GARDENER

Your Heavenly Father is the Master Gardener in your life.

That's an interesting way to say that, don't you think?  My Father is the Gardener?

That's basically what Jesus was saying:  'I am the true vine and My Father is the Vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that doesn't bear fruit He takes away and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.'  (John 15:1, 2)

"So God, be the Master Gardener in my life."

That kind of prayer is important because the most vital thing in your heart and mind is what you believe about God - because for a lot of folks there are great and wrong assumptions about who He is and what He's all about.

All the wars and sicknesses and disasters - all the things we fear - there can't be a good God.  In fact, God must be destructive.  In fact, God must be out to hurt people.

No.  He's the Gardener.  He tends to you.  He watches over you.  That's why we can trust Him.  That's why we don't need to be afraid.

Joelene has a very green thumb.  We've had some amazing gardens over the years.  She'd have all these seed catalogs showing vegetables you'd never heard of -- foods you only had nightmares about eating.  There were times she'd work so hard on that soil out there - because she knew the soil was the key to a good harvest.  There were seasons she wanted me to create a compost corner in the garden so she could make everything we didn't want to eat.

The good gardener will do whatever it takes to make the garden bear fruit.  God, the Master Gardener, wants more than anything for you to thrive.  He wants more than anything for you to live with hope - to be at peace - to move beyond your past.

Is He good?  Yes.
Is He kind?  Yes.
Is He loving?  Yes.
Does He care?  Yes.
Are you one of His kids?  Yes.

And be blessed.