Sunday, March 27, 2016

A CROSS TO BEAR  part two

As was just said at the end of part one, '

   If I don't make the effort                

   and just dream of a cross,
   it is only a dream-
   a dream that dissipates,
  never to become a reality.

Yes, the cross I need to take up
in the heat of the season,
in the sweltering, humid warmth 
that my body so rails against-
that cross makes me rise earlier
than my comfort zone......

that calls for me to 
    REMEMBER TO BRING MY TAGS AND MARKERS WITH ME
that
    CAUSES ME TO HAVE MY NOTEBOOK AND PEN 
    AND CAMERA WITH ME TO RECORD THAT CROSS, 
           noting the date , the time of day, the weather, and 
           the behavior of the plants I am working with.
                                          

All that effort
All that work
All that concentration
     to do it right-

REAPS REWARDS ...even though I might not see that reward for years to come.

Even as we may not see the rewards of taking up our cross daily in our every day lives.....

THEY WILL COME! THEY ALWAYS DO BECAUSE GOD IS ALWAYS THERE TO REWARD OUR FAITHFULNESS, TO REWARD OUR OBEDIENCE.....the fascinating thing is that when we do it GOD'S WAY,

                               OUR WAY 
                             seems so empty,
                             so meaningless,
                             so unsatisfying....
              Just a blowing in the wind.....
              For our ways
              are not GOD'S WAYS.

OH MAY WE SEE, EVEN TODAY
       MAY WE START, EVEN TODAY
              THAT THERE IS VALUE
                         THERE IS MEANING
                         THERE IS JOY 

IN FOLLOWING JESUS' EXAMPLE

       MAY WE KNOW
          THAT GOD WANTS TO USE US IN OTHER'S LIVES-
       MAY WE KNOW THAT THOSE "OTHERS"
                     ARE WATCHING US,
                     ARE NEEDING US-
        TO LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO FORGIVE 
AND TO LET THEM SEE JESUS IN OUR LIVES.
        HE NEVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY, BUT HE DID PROMISE US BLESSINGS AND ETERNAL LIFE WHEN WE FOLLOW HIM AND LET HIM BE THE LEADER.
                                                                       



Thursday, March 17, 2016

A CROSS TO BEAR  part one


Here in the Upper Midwest Spring is definitely sending out signals to us. Many parts of the country are already exhibiting all sorts of harbingers! With Spring so close within reach, I find myself making plans for this year's 'crosses' in my hybridizing program for this summer. In fact, truth be told, I have been doing a lot of pondering all winter long, so now it is a good idea to make some definite choices.  Choices choices choices! What a dilemma!   

center flower to be used as pollen parent on all surrounding it

For me, as well as for many of you, I am sure, I view things with a Spiritual bent, always. Life goes so much better when I do.
So as in daylilies if we want to see fruitful results of our endeavors, we plan ahead. Why am I so human that making a cross in my DAILY LIFE (A Cross To Bear) it is more difficult? Please read on, maybe we can find the answers together.


Matthew 10:38 & Luke 9:23 & Luke 14:27 all speak of taking up the cross and following Jesus. As the text in the Amplified Bible puts it so well: 

(cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living, and if need be, in dying also) 

It sure isn't easy  to die to self. 

   Dying to self is AN EFFORT! 
                             A CONCERTED EFFORT
                             A DOING-NOT A WISHING!
   It's caring for the sick 
                             WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO
   It's turning the other cheek 
                              WHEN SOMEONE HAS HURT YOU
   It's forgiving 70 x 7 
                               WHEN YOU DON'T THINK      THEY DESERVE FORGIVENESS EVEN ONE TIME 
   
   It's being angry
                               AND NOT SINNING!
   It's hating the sin
                               AND NOT THE SINNER.

THE CROSS MAY SEEM HEAVY-AND IT IS IF YOU CARRY IT ALONE.
BUT WHEN YOU CARRY IT WITH THE DESIRE TO FOLLOW JESUS (in short "What Would Jesus Do?) THE BURDEN IS LIGHT BECAUSE HE IS RIGHT THERE BESIDE US!

As with the daylilies , if I don't MAKE THE EFFORT AND JUST DREAM OF A CROSS, IT IS ONLY A DREAM..A DREAM THAT DISSIPATES, NEVER TO BECOME A REALITY.

Below are a few photos of some of the selected beauties I am planning on using for this summer's crosses. Enjoy! 















        
                                 TO BE CONTINUED