Dulce Leche link! Just the pictures will make you gain weight. 🙂 Oh, my!

Reading

Grace Awards – And…the Grace Awards 2016 Finalists are…
Reading Is My Superpower – For Love and Honor – Jody Hedlund
Faithfully Bookish – Sandra Byrd Interview

Writing

Novel Rocket – First Feedback – Allen Arnold
Suite T – You Might Be A Writer If – Patricia Bradley
Seriously Write – Do You Want Sales…or Readers? – Marie Wells Coutu

Inspirational

The Seekers – The Payoff of Perseverance – Jill Weatherholt
Jerusha Agen – Fear Colored Glasses – Jerusha Agen
Novel Rocket – A Pruning Process – Marcia Lee Laycock

Foodie

Shugary Sweets – Copycat Panera Broccoli Soup
Laura Frantz – My Kentucky Kitchen – Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
My Colombian Recipes – Colombian Dulce de Leche Pastry

Music

Danny Gokey – Hope In Front Of Me

Abounding Hope

/ Gail Johnson / 12 Comments

Have you ever made a mistake? I daresay, we all have. If there is breath, there is a possibility of error. How do you handle your mistakes? Correct them and move on? Or run and hide while beating up yourself? In the past, I did the latter. Thankfully, I’m learning this journey is a growing process.

Last week, I made a mistake for all cyber world to see. It may have escaped some, but I’m sure it was noticed by others. This mistake? I misquoted a scripture. Yep. I had everything correct but one thing. Where it was located. I quoted Hebrews instead of Romans. Sigh.

Maybe it was because I was thinking of my devotion. Maybe I had too many things open on my desk. Or maybe I just needed to know the world wasn’t going to end if I made a mistake.

Ever been there?

Of course, I know others have done the same thing because I’ve seen it several times. But rather than smirk at their oversight or correct them in the comments, I extended grace. Maybe they were having a bad day. Maybe I needed to pray for them. Or maybe they weren’t paying attention. Who knows?

Oh, why is it so much easier to offer grace to another, and yet fail to dispense it in our own situations? Honestly, I can’t answer that one, my friend. But we do it all the time. At least, I did in times past. But not this time. Well, maybe for a moment. 🙂  But before I could get the party started, I was gently reminded of Peter.

Precious, loveable, and impatient Peter. Peter who spoke when he should have been listening. Doubting Peter who tried to walk on water and failed. Impulsive Peter who whacked off a man’s ear. Cursing Peter, who denied the very One he had promised to protect. Hopeless Peter who thought all was lost and went fishing.

But then…

Jesus came by for a visit. There on the shore, Jesus sat and spoke with Peter about love. Afterward, we see Preaching Peter on the day of Pentecost. Believing Peter healing the sick. Teaching Peter in Cornelius’ house. Writing Peter penning God’s truths. Historical Peter crucified on a cross.

What if Peter had given up? What if he had stepped into the boat and sailed away never to try again? What if he hadn’t accepted the Lord’s grace and forgiveness? Thankfully, Jesus didn’t give up on Peter. And He doesn’t give up on us!

Whatever you do don’t give up! Don’t let fear stop you from trying. Keep fighting. If you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. Correct it and move on! Hope waits in front of us. All we have to do is reach out to Him and accept His grace. And then…extend it to ourselves and to others.

Here is the corrected poster. May it warm you to your toes! I know I need it this week! Brrr.

Happy Tuesday, dearest reader! ❤

coastline-1081897_1280 Hope corrected