Take Root and Write

Pulling and Planting

"Negative thoughts are like weeds. Positive thoughts are like seeds." Anonymous

Have you planted a flower garden? What's the first thing you have to do?

Pull weeds. Those wild plants spring up from nowhere. Do nothing and that's what shows up in the garden. No effort is required to grow weeds. However, these invaders are not as attractive as flowers.

Before Adam and Eve sinned, they lived in God's beautiful garden. We  cannot even begin to imagine the beauty of the garden our Lord designed. All the splendor of the flowers and the glorious fragrances they released must have be heavenly.

Then along came the cunning serpent who deceived Eve, who, in turn, duped her husband. As punishment for their disobedience Adam and Eve had to leave the most beautiful garden ever. Recorded in Genesis 3:17-18, God told Adam, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field" (NIV).

I imagine this is when weeds first appeared. Never before had man pulled a weed from a garden. But now, the intruders showed up in the garden (including the painful thorny ones). Sweat and toil from mankind has poured over gardens ever since.

What Do You See?

The other day while listening to a voice message with a friend, we each heard something different. I find it interesting that two people can be at the same place, hear the same words, see the same incident, but have a different perspective to share.

Who is right? They both are of course. Take a look at the image of the lady. What do you see? An old lady? Or do you see the young lady? Both are right; it just depends on the perspective.

Each one of us have different perspectives based on our experiences. We have had different experiences and cultural backgrounds. As a result, we've also had different trials and situations. We can see things differently, but in order to live a Totally Transplanted life, we need to see things from God's point of view.

How do we see from His perspective? First, we acknowledge our need for a Savior. Then we allow Him to lead us and finally we can see clearly.

Then[Jesus] came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. (Mark 8:22-25, NKJV)

Get Banded

In the spring time we notice the green foliage and blossoms. It brings a fresh scent and new life. However, if trees were not banded with grease or glue bands last fall, the results may be apparent.

Worms. In the fall, these not-so-cute cankerworms, (also known as inchworms) crawl up the tree trunks of  hardwoods such as elm, maples, red oak and apple trees. At the highest point possible, the worms will lay eggs in bunches of 100 or more in the bark of the small branches or twigs.

In April or May, the eggs hatch and the larvae start feeding on the buds and leaves, chomping away until nothing but the skeleton remains. That is when we notice the damage.

Trees need to be banded in the fall to protect them from their predators in the spring-time. For believers to live Totally Transplanted lives, we also must be banded to protect our lives.

To be banded, we must guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 states, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life” (AMP).

Avoiding Transplant Shock

Last year I wrote about Overcoming Transplant Shock which addressed the shock that new believers in Christ face when making the decision to leave the ways of the world behind to follow Christ. Yet believers face times in their lives when the Lord physically moves them.

When God leads a person to move from one location to another, a believer needs to be Totally Transplanted in Christ for the transition. A tree that has been transplanted can experience stress-related problems that can kill it called "transplant shock." When tree roots are cut for moving, it makes the tree vulnerable as it loses a bulk of its root system. Even after being placed in new soil, it is susceptible to diseases, insects, drought, and other issues.

What are some steps we can take to avoid transplant shock?

One of the first things I have recently experienced and learned through transplantation is how important it is to adjust to a new environment. Like the tree can experience stress-related problems when moved, we can experience "transplant shock" when we relocated.

For twenty-one years, I lived in the same small town in south Texas. Now I call a city in west Texas home.  I’ve been here for two months and must confess I’m not used to all the choices, nor have I adjusted to the time it takes to drive from one location to another.

New Leaves

In the last "Totally Transplanted", Be Evergreen, we learned that the Lord compares believers in Christ to evergreen trees. Being evergreen means we bring hope of life to a dying and decaying world.

Deciduous trees loose all their leaves at once during the winter. These trees remain dormant for the season. However, evergreen trees keep their leaves all throughout the year. Yet the leaves on these trees are replaced on a regular basis. New leaves consistently grow as the old ones are shed.

Like the leaves of an evergreen tree change with new leaf growth on continuous cycle, we must continually have new growth in our walk with the Lord. We have the sinful nature that is cast off when we renew our minds with the Word of God. We can put on the nature that the Lord gives us through the Holy Spirit.

AT the very moment we come to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, we are a new creation. Second Corinthians 5:17 reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (ESV).

Be Evergreen

During the barren winter, certain trees remain green. Seeing the green during the winter is encouraging and beautiful. I truly love seeing snow-capped pines in the mountains.

I admire God’s creation because He made some trees to have leaves in seasons, but others were created to be evergreen. When studying the Scriptures, I find it interesting that often God uses metaphors that compare His people to trees. Even more fascinating is that most of the trees referred to in Scriptures are evergreen trees.

Like an evergreen tree in the winter time brings hope of life when all plants look depleted, as believers in Christ living Totally Transplanted lives, we are to bring hope to a diminishing world. We are to be evergreen, pointing to Christ as the source of life.

Planted by Streams of Water

Living evergreen lives, means we must have a source of water. Psalm 1:3 reads, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (NIV). Did you catch the phrase “whose leaf does not wither?” That means—evergreen. Trees need a source of water.

A Chosen People

Last week I heard about a couple in Oregon who went up high in the mountains to find the perfect Christmas tree to bless their home. They wanted to choose the right one to take from the forest and "transplant" into the middle of their holiday celebration. In much the same way that this couple chose the right tree for their home, do you realize the Lord chose the perfect person to bring Salvation to the world?

Approximately 2000 years ago, the Lord chose Mary to bring His son into this world. Mary was found to be highly favored and chosen among women. What was so special about Mary? Mary had a willing spirit. The Lord used her to bring forth the Gospel, a message of hope to the dark and dying world. Through Mary, salvation came to earth and grace abounded.

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:30-33 NIV)

But this conception was like no other. The Virgin Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and received Christ in the most literal sense. Through her obedience and willingness, the Lord permanently established the throne of David because Jesus Christ will reign forever. Mary, a young woman, witnessed the gospel message come forth and shared Him with those around her.

What Mary birthed still exists today. Jesus Christ is alive and seated on the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realms. As believers, those confessing Jesus Christ as Lord, we are to have a willing spirit. We’re chosen to bring the Gospel to those whom God places in our path. We are chosen to spread His message of hope.

Vines Gone Wild

Plants grow. If a plant receives enough water it will start to grow wildly if a gardener does not tend to it. I have some wild vines growing on my fence. We cut them down, but did not pull them up by the roots. Therefore, they grew back in a short amount of time. Without regular pruning and cutting back, they will take over the yard.

My problem is mild compared to the wild vines in the southeastern United States. Have you heard of kudzu? Kudzu was introduced to the United States from Japan in 1876 at a centennial celebration in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From there, gardeners admired the sweet smelling blooms and sold the plant for ornamental purposes. Kudzu quickly spread in the south through the encouragement of the Soil Conservation Service who paid farmers $800 per acre to use kudzu for erosion control in the 1930’s.

The problem—these vines grew too well which gave them the nicknames “mile-a-minute vine,” “foot-a-night-vine,” or “the vine that ate the south.” These vines can literally grow one foot a day and sixty feet per year. By 1972, it was declared a weed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kudzu vines climbs whatever objects they come in contact with—telephone poles, abandoned vehicles and homes, road signs and trees. The vine destroys the natural forest by blocking sunlight.[i]

Blessed Soil

Over the past three years, I started collecting dirt. This collection started when I traveled to Cameroon, Africa, for a short-term missions trip in 2006. We traveled in July, which is the rainy season, so mud caked on my shoes. My shoes collected the red soil from the African continent as a by-product from walking and sharing the Gospel of Christ.

Upon arriving home, I noticed the soiled shoes when I unpacked my luggage. I kept the shoes like that for two years. Then I realized that when I traveled other places I unconsciously brought back some part of the earth. From the mountains of New Mexico, I collected pine cones (and even if I can’t physically go to New Mexico, my dear friend will send pine cones to me). When my youngest son played baseball on an international baseball team in Puerto Rico, I returned with dirt from the field where he played. 

I collect dirt, rocks, and pine cones for sentimental reasons; it is my way of holding on to special memories. I realize that I am probably one of a very few people who may actually collect soil, because people tend to collect more conventional souvenirs such as angels, dolls, bears, etc. But I am comforted by the fact that the Bible describes a man taking soil back to his home after he was blessed by God.

Nothing Hidden

Have you ever been caught in the act or done something that you hoped no one would ever discover? We recognize this easily in children. They will do something they are not supposed to, such as sneak candy into a darkened corner of their bedroom. I remember teaching my son he was not to eat candy in his room. I thought he followed my rules until that "once-every-other-month-move-the-furniture-to-clean-day" rolled around. What did I find when I moved his bed? That's right—candy wrappers; strict judgment followed the discovery of incriminating evidence.

As adults we sometimes act like a child. When we do something wrong, we don't want others to know about it, even those who caught us in the act. One day, long, long ago, I looked in my rear-view mirror and noticed the red and blue lights flashing behind me, sirens blaring. Looking at my speedometer, I realized I was over the speed limit. I pulled over. I immediately started arguing with the officer and he informed me he clocked me going over, but I did not want concede. I wanted to hide my guilt. But, I knew judgment was inevitable when he handed me the ticket. We don't like to feel guilty and will attempt to hide from it.

When we live Totally Transplanted lives, we can live transparent lives. Sin causes us to want to hide ourselves from God. If we attempt hide our sins and continue to pursue our own ways, we will face a more firm form of discipline called judgment. This is not the eternal judgment we will face after the return of Christ, but this is the temporal judgment we face for continuing to disobey our Lord. But we can live a repentant life through our Savior Jesus Christ. To do so, we must recognize some of our human tendencies.

Set an Example; Display His Beauty

People love to admire plants. I know I do, and I am totally amazed when I can get something to grow. A friend and her husband gave me an Esperanza plant they started from a pod. It was just a sprout when I received it, and I put it in a little pot. My husband and I then transferred it into a larger pot so the roots would have room to grow. We watched and waited for it to burst forth with its pretty yellow flowers; we waited and watched, and waited and watched. Finally, Eldon decided it was time to plant it in the ground. It must have loved us for the move; it started growing even more and now has bright yellow blossoms. It is displaying its beauty.

As believers in Christ, people (believers and non-believers) watch us. They want to observe how we grow in the Lord just like a plant grows in the soil. Are we going to make it? Will we actually bloom? Will they see our fruit? Living a Totally Transplanted life requires us to stay planted in fertile soil and receive the living water of Christ for nourishment. We are examples to other Christians, as well as, non-believers.

Once we decide to follow Christ, we must set a good example because we are being watched to see how we will grow. In order to grow properly, we must follow the will of God which is not always an easy choice. The Old Testament book of Hosea has a wonderful example of someone who made the difficult choice to follow God's will.

The Hedge

Where I grew up in West Texas, a row of evergreen trees concealed the house on one side and sometimes all the way around. These trees provided a wind break since strong winds constantly blow on the plains stirring up lots of dust. Farmers plant these hedges to protect their homes. Most of the hedges I remember were much taller than the home providing a barrier from the cold winds. Many hedges grow so tall and dense that they are impossible to penetrate. Smaller garden hedges repel small animals and keep them from consuming the foliage. Hedges are also a more attractive barrier than fences.

To live Totally Transplanted lives, we need hedges in our lives. Hedges provide protection in two ways. First, it keeps predators away from us. Animals such as rabbits and deer seek out food from gardens. If a hedge exists, they'll look for a breach to break through in order to consume the plants. Our enemy, the devil seeks out ways to break through the hedge the Lord put around us to protect us.

Do you remember Job? In the first chapter of Job, Satan presented himself to God and God asked Satan if he considered His servant Job. Satan responded that Job feared God because of His wealth.

"So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land" (Job 1:9-10, NKJV).

Did you notice the word "hedge"? God protected Job by placing a hedge around him. Satan admitted he was unsuccessful at attacking Job because of this hedge of protection. (The Lord puts a shield around those who place their trust in Him.) A friend of mine who owns corporate rentals recently experienced this type of protection. She received payment by check from a prospective customer, who had yet to arrive. A day later she received an email that he could not make it due to a family emergency and requested she refund the money via Western Union. She cashed the check at her bank, departed with the cash on her way to wire the funds when her bank called her to tell her the account and funds on the check could not be verified. She returned and deposited the funds to back into her account. This was definitely a scam. The Lord placed His hedge about her and protected her from losing a large sum of cash to a schemer.

Heart Aeration

A tree's surroundings influence how it grows. A tree planted in a healthy environment flourishes. However, it is possible for some environmental changes to negatively affect a prospering tree. Looking at a tree, we tend to be captivated by its leafy top. However, a large portion of the tree, the root system which is required for the tree to live, remains hidden from view much like our hearts. The roots need water and oxygen to develop. Most of us only think about a tree needing water, but seldom realize that roots also need oxygen.

Since x-ray vision is not one of our natural gifts, we must watch for signs above ground as indicators of a tree's healthy or ailing root system. When we notice slow growth, a dying canopy (a tree's leafy top), or loss of large limbs, there are problems below the surface. It could be lack of water or even too much water. Soil compaction is a common problem caused by over-watering, as well as high traffic, and construction. A simple solution to this problem is root aeration. Aeration loosens the soil around the roots thus increasing oxygen levels in the soil. This creates a favorable environment for the nutrient absorbing roots to thrive.

As believers living Totally Transplanted lives, we need to watch for changes in our environment. We may start out in a robust environment, but circumstances can change causing our hearts to harden much like compacted soil around a tree. For example, we may walk with Jesus, but forget what He taught us when we let the cares of this world become central in our minds. The Disciples walked daily with Jesus and continually learned from Him, but they forgot His teachings. They watched Jesus feed five-thousand with five loaves of bread while still collecting twelve baskets of leftovers (Mark 6:30-44). Then they witnessed a similar miracle when seven loaves of bread fed four-thousand men, plus all the women and children with seven baskets of left-over bread! But when the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking Him questions, Jesus speaking metaphorically, warned the Disciples about the leaven of religious and civic leaders. But, because they missed the message, they started discussing a lack of bread among themselves when Jesus interrupted,

"Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" (Mark 8: 17-18 NIV).

Grow Deep

Have you ever seen a tree that captivated you? I remember while visiting in the Charleston, N.C. area, I saw this tree called "Angel Oak" that just captured my attention. I wanted to stay near the tree all day and admire it. This live oak tree is estimated to be more than 1500 years old. That means it was there before Columbus came to the New World.

According to the Angel Oak website, it has "a diameter of spread reaching 160 feet, a circumference of nearly 25 feet, and covers 17,100 square feet of ground." It is believed to be the oldest tree east of the Mississippi River. Live oaks generally grow out not up, but this tree is old enough it has had time to do both. It reaches 65 feet high. It has limbs the size of tree trunks and they are so large and heavy, they rest on the ground or are held up by supports. Amazingly, this tree has survived countless hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and human interference. How can a tree like this grow so strong?

Live oaks are known for their longevity and clubs are formed all across the U.S. to register long-lived trees. These trees have a very deep root system that enable them resist storm damage. Due to the deep root system, they can resist drought seasons by storing water deep down or finding deeper water sources in order to nurture the tree. Besides growing deep, root systems of the tree spread way farther out than then the canopy that we see above ground.

One particular scripture that comes to my mind when I think of the Angel Oak is Jeremiah 17:7-8, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (NIV).

Fertile Soil in a Barren Land

South Texas is experiencing exceptional drought. Only a few more days and records will be set for the longest concurrent days with triple digit heat. We can't remember the last time it rained as it has been so long. Water restrictions are being enforced in many areas as landscaping doesn't seem as relevant as having drinking water.

A few weeks ago, my son, Chase, played in all-star baseball tournaments. These tournaments required us to travel farther south in Texas and each day we embarked on the two-hour journey to the baseball fields. On the way, we saw the dry, grassy fields with thin cattle searching for edible vegetation. What a pitiful sight. Chase, being very observant noticed green patchy areas out in the fields. These areas weren't very large, but like green polka dots scattered on the yellow backdrop. He asked why there were green patches in the fields. My husband and I jokingly stated, "That's where the cows urinate to keep the grass green to eat." Of course, we got the anticipated response, "Eeewwwww!"

Whatever the real reason for the green grass grew in the dry field, it certainly attracted the livestock. Perhaps the soil is more fertile and the type of grass growing there is heartier than the rest. How can we be fertile soil in a barren land? How do we attract others to the richness of God's grace?

Dealing with the Weeds

My husband planted a flower garden in our backyard for me to enjoy this year. However, he planted and left me to tend it. I simply wanted to enjoy it, not work it. It didn't take long for me to notice how quickly weeds will invade an unattended garden. I also discovered that I had a hard time telling the difference between what Eldon planted and the invaders. Some weeds look like pretty wildflowers.

Pretty weeds grow all around my town. I like the pretty blooms some of them produce. They are beautiful and inviting, but in reality these weeds compete with the good plants for space in the garden; they steal the light, water, and nutrients. If left in the garden to grow, the weeds will eventually choke out the domestic plants.

As believers in Christ, our walk with God is like tending to a garden. If we set it aside and just hope it looks pretty without tending to it, weeds will sprout up in our lives choking out the space, light, water, and nutrients we need to grow in our walk with the Lord. Our hearts are the fertile soil where the Lord plants His seed (His Word). In order to live Totally Transplanted lives, we need to purposefully commit to weeding the unwanted blossoms from our lives.

One day while driving around town thinking about weeds and taking pictures, I noticed a new housing development near my home; brand new homes, built, and waiting for residents. Observing the yards, I noticed the neglect; no one there to take care of the lawns. It reminded me of a proverb about a lazy person. Our own homes can become this way if we're too lazy to take care of them.

Living Water

In South Texas, the heat is on! It's hitting over 100 degrees every day. I hear my air conditioner running most of the day just to keep the house at a comfortable 78 degrees. I don't want to think about our electric bill. To keep our yard green, we've been watering a lot more too. As I look around the neighborhood, I can see people who must be saving money on their water bill or for some other reason, they're neglecting they're yards. Our community has yet to enact watering restrictions, though it may be coming soon as other cities around our state started water restrictions.

Without water, the grass in the parks and yards become dormant and turn

yellow. Water gives life to plants and animals. Plants need water to grow. Plants lose water through evaporation which is a process known as transpiration. On a hot, sunny day plants transpire more than on a cooler day. If a plant transpires more water than it has absorbed, it begins to wilt and eventually die if not replenished regularly. If we want healthy looking plants, we must consistently give them life-giving water.

We are a lot like plants that need water to live—both physically and spiritually. Wilted plants are dehydrated plants that are weakened. Water causes turgidity which allows for expansion of the cells which leads to growth. This keeps non-wooded plants firm and strong. Without the water causing pressure in the cell walls, the plant ceases to grow which eventually leads to the plants demise.

Our spirit also needs the Living Water—who is the Holy Spirit given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus promised all those who believe in Him before His crucifixion, stating, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17).

The Scorching Sun

 

While away on a trip in April, my husband, Eldon, planted flowers in a flower box to put outside my office window. The label stated these flowers can endure full sun, so we thought it would work for them to be by my south side office window to help provide inspiration as I write. However, these plants were not yet rooted, and the afternoon sun was too hot. We decided to move them out of the direct sun and put the window box outside my son's east side window which is shaded by a huge tree. This strategy seemed to work.

A few weeks later, Eldon cut back limbs from the tree. I did not think about the effect his tree trimming would have on the flowers. When I checked them, they were wilted and looked dead as direct sun hit them. After watering, only the ones in the center revived. The others are dead from not being well rooted and the scorching sun bearing down on them. The scriptures reveal what the scorching sun does to the seed. 

"Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." (Mark 4:3-8, NIV)

Four types of soil are represented—on the path, the rocky areas, the thorns, and the good soil. Like the rocky area, the flower box did not have enough room for these plants to get a good root system established. When the sun came out and scorched them, they withered and died. A few verses later Jesus explained the meaning of the parable. About the rocky places, Jesus said:

More Than a Pretty Blossom ~~ Pollinated

In the last three posts of this four-part series, "More Than a Pretty Blossom", we've learned that we can live Totally Transplanted lives when we're firmly planted in Christ, who is the Root. As we grow in Christ, the Master Gardener, shapes us through discipline known as pruning. As we grow, we mature becoming perfected in the ways of the Lord. Lastly, we will be pollinated. In order for a tree to bear fruit and reproduce, the seed must be pollinated.

To be fertile, means to be fruitful or productive. As believers in Christ, we are fertile and we have the potential to reproduce. But in order to reproduce, we must be fertilized which means to become productive. Are we productive Christians where we're planted?

For a fruit tree to produce fruit, it requires a transfer of pollen between blossoms for the seed. God uses the birds and bees to transfer pollen from one blossom to another. Different color blossoms attract different types of birds and bees to transfer the pollen to fertilize the seeds. Without the transfer of pollen, the seeds will not produce fruit.

In order to produce fruit in our lives, we need to be fertilized. Our fertilizer is the Word of God which is brought to us by the pastors, teachers and people the Lord puts into our life. As we receive His word, we can transfer it to others. This is spreading the Gospel of Christ—the Good News.

All believers have different color blossoms which attract different types of people into our lives. There are people that my color and fruit will attract that yours does not. I may be able to relate to some people that some of you may never be able to reach.

More Than a Pretty Blossom~~Perfected

In the last two posts of this four part series on "More Than a Pretty Blossom", we've learned that we can live Totally Transplanted Lives when we're firmly planted in the Root, who is Christ our Lord. Also, the Master Gardener, the Father, grooms us and shapes us to grow in the image of Christ by pruning us. Next we must be perfected in the ways of the Lord and given responsibilities that come with being mature in Christ.

Granted, none of us are perfect and none of us ever will be perfect in the sense we think of perfect. So what do I mean by perfected? Perfected in the Greek is teleios which means to "become mature; complete" and is used seventeen times in the New Testament. So think of perfected as mature. Do you know it takes most fruit trees anywhere from two to seven years to mature? After reaching the stage of maturity then the tree blossoms freely and becomes able to bear fruit.

Before bearing fruit, we must become perfected in Christ. Mature.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. (Philippians 3:14-16, NASB)

More Than a Pretty Blossom -- Pruned

In my last post, I shared how we are more than a pretty blossom when we're planted in Christ our Lord. The blossoms (which represent us) contain the Seed, who is Christ our Lord. The next step required for the seed to bear fruit and for us to live Totally Transplanted lives, we must, as believers, go through seasons of training. In gardening terms, that means pruning.

As trees grow, it needs to be pruned annually. Pruning controls growth, removes dead or diseased parts of the tree, and stimulates buds and blossoms. It also opens up the tree to receive more sunlight. Pruning also increases the size of the fruit because it reduces the amount of buds.

If a tree is not pruned, the branches can become too heavy, droop and break from its own weight or from the winds. This tree, though larger, is not as productive. So bigger is not better. In the gospels, Jesus talked of His Father being the Gardener who prunes the branches (us) attached to the Vine (Jesus).

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me" (John 15:1-4, NIV).

More Than a Pretty Blossom--Planted

"Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn." Walter Scott

Do you enjoy seeing the blossoms on trees, shrubs, and flowers in the spring?

To live Totally Transplanted lives, we are called to be more than a pretty blossom. What is a blossom? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the verb blossom means to come into flower, develop, to bloom. What does to bloom mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the verb bloom means to produce or yield flowers; to mature into achievement of one's potential.

How does this relate to us? Do we look pretty on the outside all dressed up? What is on the inside? On a plant, the seed is inside the flower. Relating ourselves to a pretty blossom, do we have the seed in us necessary to bear fruit? What is the seed?

In Luke 8, Jesus told the parable of the farmer who planted his seeds. He explained some of the seed was planted on the path and the birds ate it. Other seed fell on the rock where it withered as it had no moisture. Still other seed planted was choked out by thorns. But the seed that was planted in the good soil grew up and yielded a crop. But the disciples did not understand and asked for clarification. Seeing that the disciples did not understand, Jesus continued:

This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. (Luke 8:11 NIV)

Gardening for Flutterbys...Butterflies

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.   Nathaniel Hawthorne

Last summer our family visited the New River Gorge Bridge near Summersville, West Virginia. Walking up to the visitor's center was as much of a treat as standing at the bridge overlook. The visitors' center is fronted by beautiful butterfly gardens. They were positively alive and moving with these winged flowers.

The thing I noticed particularly about the butterfly gardens was how the gardener planted groups of the same plants repetitively throughout the gardens. Using several favorites, the garden was as pleasing to observers as it was to the butterflies, and very easy to maintain.

I am interested in creating more than just a garden for the butterflies to visit. I would like to provide a complete habitat so I can watch the entire God-designed life cycle and share it with others.

Planning for Butterflies

Choosing Nectar-Rich Favorites

Butterflies, like bees and hummingbirds, enjoy flower nectar as part of their diet. They are particularly attracted to purple and yellow flowers with simple, open blossoms. Species flowers or old-fashioned varieties are preferable because they produce more nectar.

Butterflies are also attracted best to large patches of the same colored flowers where they can find a lot of nectar. Plant varieties are not as important as grouping colors.

Gardening is for the Birds ~ Part 2: Hummingbirds

My first up-close and personal encounter with God's tiny winged wonders occurred while I sat on my front stoop in San Antonio, Texas. As I sipped my tea and read my devotions I noticed a brilliant feathered jewel glittering just to the left of my peripheral vision.

When I tilted my head ever so slightly to get a better view, the male hummingbird zipped away from the feeder to hover inches from my eyes. We gazed at each other for a bit then he won the staring contest by chirping and coming closer. I blinked, then closed my eyes when I saw just how close his long, pointy beak was.

My new friend and I had many such encounters, although I was too intimidated to stare directly at him when he would zoom in closer. I settled for watching him through my eyelashes. I have been hooked on hummingbirds ever since.

Most birds are easy to entice into the yard with a simple feeder, but hummingbirds take a bit of coaxing. They won't settle for a feeder that is sporadically maintained. After a few disappointing visits, they will fly off to more nectar-filled places.

Hummingbirds enjoy nectar from a wide variety of flowers. Planting a small hummingbird garden takes minimal effort and the reward are spectacular. Even small space gardeners can lure hummers right up to the porch with well-planted hanging pots and a simple nectar feeder filled with a sugar-water solution.

Hummingbirds do not have a well-developed sense of smell. They depend on their eyes to guide them to nectar-rich flowers. They can spot red flowers from great distances, which is why most hummingbird feeders feature red on the feeding ports. When planting for hummers, be sure to include a variety of red flowers and ensure that you choose enough to guarantee blooms from spring through fall.

Gardening is For the Birds

I treated myself to a special gardening issue of Birds & Blooms magazine called Gardening for Birds & Butterflies. I didn't quite realize how much of a treat it was until I sat in my swing with my coffee on the first warm, sunny morning this spring.

While sipping, I noticed how much bird song I could hear between cars passing our house which sits on a busy rural highway. I began recalling some of the gardening possibilities I read about the night before that would attract more birds to our yard and help cover the sounds of the road.

 As the sun rose higher over the hill across the road, my trees just buzzed with several varieties of birds as excited as I was with the beautiful day. A spectacular tiny specimen landed on a branch just in front of my eyes, then quickly flew off to quarrel at some encroaching robins. I thought I could identify this thumb-sized beauty, but ran in to grab my new magazine which features a field guide to fifty birds and butterflies.

I flipped the guide open and found the picture and description for which I was looking. Graciously the little wing-wonder landed just a bit closer so I could get a better look. Sure enough, my flighty friend was a particularly fine example of a black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus).

While I sat on my porch, I realized I could see a lot of  bird activity at the edges of my yard, but there is not much to attract them to the middle where I can see them from the swing. Bird feeders placed strategically will help attract more birds, but I want a lasting solution (and more care-free says the lazy gardener). My magazine suggests flower varieties that will help. Most of them are flowers I like and have in small quantities in a border garden:

Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea), Lavender (Lavandula angustafolia), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpura), Salvia (Salvia pratensis), Sedum (Sedum species), and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

Never Quit

When faced with burdensome trials, sometimes my emotions evoke the desire to just quit. What's the use? I think. Yet the Lord calls us to persevere--never quit. In order to live a Totally Transplanted life, we must never give up.

While expecting my second son, I yearned to be a stay-at-home mother. I had worked since I was sixteen years old, but something about becoming a mother changed my desire to work outside the home. The nurturing, cuddling, and longing to be with my new baby consumed all my thoughts. I already missed out on staying home with my first child who was already in school. Being active duty Air Force, the military ruled my life and with my first born, I had no options.

My husband and I had already stacked up a pile of credit card debt as high as the desktop when we learned we were having another child. We lived for the moment not understanding that eventually it would crumble all around us. After leaving the military, I worked in a full-time civilian job. But, I also searched for a home-based business to work so I could contribute to our finances and stay at home. From attempting several businesses and failing, the debt rose even higher.

At this point, we owed so much money I could not quit my regular job. When I faced the reality of the money owed, my heart felt crushed. Every time I dropped my youngest off at daycare, he cried. And on my way to the car I cried as I wanted to stay home with him. The certainty of my consequences set in and I felt such deep despair.

Garden Planning 3: Multi-Use Gardens

Gardens were an important part of the culture of the peoples of Bible times. According to an article in The Woman's Study Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishers), enough drawings of ancient gardens in the Near East exist to confirm seven general features:

1. Planning for attractiveness and convenience of using water supplies.
   "And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere...like the garden of the Lord" (Genesis 13:10).


2. Beauty and fragrance of flowers and fruits.
   "And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food" (Genesis 2:9).


3. Shelter and shade.
   "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches" (Luke 13:19).

1. Pleasure such as a meeting place for friends...
   "He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with His disciples" (John 18:1-2).
   
   or site for social events...
   "The king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace" (Esther 1:5).


2. Provision for food.
   "Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit" (Jeremiah 29:5).


3. Protection.
   "A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse" (Song of Solomon 4:12).


4. Retreat for quiet meditation.
   "Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, 'Sit here while I go and pray over there" (Matthew 26:36).

Gardens take time and effort to prepare, but the rewards are more than worth the work involved.

Getting Inspired: Take in a Garden Show

March came in like a lion in the upper south. Winds roaring through the valleys and rain that turned to snow. And then suddenly, warm air! Just enough to make one grab a trowel and head out the door. Unfortunately in West Virginia, the ground is still too wet to work. Thanks to a timely email, I have been able to resist crushing my fragile soil by working it too soon. Now I'm cruising the 'net to see where the closet flower shows are.

The email was from Barry Glick of Sunshine Farm and Gardens in Renick, West Virginia, listing his upcoming speaking engagements. I was thrilled to see that he will be at the Vandalia Garden Festival in Charleston on April 18 and then in our town at a local nursery the following weekend. Barry specializes in raising hellebores. I have been looking forward to touring his farm for two years. I am hoping to work in a trip to Sunshine Farm in early April to see the hellebores at their peak. Whichever time I get to speak to Barry, I would like to interview him for this column. He has been at this for decades.

The Cincinnati Flower Show is April 18-26. A four-hour drive from my house; this one would be well worth the trip if I hadn't already committed to the the other two events that week. It is a large show and is the only North American flower and garden show endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain, producer of the Chelsea Flower Show, May 19-23.

I love to see how other gardeners do their thing! I'm planning a girls' weekend with my daughters in June to attend a lavender festival at the La Paix Herb Farm in Weston, West Virginia. It promises to be a great time with a gourmet lunch provided by Chef Dale Hawkins, executive chef of the Stonewall Resort.

Don't Worry--The Lord Provides

I started to worry from watching the news. I felt depressed. I confess, I've been watching the news too often over the last five to six weeks fretting the economic issues. I've watched the declining value of homes across the country, including my own. My SUV no longer retains the value it once had. My husband's retirement account seems to be in a steady decline. With my eyes lingering on the recession, no wonder I felt uneasy.

Where was my focus? I focused on what was going on in the natural. Should I deny what is taking place in the economy? Of course not, but where should my attention be? I should be attentive to the Word of God. In order to live a totally transplanted life, we are to focus on what the Lord says.

A few weeks ago, I spoke to a Women's Tribute to Missions group. After the event, I received an unexpected love offering. As I prayed about the love offering, I felt as though the Lord showed me that He's in control of all the finances. I need not to fear for the Lord provides.

Examining the Scriptures, we can see the ways the Lord provided for His people. The Lord delivered the Israelites from Egypt as promised. Living out in the desert, they did not have food to eat. The Lord provided manna for them, the food of angels. When they tired of manna and started complaining, the Lord brought them quail. They ate quail until it made them sick. Yet the Lord provided supernaturally.

Garden Planning 2: Edible Landscaping

Hurray, March is finally here! The first day of spring is just a couple weeks away. Since most of us still have some really cold and wet days (maybe even snow), we can't go full steam ahead into planting outside yet. I thought we would take a look at another garden planning option: incorporating edibles with our home landscaping.

Some of you may already be doing this without knowing it. Those pretty pots of pansies? Pluck a few flowers to decorate a spring cake! Dandelions popping up with the new lawn grass? Grab some of those tender new leaves to add to your spring salad mix and toss some of the petals on top for a boost of iron in this simple fare.

There are several other ways to deliberately grow a mixed-use or edible landscape.

In the flower beds:

Chives make a pretty and tasty edge to a border. This perennial herb self-sows and it is very easy to snip what you need for supper without changing the look of the garden.

Add a lacy filler to your zinnias by inter planting with carrots. This sister of the wildflower, Queen Anne's Lace, will make your zinnia bed look like a bouquet.  Choose a shorter variety of carrots if your sub-soil is very hard. Try Red Cored Chantenay (5-1/2" long) or the very fun golf-ball sized Thumbelina.

Underplant your rose bushes with lavender. The silvery foliage sets off any color of rose and the woody plant helps hide the ugly "legs" of the roses when the leaves start falling (as rose plants are prone to do). Both the lavender and the roses have edible uses as well as medicinal and cosmetic.

Over the arbor:

Wisteria is a traditional vine used to cover arbors. While is is beautiful, it is also extremely invasive. Once it is established it is nearly impossible to get rid of it.

A lovely and edible alternative is grape vines. You get a lush covering plus sweet grapes for eating raw, cooking into jellies or jams, or drying for raisins. If you like Greek food, the leaves are just waiting to be made into Dolmathakia (stuffed grape leaves). If you are crafty, grape vine prunings are wonderful beginnings for pretty wreaths and baskets.

If you are looking for a less permanent arbor covering, try pole beans. The flowers are beautiful and the beans are easy to harvest when they are ripe. Both grape vines and pole beans need little tying once they are established. Their curly tendrils hold onto their supports. Just be sure you use a sturdy arbor that will support their weight once they are in full production.

Out in the yard:

A shade tree is a welcome stopping spot in the middle of the hot, hazy days of summer. Instead of putting in an oak or evergreen, how about a fruit tree. Even semi-dwarf fruit trees will provide an oasis of shade in the yard. The choices are nearly limitless: multiple varieties of apple, cherry, peach, pear trees. And don't forget nut trees. Most of the country has climates that will support almond, hazelnut, pecan, and walnut trees. The more common hickory tree has a nut that tastes similar to a pecan.

Shrub options also include edibles: blueberries and bush cherries. The American hazelnut is a good edible choice for a privacy hedge as are raspberry and blackberry plants (either with or without thorns, depending on whether you are trying to keep complete privacy).

The options for incorporating edibles in the landscape are limitless. If you have a favorite edible you want to try, research the growth habits so you can site it properly. Then plant and tend to it as you do your other landscape specimens. Plus truly enjoy the fruits of your labors!

Next week: Get ready to get your hands dirty as we look at garden preparation.

Garden Planning: Let's Grow Flowers!

 

My favorite part of planning my flower gardens is looking through seed catalogs at the new varieties. The cover of this season's second Burpee Gardening Catalog features a colorful mix of Echinacea, commonly called Purple Cone Flower. The description of the new varieties is as exciting as the idea of a garden full of these beauties: "you get bursts of pink, purple, wine, yellow, cream, and orange. A range of delightful bloom forms, too, some with full upright petals and others displaying spooned or recurved petals. Makes a showy planting for  a carnival of color." What gardener can remain unmoved by the idea of favorite flowers in new and interesting colors and shapes?

Before I start filling out order forms, though, I need a good plan in place so that I can prepare the beds in which the new plants will live. I've found samples in nearly every home living magazine's March issues. My personal favorite place to find plans is at the Better Homes and Gardens web site. The plans are free, all that is required is to sign up to be a member of the site. Their plans range from cottage style to formal. The plans are detailed with garden layouts and plant lists.

This year I would like to yank out a bunch of over-grown azaleas, between the base of my front porch and the walkway, and replace them with a mixed cottage garden of annuals and perennials. I have two favorite azaleas I am going to keep and prune a bit to regain their pretty shapes. These azaleas bloom in a lovely shade of salmon. I want to highlight that color with early-spring blooming plants and coordinate the later-blooming plants so they are set off by the slightly rosy-tinted evergreen leaves of the azaleas.

Everyone can follow the basic steps to planting a flower bed and customize the rest of the steps to suit individual tastes and specific locations.

Prune the Suckers

Have you seen trees with the little cute branches growing from the base of the trunk?

Those cute little shoots actually suck the life out of the tree not allowing the essential nutrients to reach the upper branches. The upper branches bear fruit. Suckers will never bear fruit. If allowed to continue to grow these suckers will eventually kill the tree. Suckers will slowly drain the strength and life from a tree.

For a tree to bear good fruit and much fruit, the suckers must be pruned away as soon as they sprout up. This is vital for a productive life.

Like trees, we have suckers sprout up in our lives. If not pruned out of our lives quickly, strength and life will be sucked out of us. We won't be able to accomplish the purpose God has for our lives as effectively.

After seventy years in captivity in Babylon, the Lord kept His promise and the Israelites returned to their homeland. The first task to be accomplished was the rebuilding of the temple funded by Cyrus, the king of Persia. As this task progressed, it faced some fierce opposition. The enemies of Judah and Benjamin learned of the plans to rebuild the house of God, so they offered to help. Yet the Israelites declined this offer. So the enemy changed their approach.

Gearing Up: Planning Your Garden

"She who plants a seed, beneath the sod, and waits to see, believes in God."

Even the most free-blooming cottage garden starts with a plan. If you are planting only one variety of plant, a few basic things must be taken into consideration before you dig the first hole: location of the bed, availability of water, and how much time you have available to garden.

Personally, I'm a lazy gardener. I even own a book by that title. I want to get the hard stuff over with quickly, so I can get to the fun stuff. For me choosing plants is fun, planning is fun, digging the beds--not so much fun, enjoying the blooms and/or harvest is fun again.

I started this year's garden planning back in October, when I was putting last year's garden to bed. I took note of things that worked for me and things that did not go so well during the whole season. First of all, I encountered back problems in mid-spring. By that point I had already started over 130 plants (mostly tomato plants). I had big plans for canning lots of paste tomatoes. Once summer came along, the best I could do was water the pots of tomatoes. I couldn't bend over, so I couldn't plant them. I gave away over a third of my started tomato plants. After I finished with four weeks of physical therapy, I was again able to bend and work for short periods. I planted as many of the plants as I could and continued watering the rest. I finally had to give up on the last third of the tomato plants and ended up tossing them in the compost.

Mid-February Gardening: Starting Seeds Indoors

In my Zone 6 garden, the last frost date is around April 5^th. In order to gain a few weeks on my harvests, I like to start some seeds indoors. Even though I've been doing this for a few years, I rely on my Extension Service calendar to remind me which seeds to start when. You can find out about the USDA Extension Service programs in your state by visiting the Cooperative Extension System Offices web site.

Although I don't have my garden plans complete, I know I will want to grow as many of the vegetables my family consumes as possible. I was unable to harvest enough to put up (that's southern for can and/or freeze) last year due to some back problems. I'm working on plans to allow for plenty of fresh eating through the summer and fall and some tastes of summer next winter and early spring.

I pulled my calendar out on Monday and realized that I had missed a couple planting starts last week because I was caught up with the rest of our area in the snow storms and power outages. Last week's indoor gardening tasks included starting some herbs in the window sill and seeding some head lettuce. The only gardening I got done was on Saturday when I picked up a little Buzzy Herb Grow Kit ($6.99) and a Ferry Morse Soil Test Kit ($3.27) from Home Depot. Both of them were less expensive at Home Depot than anywhere I found them online. This week I need to seed cauliflower and celery. Next week I will seed broccoli and cabbage inside and peas outside. The final week of February I can start onions and greens in a cold frame outside.

Overcoming Transplant Shock

In the process of transplanting, a tree experiences stress-related problems that can kill it called "transplant shock." When the tree roots are cut for moving, it becomes vulnerable as it usually loses about ninety-five percent of the root-system. Even after being placed in the soil of its new location, it is susceptible to diseases, insects, drought, and other issues.

Transplant shock lasts until a balance between the root system and the crown of the tree are reestablished. If the roots are not properly grounded, the tree will die. In order to improve the survival rate and establish the roots, regular care for the first three years is vital.

The newly transplanted tree undergoes water stress. This stress occurs due to the crown (or top of the tree) losing water faster than it is absorbed through the fractured root system. Until a balance is restored between the roots and the crown, no pruning should take place. The tree must receive proper watering for regeneration. Too little watering and it will experience drought. Too much water and it will suffocate.

As new believers in Christ, we're dug up from our old way of life and transplanted into a new way of life. For most new believers, we immediately abandon a large percentage of our old lives. But at this time, the risk level is elevated to high for attacks--diseases, insects, and droughts--from the evil one.

Forcing a Bit of Color into Winter

February 2nd has passed and Paxatawney Phil has seen his shadow. Most of the U.S. will have six more weeks of winter (no surprise there!). I'm still in the mood for gardening regardless that some chubby rodent in Pennsylvania says I must wait. Forcing branches from spring-blooming shrubs and trees is just the thing to help bring color to the winter grays.

Depending on where one lives and what plants are available, forcing branches to bloom can begin as early as January. I have a rather large flowering quince (Chaenomeles spp.) that desperately needs pruning. I will be using it to fill the house with bright pink blossoms. Two winters ago it was mild enough that the quince started blooming in mid-January. Even with this year's harsh weather conditions, it is covered with plump magenta buds. I also have plenty of forsythia (Forsythia spp.) -- we fight all summer to keep them from taking over our daughters' yard. The bright yellow blossoms will compliment the pink quince perfectly.

Suggested Branches for Forcing and Weeks Needed to Force Blooming

January

• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalus) - 1 week
• Cornelian Cherry (Cornus Mas) - 2 weeks
• Forsythia (Forsythia spp.) - 1 to 3 weeks: blooms last 7 days
• Pear (Pyrus spp.) - 2 to 5 weeks: blooms last 7 to 14 days

February

• Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) - 4 to 6 weeks
• Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp.) - 1 to 3 weeks
• Cherries, Flowering Almonds, Plums (Prunus spp.) - 2 to 4 weeks: blooms last 7 to 14 days
• Pussy Willow (Salix Discolor) - 1 to 2 weeks: blooms will last indefinitely if allowed to dry

A Breath of Spring: Indoor Plants

"And tis my faith, that every flower enjoys the air it breathes." William Wordsworth

One of my favorite ways of enjoying gardening even with snow falling outside is to have a collection of indoor plants. I have a couple of palm trees and banana trees I'm trying to keep going until warmer weather. I am storing them in our new addition which we affectionately call our "stay-cation" room. It has a beach theme and the palms were bought to help with the ambiance of the room. I also have several Boston ferns I'm nursing until spring. I judge my success with them by how many leaves I need to sweep up each week. I'm not very good at managing the care of needy plants like the palms, so I've been researching good indoor plant management.

Caring for Indoor Plants

My successes with indoor plants are limited to succulents and cacti, which need little interference from me to grow, and pothos, one of the best plants to grow in the low light/low humidity conditions in a winter home. Pothos/philodendron (Epipremnun aureum or Scindapsus aureus) is recommended for small closed environments because it is great at exchanging "bad air" for "good air." Actually, all plants do this to some extent, as all plants exchange the carbon dioxide we exhale for oxygen they exhale. The plants at left are in an arrangement I saw in a grocery store's floral shop. The pothos is the emerald green plant at the bottom; its partner is a Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema). These plants were used in a NASA study published in the early 1980s. The study showed that along with spider plant and chrysanthemums, pothos removes significant pollutants from the air.

Welcome to Totally Transplanted

In this column, I'll share what the Word teaches us about staying attached to the vine. Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me" (John 15:1-4, NIV).

In order to bear fruit, we must stay attached to the vine. When I committed my life to the Lord, I thought I could simply confess Him as my Savior and keep my old lifestyle. I learned the hard way that kind of life does not bear fruit. Therefore, I attended the Holy Spirit school of hard knocks. I was too stubborn to listen and obey--initially. Thankfully, the Scriptures tell us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins" (1 John 1:9).

At the point we confess Jesus as our Savior, we are to start the renewal process and to learn how to live in order to bear fruit. First, we have to be totally transplanted. We must uproot ourselves from the ways of the world and plant ourselves in the ways of Christ. Christ is the Living Water. He sustains our life. We live because He lives.

Intro: Totally Transplanted

Wherever we may be in our walk with the Lord, we’re to stay firmly  attached to the Vine. Apart from Christ, we will wither and waste away. With Christ, we will bear much fruit for HIS glory. Before meeting Christ, we were wild and barren. But now we are transplanted into Christ, the Root, we are to become new creations. Visit this column to glean insights on how to stay totally committed to Christ in our daily walk.

By, Shonda Savage-Whitworth

Column Posted Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

January in the Garden

O dreary January, gray skies, bitter cold, snowy day...

I'm so glad you're here! Finally I have time to sit next to the fire with my cup of peppermint tea surrounded by my seed catalogs. Pencil, ruler, notebook, and graph paper are at the ready to capture dreams of new garden spaces.

This is a great time for this column to start. We can get to know each other and share ideas before the real chores of the garden begin. I have already received six seed catalogs. Just in time... My daughter announced her engagement a couple weeks ago. The outdoor wedding, planned for the end of May, will have a wildflower theme. Now I'm thinking of dedicating about 10 feet of my 20' x 30' vegetable bed to a wildflower garden cutting garden.

Even though January has more cold, dreary days than bright, sunny ones, there are tasks to be done.

Inside the house, it's time to increase humidity for houseplants. An inexpensive vaporizer or cool mist humidifier will help. Poinsettias should be placed in sunny windows. Peruse seed catalogs for new plants to try this spring.

In the deep south, it's time to order seed potatoes. Or if you save your own, they should be set out now for greening. They sprout best on a window ledge that is warm and bright, but not sunny.

In areas of the mid-south, where early narcissus bloom in late January, peas and hardy root crops may be planted. The soil from South Carolina to the Gulf should be prepared for planting late this month and next month.

Intro: Thyme for the Garden

Life began for humanity in the Garden of Eden. There is a deep-rooted connection to the soil in each of us. Some satisfy the draw to work the earth by growing a simple pot of violets in the kitchen window. Others may get our hands a little dirtier planting a row of marigolds along the walk. Some even indulge in the pleasure of growing an entire garden of fresh produce to provide nourishing fruits and vegetables for our families. Still, some of us may be those strange neighbor ladies out in the yard gathering "weeds" to put in the salad bowl. Join us as we seek to address the garden needs for all these and much more.

By, Patricia Warren

Column Posted Every Wednesday; Weeks will alternate from, 'Edible' gardens, to 'Decorative' gardens.

Join the Thyme for the Garden Group over at Christian Women Take Root!