from Pastor Austin

​

The art of gardening is something that has taken me by surprise. 

​

Our family has taken an interest in the activity over the past three years as we have lived in the parsonage. We have gone from half-heatidly planting a few tomatoes and carrots, to building raised beds, planting over 10 varities of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and beginning to compost for healthy soil. One thing I have learned through all of this trial and error? Healthy soil develops a healthy crop. 

​

Farmers spend a lot of time preparing the soil from harvest to next year's planting season because they know that the health of the soil will likely return a high yield of their crop. Many of us become frustrated when trying to plant a garden because we first didn't work on the quality of the soil before planting - often yielding poor results for harvest.

​

Our own spiritual lives can also end in the same result. Often times, we try to follow Jesus but we become discouraged and frustrated that our devotional attempts and prayer lives end abruptly, with no consistency or growth. But did we ever attempt to clear out the spiritual weeds or put nutrients in the soil? The best way to do this is to truly give our full lives over to Jesus so He can create the right environment for growth.

 

               Ezekiel 36:26  says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will                        remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." 

​

When Jesus comes into our lives, He makes us brand new. Then, it's His Spirit that helps us maintain that new life. Just like the prep work that includes raking, churning, and enhancing the soil, so God does this with our lives. If we allow Him to nurture our soul before trying to seek a spiritual harvest, we will reap the yield and discover the sweetness the fruit of the Spirit has to offer. 

​

Ready to work with your children on this? Pray for their salvation and spiritual renewal. Then, introduce them to the work of exchanging things in their lives with the things of Jesus.

​

Praying for your family today,

​

Pastor Austin