Merry CHRISTmas & a Milestone

For my fiftieth post I wanted to say Merry Christmas and thank you for following my posts!!! I hope to continue to add posts about food, gardening, nature, and to provide inspiration. God has truly blessed me this past year with a wonderful church family and continual love from above. I'm neither rich with money or goods, but through Christ ,who's birth is celebrated on Christmas day, I'm the richest in the world with a home in heaven and royal blood in my veins. My Christmas prayer for you is that you can say the same!

True Meaning of Christmas

Luke 2: 1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A Walk Through the Woods & the Story of the Passion Flower

There are many things to see when walking through the woods. This evening I took a short walk to look for new blackberry patches; I found some great berries and a few other beautiful things.

 Passion flowers are often seen along the sides of roads and in overgrown fields. They grow as vines and bear sweet fruits.

 God defiantly put a lot of detail into the Passion Flower, which will only bloom for one day. After a little searching I found a neat story behind the plant similar to the story of the Dogwood. The Passion Flower story was created to describe the days before and during Christ's Crucifixion.

*The ten petals stand for the ten apostles of Christ that were loyal to Christ, excluding the other two Judas and Peter whom betrayed Christ.

*The tendrils of the vine represent the whips that were used to beat Christ before his Crucifixion.

*The row of filaments represent the crown of thorns shoved upon Christ's head.

*The three stigmas represent the three nails and the five anthers stand for the five wounds Christ received (four nail wounds and one from a lance.)

*Lastly, the colors represent purity and heaven.

Crumpled wood most likely deteriorated by a wood pecker or old age.

Beautiful un-ripe jewels, soon o become blackberry jelly. 

Butterfly Weed is a type of Milkweed that attracts many butterflies and other beautiful flying creatures. These are commonly seen along the back roads just like Passion Flowers.

Queen Anne's Lace is a beautiful fluff flower that umbrellas bugs and protects them.

Part of the Homestead Barn Hop

&

Farm Girl Friday

Revival of Benefits

What are Summers known for in the south: VBS (Vacation Bible School), revivals, and baptisms. Have you ever thought of the benefits of being a christian? We sometimes think we have a heaven to gain and a hell to loose when we have repented, but their are so many other benefits of being a christian. I am a proud southern baptist and I have gained so many internal benefits, a peace that can only God can give. I know this is a different topic than what I have posted before, it is because I am happy to be renewed. God has given us the fruits and flowers I usually post about and why ignore that fact? Let your summers be about learning the benefits of God and his graces.