All Choked Up

The soil in our yard is a real challenge for planting...most of our plants and flowers are in pots and containers, and I have noticed even they aren't doing so well.

In Luke 8, we find the parable of the "soil" and are reminded how the thorns and roots, etc. 'choke out' the growth and nourishment of the seed, and eventually - its life. At one time I planted some hosta lillies by our front porch in fresh new soil - they were beautiful for several years and then they just seemed to dwindle to nothing. I bought new ones this year to replace them. I began to dig the holes with the shovel for the new plants and was met with great resistance. The roots were so thick I could hardly get through...it was like a thick mesh web and I never reached any good soil. -- No wonder the lillies looked like they did -- weak, skimpy and sparse......

What a picture of our lives when the "thickness" of the roots of sin and this world hinder our spiritual roots from freedom to anchor strong and deep in the soil where we find strength, security, vitality and nourishment to be able to withstand the "winds", "floods", "heat", and "cold" of this life. I asked a master gardener and he said that you need fresh new soil every time you plant. You even need to pour out the old soil in your containers because the roots from the old plants choke out the new ones trying to take hold.

I really don't want to invest the time and energy into removing the old....it's so much easier to just pour a little new soil on top of the old - BUT - when the roots pass through the new soil and hit the old roots that have not been removed....a slow dying process begins.

Are there thick roots compacted in your "soil" from "old" plants...hindering the growth of the Lord's harvest of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness.....temperance? Try emptying your "containers" of the old rooted soil and replace it with some new rich soil that has conditioners like the Holy Spirit...bet you will soon have a beautiful new harvest unto Him!!


Luke 8:7 ... And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. - (KJV)



(Written by my friend, Marsha - - Posted with permission)

Which Track Are You On?

As I run this race, this journey in life, I tend to think alot about roller coasters. We all have times, of ups and downs, when we feel as though life is out of control. We get the "highs" when things are on the up-swing and we get the "lows" when things spiral down, feeling out of control or filled with fear.

Not to say life is a roller coaster, but we do tend to have many "ups" and "downs". Some come with life and some come from us. God will allow things in our life that we have no control over and other times He will allow us to have control. Allowing us control, and we abuse it, is when fear sets in. But, when this happens, we must not make excuses, we just need to do the next right thing and get back on track, giving control back to God.

Have you ever been there, when a roller coaster gets off track? It's not an easy fix - the cars of the roller coaster do not just get placed back on track. It takes time and work. Same with us, we may get stalled for a while, waiting and trying to get back on the right track, but, it can get done!

Psalms 46:10 ..... Be still and know that I am God .....

Waiting is not a fun thing - No, this is not an "up" time, but it is something we all have to do from time to time. When we slow down, quit worrying and being fearful, God will speak and we will be able to hear Him. When we do, we can get back on track - with God - in order to continue on the journey.....In Peace!!

2 Timothy 1:7 ..... For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

As I am getting back on track, which has taken months - I'm not there yet - I have learned a great deal about myself and God. He has taught me many things during my "off track" time. He teaches us during all seasons, but if we really learn during the off track times, we can let go of the fear and begin to live in power and love, knowing we are following God's track. We will still have "ups" and "downs", but when they are placed where God wants them, the ride is much better.

Stay on track and enjoy the ride - It can be amazing!

Rollin' with you .... and Him!!