PLANTING LIFE’S GARDEN
Many of you have been busy in your garden for weeks - tilling, seeding, watering, weeding, praying and sweating. There is another garden, however, that also requires daily attention and work - the GARDEN OF YOUR LIFE. Note the instructions below…
 
PLANT 3 ROWS OF “PEAS”:
1. “Peas” with God. (Col. 3:15)
2. “Peas” with others. (Rom. 12:18)
3. “Peas” of mind. (Phil 4:7)
 
PLANT 4 ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip! (1 Tim. 5:13)
2. Squash hatred! (1 Jn. 2:9)
3. Squash complaining! (1 Pet. 4:9)
4. Squash lies! (Col. 3:9)
 
PLANT 4 ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful! (Rev. 2:10b)
2. Lettuce be kind! (Eph. 4:32)
3. Lettuce be patient! (Jam. 5:8)
4. Lettuce be forgiving! (Eph. 4:32)
 
DON’T FORGET THE TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for Bible class! (2 Tim. 3:15)
2. Turnip for worship! (Heb. 10:23-25)
3. Turnip to volunteer! (Gal. 6:10)
 
THE VERY BEST GARDENS INCLUDE THYME:
1. Thyme for prayer! (1 Thess. 5:17)
2. Thyme for Bible reading! (Acts 17:11)
3. Thyme for family! (Eph 6:4)
 
REMEMBER - WE WILL REAP WHAT WE SOW – Gal. 6:7
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

DRESSED TO PROTECT
In her book about her famous father, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), Hana Ali wrote the following. …I was wearing a little white tank top and a short black skirt... My father took a good look…. Then, he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget… "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock…." He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
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This is wise and biblical council. “…that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation…” (1 Tim. 2:9)
Tragically, society’s trend to expose as much of the flesh as possible has infiltrated the church, particularly in summer. Some Christians attempt to justify immodest attire by claiming that it is the current fashion, or stores sell little else, or that such attire is more comfortable.
Regardless of the excuses given, we should heed three vital teachings from God.
1) (As quoted above) “…women adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9) Modest means “reserved, humble; that which does not draw attention.” By the way, Paul’s statement was a command, not a suggestion.
2) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27, 28) In other words, fanaticizing is a sinful as doing. Believe me, most men require very little prompting before commencing lustful thoughts.
3) "…whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to... that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matt. 18:6-7) Although we will give account for our own actions (Rom. 14:12), Jesus stressed that those who "cause" (lead, encourage) others to sin will be accountable themselves.
May our Christian men strive to look away from anything that incites lust. And may our Christian women avoid dressing in a way that would cause Christian men to look away…. or lust!
Jesus, always Jesus,
Dennis

I TRIED TO LEAD A SONG TODAY
(Revised, author unknown)
I tried to lead a song today, the best that I was able.
I had a mind to do it right, and make our worship stable.
I raised my hand as oft before, but few appeared to care.
I soloed, seemed, for half a song; it gave me quite a scare!
I waved my hand in rhythmic style; put forth my best endeavor
to lead all sincere fervent hearts, and keep our tongues together.
I sang each note, observed each rest, but some were always lagging;
they put my patience to a test, and spoiled the song by dragging!
One may not know what shaped notes mean, or sing with keen perception,
But anyone can heed my pleas, and follow my direction.
So watch the man the best you can, he does his best to lead you.
Please help him as he leads a song; to praise our God he needs you!
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Paul exhorts us to "(speak) to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord..." (Eph. 5:19) Moreover, he instructed, "Let all things be done decently and in order" in our assemblies. (1 Cor. 14:40)
The purpose of a song leader is to assist us in uniting our voices in song and singing in an orderly fashion. His role is challenging, requiring knowledge, skill and practice. We can make his job easier by following his direction and singing enthusiastically. Doing so will also make our song service more meaningful.
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

WANTED: Courageous Christian Moms!
A year ago, many Americans became familiar with the name, Toya Graham. She was the mother that caught her 16-year-old son participating in the riots in Baltimore. Earlier that day, she had ordered him to go straight home after school, thus avoiding the dangerous rioting. Ignoring her, he accompanied a group of friends to harass police officers that were trying to maintain control in the area. His mother, suspecting that he might defy her orders, went to same area, searching for him.
Local media recorded the scene as this courageous mother spotted, confronted, slapped and pursued her son as he attempted to run away. She chased and hounded him until he finally submitted to her demands to go home.
Following this episode, many criticized the mother’s lack of restraint when she repeatedly slapped her wayward son. I, however, applauded her courage. After all, how many mothers (or fathers) would risk entering a hazardous riot area in order to locate and confront a foolish teenager? Even though her methods may have appeared extreme, no one questioned her genuine concern for her son. As countless people observed following the incident, "If Baltimore had a hundred more mothers like Toya, there would have been little or no rioting to begin with.”
Being a courageous mother is not easy. Being a courageous CHRISTIAN mother is even more challenging. There has likely never been a time in which Satan has had a greater assortment of weapons to tempt young people. Quick access to 10 million+ porn sites, suggestive music, provocative videos, cheap drugs and alcohol, worldly peers and secular schools all conspire to destroy the morals of Christian teens. Without courageous mothers – and fathers – our young people don't stand a chance.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” He also said, "God bless my mother; all that I am or ever hope to be I owe to her.” 
May God grant our mothers sufficient wisdom to direct our children, and the courage to confront and correct them when needed.
“…when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice…” [2 Tim. 1:5]
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

WANTED: Courageous Christian Moms!
A year ago, many Americans became familiar with the name, Toya Graham. She was the mother that caught her 16-year-old son participating in the riots in Baltimore. Earlier that day, she had ordered him to go straight home after school, thus avoiding the dangerous rioting. Ignoring her, he accompanied a group of friends to harass police officers that were trying to maintain control in the area. His mother, suspecting that he might defy her orders, went to same area, searching for him.
Local media recorded the scene as this courageous mother spotted, confronted, slapped and pursued her son as he attempted to run away. She chased and hounded him until he finally submitted to her demands to go home.
Following this episode, many criticized the mother’s lack of restraint when she repeatedly slapped her wayward son. I, however, applauded her courage. After all, how many mothers (or fathers) would risk entering a hazardous riot area in order to locate and confront a foolish teenager? Even though her methods may have appeared extreme, no one questioned her genuine concern for her son. As countless people observed following the incident, "If Baltimore had a hundred more mothers like Toya, there would have been little or no rioting to begin with.”
Being a courageous mother is not easy. Being a courageous CHRISTIAN mother is even more challenging. There has likely never been a time in which Satan has had a greater assortment of weapons to tempt young people. Quick access to 10 million+ porn sites, suggestive music, provocative videos, cheap drugs and alcohol, worldly peers and secular schools all conspire to destroy the morals of Christian teens. Without courageous mothers – and fathers – our young people don't stand a chance.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” He also said, "God bless my mother; all that I am or ever hope to be I owe to her.” 
May God grant our mothers sufficient wisdom to direct our children, and the courage to confront and correct them when needed.
“…when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice…” [2 Tim. 1:5]
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis