Memorial Day Week

A water fight was one of the Memorial Day activities in Big Springs, Nebraska, where we ministered at an All-City worship service on Sunday morning.

Our family was scheduled to minister in Lexington that same afternoon, so we couldn't stay to find out who won the fight. It looked very refreshing, and once-in-a-while, the opponents would shoot the water at each other instead of the barrel.

Avery, Sterling, Havilah and Bristol traveled to central Nebraska for their annual Rodeo Bible Camp, and stopped in the lane just long enough for me to snap this photo. It's going to be quiet this week, with only Lucas and Jim and I home! Don't know if that's a good thing or not. . . .

This bleeding heart is dedicated to all those who grieve and mourn this Memorial Day, 2009.
We also thank those who have served or are serving in the United States Armed Forces, and to those who have borne the loss of loved ones who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy.

This is my garden today, and the beauty I came home to after the last trip. Bet you can't tell my favorite flower color! Our God is so creative!! There is joy in everything we do, at home or traveling in ministry, because of Him. It's that simple.

Enjoy!

Posted by Kathy.

Mt. Rushmore

On the road again, and enjoying the scenery in South Dakota today! Though we have traveled extensively in South Dakota, we have never visited Mt. Rushmore and explored the history of the site. The Black Hills are so beautiful and the stone carvings are amazing. Another great family day!
We will be singing in Belle Fourche tonight! See you there!

Kathy

Pruning

Pruning Lavender Plants

Beloved,

I've been spending every available moment working in my flower gardens the past few weeks. The spring work includes cutting back the dead and unproductive branches of my roses and lavender and many other perennials that died back during the cold winter months. It's a lot of work cleaning out the spent flower stalks and reshaping the plants so that they will produce an abundance of flowers to enjoy throughout the season. Right now, some of my precious plants look harshly chopped and decimated. If I didn't know what the end results will be, it would appear that I had ruined my garden!

All the work brought me to thinking about Jesus' teaching us that He is the true vine and His Father is the vinedresser. He said, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. " (John 15: 1-2) As I studied the word "prunes" in that verse, I found that the word means 'to cleanse, purify, to be pure, clean, without stain, without spot.' (1)

I've been through some pretty painful pruning in my life. I've felt the painful 'snap' of His pruning shears removing the things I've allowed to taint my life; to stain my heart or mind or emotions. I've resisted His tender cleansing of my dreams and hurts and expectations that had the potential to consume my fruit for Him, or worse, allow unchecked growth in a destructive direction. There have been times I've felt completely cut back in freedom or liberty, only to realize that I have been saved from myself and my own selfishness.

Pruning is good and necessary for the gardener. It is hard work and must be deliberate and consistent. How I wish to submit myself to the most ruthless pruning possible in the faithful hands of my Heavenly Father! I pray for the courage to surrender myself humbly to His tenderhearted cleansing.

"By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." John 15:8

Passionately serving Christ,

Kathy

(1) Spiros Zodhiates, Lexical aids to the New Testament, The Hebrew-Greek Study Bible, NAS Bible, AMG Publishers 1984 & 1990, page 1843.