"Remembrance"

This remembrance rose is scarlet and the scent is light and sweet unlike the fear of aging, a burden that we carry with us continually in our mind and body. The aging process tends to cause people to make lifestyle changes. I found myself dieting, exercising, checking my cholesterol, taking vitamins and calcium and fish oil, eating more vegetables and fruits for my eyes, my heart, my bones, my skin, more and more intensely trying to fight off the aging process and to maintain perfect health for my body. But what about our spiritual health?

The Old Testament Prophet Malachi talks about spiritual heart disease. I am busily trying to maintain my healthy momentum for a body that will turn to dust one day while I need to be focusing on soul construction, the part of me that will live eternally. The heart disease that has come about because of guilt, shame, hypocrisy, idolatry, infidelity, divorce, materialism, anger, bitterness, brokenness, rejection, abandonment, apathy, disillusionment, etc. being oblivious to God's voice and self-absorbed. (For more on "Soul Construction" see http://waylonward.blogspot.com or http://mercymatters.org)

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name." Malachi 3:16. You see, the Lord likes to hear and listen as we share about what He has done for us. Some ways of constructing your soul are: (1) pray (2) meditate on the Word (3) tell others (4) live a pure life (5) fellowship with other Christians.

If you are having a difficult time getting beyond the heart break, seek professional help or someone who can encourage your soul. Soul construction, a light and sweet fragrance pleasing to the Lord so pleasing there is a book of remembrance written before Him.

"Compassion"

The "compassion" rose has a rich, strong and sweet fragrance and can be used as a climbing rose on fences. In other words, it spreads. This is a rich truth from the Word to keep in our soul as we comfort others. The strong sweetness of the fragrance spreads the joy of being a Christian.

II Corinthians 7:5 - For when we came into Macedonia this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn - conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

When we are tired, harassed, have conflicts and fears, our God comforts us. He comforts us by sending friends. He comforts us by the comfort they have received from others. He comforts us by the longing, deep sorrow and ardent concern that our friends have for us so that our joy is greater than ever.

"Many Happy Returns"

I finally made it. "60" My husband surprised me with a party. I was really surprised. My family, my closest friends, my Study Group. I was surprised. You can read all about it on my daughter's blog "Birthdays and Surprises" and see the pictures also. http://lifeoflisasmith.blogspot.com

The Rose "Many Happy Returns" was named from a salutation originating in the 1700's mainly used for birthdays that the birthday year would be repeated again and again. My 60th was definitely once in a lifetime event. However, on reflecting I realized I have been blessed with a wonderful family. My children and grandchildren live lives honoring to me and to the Lord. They love others and are involved in ministering God's love to others. I pray that I will always remember the love bestowed upon me by my family and friends on this birthday.

But the perfectness of this event is knowing the love of my Father. Not just my earthly father but my Father God in Heaven who loves me, who uniquely created me in my mother's womb, numbered my days from beginning to end, who perceives my thoughts, my going and coming and lying down, who knows every word on my tongue and who is familiar with all my ways. He has found favor on me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made and I praise my Father. (Psalm 139)

Casting Crowns has a song called "Who Am I?" that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name or feel my hurt. It is not because of who I am but because of what the Lord of all the earth has done. It is not because of what I've done but because of who the Father is. And I am His. "I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow." Because God loves me and God's promises are eternal. There will be many happy returns to the blessings He has for me. Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

"Rise 'n' Shine"

This yellow rose has very little scent but it blooms profusely and stands tall and straight with lots of clusters. Its petals are pointed like stars.

In Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God, he mentions the story of Lazarus and when he died. All the way through the final sickness and death, Jesus did not respond. Even though Lazarus was mentioned as the one He loved. Mary and Martha told Jesus that if he had come their brother would not have died. Jesus told them they were correct, Lazarus would not have died because they knew that He would have healed him. Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives, and believes in me will never die."

Henry Blackaby suggests that not only did Jesus want them to know that He could heal but He wanted them to know a greater revelation of himself. He is the Resurrection and the Life. John Piper states that "we must never forget that God's silences are not his rejections. They are preparation for a greater revelation of him." Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Just as Jesus asked Martha, "Do you believe this?", we should remember that a greater revelation is coming. So, Rise and Shine!

"Friendship Roses"

Our pastor http://TheHarvestNow.com has been talking about relationships. The most important one being our relationship with God. He challenged us to whether we can call ourselves God's friend. James 2:23 says Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." and he was called God's friend." The topic brought to mind the old hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" written in 1855.

What a privilege to carry all our sins and griefs to Him because He promises to bear them. We forfeit peace and bear needless pain just because we do not take it to God in prayer. He makes a way for our trials and temptations and troubles. He is our refuge. We should never be discouraged. He shares our sorrows. Jesus knows our every weakness.Take it to Him in prayer. He is a faithful friend. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you take it to Him in prayer? Are you a friend of God? Check out the website for our church.http://TheHarvestNow.com

"Mary Rose"

This rose is sweetly fragrant, vigorous and spreading. "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him."

Peter and the disciple ran to the empty tomb, looked inside and they believed. "Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying." We know the story...she saw two angels where Jesus' body had been. They asked her why she was crying. She told them they have have taken My Lord away and didn't know where. She saw a man she thought was the gardener and asked him where the body was. But when "Jesus said to her, "Mary." "She turned and cried out teacher..." "Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me...Go instead to my brothers and tell them..." Mary went to the disciples to spread the news "I have seen the Lord."

Jesus is alive. He arose from the dead. He lives today. Are we holding on to Him or are we spreading the sweet fragrance of His life, His death, His resurrection. Are we a "Mary Rose"? Jesus is Risen. Hallejuah!

"Deep Secret"

You have to look deep into this rose to behold the color. It is rich and sweet. My THOUGHTS on the Passover may seem deep but they are rich and sweet... Psalm 25:14 says "The Secret of the Lord is with them who fear him and He will show them his covenant." KJV

John 13:21 - "When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples whom He loved. Then leaning back on Jesus breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped bread he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the table knew for what reason he said this to him.

For some THOUGHT because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him buy those things we need for the feast or that he should give something to the poor." NIV

I pondered how many times have we been in a group of people watching what was going on perplexed about what was being said, not understanding why someone else was chosen to run the errand, who was being talked about and what they did to deserve recognition. The same thoughts these disciples must have thought. The disciples THOUGHT two different things. Neither one was an accurate THOUGHT.

However, Jesus had given them the answer. One would betray Him. It would happen when he dipped the bread. And to do it quickly. But scripture tells us they THOUGHT Judas was leaving to buy more food or to feed the poor. Are our thoughts on the One who loves us so much He gave His life for us that we could be with Him forever? Or are our thoughts focused on wrong thoughts? God's Word promises us that "...his secret is with the righteous." Prov 3:32 KJV We just have to look deep for them.