And God Created Trees

 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

As Tim and I hiked through the nature preserve, we noticed a variety of trees budding for spring. The Bradford pears were in full bloom. Red buds were pushing out their deep lavender-pink blossoms, and soon the dogwood would flower in clouds of pink and white. A few days later my daughter, Sara, her two little ones and two of my other grandchildren trekked along the path at Sycamore Park. Along the trail were several old sycamore trees that had hollowed out over time. We also saw birch, oak, and maple trees preparing for spring.

A variety of trees make up a forest. Some provide shade, others food. Some stand out with their flowery beauty, while others are content to spread their leaves and bring shelter. And in all of them God is at work. He created every one of them for a purpose. Is it so different for people? We all look different. We all have abilities and gifts to share. Some of us may shelter, while others stand out.

I know this sounds simple and maybe even trite. But think about it. There are so many different people in the world, and God created everyone with purpose. Every tree in the forest grows alongside trees who are different and trees who are the same. They rise up in community and do the job God intended. Is it so different for people who receive their gifts from the Holy Spirit when they become believers in Christ? I'm thankful God made me unique, as I strive to share my gifts through writing.

As you embrace your gift, take one word of warning. Don't compare yourself to others. Comparison is detrimental. Seek your gift and God will bless you. He'll lead you into circumstances where your abilities and purpose shine. No gift is more or less than another. Every gift has purpose. Praise God he made us all different, with gifts to share.

Don't Say Thanks

Don't Say Thanks

They said I 

couldn't thank you

for the plants.

Bad luck they said.

Those old wives.

The ones who

hung over the fence.

Made up tales.

I'm not saying thanks-

so the black-eyed Susans 

and bleeding hearts 

may live. 

-PFM

After a conversation with a friend about the etiquette of not saying thanks for plants, I had to look up the source for such a belief.

"Never say thank you if someone shares their flowers or plant cuttings with you-if you do they (the plants) will die. (I've heard this one my whole life-and man is it hard not to automatically say thank you when someone gives you plants)"

See more at: The Blind Pig and the Acorn

Check out Putting on the New

Here is a link to my post on the Putting on the New blog:

http://puttingonthenew.com/2016/03/30/an-inheritance/

I post there once a month.

Be Strong and Take Heart

Children's Book Review: Waiting by Kevin Henkes

I've met author and Illustrator, Kevin Henkes, several times. Each time I'm impressed with his humble attitude and easy-going personality. Over the years, as a children's librarian,  I've read many of his books to students. Chrysanthemum, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Owen were staples on my reading list. I've also enjoyed Henkes's chapter books, Olive's Ocean and Sun & Spoon. Of course I'm partial to his Penny books. But I think my favorites are his recent books where he uses brown ink, colored pencils, and water color to create gorgeous pictures of adorable characters and tells sweet stories.

At a visit at the Blue Marble bookstore, Kevin explained  that Old Bear had been inspired by the inevitable life event of aging. A book I relate to! My latest favorite is called Waiting. In San Francisco I met Kevin Henkes once again and received a signed copy of a print created from a page in Waiting. I carried that print home on the airplane, framed it, and hung it in a prominent place in my home. While I had the beautiful print, the book was not yet available. So I waited on Waiting. AND it was well worth it. I love it. The beauty of being patient and spending time with friends is lovely. The sweet illustrations remind me of porcelain animals I played with at my great-aunt's home. Waiting won a Caldecott Honor and the Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor. Both well warranted. This is a beautiful book to read to a child or just add to your collection.

Book Review: NIrV, Under The Sea Holy Bible

Book Description:

The Underthe Sea Holy Bible, NIrV is a perfect gift for children ages 6 to 10. Themes of underwater fun and sparkling fish grace the interior of this wonderful children’s Bible. The outside is covered in foil and sparkle. The interior has color inserts featuring whimsical underwater scenes with themes of God’s care and love for each of us and all of creation.

My Review:
Children will find the outside cover and the special insert pages appealing. The art work is fun, shiny, and glittery. The information on the inserts is good, but for me they didn't give enough information on becoming a Christian. I liked the pages on prayer and love. As far as the NIrV, I appreciate the explanation of how the writers came up with their version. They do refer to the NIV translation, but do some simplification of the more elaborate language to create an easier to read version. I also like the list of Bible stories and the dictionary in the back. This would be a good beginner Bible for a young person with the understanding that it is not a direct translation.

I received this in exchange for a fair review.

It's All About that Grace, 'bout that Grace, 'bout that Grace

Luke 24:1-6
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,  but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! 

After the spring plows turned the dirt in the fields, my family and I would walk the rows searching for arrowheads. While everyone else in my family seemed to have a knack for finding tips and pieces of flint tools I wandered off, as most little girls would, to find shiny, pretty stones. I got especially excited when I found a rock with "glitter."

But my childish excitement for a sparkly rock diminishes in comparison to the awe Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome must have felt the day they found a stone, or should I say "the stone" rolled away from Jesus' tomb. After witnessing their friend's terrible death on Friday, they'd gone home and rested on the Sabbath before they'd prepared the spices needed to anoint Jesus' body. On Sunday morning, they gathered their supplies and walked to the tomb. The book of Mark reports that the women wondered who might roll away the huge stone that blocked the entrance to Jesus' burial place. But when they arrived, WOW! the huge rock had been rolled to the side of the tomb. And their beloved friend was gone. Not stolen, not placed in another cave, but gone, of his own volition.

And those angels, those wonderful good-news bringing, dressed in white angels, shared the fantastic news with those precious ladies that Jesus had conquered death. Blessed Jesus died a cruel death so that I might live forever. Then God raised him up and breathed life back into him. Can you feel the amazement and excitement? I can. Are you overwhelmed with the mercy and grace Jesus poured out? I am. Praise God for this beautiful joy-filled reason we celebrate Easter.

Rejoice in the Lord! He is risen!!!