For Fair Use Discussion and Educational Purposes

I recall years ago, I decided to have a garden. Hours were spend digging up the sod to turning it, which was followed by using a tiller and finally raking it nice and smooth. That was followed by putting in the rows that I had planned out for the various crops I hoped to produce. I was really energized by what I hoped would feed my family.

Soon, things began to pop up and I faithfully continue to water my crop and hoe down the weeds. People began to admire my garden and hoped to be blessed by some of the extras that I had planted.

I hadn't figured on the various varmints that began to pay visits. They nibbled here, nibbled there. Soon, I saw whole vegetables pulled by the root. So, a fence was put around the tender things to protect them.

A scarecrow was even erected for the crows that showed up now and then. I swear word spreads fast. "Hey, here is easy pickings." The day came when things were really looking good when a whole flock of noisy crows showed up and congregated right above my garden. I knew what they were up to and I also knew that they were very cagey; you just could not sneak up on them with a gun to show them a lesson. But I did. I was so angry at what these loud, cawing crows were telegraphing of their intend to destroy my hopes, my hard work for my own family that I didn't even pretend to sneak. With my 22 rifle stretched along the side of my leg, moving it as I walked behind the garage, I stopped, took aim and shot 3 of them out of the tree before the noisy brood of wanna-be thieves took flight.

There would be some people who would say, "You can't do that, blah, blah, blah." My answer to that is, "Tend to your own garden and quit telling me how to take care of mine.

This is what this real life story is portraying. It is like a Christian Ministry that a Watchman plans and puts all the wheels into motion to create a place where the Word of God (Food) can be planted. It might not be near as big as the Community Garden (church) down the road but it was, nevertheless, dedicated to Almighty God. The fence put around it is the guidelines that are needed to keep it untouched as much as possible. Otherwise unwanted Nay Sayers show up to put their unwanted 2 cents worth in...."Here, try this or here try that. You can't do this, you can't do that. Shame on you, don't you know that this weed killer hasn't ever been used or It was relegated into the storage room because.....well, I don't know why but it just was". Doesn't that sound like the Books of the Apocrypha that got set aside until God sent people into the Dead Sea area to find some of these manuscripts? By reading the directions they find out that they were in use right at the get-go.. They were intended to help the crop flourish. In fact they were being used before the present popular brand (KJV) had even been put together.

Then the Gardner hoped that he would get the financial help that is needed in keeping the garden going. They would come to his garden, contribute their help for a while or to take out what they wanted but few, if any, actually helped the Gardner with the monetary help that it takes. But, they would send their blessings (money) received from God off to the Worthless Shepherds in LaLa Land who have more money than they know what to do with. Oh, forgive me, they do know what to do with it but you won't know it's destination. These False Shepherds are preaching false hope for an Escape Hatch called a pre-7 year Tribulation Rapture. You know the ones; they tickled your ears and make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

Oh, at first, they would be one of the garden. But then the Gardner said something or one of the others said something that didn't set well so nasty words began to be spoken. What choice does the Gardner have but to remove the obstruction because his guidelines weren't followed. Instead of leaving quietly and hanging on to their dignity, they become like the crows that caw caw their loud noise. Who knows what kind of noise they are making but for sure it is disturbing. The crows begin to influence others in the garden because they aren't part of the it anymore. One crow caws his noise to another and the other goes to another flock and does his crowing. On and on it goes. Soon, the original crow forgets his own bad conduct.

I've used the crow as an example because, although I have been speaking about spiritual matters, it is the once white, clean creature that God saved who has become like a dirty black crow, raven, vulture, kite who feed off character assassination of someone else.

None of us are free of sin, no not one. As I've said before, I hate a liar and a tale bearer. I've dealt with those that would rather climb a tree and tell a tale than stand on the ground and tell the truth. We each have enough to worry about our own life without trying to put others down in the pretext of doing them a service.

We are all flowers in God's Garden. Let's be aware of the weeds growing around out own roots. God knows what is going on. Of that you can be very sure. There is one who does not forget; who sees all and keeps a record.

Time is so short and there needs to be an attitude change because the One who will change attitudes is on His Way.

Gerlinda

How does your garden grow? I pray that it has become weeded of those tares that hinder it's production.

We all need to tend to our own garden before we take our hoe after someone else's.

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