Falling Asleep in the Garden - Being Passionate

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it

when it’s in your power to help them”

- Proverbs 3:27

I don’t know what the weather has been like where you live, but here in Colorado it’s been gorgeous lately. I’ve opened windows and breathed in the fresh air. Flowers are popping their heads out from the ground, especially the daffodils. I’ve even seen a blue jay perched on a fence post. Sure signs of Spring!

Have you ever wondered what it was like in the Garden of Gethsemane over 2000 years ago?

Unfortunately, this is the last post from within the Garden. We will be leaving shortly and continuing on our Journey to the Cross.

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, which marks the day Jesus entered Jerusalem. It is the beginning of the week of His passion – and we will walk that path right here, next Wednesday. But first, let’s explore the word “passion.”   Here are just two of the definitions as stated in the Merriam- Webster Dictionary:

1.  the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death
2.  ardent affection, a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object or concept

God has given us a passionate spirit and fills our heart with the longing to make a difference.

Ask yourself, “How do I respond to God’s calling?” Am I passionate or passive?

Many times we relate to the pain of others, experience their suffering, see the needs of the lonely or lost - but we wait thinking someone else will step up, we rationalize, procrastinate, avoid the promptings of His gentle “nudges.” But, if we are passionate, we must actively choose to follow Christ.

In Luke 9:23 Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Christ came as a servant and His dying was an act of obedience.  Will you be obedient?

PREPARING OUR HEARTS: This week as we prepare for Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, let’s give thanks to the Lord for His passion and obedience, even to death on the cross. Ask God to show you what breaks His heart, and how you can use your “passion” to make a difference.

May Palm Sunday be a day of shouting sweet Hosanna’s ... “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD” - Psalm 118:26.

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

Falling Asleep in the Garden - HUMILITY

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,

you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,

kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

- Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

Last Wednesday we talked about drawing closer to God. I hope you’ve been able to spend a little extra time in His Presence this week.

Our Journey to the Cross will soon take us away from the Garden, but before we leave, there are two words I think we should explore – humility and passion. I chose these two specific characteristics, because in both cases, our godliness can often be measured by the line between the characteristic and it’s opposite or extreme. Let’s take a look at the definition of the word HUMILITY, meaning the quality of being modest or respectful . The opposite is ARROGANCE, contemptuous, feeling or showing self-importance or disregard for others. So, what is the “fine line” between these two extremes?

We start out with CONFIDENCE, a self-assurance or belief in our own abilities. But, then PRIDE comes along.

Pride can be a proper sense of own value, the correct level of respect for the importance and value of your personal character, life, efforts, or achievements.

Pride can be satisfaction with self, the happy satisfied feeling somebody experiences when having or achieving something special that other people admire.

Or, Pride can become a feeling of superiority, a haughty attitude shown by somebody who believes, often unjustifiably, that he or she is better than others

Pride opens the door and offers a temptation to change our God-given talents, gifts and passions into something sinful. However, humility allows God to help us keep our thoughts, motives and desires focused on being Christ-like.

Philippians 2:8 tells us, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

I think Lent is the perfect time to remember ... when we fall short in our own efforts, when our human, sinful ways get the best of us ... Jesus’ death is our only hope.

PREPARING OUR HEARTS: This week, ponder the thought that every trait, ability, quality, talent and desire we have, are gifts from God, and could be taken from us at any moment. With the help of the Holy Spirit, make a conscious effort to ask God to reveal the intentions of your heart and grant you the ability to see yourself as He sees you.

Be sure to check back next Wednesday as we explore our answer to the question, “Are we passionate or passive?”

Counting down to Calvary ...
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

Falling Asleep in the Garden – DRAWING CLOSER

 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,

and all these things will be added to you” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

What has this Lenten season meant to you? How have you drawn closer to God?

On this blog we are always talking about how our lives – the busyness, commitments, and other demands on our time STEAL OUR PEACE. Well guess what? Those same trappings, if we let them, can keep us from drawing closer to God. The Journey to the Cross doesn’t take a day off, or time out because of other commitments or busy schedules.

What competes with your time with God?

Sometimes I feel like the disciples when they fell asleep in the Garden. I grow tired and weary, and end up choosing sleep or mundane activities (such as Facebook, Pinterest, or TV) to fill my time. And yes, you guessed it - my “God-time” suffers.

The words of James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” God expects us to take the first step, and if we do, He will meet us right where we are. It takes a conscious effort on our part to draw near to Him.

Let’s read the passage one more time: “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet” (James 4:7-10, The Message).

Why would we choose to battle the chaos, hurt, weariness, sin, disappointment, loneliness that comes from our constantly trying to do things our way, filling ourselves with things of this world - when we can find peace, comfort, strength, and joy {and much more} in the presence of God?

Christ humbled himself when he came to walk with us, and to die on the cross for our sins. 

Are our actions and choices telling HIM that it was all for nothing?

PREPARING OUR HEARTS: Let’s make today a new day, a re-commitment to this Lenten season. Let’s abandon our attempts to do it our way, to “save” ourselves. Remember the words from James? We have been commanded to take the first step.

This week I came across a prayer from Joel and Victoria Osteen, and it is the perfect prayer for this moment. As we respond to His command, won’t you pray with me …

Father in heaven, I choose to draw near to You. I open my heart and turn from anything that displeases You. Fill me with Your power to live the good life You have planned for me as I draw close to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I have posted two music links for the songs “In the Garden” and “Draw Me Close to You” ... enjoy! There is also a resource listed below that offers 365 meditations for a year long journey of drawing closer to God.

Blessings & Peace,
In Christ Alone – Donna Weaver


In the Garden, sung by Alan Jackson
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=i+stand+in+the+garden+youtube&view=detail&mid=1B4678B636275F952B1F1B4678B636275F952B1F&first=0&FORM=LKVR1


Draw Me Close to You, sung by Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_tdG9yM93A&feature=related


Drawing Closer to God: 365 Daily Meditations, 
by Dianne Neal Matthews
http://www.christianbook.com/drawing-closer-meditations-questions-scripture-ebook/dianne-matthews/9781441213266/pd/10090EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=10090EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Falling Asleep in the Garden – FORGIVENESS

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness

of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace”

- Ephesians 1:7

By now, we’ve come to realize that the Lenten season is a Journey to the Cross. We began our walk through the garden of Gethsemane by reflecting on the things that separate us from Christ. Last we went back to the garden and talked about confessing our sins with a sincere heart.

This week we will be exploring the topic of forgiveness. Even while we were sinners, God sent his Son to die in our place. Jesus took the journey to the cross, experienced pain and suffering ... and ultimately died for our sins. He carried our burdens and took our place on the cross.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

Are you beginning to sense the depth of God’s love for you?

As we continue on the path from ashes to glory we need to realize that this GIFT of forgiveness occurred once for all time. It is God’s free and loving gift to us. A gift we cannot earn and one we definitely do not deserve.

PREPARING OUR HEARTS: Let’s stop along the path this week to smell the roses. A few years ago I came across the story below and love to pull it out at Easter time. It’s a great reminder that we need to pass along the same love and forgiveness that God has shown to us, to others who join us on our life journey.

The Fragrance of My Savior

by Sharon Lee Roberts

I was running bath water the other night when I looked into my basket of bath salts and little soaps. There was a small package with a beautiful floral print on the front. It was called “Essence of Rose.”

I thought about the name. I smelled the fragrance. It smelled just like a rose. Though it wasn’t a rose, it carried the rose’s fragrance.

I remembered that special title for Jesus found in the bible “the rose of Sharon” (Song of Solomon 2:1). I remembered that I, as a Christian, am to carry the fragrance of Christ, whom I follow.

Also, I am to reflect his image. Do I reflect Jesus Christ? Will people see him shine through me? I hope that others can see Jesus in me. I know that I can be more like him only as I submit to God’s will for me, to his working in me. For it is God who does the work. The process may be painful, but I need to endure it so that the desired results in my character are produced.

I pray that I have the fragrance of gentleness, and the scent of forgiveness and forbearance. I pray that meekness shines through me.

As I inhale that beautiful fragrance of “essence of rose” and close my eyes to envision a rose, I pray that the world will sense in my life the fragrance of my Savior.

This week I pray that we will truly understand the power of forgiveness,
and the joy of everlasting life that goes along with it.

Counting down to Calvary ...

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver