Newton Avocado Manor

Know your Roots

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 09:37:53 -0700

Matthew 13 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I could reread it over and over and always see something different God is trying to teach me. Today I would like to spend some time on the parable of the sower. I am sure we have all heard some great sermons on this topic. I know I have. One of my favorite sermons was by Francis Chan called Don't assume you are good soil. Before I owned the farm the concept of dirt/soil was one of an intellectual understanding that made perfect sense. Weeds, rocky soil, roots pretty straight forward. Then I bought a farm...

On that day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea. And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude was standing on the beach. And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had not depth of soil. But when the sun had risen they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil, and yielded a crop some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty. He who has hears let him hear." Matthew 13 1-9

I have a morning ritual and one of my favorite parts of that ritual is what I call the Garden Check. I have various gardens on my farm and each has a color theme and feel that I want to accomplish. As I check each garden I water and see what issues or blooms are happening. It's amazing and dynamic and I have learned so much through it.

In my Fountain garden I have planted red and white roses, purple russian sage, red geraniums and various purple plants and a little tiny plant called mint. Coming from the city, I thought mint...Read More

Reaching forward

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 07:31:27 -0700

The past is an interesting character full of intrigue and drama. It can be full of growth and wonderful memories feeding our souls with strength and wisdom. It has become our heritage making us who we are today and for that I am grateful. Sometimes however, I feel like I carry the past in a backpack on my back usually not even aware that I am doing it. I may not be thinking of the past at all, but I feel sluggish and tired. My heart is heavy. The quiet voice inside me says, "It's the backpack".

The contents of our backpacks are all different but usually contain past hurts, failures, and regrets. I have made peace with my past so how is it that it still manages to weigh me down? Why does it show up out of nowhere like the wind and wreck havoc on my spirit? I believe it is because I am still attached to it. It still is a part of me. When Paul says in Philippians, "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus".

Paul certainly had a past full of regrets. I love that he says, "I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet..." Even the Apostle still struggled with letting the past weigh on him. Those memories of pain still lingered in his soul, but he knew it was not about where he had come from but where he was going. Reaching forward. Reaching is a great word. I am not grabbing I am reaching. Reaching takes effort of our whole body. I must lean forward and then press on...keep going, stretching for the goal, the prize. What is the prize? It's our calling. It's what God created us to do and be. We all have a calling that is unique to us. I can only achieve it when I reach for it and press forward. That's why it is essential we take off the encumbrances that so easily entangle us and we run with perseverance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,...Read More

The Path thru adversity

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 08:14:15 -0800

This passage of scripture has been my rock through various seasons of my life. I am grateful that I memorized it as a young woman because in times of adversity it floods my mind and helps me look at my journey and not the actual trial. "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5.

There are so many significant and meaningful words in that scripture. I look at it like a map leading us down the path through the fire to the victory on the other side. We begin our path as the trial begins not in fear or dread but exulting. That is really mind blowing and counter intuitive to what is our natural inclination. Let's think about the definition of Exult (to feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation). I find that humorous because 99% of the time it will definitely be show not feel for me. I won't feel at all like feeling elation that I'm about to go through a very difficult trial or period but I can show/behave with elation as I know God's words are true and He will walk with me through the path I am about to undergo. It refocuses my mind to know it is about to get hairy, but I have a lot waiting for me on the other side of the trial. I begin with exulting and then, "I know that the tribulation will bring about perseverance". Perseverance (Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success)...not giving up. The trial grows me to become stronger where I do not give up. I keep going; I keep walking down the path through the trial. I do not run to the left or right I walk straight as I am exulting in the growth that is happening to me. As I persist I attain Proven Character. It is the next part of my journey....Read More

I am known

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:18:51 -0800

I am very grateful to have known Jesus since I was 5 years old. He has been the deepest and greatest relationship in my life. His love, wisdom, comfort, depth, kindness, insight has transformed me. I am grateful to know that He cares for me and leads me to a place I cannot even imagine. His thoughts for me are as a loving Father.

Psalm 139

O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all. Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me and the light around me will be night." Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee. For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Thy thought to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still...Read More