Never Throw Out a Healthy Plant…

My poinsettia is starting to look a little sad. This is good because I hate throwing out a perfectly healthy poinsettia almost as much as I hate to have a Christmas flower in my living room in March.

A Sad Story

My friend Mrs. Z was a master manipulator. She would have me agreeing to do something before I knew what I was agreeing to.

I say ‘was’ because her mind is shutting down. She lies in bed most of her day drifting in and out of sleep, only getting up to go to the washroom or to attend meals in the nursing home dining room.

She can barely keep track of the last question she asked. A scheme of questions is now beyond her.

I find myself liking her more now.

I find that sad.   

“By Faith We…Receive the Promise”

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.   Galatians 3:14 NIV

Why is “faith” mentioned in this process?

Because God wants “Him in us” to be our choice. God wants fellowship.

As God He could have designed “Him in us” from the start. He could have made a world filled with people full of the Holy Spirit—an automatic extension of Himself—much like a bunch of puppets.

But, God wants people who make the choice first to invite Him to be part of their lives and then to delight in listening to His Holy Spirit for guidance, encouragement and life strategy.

That’s where faith comes in. By faith we make these choices.

It’s a great deal for God and for man. God has made for Himself a ka-zillion friends and we get the best and wisest friend of all. 

What I Learned On Sunday

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.   Galatians 3:14 NIV

Jesus saved us from our sins so that we can have the Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit live in us is the purpose of our redemption.

Honey, Vinegar and Flies

My daughter and I were discussing “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”  It sounds almost Biblical. It’s not.

What is the message? Be sweet, not sour and you’ll get what you want. It speaks of manipulation and entrapment.

Our conclusion: Never counter a tantrum with this foolhardy statement. Don’t quote this saying to children no matter how stinky their behaviour.

They may spend their lives using all manner of flattery and manipulation. They might decide to trap people like flies.

They could possibly resort to lies and nonsense. For, as my daughter points out, a pile of manure attracts the most flies.

Advice about Words

Who said it?

a) Do not accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.

b) Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all.

c) Words have weight, sound and appearance; it is only by considering these that you can write a sentence that is good to look at and good to listen to.

d) You can stroke people with words.

e) Let no man deceive you with vain words.


a) Samuel Johnson; b) Sir Winston Churchill; c) W. Somerset Maugham; d) F. Scott Fitzgerald; e)The Bible

What’s a Circumcised Heart?

And the Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being, that you may live.

Deuteronomy 30:6 (Amplified)

What’s a circumcised heart? If God circumcises your heart does that mean it is impossible not to love Him?

Just asking.

I Believe in Miracles

I believe in the miracle of life—and more than that—I believe in the miracles Jesus did when he walked the earth. He healed the sick. He opened blind eyes. He raised the dead. He is able and wants to continue to do his miracles through his followers.

So, as a follower of Jesus—who when he walked the earth as a man, did only what he saw the Father doing, and who through the Holy Spirit was in constant communication with the Father—I should be able to do what he did, by doing what he did.

This means I have to give up doing stuff my way. Am I ready to do only what I see the Father doing? Do I want to be in constant communication with the Father through the Holy Spirit? Or, am I only giving the idea lip service?