January 14, 2013 - The Tree in the Garden

Happy Monday to all, (Sorry this is late - I now work on Mondays and as soon as I got out of bed, there were work issues I HAD to touch immediately. In a lull - so here goes.) Update: my weekend trip to Nashville went very well. God really helped us and we have some clear direction. Devotional Cookbook: I have found a way to get all nutritional info, BUT I am having to type all ingredients in and build nutritional layout. It is going to take me a couple of extra weeks, but in the end, having all the details will be good. So please be patient - I will get it done and printed - but it could be April. I will be going to Thailand on a Mission's trip the end of next month through March 10th, so that is a time chunk. But it is coming. :) Today, in my quiet time, one of the devotionals (which echoed the sermon at church yesterday) reminded me that God is always speaking into our lives. ALWAYS! He initiates the conversation and because we are close to him, we hear. Then, we have a choice of whether to respond. When God called to Isaiah, it wasn't a response to Isaiah's cry for God. NO - Isaiah heard God say he had no one to represent him. Then, Isaiah responded. I thought about many of us, as Christians, crying out over and over to God and then living and eating as we please. Finally, in our desperation, we get to the bottom end of survival (that was me) and snuggle close to God only to hear him say, "I want you to live and I want you to eat the good things I've created for you. But of the tree in the middle of the garden labeled "Starch and Sugar", you must not eat - for when you do, it will continue to give you a sugar gut and cause your body to store fat which will eventually lead to an unhealthy future." Now, you are laughing I KNOW, but when GOD DROPPED THAT TRUTH INTO MY HEART, I could not deny it. I responded, "YIKES - NO WAY TO LIVE WITHOUT THOSE BASIC ELEMENTS." But, most of mankind has lived successfully without the processed foods that we consume and feel we cannot annihilate. Yes they have! Conversation: Me: "But God, have you ever tasted pizza or brownies?" God: "I am the creator of all life. There is a way to utilize my goodness upon the earth and still enjoy these." Me: "Really?" God: "Yes, but remember the tree in the garden. NOT from that tree. I have a tree from which you may create and I will help you." Me: "Will I suffer alone?" God: "No, I will cause you and others to have creative ideas about healthy foods that taste good and will supply your cells with nutrition and allow you to live long and HEALTHY lives." Me: "Whew! Thanks for others and God ideas. I am not afraid to explore." Just a little "play on words" this morning but really, the closer we are to God in our quiet time, the more we hear. Remember, the sound of someone's voice stretches much further than the reach of their hand. Here God's voice today as you spend time with him and live victoriously. Love to all, PK