As Lavender

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I want to age like Lavender. This morning as I looked at the Lavender in my garden I felt a little sad in seeing that the flowers were already drying. In a moment I realized that this was the point that the Lavender quality became even more evident. It is when the blooms of the Lavender fade that the fragrance matures. Strong, distinct, lingering. A testimony of it's true character. The fragrance is unmistakable and is contained even in the leaves and wood and it is in the pressing and crushing that the fragrance comes forth the strongest.

As youth inevitably fades, I want to be found fragrant. I want the strong, distinct and lingering fragrance of Christ to become mature and evident in me.

Ephesians 5:1,2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

2 Corinthians 2:14,15 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

A Gardener's Journal-Psalm 143:6

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I stretch out my hands to Thee; My soul longs for Thee, as a parched land.

Psalm 143:6

Abundant Grace

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2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

The Almighty

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Refreshment

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For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants.
Isaiah 44:3

Where is that in the Bible again? : Google tip

If you're like me, you sometimes find yourself with a verse on your mind but can't quite remember where it is. Searching a concordance, even online can be difficult using one key word. This is what I do: type into google as much of the verse that you are pretty sure of (a key part of a sentence) add the word "bible" and hit search. 99.9% of the time there will be tons of hits containing that verse. Usually the search results show you that the reference is listed on that page. It doesn't matter what the page contents are, a quick glance will give you the location of the verse and you're good to go.

The giving of you...

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As much as we do and do during the holidays, the ministry of relationship is the most important giving you can do.

Philippians 2:4
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

(scrapping materials by Mary Fran)