Category Archives: Be Fruitful

Jul14

Vision From God: Prayers for “ALIVE! Worship”

Posted on July 14, 2014 by sagescenery

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(Photo: Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

I’d appreciate your prayers!!

My son and I have been directing our A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team for 10 years now.

I’ve been a licensed minister for 2 and a half years.

I’ve been praying for God’s will

in what He wants to accomplish in our lives,

and with our drama team.

I have a heart to encourage everyone to use and develop their gifts and talents for the Lord,

and to raise them up as leaders.

Photo: Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

One Saturday morning, several months ago, God gave me a vision for a worship service.

I am to pastor an outreach ministry, for all ages, called,

“ALIVE! Worship.”

It should consist of dynamic preaching and teaching,

contemporary Christian music,

relevant drama, anointed dance, skits, Improv, anointed art,

prayer time, altar time,

and from time to time, we’re to host guest worship leaders,

preachers, teachers, dancers, etc.

Included in worship time/altar time, there should be anointing with oil,

for all those needing a touch from God.

(Photo: Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

My son and I are to direct this ministry through our existing

A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team Ministry

of kids, teens, young adults, parents, and also other church workers.

We will design “ALIVE! Worship” t-shirts.

To start out, we’re to use the last Friday of each month for this ministry

starting on September 26, 2014,

from 6 pm to 8 pm, at our church.

Then, we’re to wait for God to enlarge it!

“ALIVE! Worship”

will lift up the Name of Jesus

and will be used by the Lord in any of the following outreach areas where He leads:

Kids Church, Youth Groups, Church Services, Schools, Conferences,

Competitions, Camps, Community Outreaches, etc.

We will actively seek out venues for “ALIVE! Worship”

to serve the Lord in our community,

and we will be obedient when He opens those doors.

The criteria for workers to be included in “ALIVE! Worship” is:

1-A Godly attitude of worship to Jesus Christ our Lord

2-A heart that desires to outreach to lost souls

3-A willingness to work and cooperate as a team

4-A willingness to pray for our goal to glorify our Lord

5-All ages welcome

6-Participants will be viewed as “leaders and ambassadors” for the Lord,

and behavior, speech, and attire must reflect that.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to enthusiastically worship with us!!!

We declare that we have prayed about this ministry vision from the Lord,

and feel the Lord will equip us to step out in faith at this time.

We pledge to continually pray for His wisdom and guidance

as He shows us His will

and the way we can glorify His Name

and serve in His Kingdom.

The Lord has given me a vision of

“ALIVE! Worship”

becoming an

Awesome, Mighty, Outreach Force for the Lord!

Amen!

Photo: A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team

Please pray with us

and for us!

Thank you!!!

1 John 5:14

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us.”

Feb26

Come with Me…To Lisa and Ariel’s House Blessing and Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Posted on February 26, 2014 by sagescenery

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2 Samuel 7:27-29

“Lord Almighty, God of Israel,

You have revealed this to Your servant, saying,

‘I will build a house for you.’

So Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.

Sovereign Lord, You are God!

Your covenant is trustworthy,

and You have promised these good things to Your servant.

Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant,

that it may continue forever in Your sight;

for You, Sovereign Lord, have spoken,

and with Your blessing

the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

Lisa, Ariel, Marisa, and Andre…

Since you’ve moved into this new house…today we’re pronouncing blessings on your new home from the very beginning. It would also be wonderful for you to renew this blessing year after year for as long as you reside there. Blessing a house is simply taking the authority over it that belongs to you, and dedicating it to the Lord.

It’s inviting the Spirit of God to come, and everything else to leave. Where God’s presence is, there is blessing and hope. When we bless our homes we make room for God to take up residence in every room and over all our possessions.

Your house blessing will be on the basis of your rightful authority over your own dwelling. When you moved in, someone put keys to the house in your hand. Physically and Spiritually, you determine who, or what, has access to your home.

Joshua 24:15, says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Blessing your home, says your heart is in agreement with that Scripture!! And, that you want your house to feel safe, peaceful, and be filled with God’s Spirit, so it will be godly place to live, and raise your family.

The authority you now take over your house, determines what the atmosphere will be like in this house from now on, and it is up to you to drive out any negative forces, in Jesus’ Name, in submission to the authority that is over you, the Lord Jesus Christ.

By blessing your house, property and possessions you are consecrating them as holy unto the Lord, and with His Light, you are dispelling any darkness. Always keep His Light burning brightly in your home!

Pray!!! Declare that this house belongs to God, and everything ungodly has to leave. Keep yourself holy and pure. Bringing light to your home means everything else must leave.

Therefore, it is worth your time to take inventory and to rid yourself of spiritual garbage. As you pray in each room, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in that room that grieves Him. Take a look at books, magazines, music, videos, DVDs etc., Look at everything. What internet sites are accessed through your home? What television programs are allowed in? What radio stations are listened to?

Is your house set in order? Are relationships healthy? Is sin being permitted in your home? What is the spiritual atmosphere that you’re allowing?

Today, we’ll be anointing your doors and windows with oil representing the Holy Spirit. We’ll walk the parameter of the property, consecrating it, and placing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We can use the oil to anoint anything you wish out on the property, and on cars, garages, equipment etc.

Lisa and Ariel…

As the owners, you may want to speak out blessings, for us to agree with as we pray over each room, asking God to use this house for His glory. Thanking the Lord for providing you with a place to live, asking for His angels to be posted at all the doors and windows, keeping anything evil from entering in, by the blood of Jesus, and in the authority of His Name!

We will speak peace here in this home, the Name of Jesus. We invite you to come, Holy Spirit, and fill this place…anything ungodly will need to leave!

As you live in your house, fill it with praise and constant thanksgiving. God will be honored, you will love the atmosphere in your home, and everyone who enters will love it too. Amen!

Based on: http://www.hannahscupboard.com/pray-walk-house-blessing.html

Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony

Matthew 19:4-6

“Haven’t you read,”

he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

The day was cold for Florida…

A high of 58 degrees…

The weather felt colder and breezier at the beach…

And since we’re all Floridians…

We were freezing!

Not your typical day-at-the-beach…

But still,

I was pleased and blessed…

To officiate at my friends’

25th Wedding Anniversary/Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Lisa and Ariel…

When you first joined hands and hearts in marriage 25 years ago, you did not know where life would take you.

You promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things.

Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings, and difficult challenges over the years.

But here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor, and cherish… that you each made on your wedding day.

And God is smiling!

As you celebrate here today, and as you reflect back over all the years as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took 25 years ago?

Answer: “WE DO!”

Please join hands as I continue with the Vows.

Lisa, will you continue to have Ariel as your husband and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love him, keep him, and honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to him as long as you shall live?

Ariel, will you continue to have Lisa as your wife and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for her, and will you love her, keep her, and honor her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to her as long as you shall live?

May I have the rings and roses? In the words of the prophet Isaiah, where relationships create love and compassion, even “the desert shall …bloom, like the rose.” The rose, born of the tiniest of seeds, is a symbol of the potential and beauty contained in love’s promises. In the merging of a spirit-filled vessel, and a fragrant rose…we proclaim a new relationship, a new future…one which love has unfolded, and is unfolding, before our very eyes. As your gifts bring beauty and purpose to each other, may your lives continue to enrich and strengthen one another.

Lord, I pray a prayer of re-blessing of these rings, and over the givers and receivers of each of the rings.

Ariel, repeat after me: Lisa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa, repeat after me: Ariel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa and Ariel, On your wedding day you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle that symbolizes the eternal quality of God’s unending strength, and unending love!

Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to live in unity, love, and happiness. At this time, it is appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Please join your left hands together so that Ariel’s hand is on top. Ariel, please repeat after me:

Lisa, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Now, with Lisa’s hand on top, Lisa, please repeat after me:

Ariel, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

God bless these rings and the two who exchanged them in love on their wedding day. Lord, keep Lisa and Ariel safe in the circle of Your protection and love. Bless their marriage, which is a commitment to learning to care for one another… a life-long relationship always in the making.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.

Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger,

even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands…

and forgives the mistakes, life is unable to avoid.

It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences,

and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage,

they create a spirit unique unto themselves

which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.

Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other

and the promise requires a lifetime to fulfill.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient,

Love is kind.

It does not envy,

It does not boast,

It is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,

It keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil,

But rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

Always trusts,

Always hopes,

Always perseveres.

Love never fails…”

Lisa & Ariel, as the two of you both now reaffirm you love for each other and the vows you made to each other many years ago, I ask that you each remember to continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, and that you each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against one another. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and support to each other, in good times, and bad. Amen!

Lisa and Ariel, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day. You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your wedding rings.

It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you, and binds you as husband and wife. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss!

Since Lisa & Ariel have now exchanged vows and rings, and pledged their love and faithfulness to each other, it is my pleasure and honor to repronounce you Man & Wife. You may kiss the bride!

Based on: http://www.themarriageman.com/renewal.htm

1 John 3:16

“We know what love is

because Jesus gave His life for us.

That’s why we must give our lives for each other.”

John 17:23

“I in them and You in Me—

so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that You sent Me

and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

1 John 3:18

“Dear children,

let us not love with words or speech

but with actions and in truth.”

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ,

God forgave you.”

Ephesians 5:25-33

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

to make her holy, cleansingher by the washing with water through the Word,

and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,

but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body,

just as Christ does the Church—

for we are members of His Body.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.’

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the Church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.”

Love & Laughter!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all Your blessings!!

Dec4

Here’s Looking At You, “Kidd!” – In Memory Of Justin Kidd…

Posted on December 4, 2013 by sagescenery

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I sat outside on my lanai…

With my cup of coffee on a bright sunny day last week…

Reading through some old Pentecostal Evangel magazines…

I have ready outside for just such an opportunity to sit and relax!

I came across an article about “Dave and Robin Kidd, who pastor True North Church (Assemblies of God) in Minerva, Ohio, and offer marriage seminars through their Binding Hearts Marriage and Family Ministries. The Kidd family suffered the destruction of their home to a fire on the night of April 27, 2013. Their son, Justin, 20, was unable to get out of his basement bedroom, and perished in the fire. The Kidds have continued in ministry during the months following Justin’s death, and reflect this Thanksgiving on the blessing of his life.”

To read the entire interview with

Scott Harrup, Pentecostal Evangel managing editor…

Go to:

http://www.pe.ag.org/archives/connections.cfm

Oh, my heart broke for them…

I have a 23 year-old son…

I can’t even begin to imagine such a thing…

I prayed, Lord, please comfort them…

Then, I noticed that his parents mentioned…

He had a blog on WordPress…

And that it was very popular with his youth group…

As I read his posts…

I, first of all, felt the love he had as a youth pastor…

And I was so amazed at the spiritual maturity of this 20 year-old!

(Please check out his entire blog and pray for his family)

http://justinkidder.wordpress.com/

For instance…

I reblogged an awesome post by Reality of Christ last June…

Debunking the lie that God won’t give us more than we can handle!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/debunked-god-wont-give-us-more-than-we-can-handle/?preview=true&preview_id=7942&preview_nonce=2bf23c0624&post_format=standard

And Justin had posted the same topic to his youth group!

It caught my attention, because…

I had just counseled one of our young adults on the same subject!

God gives us more than we can handle…

God asks us to do difficult things…

But, we aren’t expected to do them alone…

We’re expected to depend on Him and not on our own understanding!!

Here’s

Justin’s Post of Apr. 18, 2013

Can You Handle?

One of the most common things you will hear people say is simply this: “God Will Not Give You More Than You Can Handle.” Seriously…I have lost count of how many times I have heard this said. Not only have I heard it numerous times, I am also guilty of saying this myself over the years…But here is the thing..It actually is another one of the lies that we buy..Before I started studying the word of god, and actually getting to know him better over the last year I have learned that this is actually in fact false.

This Statement, is actually misquoted scripture coming from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says simply this:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Saying that God will not give you more than you can handle, and saying he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, IS NOT THE SAME! Temptation is not circumstances..they are separate. You will be tempted and Tested in life, but as it says with the temptation will come a way out so you can endure the temptation, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t give us problems we couldn’t handle. This is why so many people misquote this scripture.

I in fact now believe the opposite. God does in fact give us more than we can handle. This is for the sole purpose of our need for his divine intervention. We alone can not handle..but with his help we can. That is why he allows test/trials.

Yes the saying God won’t give you more than you can handle sounds good..but here is the catch…just because something sounds good…doesn’t mean its true or biblical. There are plenty of things out there in the world that people will tell you that sounds great, but as I said, that doesn’t mean it is true.

So what is my challenge to my readers this week?

Before believing anything you hear, go to gods word first. As I already said, just because it sounds good, that doesn’t mean it is true. CHECK IT!

This is a new thing that is new to my youth, since this is what I preached last night, but I have been doubting myself and this message since last night, and just now my Aunt turned on a movie, and it just had a scene that I caught and in the scene this message was just taught by the pastor in the movie, so to me this was a confirmation that this is what was to be shared. And for that I thank god for. I needed that myself.

I just loved his passion for God…

For God’s Word…

And for the youth he worked with!

Here’s another one of his posts…

Perfectly Broken

An excerpt from Justin’s post on March 28th, 2013:

1.) If we think we are perfect, we simply are not real and we are empty.

2.) We are perfect at one thing…..being broken!

3.) We are imperfect and broken people being brought back together by the Perfect God!

4.) The sooner we stop trying to achieve the perfect life, the sooner we can start focusing on things that matter more, and do greater and better things!

Rest in God’s Peace, Justin…

You truly left a legacy of trust in God’s Word!

Amen!

Nov5

The Harvest Is Plentiful…Go…I Am Sending You!

Posted on November 5, 2013 by sagescenery

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Luke 10:1-24

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others

and sent them two by two ahead of Him

to every town and place where He was about to go.

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful,

but the workers are few.

Ask the Lord of the harvest,

therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Do not take a purse or bag or sandals;

and do not greet anyone on the road.

“When you enter a house, first say,

‘Peace to this house.’

If someone who promotes peace is there,

your peace will rest on them;

if not, it will return to you.

Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you,

for the worker deserves his wages.

Do not move around from house to house.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed,

eat what is offered to you.

Heal the sick who are there and tell them,

‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’

But when you enter a town and are not welcomed,

go into its streets and say,

‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you.

Yet be sure of this:

The Kingdom of God has come near.’

I tell you,

it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom

than for that town.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!

For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,

they would have repented long ago,

sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens?

No, you will go down to Hades.

“Whoever listens to you listens to Me;

whoever rejects you rejects Me;

but whoever rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

The seventy-two returned with joy and said,

“Lord,

even the demons submit to us in Your Name.”

He replied,

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven.

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions

and to overcome all the power of the enemy;

nothing will harm you.

However,

do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you,

but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.”

At that time Jesus,

full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said,

“I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth,

because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned,

and revealed them to little children.

Yes, Father,

for this is what You were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to Me by My Father.

No one knows who the Son is except the Father,

and no one knows who the Father is except the Son

and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

Then He turned to His disciples and said privately,

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

For I tell you that many prophets and kings

wanted to see what you see

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear

but did not hear it.”

Believers…

We have authority from God…

To see more lightning…

And less fog!

Go!

And do likewise!

So you can return with joy!!!

Rejoice!

That your name is written in Heaven!!!!

See the plentiful harvest?

Go now!!

He’s sending you!!

Amen!

Sep30

Every Little Thing You Do…

Posted on September 30, 2013 by sagescenery

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Really Does Matter To God!!

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink

or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God.”

1Peter 4:10

“Each of you

should use whatever gift you have received

to serve others,

as faithful stewards

of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do,

whether in word or deed,

do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork,

created in Christ Jesus

to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff, big stuff, in between stuff
God sees it all the same
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you
To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do

Well, maybe you’re sitting in math class
Maybe on a mission in the Congo
Maybe you’re working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe you’re dining at a five star
Or feeding orphans in Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere you are
Whatever you do it all matters
So do what you do and don’t ever forget to do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace as you do
Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do
Every little thing you do

This includes every Mom– smiling while wiping off the highchair, and the floor around it, yet AGAIN!!

This includes every Teacher-cheerfully, reminding kids ONCE AGAIN to be kind to each other!

This includes every Dad-happily playing with the kids, even AFTER a tough day at work!

This includes every Waiter/Waitress/Salesperson/Cashier-being patient EVERY DAY with difficult customers!

This includes every Student-Doing well in school, even when they’d rather be ANYWHERE else!

This includes-WHOEVER YOU ARE…

And WHATEVER YOU DO…

For the GOD WHO MADE YOU!

This Includes YOU!

And EVERY LITTLE THING YOU DO…

For THE GLORY OF GOD!!

Amen!

Aug21

“Some Fell On Rocky Places…”

Posted on August 21, 2013 by sagescenery

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(All the photos on this post were taken by my sister, Tina!)

Matthew 13:5-6

“Some (seed) fell on rocky places,

where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly,

because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up,

the plants were scorched,

and they withered because they had no root.”

Matthew 13:13-17

“Though seeing, they do not see;

though hearing,

they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;    
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused;   
they hardly hear with their ears,   
and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,    
hear with their ears,    
understand with their hearts
and turn, 
and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see,

and your ears because they hear.

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people

longed to see what you see

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear

but did not hear it.”

Matthew 13:18-23

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what

was sown in their heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.

The seed falling on rocky ground

refers to someone who hears the Word

and at once receives it with joy.

But since they have no root,

they last only a short time.

When trouble or persecution

comes because of the Word,

they quickly fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns

refers to someone who hears the Word,

but the worries of this life

and the deceitfulness of wealth

choke the Word,

making it unfruitful.

But the seed falling on good soil

refers to someone who hears the Word

and understands it.

This is the one who produces a crop,

yielding a hundred,

sixty

or thirty times what was sown.”

Don’t let your heart become calloused!

Open your eyes to

See...

Open your ears to…

Hear the Word…

Open your heart to…

Understand the Word…

Turn to the Lord…

He will Heal…

So you can be Fruitful

and…

Produce a Crop!!

Amen!

Aug21

Grow A “Compact Organic” Garden!!

Posted on August 21, 2013 by sagescenery

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This is so amazing!!

Walt is a former East Orange, NJ police officer, who my husband worked with…

To see his photos, go to:

http://www.nj.com/cranford/index.ssf/2013/08/kenilworth_compact_organic_gar.html#incart_river

By Cranford Chronicle
on August 19, 2013 at 5:36 PM, updated August 19, 2013 at 5:37 PM

Homeowners who think their yard is just too small for a garden that produces the high yields they desire may have to think again.

Walter Sosnosky has about 500 individual plants on property only 50 feet wide and 100 feet long at his home in Kenilworth.

He grows everything from arugula to sweet banana peppers, as well as herbs and flowers.

His plant inventory is even more impressive when taking into account that there is, of course, a house on the lot;

as well as a 20-foot-long driveway; a 30-by-16-foot pool; a patio; a deck; and two sheds.

He does it all using a method called Compact and Organic Gardening.

“What I have done is thrown out the book on conventional gardening,”

Sosnosky said.

“In modern terms, I have gone rough.”

He gives an example:

The golden rule on tomatoes, he said, is that they are not to be grown within about 2 to 3 feet of one another.

“Mine are approximately one foot apart and I intermingle them with eggplants, bell peppers and garlic,”

Sosnosky said.

“So as they grow, the plants support each other in the growing process.”

To ensure everything is organic, he follows a strict protocol. Here are some of rules he adheres to:

1. To ward off ants, he sprinkles instant grits across the problem area.
2. To keep away squirrels and other creatures in the rodent family, he grows peppermint among other plants.
3. To keep the yard bug-free, he recommends spraying a mixture of antiseptic mouth wash and lemon-scented dish-washing soap.
4. To keep a good PH balance in the soil, use coffee grounds and ground egg shells. This also helps discourage slugs, and keeps the neighborhood cat and dog from next door from roaming around, he said.

“In the fertilizer department, I use fish emulsion, beer and sugared colas,”

Sosnosky said.

“These all add to robust and healthy plant life.”

“Make the effort and the rewards are yours,”

he said,

explaining that those practicing compact organic gardening will be repaid with a bounty of vegetables, herbs and fruits,

like “lush Jersey tomatoes,” married with the “fresh scents of basil, rosemary and lavender, to name a few.”

Here’s an inventory of all the types of plants, with numbers of each type, growing on Sosnosky’s less than 1/8 of an acre:

Alyssum 12; Eggplant 22; Rutgers Tomatoes 6; Lemon Boy Tomatoes 6; Marigolds 24; Cucumbers 6; Beef Master Tomatoes 5; Blueberry Bush 1; Impatiens 140; Lobelia 32; Dianthus 12; Verbena 12; Snap Peas 21; Garlic Plants 25; Basil 6; Habanera Peppers 5; Snap Dragons 11; Gazania 9; Salmon Geranium 10; Petunias 59; Raspberry Plants 4; Bell Peppers 2; Jalapeño Peppers 4; Cayenne 3; Sweet Banana Peppers 4; Pop Pop Peppers 2; Better Boy Tomatoes 3; Parsley 4; Arugula 4; Super Sonic Tomatoes 9; Rosemary 1; Greek Oregano 1; Lavender 1; Horseradish 1; Butterfly Bush 1; Assorted Wild Flowers 50.