Light My Path Ministries » Uncategorized

cbarker — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:59:39 +0000

Lessons from the Garden #1

cbarker — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:55:28 +0000

Spring has arrived in Texas! After a record breaking winter in the DFW area (12 inches of snow within 24 hours!) the perennials have awakened with vigorous growth. In my garden some of my favorite perennials, Mexican mint marigold and Texas Aster, have generously multiplied, outgrown their beds and are threatening not only their own well-being but are also inhibiting the welfare and growth of their companion plants. I have begun dividing and transplanting these overachievers not only to enhance other areas of my landscape but also to maximize their blooms and keep them from infringing on the survival and maturation of the neighboring plants.
Transplanting temporarily sends them into a melt-down causing wilt and droop but by the beginning of summer they will have established themselves, spreading out, multiplying, and permanently rooting themselves in their new niche. Watching these perennials go through this cycle of growth, crowding out other plants, needing to be divided and transplanted prompts me to meditate on why God has instructed and at times forced his people (since the beginning of creation) to multiply and spread out: leaving a safe environment and taking the aroma of Christ to those who are saved and perishing (II Corinthians 2:14-16).
I ponder the advantages afforded us and others when we get out of our safe zones and submit to God’s instructions to “spread out”. Perhaps this command is not only for the benefit of those who need to hear about the Savior of the world as I have always thought but does “spreading out” challenge us to grow in greater faith and dependence on God? Does “spreading out” encourage and facilitate growth in those who we might have unintentionally intimidated or overwhelmed by our zealousness and spiritual growth? Does “spreading out” impel all of us, strong or weak, passive or aggressive, to grow, flourish and bear fruit as God expects of us?
How can you transplant yourself so that you can grow and at the same time encourage others to grow and flourish in the knowledge of God and our Savior Jesus Christ? How can you enhance God’s kingdom and at the same time empower those around you to mature in their faith?

cbarker — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:53:04 +0000

Rainbows are beautiful reminders that God’s covenant is our life line. With the rainbow covenant (Genesis 9:12-16) we can sigh with relief that we won’t have to secure our safety in catastrophic waters like Noah did. This Rainbow covenant has reminded man, over and over of the immutability of God’s word and that our safety has been secured. The sign of the covenant is not a rare phenomenon, but it brings awe and remembrance every time it makes a debut in the sky. Unlike succeeding covenants, this one was unilateral—it asked nothing from Noah or creation, it was simply God’s perpetual promise of his power and the surety of His word. The rainbow: simple but powerfully memorable—God’s handshake on a commitment to a creation He loves.

Rainbow Covenant

Cultivate your Life Garden

cbarker — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:01:08 +0000

Spring beckons the farm girl in me to come out so once again the gardener has emerged. Every April and May grasses and weeds attempt to take control of the flower beds provoking my perennials to struggle for recognition amid the horticultural mayhem. Ridding those beds of weeds and grasses is a tedious chore that I wish only had to be done once in my lifetime! But to every gardener’s dismay it is a chore that requires steadfast diligence and a determination that beauty will prevail. Every time I do this necessary gardening task it reminds me to steadfastly “cultivate my life garden”.
One such life garden lesson that I unearthed from this year’s bed-cleaning was that weeds and grasses not only look ugly on the surface of the soil but they embed themselves underneath the dirt, out of sight, lethally entwining themselves around the roots of my beautiful perennials and annuals! Even though my flowering beauties look healthy and thriving, I know that once the heat and drought of summer sets in those plants will quickly be robbed of moisture and nourishment by those pesky weeds and grasses that co-habit the underground berth of my beautiful plants’ root system.
God put Man in His garden (Genesis 2:8, 15-17) to care and work it. And as we read on in Genesis sin tangled itself into the life of man, casting him (us) into the perpetual role of pain-staking laborer. Tending our life garden requires vigilant pruning and weeding in all areas of our lives. Just like my annuals and perennials appear to be healthy and thriving now, so can my life appear to look swell on the surface but deep down sin has taken root and it will be only a matter of time before it’s in plain sight, spoiling my ability to purvey the fragrance of Christ (II Corinthians 2:14-16).
So, diligently cultivate your life garden. It’s impossible to destroy every weed, but we can definitely control their propensity to hide the beauty of Christ in our lives. Dig deep; you never know what you might unearth.

What did you do last weekend?

Karla Taylor — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:13:05 +0000

Light My Path Ministries went to the third annual Women Walking With God conference in Wichita, KS. What a blessing to be there! We listened to some great speakers and were inspired. We hugged lots of old friends and we made some new ones. We laughed out loud at humorist Kathy Bishop. We soaked in the incredible sounds of The Herndons singing. Most of all, we just spend some time with other women who are also dedicating themselves to being the best that they can for the Kingdom. If you have not been to a Women Walking With God conference make plans now to attend next years at the end of April. We will certainly be there again! Here are some pictures from the weekend.