Good Morning Garden

Jesus explains what the nature of God is, and what our own nature is; tells us the meaning of life and of death; shows us why we make mistakes; why we yield to temptation; why we become sick,and impoverished, and old; and most important of all, he tells us how all these evils may be overcome, and how we may bring fulfillment into our lives, and into the lives of others.

Jesus warns us, not once but often, that obstinacy in sin can bring very severe punishment, and that a man who parts with the integrity of his soul “even though he gain the whole world”, is a tragic fool. But he teaches that we are only punished for “and actually punished by”, our own mistakes; and he teaches that every man or woman, no matter how steeped in evil and uncleanness, has always direct access to an all-loving, all-powerful Father-God, who will forgive him, and supply His own strength to him to enable him to find himself again.

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him (1 John 2:29).

Now that we have explored every aspect of negativity and how to overcome it, we move into a series of affirming messages focused on Jesus’ teachings about embracing love and God’s will. It is this author’s prayer that these messages will help each of us find and enter that garden created by God for us.

Peace
Z

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Jesus Christ is easily the most important figure that has ever appeared in the history of mankind. This is true whether you choose to call him God or man. His life and death and teachings have influenced the course of human history more than those of any other man who ever lived. There can hardly, therefore, be a more important undertaking than to inquire into the question of what Jesus really did stand for.

What did Jesus teach? What did he really wish us to believe and to do? How far does the Christianity of today present his message to the world? What did Jesus teach?

..for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21).

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it (John 14:14).

Among the last words Jesus Christ spoke to his disciples, on the last night of his earthly life before he was betrayed, denied and crucified, was a new commandment. “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12).” Our Savior then went on to say that this love for one another would be the sign by which people would know that we truly believed in him and what he taught us.

Have a blessed Easter living and giving love. It is all we need!
Z gardener

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This day in Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday. It is the day of the Last Supper which preceded Christ’s betrayal and passion. Even on this day, Jesus commanded us to love one another, reminded us all of God’s love and that demonstrated that all negativity, even a shameful death, can end in triumph with God’s help and grace.

This is an excerpt from The Immortal Story by Felix R. McKnight:

Thirty pieces of silver were to be His doom before the day’s end but Jesus of Nazareth tediously planned Maundy Thursday for last moments of fellowship and prayer with His Disciples.

Not many hours of life remained for Him. He was to be betrayed, given a mock trial and crucified before tomorrow’s sunset.

So it was His wish that He should gather for the last time His Disciples, but no worldly goods were His and He had no home for such fellowship. He directed two Disciples to go into Jerusalem and follow a man bearing a pitcher and in his home they would dine.

Many men bore pitchers of water from Shiloh on that day but the Disciples followed the first they saw and it was as He said. Arrangements were made.

In the evening Jesus came and sat with His Disciples for the Lord’s Supper and the Passover feast. It was the first day of unleavened bread. To prove His love for those He was soon to leave, Jesus stooped and washed the dusty feet of His Disciples. Protests arose but He said: “Verily, verily I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.”

In His sadness He gave them a new commandment:

“Love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends…”

And He took the bread and broke it in prayer and gave it to them, saying:

“This is my body which is given for you. This do in remembrance of me.”

And He took a cup and gave thanks and handed it to an Apostle:

“Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for many…”

Great lines furrowed His face and He shocked His Disciples when He said:

“Verily, I say unto you that one of you will betray me.”

The Disciples searched each other’s faces and were sorrowful. They quickly pleaded to know the identity of the betrayer. Judas Iscariot, the 30 pieces of silver even then tightly wrapped on his person, said: “Is it I, Lord?”

In answer, Jesus said: “He it is for whom I shall dip the sop and give it to him.”

And Jesus handed the sop to Judas Iscariot. Then He began His farewell conversation with the remaining Disciples who were of heavy hearts.

“Let not your heart be troubled. He who believes in God, believes also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you, for I go to prepare a place for you.”

The supper was ended and Jesus took with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane Peter and James and John. He implored them to stay with Him and watch as He prayed. And He fell to the ground and cried to God:

“Father, all things are possible unto Thee; remove this cup from Me!’

But only an angel appeared to give Him strength and in agony he prayed until blood and sweat coursed down His hot cheeks. He wearily arose and walked back to find the three Disciples lost in sleep. Not even His trusted friends could stand watch. He peered down at them and whispered: “Sleep on now and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

Out of the shadows came Judas Iscariot in the light of lanterns. Swords rattled from scabbards of the motley rabble at his side. For 30 pieces of silver Judas Iscariot was to identify Jesus with a kiss. So he walked straightway to Him and kissed His cheek. And Jesus said: “Friend, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?”

The guards rushed forward and Simon Peter drew his sword and slashed an ear off the high priest’s servant. Quickly Jesus said: “Suffer ye thus far.” And he touched the ear and healed it.

The Disciples fled in confusion and fear and Jesus was led away to the house of Annas. His death sentence neared.

And Judas Iscariot fled into the night and hanged himself.

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Let not your heart be troubled. He who believes in God, believes also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you, for I go to prepare a place for you.

Father, let each of us turn to you in faith to honestly face and overcome negativity through your grace, love and power. Amen.

Z gardener

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Get emotional and excited over every trifling occurrence, especially if it is no concern of yours.

Eat and drink indiscriminately. Your stomach is only a sink, anyway, and being made of cast iron, will stand anything.

Cut down your sleep. This is an excellent way to undermine the nervous system.

Never relax. That would give the body a chance to recuperate. Avoid all exercise. Exercise promotes circulation.

Read as much as you can about diseases and ailments. Your public library will carry many suitable books.

Discuss your own ailments at great length and, if you have had an operation, give dramatic little lectures about it at every opportunity.

Take good care of your dog, and your horse, and your automobile, but neglect your body. The Bible says that your body is the Temple of
the Holy Spirit, and to go against the Bible is always a good shortcut to trouble.

If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight; I wilt put none
of these diseases upon thee for I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26).

Unresolved stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, too little down time, lack of exercise, focusing on illness and abusing our bodies has killed more people and caused more bad health than all the diseases, accidents and wars in the world combined. Our body is not only God’s temple, it is a miracle of self-healing and regeneration; but we must treat it properly, give it what it needs and maintain it regularly or it will fail us. This is not optional and good health is not accidental. Neither is it merely or a matter of good genes. Even the best genes can be overcome by abuse and the worst genes can be fortified by good health practices and positive mental attitudes.

Burying the old,
Z gardener

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Never be original. Find out what is usually done and copy that. Realize that you have nothing more to learn. This will destroy all danger of success.

Sneer at those who are more successful than yourself.

Tell yourself that it is now too late, and that you really did not have the proper equipment; and it will be especially helpful to keep saying that people are against you.

Never learn from experience. Keep on doing the same fool things time after time.

Never wait to hear the other side of the story. Knowing both sides will only unsettle your mind.

Use your wit destructively. Be smart at the expense of absent people.

Stand on your dignity. Never forget that you have a position to keep up.

Try to get everything cheap. Study and practice to become the perfect “chiseler.” This will build an invincible poverty complex.

…the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness (Proverbs 12:23).

Looking honestly at our weaknesses should never be confused with being defeatist or being down on ourselves. In fact, it is the mirror opposite. It takes courage, determination and will power to face our true selves in the mirror. It also requires that we love ourselves enough to endure honesty, and that we believe in ourselves and God enough to know that with God’s help, we can overcome our weaknesses. And make no mistake, if we are to overcome our flaws and negativity in general, we will need God’s help.

Facing facts,
Z gardener

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Knock everything systematically. No matter what you hear of, deprecate it and predict the worst.

Mind everyone else’s business. This will insure your neglecting your own.

Never perform today what you can possibly postpone until tomorrow.

Leave the important things to someone else instead of seeing to them personally.

Have no organized arrangements. Trust to luck for everything.

Be a sanctimonious humbug, and when you bungle things say it is “the Lord’s will” or that the trouble is that you are too good for your surroundings.

Sit down and wait for something to turn up.

Finally, conduct your life in all respects as if there were no God.

Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
(Psalm 39:8)

There are clear pathways to negativity that virtually assure our failure. Treading these paths, regardless of how justified we feel in so doing, will invariably ensure a harmful outcome for us. We set the course for failure when we choose the paths of negativity, and we ourselves pave the journey to failure with the stones of our own attitude and actions.

Just as surely, when we avoid the pathways that lead to failure, we set a heading that avoids the pitfalls of negativity. And when our attitudes and actions reflect love, faith and hope, we build the highways to our success.

If we are to truly succeed, we must walk the walk of love, affirmation and peace. Then our journeys will assuredly take us to the garden that awaits in our true destination.

Paving the way with peace,
Z gardener

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Sit down quietly where you are not likely to be disturbed. Relax the body, and begin to think about yourself. Every time your thoughts wanders to something higher, bring it back gently but relentlessly.

Think about the past. Think over all the mistakes you have made, going right back to childhood. Think over all the opportunities you have missed and the time you have wasted. Especially think of all the occasions upon which you have been badly treated.

Think about your body and wonder if your age or your job or the climate isn’t beginning to tell. See if you cannot discover a pain or an ache somewhere.

Think about finances and if they are going well now, insist that this is probably too good to last.

In any case, think about yourself, that is the main point, and if you will keep this up faithfully for fifteen or twenty minutes, there can be no doubt about the result.

Seest a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than him (Proverbs 26:12)

For, these next few days the messages will tell us how to succumb to negativity. This is not pleasant to hear, but they make the point. We all will find some of our thoughts, words and deeds addressed in these messages. This should serve as a wake up call to all of us that we have work to do if we are to overcome negativity.

Digging deep,
Z gardener

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To recognize failure intelligently is the first step toward building success.

Recognize success with thanksgiving, and build more success on that..

You can have anything in life that you really want, but you must be prepared to take the responsibilities that go with it.

God is ready the moment you are.

You really do not know John Smith; you only know the idea that you form of John Smith.

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:6)

No one gets pleasure from recognizing their failures. It hurts and can be debilitating if not done in a healthy way. Yet, just as we learn in Lent, it is essential if we are to ensure a successful garden.

Uprooting failure,
Z gardener

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It cannot be your duty to do anything that is beyond your reach or your strength at the moment.

It cannot be your duty to do anything that sacrifices your own integrity or your own spiritual development.

It cannot be right to be hurried, or sad, or discouraged, or angry, or resentful, or antagonistic, under any circumstances.

If you have not time for prayer and meditation, you will have lots of time for sickness and trouble.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this the the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Our duty is to rejoice each day and be glad in it. When we allow ourselves to; accept duties that ensure failure; priorities that retard our spiritual development or engage in behaviors that subject us to negativity, especially those that block us from prayer, then we are violating God’s will. As surely as the sun rises, these activities will create undesirable consequences that hurt us or others.

Z gardener

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