Page 22
Healthy Homes & Families Natural, Biblical, Healthy Living WisconsinChristianNews.com
Volume 25, Issue 10
Graves Into Gardens
By Chris McMahan March 2025
not really reality. What a precious thing that our God, having His ways higher than ours, brings about the reverse pro- cess in our lives. Instead of taking us out back be- hind the shed and chucking us into the woods when He sees that we have failures and short-comings; He
8:32 ESV), “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Matthew 7:11 ESV), “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
“You turn graves into gardens, You turn bones into armies, You turn seas into highways, You're the only one
who can.” (Elevation
Worship,
Graves into Gardens) If you came to visit me at my house in Georgia, we might sit on the porch and sip a cup of sweet tea. From there, you could see the oak leaf hydrangeas that grow around the border of my country haven. In the distance, the pop of coral from my knock-out roses might catch your eye, or a pot of purple pansies at the front door. I’ve had many such guests stop by and comment at what a green thumb I have. Before you think I’m bragging, let me finish the story... One day, such a friend was over.
We experience this as we serve others (Galatians 6:9-10 ESV), “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, .as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” God is life and love. He desires to redeem and restore us. He desires that none should perish, or be tossed out behind the proverbial shed into the plant graveyard. He desires life for us and not death. And not only does He desire life for us, but He has made a
She went on and on about my gardening talent. Eventually I couldn’t help but see that she was in- tensely jealous of what she saw around my house. “Come with me,” I invited her, “there's something else you need to see.” I took my friend around the back of the house, behind the little old shed where we keep our tools and junk at the edge of the woods. “Look back there and tell me what you see,” I in- structed. She peered into the woods, eyes landing on a pile that seemed to stand out from nature’s nat- ural order. “Is that a pile of weeds?” she asked. What I had revealed to her was my plant grave- yard. I’m no green thumb, folks! I simply throw out any plant that cannot withstand my particular type of “mothering,” which has a slight emphasis on neglect. Truth be told, I turn gardens into graveyards! What my friend thought she was seeing with her eyes was
takes the dead and brings life to it. We experience this in our initial salvation (Ephe- sians 2:4-5 English Standard Version), “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.” We experience this in our continued growth and change (Phillipians 1:6 English Standard Version), “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” We experience this in healing (James 5:14a, 15 ESV), “Is anyone among you sick? The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” We experience this as we pray for others (Romans
way for us to have that life. I love that life as we understand it began in a gar- den. Whatever your skills, talents and gifts; be as- sured that God wants to walk with you and talk with you because of His love for you, not because of your great life (gardening) skills. He is not worried one little bit about your ability. It is your heart that He is after. Nothing can stop Him from pursuing it – no amount of failure can keep Him away. For He knows that while we don’t have the power to transform our lives, under His mighty hand we will bloom...He turns graves into gardens. Chris McMahan,
Email: Happy1970@icloud.com Please email me if you would like to receive monthly ministry updates.
This is What I’ve Learned...
... From A Mule Named ‘Roy!’
By Layton Howerton March 2025 Well, as an old retired par-
patient with them. By recognizing a true statement that a dearly departed old friend of mine once
lieve them.” Now, it’s never been my job to try to correct the nature of any of God’s crea- tures, because that’s His job, and I figured out a long time ago that He doesn’t need my help. So if you’re dealing with a stubborn ol’ Roy in your life, just remember it not your job to get the hee-haw out of ‘em, it’s God’s. And that it might be in your best interest to mind your own disposition, and not only theirs. For the Bible says, “Don’t be or- nery like a horse or mule that needs bit and bridle to stay on track.” Psalm 32:9 (The Message). This is Layton Howerton encour- aging you to be patient and kind to God’s creatures, who have ornery dispositions…even when they’re actin’ like, an “unmitigated mule” along the way.
son, I’ve gone from feeding God’s flock on Sundays, to feeding four horses and a mule named “Roy” in the mornin’s here in Montana, and I’m enjoying it. Now over the years of my pastoral life, I’ve tended to some folks who were pretty tuff sheep, along with a few goats, and occasionally dealt with some stubborn mules as well. I had a great uncle get kicked in the head by a mule, who lost an eye and was disfigured for life…so I know you’ve got to be careful whe- never you’re around a mule. But I’ve learned how to deal with some critters who can, from time to time, dis- play an ornery disposition, and how to be
shared with me, who said, “Layton, when someone shows you who they are…be-
Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5