H, Author at Hope Reflected

Monday

14

November 2016

Encouragement: 2 Timothy 1:7

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

The past few weeks, the media’s been building and encouraging a lot of ‘fear’ in people; and admittedly, it’s easy to get caught up in the emotion and excitement. There’s something very important to remember, however. God is in control.

And what’s more? We’re clearly told in the Bible that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear”. If you are feeling afraid, or nervous, or apprehensive about the future, consider this: In Isaiah 41:10, we are encouraged to “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” In Psalm 34:4, we are told, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Paul wrote to book of 2 Timothy from prison, and yet he encouraged us by saying that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. To have that realization and be able to admit that from prison? Wow! What a Faith! Can you imagine all the difficulties and persecution that Paul faced behind bars? I can’t either, but it probably was not an easy or comfortable place to be.

If you’re feeling nervous, or anxious, or fearful heading into the challenges of a new week, remember the second part of 2 Timothy 1:7. God has given us the spirit “of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Consider this: With the spirit of God’s power, love, and sound mind, we can set out to face any challenge that is before us. It’s easier said that done, but whatever you’re facing, God has promised that He will be there for you!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Friday

11

November 2016

Hope Reflected: The Importance of a Firm Foundation

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

As we approach Remembrance Day, this year more than ever before, I am reminded of the importance of having a firm foundation. The men and women who fought to protect our country, each of them truly believed in risking their lives for man and country. The men and women who served (and currently serve) believed so strongly in protecting our freedoms that they were willing to give up their lives. How many of us believe in something so passionately that we’d be willing to give up our lives for that something? We live in a world where it’s now considered acceptable to sit or kneel during the National anthem, where believing in God is considered passé, and where standing up for a faith puts one at risk of being considered hate-filled and intolerant. I find myself questioning, if we’re removing the very foundations that North America was founded upon, how can we in good conscience pay homage to those men and women who served and risked (and lost!) their lives to protect our nation?

Proverbs 22:28 reminds us to “remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” When we start messing around with our foundations, the whole structure shifts. And an unsteady structure is not a safe structure.

Think about it: The foundation is the arguably the most important part of your home. Without a firm foundation, your home is not secure. Any errors or mistakes in the foundation of your home only get worse as you build up. The framing, roof, and the rest of the structure will be completely out!

Just like your home, having a firm foundation for what you believe in is important for several reasons.

A firm foundation is important because storms will come. In a home, without a firm foundation, your home would wash away when rains fall and storms blow. The same can be said about your faith. You may think it doesn’t matter what (or Who) you believe in, but when the storms in life come, you need strength and structure for your soul. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

A firm foundation is important because our foundation is our core. Ever heard the saying, “Treat the cause, not the symptom”? Without a firm foundation, we put ourselves at risk for all kinds of surface issues. Just like errors in the foundation of a house, if we don’t have a firm foundation for our souls, we put ourselves at risk for bad influences to creep in, and ultimately, for the progression of sin. Paul says in his first letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 6:18-19), “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, wiling to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Think about it like this: If you’re trying to get healthy, you don’t just exercise, right? If you’re truly trying to change your health for the better, you start in the kitchen, because the fuel you put in to your body is just as – or more – important than exercise. The same can be said about our spiritual life – it’s not just good works or deeds that matter, it’s what is in our soul that truly counts.

This Remembrance Day, take time to give thanks and to remember the dedication and example of those who have – and who continue – to serve our great nation. The strength of each individual and their commitment to the foundations of our country are truly honorable.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” (John F. Kennedy)

Originally published as “The Importance of a Firm Foundation.” Minto Express. November 9, 2016. 5: Print.

Wednesday

9

November 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: Remember to Look Up

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Wednesday Wisdom

If you’re constantly walking with your eyes on the ground, you’re going to miss out on so much in life. Remember to look up; to take time to give thanks and count your blessings.

In today’s edition of Wednesday Wisdom, I’m sharing some of my favourite Bible verses about the importance of remembering to look up.

Job 26:7 “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.”

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

Psalm 36:5 “Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.”

Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 123:1 “Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.”

Psalm 147:8 “Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.”

Isaiah 40:26 “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”

John 11:41 “And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”

Tuesday

8

November 2016

Gardening: How to Plant Garlic

Written by H, Posted in Gardening

Last week, we shared some tips about when to plant garlic in your garden. We thought it would be neat to share our experience of planting our first garlic garden, and provide some tips on how to plant garlic (and then next Summer we’ll follow up and see if it worked).

First things first, we had to find the right spot in our yard. Good advice when you’re selecting a spot in your garden or yard to plant a garlic garden, choose a location that gets full sun. Wes removed the sod and worked the dirt, before adding black earth to the garden. You want your soil to be dug over. If you’re working with land that’s sandy or clay-like, that’s OK!

As we mentioned last week, garlic does best if you plant it in the Fall. In the garden, we created small pockets 4 to 6 inches apart. We also dedicated each row in the garden to a specific variety of garlic (more on that below).

Wes and I did some research before hand to see best practices on how to plant garlic. While some experts advise you should break your garlic cloves apart several days before planting, others advise that breaking the cloves apart too early will cause the cloves to dry out. Up to you, but we opted to wait until just before planting to break the cloves apart. Also, don’t peel the husk, leave the paper on the garlic cloves for planting.

When planting your garlic, place each clove about 2 to 4 inches deep in the ground. You’ll want to make sure the flat root is at the bottom, with the stem of the garlic clove facing up. Again, we planted our garlic, dedicating each row to a different variety. Rows should be about 6 inches apart, with about 4 to 6 inches between each clove.

Another important tip when considering how to plant garlic in your garden, is the fact that you shouldn’t plant just any garlic. We heard from several seasoned sources how garlic bought at the grocer’s doesn’t grow well (or sometimes at all) in the garden. The varieties of garlic that Wes and I planted this year were all purchased at the Stratford Garlic Festival.

Here’s some information about the different garlic varieties we planted:

Israeli garlic: A hard-neck garlic that harvests mid summer, Israeli garlic has white skin with purple flushes. Israeli garlic has up to 10 cloves per bulb.
Persian star garlic: A hard-neck garlic that harvests mid summer, Persian star garlic has purple-striped skin. Persian star garlic usually has about 8 cloves per bulb.
Sicilian garlic: A soft-neck garlic that harvests mid summer, Sicilian garlic has white skin. Sicilian garlic can have up to 14 cloves per bulb.

We documented which row each garlic variety is planted, and next Spring we’ll label the rows so we can keep track of which varieties thrive and grow best.

Monday

7

November 2016

Encouragement: Isaiah 46:4

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement

“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4

Looking for some encouragement for this week? I read this verse over the weekend, and was so moved by the promises that are provided in such a short verse.

Even to our old age, God is the One Who…

God will carry us.

God made us.

God will bear us.

God will carry us. (So important it’s mentioned a second time!)

God will deliver us.

Feeling overwhelmed, and not sure how you’re going to accomplish all the tasks before you this week? Maybe you think a situation is impossible and you’re not sure how it will work out.

Rest assured, our God is bigger than any situation or fear you face, and He will carry you; He made you; He will bear you; He will carry you; He will deliver you.

WOW!

5 amazing promises for the week ahead. God is more than capable!

“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4

Tuesday

1

November 2016

Gardening: When to Plant Garlic

Written by H, Posted in Gardening

Wondering when to plant garlic in your garden? While garlic can be planted in spring or fall, traditionally in our neck of the woods fall is the time to get those bulbs in the ground. We’ve had such a mild fall so far, which is great for those of us who are late getting our garlic in the ground!

If you take the time to plant garlic in the fall, typically before the first hard frost, you’ll see the greatest reward next summer, as bulbs planted in the fall tend to grow larger and with more flavour when harvested the following summer.

Back in September, Wes and I attended the Stratford Garlic Festival, and it was an incredible way to learn from local farmers about their best practices, what to do and what not to do when planting garlic, and also what different varieties of garlic mean for growing.

Here are some tips if you’re planting garlic in your garden this fall:

Break the garlic cloves apart before you put them in the ground (don’t peel the cloves before you plant them);
Plant your garlic about one month before the ground freezes for winter;
Garlic grows well in the sun, so keep this in mind when selecting a location in your garden;
Cloves can be placed 4 to 6 inches apart, and about 2 inches in the ground;
Plant your garlic cloves with the pointed end facing up. The root should face the earth.

More to come as Wes and I plant our garlic and get it growing!

Monday

31

October 2016

Encouragement: Psalm 147: 7-8

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement

“Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.” Psalm 147: 7-8

Autumn weather often brings along with it cloudy days, cold winds, and lots of rain.

Even during the dullest of days, there is so much to praise God for! He is the one Who creates the clouds, sends rain for the earth, and Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

If you’re searching for reasons to give Him praise, consider all the ways that God has demonstrated His faithfulness throughout your life. Count your blessings, and you’re sure to be encouraged.

“Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.” Psalm 147: 7-8

Tuesday

25

October 2016

Gardening: How to Grow Cockscomb

Written by H, Posted in Gardening

Low maintenance, fragrant, and absolutely vibrant, cockscomb are a flower oft-overlooked and taken for granted. Cockscomb, also known as Wool Flowers, or even Brain Celosia (because that sounds appealing), are beautiful blooming annuals that grow to be 12-30 inches in height.

Wes and I first came across these beauties at Stratford’s Garlic Festival this past September, and, you guessed it; we’re growing cockscomb next year!

While Stratford’s Garlic Festival is most widely known for its garlic (obviously), one of the booths we passed by was selling cockscomb stems for $1.00 each. Needless to say, after hearing a bit about the blooms and how you can save the seeds and plant the following seeding season, we purchased two with the intent of including them in our Spring 2017 garden.

Since mid-September, we’ve had our cockscomb blooms hanging upside down in a dry place, with a bowl beneath. After drying, the seeds fall from the cockscomb bloom, and can be planted the following season.

As you can see from the photo above, after a month and a half of drying, the cockscomb drops its seeds (the seeds come from the part of the plant beneath the coloured bloom but before the stem).

Cockscomb flowers usually come in four colour varieties: Yellow, pink, orange, and white. Interestingly, the name cockscomb comes from the similarity to a cock’s comb on a rooster’s head.

Aspiring gardener tip: When you’re drying your cockscomb, make sure you place a bowl beneath the plant in which to let the seeds fall. As you can see from the photo above, after about a month and a half, there are plenty of seeds collected or our garden next Spring. (Note: The seeds are the round black pieces, the lighter pieces are the seed casing or shells.)

I am very excited to see what happens next Spring when we plant the seeds rom our first-ever cockscomb plants. Cockscomb flowers are beautiful annuals, and it will be interesting to see how our latest gardening experiment turns out!

If you’re planning to plant your own cockscomb seeds next Spring, here are some tips:

Plant your cockscomb flower seedlings into moist soil in late spring.
You may opt to start your seedlings indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your region’s last frost.
Outdoors, plant your seedlings about 8 inches apart.
Cockscomb seedlings grow best in full sun.

Monday

24

October 2016

Encouragement: Zephaniah 3:17

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Zephaniah 3:17 is an incredibly encouraging verse. If you’re feeling down, or overwhelmed, or not sure how you’re going to face the week ahead, check out the promises in Zephaniah 3:17. This verse is filled with God’s truth and promises.

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty…” — Not only are we promised that God is in our midst, we are also reassured in this verse that He is mighty! We can call on Him whenever, wherever, and for whatever, and He is right there with us. He’s also mighty, meaning He’s stronger than any challenge we may face.

“…he will save…” — Wherever you’ve been, whatever you’ve done, God is able to save you. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to this earth to redeem us.

“…he will rejoice over thee with joy…” — I love how Barnes’ Notes on the Bible describes this part of the verse: “Love, joy, peace in man are shadows of that which is in God, by whom they are created in man. Only in God they exist undivided, uncreated.” Joy in us is something that comes from within – joy is not based on circumstances, it is based on our knowledge and love of Christ.

“…he will rest in his love…” — And because of that, we can rest in Him. Only in God can we truly find peace and rest. You may feel overwhelmed, or anxious, however remembering the love God has for you, and that He has His perfect timing, will help you find rest and renewal.

“…he will joy over thee with singing.” — For the second time in this verse, we see the word joy. God delights in us; that should be enough to make us joyful! Singing can be used as an expression of joy. Think about that in context – God will joy over thee with singing. What an encouraging and inspiring thought!

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Friday

21

October 2016

Hope Reflected: What to do in the face of Adversity

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” Wise words regarding adversity from one of my favourite authours, C.S. Lewis. Inevitably, we all will face adversity in our lives at some point or another. While it may not be comforting, that’s a fact. Another fact? The key to facing adversity is how we react to it.

Proverbs 24:10 says, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” It’s easy to say, but quite often when we face times of adversity, we wonder how we’ll make it through. One of the keys to facing adversity is remembering how to keep things in perspective. Whether you’re facing adversity spiritually, relationally, physically, or emotionally, there is hope.

The most important fact to remember in the face of adversity is that God can and will help you through the toughest times in your life, if you will put your trust in Him. In the face of adversity, here are three things to do:

Ask the Lord what He’s trying to teach you. Is it patience? (This is a BIG one for me!) Is it humility? Is it trust? Whatever you’re going through, God’s got you. Whatever your current circumstances and situation, God will be there for you if you’ll put your trust in Him. Largely attributed to David – who, if you’re looking or a man who faced plenty of adversity throughout his life, check out the life of David in the Bible – Psalm 119 sheds light on seeking the Lord in times of adversity, especially in verse 71, “It is good or me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Perhaps there’s an area in your life where God is trying teach you or mature you. It seems like my life long I’ve been learning (and learning, and learning) the virtue of patience. Ask the Lord what He’s trying to teach you!
Remind yourself that God is in control. Ecclesiastes 7:14 tells us, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider; God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Whatever you’re facing, God is in complete control. You know what makes that fact easier to accept? When you trust God completely. Trusting God with your whole heart brings a peace that I can’t even begin to describe. As the apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Submit, surrender, and fight the good fight. OK that’s three points in one, but you get the idea. In the face of adversity:
1. Submit yourself to the Lord. For help with submission, see James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.”
2. Surrender yourself to His will. In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus tells His disciples, “’If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’”
3. Fight the good fight. 1 Timothy 6:12 tells us to “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” See also 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” And finally, Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those whom He has called according to His purpose.”

Whatever you’re dealing with today, and wherever this finds you, there is hope. God will provide for you, if you will trust in Him! I’ll close with this quote from Charles Stanley: “Often times God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing for us what we need to survive. He does not change our painful circumstances. He sustains us through them.”

Originally published as “What to do in the face of adversity.” Minto Express. September 14, 2016. 5: Print.

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14

Encouragement: 2 Timothy 1:7

11

Hope Reflected: The Importance of a Firm Foundation

Originally published as “The Importance of a Firm Foundation.” Minto Express. November 9, 2016. 5: Print.

9

Wednesday Wisdom: Remember to Look Up

8

Gardening: How to Plant Garlic

7

Encouragement: Isaiah 46:4

1

Gardening: When to Plant Garlic

31

Encouragement: Psalm 147: 7-8

25

Gardening: How to Grow Cockscomb

24

Encouragement: Zephaniah 3:17

21

Hope Reflected: What to do in the face of Adversity

Originally published as “What to do in the face of adversity.” Minto Express. September 14, 2016. 5: Print.

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