Bougainvillea As Soul Food

For 25 years, I owned a horticulture corporation. I grew the plants in my greenhouses, sold them, taught customers how to care for them, and even leased them. A division of my corporation was the interior landscaping business and I loved it. We made businesses look beautiful and made an excellent living! But it didn't begin to compare with my personal gardening. That fed my soul!

For me, gardening is not only good exercise and a way to provide fresh flowers for the table and fresh vegetables for the evening meal, it is also a spiritual experience. With good reason Martin Luther wrote, God is entirely and personally present in the wilderness, in the garden, and in the field.

Struggling with life’s priorities, building Christian character, and the miracle of the resurrection of the body are but a few of the biblical truths that unfold to me in my gardening. The teachings of Christ become crystal clear as my hands are covered with soil, or they are holding a small seedling. The light bulb goes on in my spirit and I gain a new understanding of Parable of The Seed.

People who nourish seeds and plants usually do it because their souls need food. Yes, vegetables and fruits are needed for the body, but sometimes the soul needs the beauty of flowers around them even more than they need food for their stomachs.

Bougainvillea are on my top-three list of beautiful flowering vines as "soul food". Their name comes from Louis Antoine de Bougainville, an admiral in the French Navy who discovered the plant in Brazil in 1768. Like rose bushes, they have deadly thorns (some species have had the thorns bred out), but the beauty of them growing on the fence or up the side of the house wall outweighs the danger of the thorns. They grow prolifically in several countries, and come in eighteen colors and growth patterns. For many years they lined my property and gave me beauty while they protected my property - sort of "natural barbed wire"!

Bougainvillea are rapid growing and flower all year in warm climates, especially when pinched or pruned. They grow best in moist fertile soil. Bloom cycles are typically four to six weeks. Bougainvillea grow best in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization, but the plant requires little water to flower. As indoor houseplants in temperate regions, they can be kept small by bonsai techniques. If over-watered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt, or even die from root decay.

I can't help but remember that God put Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden. I can't think of a more wonderful place to live! And I'll bet the "new heaven and new earth" will have beautiful Bougainvillea! I sure hope so.

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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God, What's The Purpose of the Ostrich?

Other than being the largest bird in the world (with one of the the largest eye cavities of any creation on the planet), and being the largest living species of bird who lays the largest egg of any bird species, what purpose does the ostrich serve? They are the world's lousiest mothers, they can not fly, and they are d-u-m-b! They are fast runners (up to 43 miles per hour), but how does that serve the planet? Their feathers are gorgeous, and their faces are funny-looking. But still, I wonder why God even created them!

Hey, it ain't just me who points out the faults of the ostrich. God, Himself, pointed out their uselessness to Job.

"The ostrich flaps her wings futilely— all those beautiful feathers, but useless!
She lays her eggs on the hard ground, leaves them there in the dirt, exposed to the weather,
Not caring that they might get stepped on and cracked or trampled by some wild animal.
She's negligent with her young, as if they weren't even hers.
She cares nothing about anything.
She wasn't created very smart, that's for sure, wasn't given her share of good sense.
But when she runs, oh, how she runs, laughing, leaving horse and rider in the dust."

OK, so the purpose of the ostrich seems to be to run. Ostrich riding is, in other countries, like horse riding is in the United States.

I do remember that Johnny Cash was seriously hurt when kicked by an ostrich, so I know these birds are not "gentle" creatures.

I have ostrich ferns in front of my house, and they usually remind me of the conversation between Job and God. They are gorgeous ferns because they resemble ostrich feathers, and they are very hardy.

Today I'm just contemplating the reason for the existence of ostriches. Nothing earth shaking, just my inquisitive nature rising up again.

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Willful Clay?

I never even thought about clay being 'willful' until I enrolled in my first pottery class. An impatient novice, I discarded piece after piece. Little by little, I learned the rudiments of pottery making, and still, I had clay that seemed to have a mind of its own! I took it personally when the clay did not yield to me. I gave up. I didn’t have the natural ability to become a good potter, I decided.

Patiently, an experienced potter told me about willful clay. He said an experienced potter knows exactly how wet the clay must be, precisely how fast the potter's wheel can spin without getting out of control, and what kind of clay to use for a specific project. He knows how long it must be kneaded and pounded to get out all of the hidden air bubbles that cause a work to explode in the kiln. He knows after the clay is partially dry he must slowly spin the piece as he delicately trims the edges with his potter's tools.

He also knows when it's time to discard clay that has a mind of its own.

How many times has God brought tears into my life to soften this lump of clay, and I've reacted with "Why did you make me like this?"

How many times has He allowed His wheel to spin faster and faster, and I have accused Him of leaving me alone to face seemingly out-of-control circumstances?

How often have I rebelled as He placed me on His Potter's Table to knead out all of my hidden defects to keep me from self-destructing?

How many times have I demanded miracles from Him as He delicately trimmed my edges with His potter's knife?

Fortunately, God does not get frustrated, as I did, to the point of discarding pieces He has started. But I wonder if I continue to be willful, will I miss out on being used for noble purposes? Will I, because of my own resistance, have to settle for "common use?"

Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:20

Lord, I don't want to be common in Your gallery. I want to shine with perfection for You! Thank you for being so patient with me in my stubborn times. Thank you for never giving up on this ball of willful clay.

(c) 2003-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Sunflowers, Sun and The Son

Sunflowers have been symbols of worship to the "sun god" for thousands of years. Why? They follow the sun! I've been a fan of sunflowers for decades because of their practice of keeping their face to the sun. What a fascinating parallel to Christ's teaching that we, His followers, need to keep our faces to the Son! Let's look at some information about Sunflowers.

Sunflowers in the bud stage exhibit heliotropism (track the sun's motion across the sky from East to West). At sunrise, the faces of most sunflowers are turned towards the east. Over the course of the day, they follow the sun from east to west, while at night they return to an eastward orientation. This motion is performed by motor cells in the pulvinus, a flexible segment of the stem just below the bud. As the bud stage ends, the stem stiffens and the blooming stage is reached.

I crept into my neighbor's yard early one morning and caught this photo of her beautiful Sunflower, covered with morning dew, and "in progress". It brought a very old hymn to mind.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Nature and Music: Total Relaxation Video

I've been asked many times why I am so passionate about nature, music, and dogs. Long story short, my childhood was spent with an abusive mother and a father who did nothing to stop the abuse. So, being a creative child, I found ways to escape.

Nature (with my dog beside me) was my first escape. As I got older and took piano and voice lessons, music became another way of escape. So knowing that about me, it is not difficult to understand my life-long passion for nature, music, and dogs.

There are times when I have to escape the stresses of normal life on this planet. And when I escape, it always involves my three passions. Here is a video I run to quite often. I hope these six minutes of total relaxation relax you, too.



From YouTube

May you have a relaxing day.

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Still In Love With These Strange Trees!

There are some things in nature that have always fascinated me. Even as a very young child, I was in love with Pussy Willow trees (and branches). I loved touching the catkins (those furry things that felt like cat fur) and calling them "pwetty" (one of my first words). Here I am a grandmother, and I'm still in love with these strange trees. What exactly are Pussy Willows?

Pussy Willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. These species include (among many others):

* Goat willow or goat sallow (Salix caprea), a small tree native to northern Europe and northwest Asia.
* Grey willow or grey sallow (Salix cinerea), a small tree native to northern Europe
* American Pussy Willow (Salix discolor), native to northern North America. This, of course, is my favorite.

Before the male catkins - yes, there are male and female catkins - of these species come into full flower they are covered in fine, grayish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats, also known as "pussies". The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring. At other times of year trees of most of these species are usually known by their ordinary names.

The odd thing about the catkins is that they are actually the flower on the branch! I'll bet you never looked at a Pussy Willow branch and thought, "Look at all those beautiful flowers!"

Pussy Willow branches are great for dried flower arrangements. They add that unique look that sets the arrangement apart from, say, a dozen roses.

In Europe, they are used in place of palms for Palm Sunday. And in Poland (or Buffalo, New York for Polish-Americans) they are used for Easter Monday observances.

And if you want to plant Pussy Willow branches, you can. It's very easy.

1. Take the cuttings from the new growth on male Pussy Willows.
2. Insert into the ground the end that you cut -- in other words, the bottom of the stem as it was growing in the wild.
3. Take a cutting that is about as thick as a pencil and at least one foot long. It needs to be long enough for a few inches to be underground (for stability), while a couple of nodes should still be showing above ground.
4. If you don't wish to wait until summer, bring your Pussy Willow cuttings inside and root them in water; then transplant outside when danger of frost is past.
5. Plant your cuttings far away from septic tank fields, sewer lines or water lines, as they have invasive roots.

One of my favorite paintings of Pussy Willows is Alan Pulley's "Eastern Bluebirds" which can be viewed on this blog, or on Alan's art page on his blog Birds 'N Such. He's a gifted artist.

So kids, listen up! Mother's Day is coming and I'd love to receive a Pussy Willow tree from my favorite place to shop! You can even get a FREE catalog, so no excuses! (Not leaving anything to chance here. :-)

(How many of my readers think I'll actually get a Pussy Willow Tree on Mother's Day?)

(c) 2009 Nature Girl

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Earth Day Nature Art

Earth day is here and, boy, do we all need a 'nature break' from the turbulent and jarring news reports that permeate our unnatural society! Something peaceful, natural and beautiful is in order for Earth Day 2009, and what better than this nature art you see to the left?

"Eastern Bluebirds" is by nature artist Alan Pulley. As I enjoy Pulley's spiritually-inspired scene, I am reminded that spring has arrived on-schedule, birds are mating and building nests for their arriving young, and that God's creation is perpetually beautiful!

I could stare into this happy painting all day; it is simply delightful. I can almost see the Creator of our earth smiling in the blue sky above the joyous chirps of the bluebirds. Click on the picture to see a larger image!

Alan Pulley's blog is Birds 'N Such, and you can see some more of his fabulous nature art there as well. Thank you, Alan, for sharing the talents God has developed in you with all of us. Your writing, your great paintings and your nature photography all help us enjoy Earth Day as a special day that honors our earth... and its Creator.

May we all appreciate this gorgeous and amazing planet which God made for us all to enjoy. Happy Earth Day!

This is a guest post from my son, Mark.

(c) 2009 Christian Nature

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The Restorative Power of Nature

The last 24 hours have been turbulent for me. The old saying, "When it rains, it pours," has been a reality. So it was time to sit with my coffee mug, calm down, and allow myself to gain perspective. Usually, what calms me down is one of two things: immersing myself in nature, or sitting at my computer with Adobe Photoshop and creating something beautiful. Both methods are creative in nature. Also, there is restorative power in nature whether it's actual or artistic.

Today, because of the scorching temperatures, I chose Photoshop.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak.

(c) 2009 April Lorier (based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-7)

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Pruning My Plants and Myself

I owned a horticulture company for 26 years, so I know the importance of pruning (sometimes called "pinching" for indoor plants). One of the easiest plants to keep beautiful is the Pothos, also called Devil's Ivy. It is primarily available as three different cultivars: yellow variegated, white variegated, and plain green. The botanical name for Pothos is Epipremnum.

When women were convinced they had a black thumb, I always recommended the Pothos because it is hard to kill. It can be grown as a hanging plant or on a pole; but however you chose to grow it, it has specific needs. It tolerates a wide range of light, but for optimum growth it needs brighter light (not direct sun light).

A moderately moist soil is preferred. Allow the soil surface to dry before each thorough watering. Drain the excess of the water in the saucer at base of the pot, the container has a saucer, to prevent root rot.

As long as you keep it in moderate temperatures (65-70 F), fertilize it periodically, and keep it dust-free, it should grow well. But the question you must ask is, "How do I want it to grow?"

By that, I mean do you want it to grow long and lanky (for draping over a doorway), or do you want it to grow bushy? If it is a hanging plant, it will soon look scraggly if no pruning is done. Or if it grows on a pole, it will soon look out of control if no "pinching back" is done at the top of the pole.

When I am pruning my own Pothos, I am usually thinking I want the plants to last a long time, and they must have constant new growth for that to happen. That takes pruning.

It's the same in my spiritual life. Oh, I know God uses circumstances to "prune" me, and rarely do I like it. But what about pruning myself?

We are told (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) it is our responsibility to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That is very hard to do! I seriously doubt it can be done without the strengthening of The Holy Spirit.

I've been on a campaign of self-discipline for some time now, capturing negative thoughts as they enter my mind and deliberately altering the course of my mind. For me, the tool that works the best is singing scripture, for I must concentrate on not only the words but also the melody and rhythm. At night, when depressing thoughts come to me in the dark, I begin to sing. It's not always audible to anyone but God, but I'm singing!

If I get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip, that seems to be the time when my mind begins racing, and I must use extra discipline to alter the direction of my mind.

And in the morning, when I am coming to consciousness, just like a computer, my mind begins racing. I must deliberately stop it and concentrate on the goodness of God and His plan for that particular day. It is constant warfare, made even more difficult if the first thing I do is turn on the television. (We all know what depressing news is fed to us 24 hours a day!)

So I must be as faithful to the pruning of myself as I am to the pruning of my plants. It's the only way to win the war!

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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"Winds of Satan" - Santa Ana Winds

Each January first, people watch the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on television, and they see the wonderful weather Southern California seems to have. In the midst of their own sub-freezing weather, they think, "I would love to live in California instead of here!" And some people actually do pack up everything they own and head for the green hills of Southern California! Of course, they don't arrive until July or August, and most are shocked at the brown hills, the burned cities, and the hot high winds.

I have lived in several states, some of which have four seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring. It's wonderful experiencing the four distinct seasons of nature!

Here in Southern California, we do have our own seasons: torrential rainy season, land slide season, Santa Ana Winds season (sometimes at 80-90 mph), fire season, and earthquake season. But in between those seasons, we do have some beautiful weather!

Most people have heard of the Santa Ana Winds of California, but some know them as "winds of Satan" (or devil winds). There is nothing pleasant about these winds! They jangle your nerves, make you sick with all the pollen and debris they carry, and they drive a small barbecue fire into city after city at such a high rate it takes months to totally extinguish all of the fires. I am packed every year for immediate evacuation because of these winds.

And they're blowing today. Temperatures are hovering just under the century mark, and it will be hotter as the week progresses. These winds can blow at tornado speeds, sometimes exceeding 100 mph. This is one facet of nature I could truly live without!

So, today, this is all that's on my mind. How to keep cool, stay out of the winds, and get back some of my stolen energy. I hate these "winds of Satan"!

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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How Can The Clay Be The Gift Giver?

But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:4 NIV

I had just brought my pottery class friend to a saving knowledge of Christ the week before and, to inspire me, she hand-weaved an elegant ceramic bread basket for me. "Read the inscription," she said, beaming with obvious satisfaction.

What you ARE is God's gift to you;
What you BECOME is your gift to God.

It was a popular quote at the time, and meant to be encouraging. I was familiar with it, but it bugged me to distraction. It seemed such a little thing; but later, as I stared at the message, it dawned on me that while the message was meant to inspire me to be all I could be, it was contrary to scripture: it was backwards!

What I was -- a self-centered traveler on the wrong road -- was my gift to God. When I came to Him all I could bring was my sinful nature and my past mistakes. Any efforts to be good enough were as filthy rags to my Holy God.

What I become by the grace of God is God's gift to me. It is all His doing! My journey to become the person God wants me to be is sometimes filled with disappointment, pain, loneliness, and more questions than answers. The kneading, molding, and spinning He puts me through is designed to get rid of the hidden defects so that I will not burst in the heat of the kiln.

My job, as the clay, is to yield to my Potter's touch. Daily, as I put on the mind of Christ, He molds the clay of my character into the exquisite sculpture He created me to become. When I cooperate with His plan, people are attracted to my changed spirit because I'm infinitely more attractive. People see Jesus in me!

My purpose, here on earth, is to attract people to Jesus, and I cannot do that unless I submit to the refining touches of the Master Potter. Oh my! How easily I, and many others, had been duped by a backwards philosophy! How can the clay be the gift giver?

Help me remember, God, it is You, The Potter, who shapes and reshapes me. Thank you for what I am becoming because of Your work. May I glorify You and attract others to You as You rid me of my defects. You know, Lord (just between You and I), I can hardly wait to see the finished product of Your gift to me!

Copyright 1997-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Turtles, Shells, Personae, and Susan Boyle

Watching Susan Boyle shock the world with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" (from Les Miserables) on Britain's Got Talent, I immediately thought of turtles and tortoises. (Stick with me on this.)

For many years I had "Moses" and "Noah", my two turtles whom I loved dearly. (I have written about Moses before.) Here were these hard-shelled creatures who, unbelievably, responded to my shows of affection. I wondered how they liked living inside a shell. They couldn't breathe as I did, for there was no room for their lungs to expand. And since their shells (called "carapace" for the upper shell and "plastron" for the lower shell) were not the leathery kind, like other turtles' shells, they were subject to cracking. Of course their shells provided protection from predators, so that compensated for possible cracking.

Most of all, though, I thought it would be horrible to go through life being able to see only what was on the ground in front of them. (Only aquatic turtles and soft-shelled turtles have eyes closer to the top of their heads. This is so they can hide from predators in shallow water where they lie entirely submerged except for their eyes and nostrils.) I mean, turtles have exceptional night vision - even color vision! And yet, they are relegated to looking down and seeing only what's in front of them. (I know some what's-in-it-for-me people who have the same limited vision.)

But I digress. Back to Susan Boyle.

There she stood, ensconced in her protective shell. She had lived a sheltered, lonely life, and was not what most people would call "attractive" as it's defined in our current culture. For 48 years, Susan Boyle had lived in a shell. But, like a snapping turtle, she gave Simon Cowell as good as she got from him! And, even more importantly, unlike the turtle, Susan had the ability to dream of flying! (Remember how focused and persistent the tortoise was in Aesop's Fable The Tortoise and The Hare?)

I have been thinking how similar we all are to turtles. We all have protective shells. Some have sharp, horned shells, while others have smooth, shiny, leathery shells. Some even have soft shells! But all turtles (and tortoises) have protective shells.

People are like that, but it's usually called "persona" (social mask). It's how we deliberately present ourselves to the outside world - a version of ourselves that fits the social scene. Take Simon Cowell, for example. He deliberately presents himself as a non-feeling smart aleck; however, those who know the real Simon know how soft, generous, and empathic he really is. Of course, that image would be a disaster in his line of work.

I watched as Susan Boyle opened her mouth and turned into the highest flying song bird ever! She flew out of her protective shell and flew like only a champion could fly. Tossed aside was her shell while she sang. And after? I watched as she slowly slipped back into the shell she knew so intimately. But she did so as a "winner".

Made me think about how many shells I have for protection. Is my humor merely a shell? Is my acerbic wit a sharp shell? How about when I was a professional music performer? Did I survive by being aloof and talented? I have known many performers whose personae were diametrically opposed to their real self concepts. Tragically, some couldn't live with the disparity.

I seriously doubt the need for "persona shells" will cease in this world. As the saying goes, "It's a dog-eat-dog world." So I'm eternally grateful that I know who I am in Christ. That's the real April, and she needs no shell when standing before her Creator. He created her in love and protects her, Himself.

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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When Human Nature Reveals God's Nature

I hope that you all are enjoying Christian Nature! This blog was a surprise birthday present for my mom, April, earlier this month. She really enjoys writing about nature through God's eyes, and I think she does a tremendous job! Her nature posts needed their own home, as her other blogs address entirely different issues.

After putting together the template, the colors and the elements, I knew that my mother would love the 'woodsy' and 'cabin-ish' feel to her new blog. Beautiful and functional. Success! Not quite. When the traffic started to roll in, many of you wanted to leave comments. When you clicked on the 'leave a comment' link... nothing happened. A blogger's nightmare!

Most of us know how frustrating the web and computers can be on occasion. This was a grand occasion! I tried adjusting the template code. I shopped for add-ons. I racked my brain. I even tried to convince my mom that only a small percentage of readers actually leave comments, and that emailed comments were easier to manage. She wanted commenting on her blog. Period.

Like so many men, I really tried to fix the problem without asking for help. I needed help! God, what do I do? Then, in a proverbial 'light bulb' moment, I thought: "Klodian". Who is Klodian?

Throughout February and March, thousands of bloggers were attempting to upload new templates to their Blogger-hosted sites. Blogger (owned by Google) decided to get picky about what template code they would allow. This resulted in "BX errors" which prevented uploading. Folks were referred to Google Help pages. The drama on these pages was fearfully intense!

Countless Google Help pages were full of thousands of angry bloggers who were losing visitors, losing customers, losing money... and losing their minds! I've never witnessed so much weeping and gnashing of teeth in my life. Surprisingly, there were no immediate answers from Google. All seemed hopeless.

Out of the angry online multitude, a helpful young man popped up: Klodian. He had a way to adjust templates' coding so that Google would accept new template uploads. He posted his method on his Deluxe Templates blog, then he left his link on many Blogger Help pages. Once people discovered that his solution worked, word spread like wildfire. Klodian experienced a virtual tsunami of traffic with questions and requests overnight.

Klodian spent many following days (and nights) helping bloggers from around the world. He was even fixing bloggers' templates manually, one at a time, with patience and some much-needed humor. Guess what? Klodian never charged anybody a penny for his heroic service to online humanity. Many were absolutely shocked by his helpful and generous sacrifice in such a competitive internet age.

It is so inspiring and encouraging to witness the patient, generous and loving qualities of God expressed through willing people like Klodian. It really makes The Golden Rule come to life once more! "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." "Love thy neighbor as thyself." These are not empty words. They live on forever through real people, like Klodian.

Now you can see why I thought of Klodian in my moment of need. I asked. I received. Klodian and I exchanged many emails over a long night until the Christian Nature blog, my mom's birthday present, was saved. Again, Klodian never asked for a penny for his help. This 'Good Samaritan' deserves trillions of pennies for his willingness to help strangers so graciously. He is a real friend.

Enjoy commenting!

This is a guest post from my son, Mark, who created the style of this blog.

© 2009 Christian Nature

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Possums, Catatonia, and Early Character Development

When you were a child did you ever "Play Possum"? I did - mostly to get out of trouble or trick my sister. Harmless game, you think? Maybe not.

In the animal world, several animals, such as sharks, beetles, snakes and the Virginia opossum, are capable of appearing to be dead to an observer, while otherwise alive. This could either be a reflex action (as in tonic immobility), or a defense mechanism for avoiding predators (as in thanatosis - which is probably adaptive), or "playing possum" (which is more instinctive). Such actions often prove beneficial in the natural environment but can also be fatal.

For example, a possum (or, more accurately, an opossum in the United States), seeing the car lights on a dark night, can flop down, play dead - right in the road - and end up dead! Or he can feign death to catch prey, snap to life instantaneously to snatch his supper, not see the car and end up as roadkill.

I had an opossum under my house for eight years that I could not get rid of. She was smart, fast, and stinky! (It's those mammary glands that make them stink.) She returned every year to have her 5-8 babies, then left when they were weaned. We tried everything, to no avail. Then one day last year, Animal Control's trap caught her after she destroyed all of the wiring, TV cables, and chords under my house.

There she lay: dead as a doornail, it appeared. Closer and closer I crept with my Nikon, trying to get a close picture. In a nano-second, she turned into the most hideous, demonic-looking creature imaginable, came flying at me, and hissing me to the ground with lightening speed! But I got a picture! (Part of it is displayed here, but it's not the worst of what I saw!) Boy, was I ever grateful for that cage!

Animal Control took her away to release her, and, call me crazy, but something inside of me is expecting her back this year.

In the human world, there is a form of "playing possum" that is more serious. It is called "catanonia". Catatonia is a syndrome of psychic and motoric disturbances. Catatonia is not recognized as a separate disorder, but is associated with psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia (catatonic type), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental disorders, as well as drug abuse and/or overdose.

I have seen a survivor of severe child abuse go into a state of catatonia (just like the possum feigns death), and there is little difference. This woman also happened to have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse. I happen to know she began "falling down as dead" when she was young and being beat severely. She did it to avoid being killed; however, it became a stand-by habit that happened automatically whenever she encountered stress too great to bear.

It got me thinking... How many of us start with those little "white lies" (no such thing), or stealing a gum ball from the machine, and before we know it we lie consistently, cheat on our taxes, or become chronic shoplifters? Or we start with a joint, think it's fun, and down the road we end up owned by drugs and our need for them. Or we need a cookie to "make us feel better" as children, then end up obese in adulthood because we came to depend upon food as "our comforting friend".

The point is, sin starts small and seemingly harmless - even cute or fun. Before we know it, it has control over us. Now I know the word or concept of "sin" is shunned in this progressive world, but it's still in the Word of God. And it still has power to destroy our character and our life. And it usually starts small.

Maybe that's what Proverbs 22:6 means when it says,

Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Possums, catatonia, and early character development - it just all came together in my thought process. Strange.

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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The Secret Only God Knows About Hummingbirds

All of my neighbors have hummingbird feeders on their porches. Why? Well, everyone knows there's something very special about these birds. Yes, they are birds, and there's a secret only God knows about them.

Hummingbirds are birds in the family Trochilidae, and are native to the Americas. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12–90 times per second (depending on the species). They can fly backwards, and are the only group of birds able to do so.

Hummingbirds do not spend all day flying, though. They don't have the energy for that! The majority of their activity consists simply of sitting or perching.

Hummingbirds feed in many small meals, consuming many small invertebrates and up to five times their own body weight in nectar each day. They spend an average of 10-15% of their time feeding and 75-80% sitting and digesting.

Hummingbirds feed on the nectar of plants and are important pollinators, especially of deep-throated, tubular flowers. Like bees, they are able to assess the amount of sugar in the nectar they eat; they reject flower types that produce nectar which is less than 10% sugar and prefer those whose sugar content is stronger. Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so hummingbirds meet their needs for protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. by preying on insects and spiders, especially when feeding young.

Their English name derives from the characteristic hum made by their rapid wing beats. They can fly at speeds exceeding 33 mph.

What is awesome about humming birds is that aerodynamically, these birds are not able to fly, and yet they do!

As scientists try to figure out how hummingbirds are flying, I think God is smiling. It's just another thing only The Creator knows, and that's fine with me. Life should have some mystery, don't you think?

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Your Creation Thrills Me!

Peaceful moments begin all my days.
You have blessed me in so many ways.

As Your hand reaches out to remove the night
I watch the beginning of dawn's first light,

I watch You paint the sky with Your hand:
All of the colors You have created for man.

I see all the clouds as they gently float by -
All shapes and sizes decorate the sky;

I hear the whisper of a gentle breeze,
And the trees and flowers flutter with ease.

I watch flowers bursting with blooms,
Sounds of nature whistling their tunes.

I see butterflies with velvety wings,
And listen to a robin as she happily sings.

The pounding waves on the rocky shore
Crescendo in rhythms o'er and o'er.

And as the day closes into night,
The moon and stars light the sky so bright.

Peaceful Moments! I am blessed every day,
Especially with this breeze as I pray.

Thrilled by Your earth and all its pleasures -
Can't wait for Heaven and more of Your treasures!

(c) 1989-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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A Song Greater Than The Nightingale's Song

Who hasn't heard Manhattan Transfer sing A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square? And did you know it was a Nightingale that inspired Tchaikovsky when he was composing his Humoresque opus 10-2? Even my grandson knows about the beauty of the Nightingale's Song from Hans Christian Andersen's story The Nightingale. In short, the Nightingale's Song is a sound of pure beauty with quite a reputation. Ever heard a greater song?


Nightingales are named so because they frequently sing at night as well as during the day. The name means 'night songstress'. As is usual, it is the male who sings, not the female. He does so with ulterior motives: to attract a mate.

The male nightingale is known for his singing, to the extent that human singers are sometimes admiringly referred to as nightingales; the song is loud, with an impressive range of whistles, trills and gurgles. Its song is particularly noticeable at night because few other birds are singing. This is why its name (in several languages) includes "night".

Singing at dawn, during the hour before sunrise, is assumed to be important in defending the bird's territory. Nightingales sing even more loudly in urban or near-urban environments, in order to overcome the background noise.

I know an even more beautiful song that helps me overcome the background noise of life. It's God's Song! Did you know God sings? The Bible says so!

In Zephaniah 3:17 it says:

The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

Oh! What an awesome thought! The Creator of all nature thinks I'm so special, and takes such delight in me that He sings lullabies to quiet me with His love! It is an intimacy that surpasses the mother-child intimacy, and I depend upon it many nights. I even sing back to Him and drift off to a peaceful, natural sleep. During the most troubled times of my life, it's been the only way I could sleep.

Me singing to my Heavenly Father is one thing; but knowing He rejoices over me with singing is just too awesome to comprehend. No wonder I love Him so much!

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Stubborn As A Mule?

I grew up in the mountains of New Mexico where burros (or donkeys or mules) were common. So at an early age, I grew to respect the burro for its sure-footed rides. It didn't matter if the donkey was walking on an eroding cliff road, that donkey knew, instinctively, where he could step and where he couldn't. Often, I, as the passenger, was screaming scared; but each donkey had an innate ability to judge which ground was safe and which wasn't.

If the donkey decided it was not safe, for whatever reason, there was no way to convince it otherwise. Hence the phrase, "Stubborn as a mule." (Ever try to budge a mule who was sitting down and wasn't about to get up just because you were pulling or pushing? Fun.)

As I remember my struggles with those donkeys, there is a scripture that pops into my consciousness. You can find it in Psalms 32:9

Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

I have asked myself how often God has had to use a bit or bridle to get my attention. I am confident in His love for me, and as the Ultimate Parent, He disciplines me, just as I disciplined my own children. I expect Him to do whatever He deems necessary to keep me going in the right direction.

So my prayer today is that, unlike the mule, I will live with understanding of my loving Heavenly Father and Creator of all Nature. I do not want to be as stubborn as a mule, Lord.

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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The Perfecter of These Seeds

It is fruitless to plant these seeds and dig them up every week, looking for little root hairs. Why am I so impatient? I plant the seeds, then it's Your responsibility to cause growth under the soil, Lord. Growth takes time, and it always happens "in the dark," unseen by me until the little green stem pops up out of the soil.

Likewise, You cannot deliver me while my focus is on my own growth. I must be so involved in my relationship with Jesus that I lose my self-conscious-interest in the development of my own character. Only then will You cause growth in me. I must get my eyes of myself, lose my "what's in it for me" mentality, and abandon myself to Christ: the Author and Perfecter of my faith. Why is it so natural, Lord, for me to act like I'm the Life Force?

Sometimes I act like Christianity is the "ultimate self-fulfillment plan!" When I'm centered on how much I've "grown," I'm not centered on You. As long as I keep my focus on You, You will cause growth "in the dark," and, eventually, I will be a "sweet savor of Christ unto God."

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

Lord, help me learn to let You be God. Teach me contentment in being the seed, not The Gardener. Protect me from all others who would try to either stunt or force my growth.

(c) 1989-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Train Up A Ficus In The Way It Should Grow

I had tried to talk my customer out of buying such a large ficus benjamina, explaining a smaller tree would acclimate better to her home environment. But she couldn't wait for the tree to grow, so now, three months later, she had a bare trunk and stems sitting in her dark den. A younger tree would not have rebelled so violently and would still have its leaves.

Human beings are a lot like plants. Young, impressionable minds soak in and retain much better than older minds. A child's heart will accept the love of Jesus and will give that love back to Him. The younger we start teaching children about Jesus and His love, the greater the opportunity for them to know Jesus - not only as Savior, but also as Lord.

My customer's ficus rebelled by shedding all its leaves, leaving only the bare trunk and branches for "beauty". Had she purchased a young tree, it would have adapted to its new surroundings and, in time, would have been a beautiful large tree. To paraphrase the scripture: Train up a ficus when it is young and it will not rebel as violently.

How often we overlook those faithful nursery workers and pre-school teachers in our churches. Next to the parents, they are the primary trainers of our young children. I'm ashamed of the "babysitter" mentality we seem to project upon them. When we get to Heaven, we may well find out they were the most effective seed planters of all!

Thank You, Lord, for all those who answer the call to mold the hearts and minds of our young. Many of them will not see the results of their seed-planting until they're with You, and yet they persevere.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

(c) 1990-2009 Nature Girl

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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God's Hot House Hibiscus

He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 NKJV

After my disastrous experience with discount plants in their cheap soil, I decided to buy my Hibiscus from a greenhouse. Since the hot steam in this house fogged up my glasses, I felt this environment was certainly more conducive to healthy plant growth. But my hot house Hibiscus didn't fare any better than did the discount ones. The grower, in his haste to make a quick profit, had not "hardened off" his plants. This procedure of slowly acclimating plants to less and less humid environments is absolutely necessary. It makes it possible for the plants to survive in harsher environments (less humidity, less light, less fresh air).

You are the Grower of my spirit, Lord, and You want me to be able to survive in this world. You take time to slowly acclimate me, protecting each new bud of my spiritual growth; but eventually there comes a time when I am expected to be hardened off so I can be of service to You amidst the harsh realities of this fallen world. I can't be of service to You if I'm wilting at every dose of reality.

I may have complained as You took me through the "hardening off" process, Lord, but I’m eternally grateful for the method, now. I’m grateful for Your whole armor, and for teaching me how to use it. I depend upon You not to let me wilt, Lord.

Have I told you lately, Lord, that I'm grateful You have not allowed me to hide in the Hot House? Have I told You how, with every dose of reality, I’ve learned to trust You more? Have I praised you in all circumstances – not for the circumstances, but for Who You are in the midst of them? Have I thanked You for continuing to perfect me? Oh, I do love You, Lord!


©2006-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Cockatiel Bird Brain Wisdom

It is pretty bad when God has to use Bird Brain Wisdom to get through to His daughter, but He did.

I tried my best to avoid Dave at every church function. Most people did. His inordinate need for attention and his obvious emotional and spiritual immaturity embarrassed me. I went out of my way to not be associated with him.

Intellectually, I understood people are often needy because they had been damaged in some way, so I would have moments of guilt for acting as I did. Then he would say something totally inappropriate and I’d be right back where I began - embarrassed for him.

At the same time I was hand feeding baby cockatiels every two hours, and one of them who I affectionately called Ernie, just couldn’t eat enough to make him grow. I tried everything, but to no avail.



One night, still bleary-eyed from little sleep, I prayed, God, please help me! Ernie isn’t going to make it if You don’t help us out. He's just too weak. And into my spirit, clear as a bell, came the thought, Ernie is the weakest of your birds, and yet you love him the most. Why doesn’t his weakness embarrass you?

Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4 NIV)

The comparison was too obvious, and I hung my head in shame. God loved Dave the same way I loved Ernie! His heart broke with tenderness over this man’s weakness the same way my heart broke over my baby bird. He would persist with Dave just as I had with Ernie, spending extra time with him. And God didn’t need a judgmental child getting in the way of Dave’s growth.

I went to bed that night wiser, but much sadder with the knowledge that I had, in my arrogance, dared to pass judgment on another human being that I really didn’t know. By judging Dave, I had positioned myself to be judged by God.



I realized God wasn’t half as embarrassed by Dave’s spiritual and emotional immaturity as He was by my arrogance. And worse was my underestimation of God’s power to work in Dave’s life and make him stand strong. I had, with my attitude, questioned the sovereignty of Almighty God!

O Father, forgive my arrogance. Thank You for the wisdom You taught me through my precious little “bird brain!" Let me never lose sight of Your sovereignty and Your compassion towards Your weaker children. I, too, am one of your weak ones.

(c)1996-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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A Lesson From the Smallest Bird

I was sitting in my car, waiting — I do not like waiting! — and a flock of birds fluttered up to me with expectant looks and frantic behavior. There were birds of all colors, including some with vibrant yellow eyes. I watched them display their pecking order and smiled. Just like people I thought.

Their chatter increased in volume and rhythm as they tried to convince me they would settle for the smallest crumbs of anything I had to offer. I especially noticed one little bird, the smallest of the flock, because the larger birds kept belaboring the point that he was least among the birds. Poor baby, I said as I leaned towards my glove compartment. Let’s see what I can find.

Voila! There was a package of two power bars! Excitedly, I smashed them up and threw them outside the window. That started a race for the crumbs! I noticed all of the birds except one rushed for the smallest crumbs as they pushed the little one out of the way.

I kept watching, hoping he would find at least one crumb. Then a funny thing happened. The smallest bird eyed a very large piece of the power bar and snatched it up. Then he quietly waddled away.

Meanwhile, the larger birds kept frantically scrounging for more crumbs, totally unaware that the best had already been taken away.

"Look at that," The Spirit whispered, "all of the others settled for crumbs while one bird got enough to eat on all day. How many times do you settle for crumbs?"

It was like a light bulb went off inside my soul. God desires to give us riches beyond our wildest expectations, but we are living frantically in the moment and settling for what we can have NOW: mere crumbs, compared to what we could have if we but trusted in the character of God, our Heavenly Father!

Oh, God, thank You for the gift of this lesson. You not only provide for the birds, but use them to take Your children deeper in You.

(c) 2007-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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God's Broken Rose, "Potpourri"

Winner of INSPIRATIONAL POETRY AWARD

Texas Poet Society (Houston)

God's Broken Rose

Two roses, both unkissed by the dew,
from the same scrawny rose bush grew.

One, long-stemmed, was young and proud;
the other, broken, stooped and cowed.

Burned by the sun and scorched by the winds,
they both grew, but were not friends.

Said Proud Rose, "I shall not bend!
Though thin and young, myself I’ll mend!

Our pitiful bush reeks of neglect;
myself I’ll nurture and earn respect."

No taller rose in the garden grew
as her shabby rose bush she outgrew.

Broken Rose bent low with shame,
for she brought no pride to the rose bush name.

How she longed for sweet fragrance to give!
If only someone would bend and forgive

Her mildewed leaves and her thorny stems,
and the way she hung from a broken limb.

Comparisons made between each rose
only made them hold their petals closed.

"I'll not open up my petals here!"
said Proud Rose as she hid her tear.

"My petals are soft and belong in a vase,
not in this tumbleweed-grown place."

Proud Rose grew so straight and tall
that soon she wasn't there at all.

High, high above her bush she grew,
'till all alone in the sky she flew.

Her leaves she washed, her stems she pruned,
and all alone she covered her wound.

And then on day in her lonely flight,
The Gardener came and sealed her plight.

With cutters sharp, He took her from
the weed-grown-garden she had shunned.

Now everyone would surely see
the beautiful bud she had grown to be!

A crystal vase on a table of wood;
a single rose bud sure looked good.

More stately she looked than any bud could;
but the rose was scared as she singly stood,

for she knew she her short days
as a single-cut-rose in a crystal vase.

Broken Rose hung scarred and torn
and wondered why she had been born.

No one cared she was hanging there,
and soon she, too, no longer cared.

It was plain to see she'd never be
the beautiful rose bud she wanted to be.

No lover would pick her to give away;
no table graced with her gnarled sway.

She couldn't stand with her face upturned
and be a rose, for she never learned.

Day after day, she hung up side down
and talked with the tumbleweeds she found.

"Tell me, weeds, what do you see?
Why would God make a rose like me?"

The hot winds blew, and then one day
The Gardener stopped and looked her way.

She cringed as He bent down very low,
and why He picked her, she didn't know.

Her mildewed leaves and gnarled stems
He pruned as He drew her close to Him.

Petal by petal, He crushed and said,
"Your fragrance will last for years ahead.

I made you not for eyes to see,
but for your aroma, My Potpourri.

(c) 1994-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Going Deeper in the Season of Bareness

I feel sad as I look out my window at the bare maple, birch, and liquidambar trees. I miss the beautiful leaves so full of life. I miss the noisy birds that used to congregate on the branches and fill my senses with melodies in all the musical keys. I miss the shade these trees presented last summer: shade that sheltered me from the burning rays of the summer sun.

Then You gently remind me that this is only a season, and like all other seasons it will not last long. You remind me that even Your trees need a time of going deeper, expanding roots, and storing up the energy that will be needed for the "burst of spring."

You know me, Lord. I love the showiness of spring and summer—even in my spiritual life. But I'm thankful for the rest, for without it there would be no colorful season to follow.

Thank You, Lord that nothing here on earth lasts forever. Evergreen is nice but can cause complacency. Thank You for my winter rests of bare branches and trunks: Times to light the fireplace in my heart, snuggle up in Your arms and listen to You in the stillness of the season.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV


(c)1997-2009 Nature Girl


For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

read more "Going Deeper in the Season of Bareness"

Shih Tzu "Obedience School" for Her Master

I command her to "come" and she ignores me. Obedience School was supposed to change Cookie's nature! Well, I've got news for them: This Shih Tzu has a mind of her own! She knows there will be consequences for her disobedience, but like Scarlet O'Hara, she'll "just worry about that tomorrow."

Lord, how man times have You taken ME through Obedience School? How many refresher courses have been necessary because of my independent spirit? Always, I come out of school feeling smarter, wiser, and ready to obey Your slightest whisper. What happens?

Before I know it, I'm back in Obedience School, and most of the time I'm learning the very same lessons all over again! Help me to be as mercifully patient with Cookie as You are with me, God.

Just as Cookie doesn't understand why I won't let her run out in the street, I, too, am often devoid of understanding when it comes to Your Plan, God. Just as I protect my beloved dog, You protect Your beloved child.

I praise You, Jesus, for being the Author and Finisher of my faith, and I love You because You love me enough to take me back to Obedience School again... and again...and again...and again.

(c) 2005-2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

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Cheap Soil for Jesus? No Way!

As a young housewife, I had little money to spend on house plants. I lived for sales at discount stores! But as the plants continued to die, I began to think there was something wrong with ME. Not only was my thumb not green, I thought it was ready to fall off from gangrene!

Experience eventually taught me that the problem was not me, but the cheap soil used by the chain-store-growers who cut back on expenses by not adding soil amendments. To induce quick growth, they used peat moss which, when dry, makes the soil harden and pull away from the sides of the pot.

Even though I watered regularly, no water was able to penetrate the soil because it ran down the side between the compacted soil and the sides of the pot.

As an adult I am responsible for providing healthy nourishment to my body. If I don’t, I will suffer. The same applies to my mental, psychological, and spiritual health: garbage in, garbage out.

There is so much emphasis put on the physical in this world, but I am a TRIUNE being, and the spirit is supposed to be in charge, not the physical.

As a child of God, I am responsible for providing my own spirit with rich amendments:

• Quiet prayer time to build intimacy with my Heavenly Father
• Bible study to learn more about God’s viewpoint
• Spiritual music that by-passes the brain and enhances my spirit
• Christian fellowship with other believers to build unity in the Body of Christ
• Time and energy spent on behalf of those in need just like Jesus did
• Making time to get out into God’s awesome magical creation where I’m always overcome with wonder at His sovereignty, His creativity, and His “magic”

I can't afford any "peat moss" of bitterness, anger, or counter-productive thoughts. The result would be a hard, shriveled up soul that pulls away from life and from God. I must meditate daily on whatever things are true~ noble~ just~ pure~ lovely~ of good report~ virtuous~ praiseworthy. [Phil 4:8-9]

I don't want to be a discount anything for my Lord! I prayerfully made a list of all the important components of “soul soil” and I purposed in my heart that I would not defile myself spiritually. No shrinking away from Him or the harsh realities of life!

(I sure could use Your help today, Lord.)

(c) 2009 April Lorier

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

read more "Cheap Soil for Jesus? No Way!"