What a treat it is to get my fingers in the dirt! Obedient to a swirling idea for a winsome table center piece, I followed His lead to a particular garden shop.  Santiago and his mom had been to mi casa to plant a roof top succulent garden.  I entered the shop and used my best Spanglish to explain my desire to build a miniature ‘Resurrection Garden’. My joy was infectious and both mother and son began seeking the right pot!  Santiago arranged a spot for me to sit and asked “what else do you need?” Their enthusiastic welcome for me to create this miniature was invigorating.  Momma brought me a few low growing succulents as her son hand twisted 3 wooden crosses.

Santiago brought me some great ranch soil and the jar of pebbles I requested. Their ripe open hearts and their itching ears —to hear what the Spirit had to say —- about the empty tomb was just a wide open invitation to share Jesus.  Santiago and his momma were both moved to tears as I was led to share about my prodigal son – and that Jason is now walking with Jesus. We all stood quietly admiring the created “Resurrection Garden”. I placed my hand on Santiago’s shoulder and asked if I could pray with him. His mother was thrilled as we all bowed our heads. The Holy Spirit took a hold of my tongue and all our hearts were rejoicing for what had just happened. There are no words to describe the joy that was in the atmosphere in the garden today!  I had holy hands helping me all the way. Santiago’s mother gratefully shared that her son had also made some bad choices and that the testimony of Jason was a God sent word for her son/hijo. Glowing with a big smile, Santiago gave me his heartfelt thanks and I gave him a copy of ‘Biblia Compacta’. A 100 page summary of the New Testament, in Spanish which is just an appetizer for all that the Lord has in store for him. 

Santiago’s dear madre Hilda (in English) took me over to view the new pond that Santiago created. I shared a vision of him playing the piano and sharing his testimony and Santiago quickly replied “yes, I will!” Santiago said “I am very emotional about my relationship with Jesus and how He brought you into my life. I placed my hand on Santiago and he willing prayed to God to be forgiven as he accepted Jesus into his heart and asked for increased understanding of God’s will and word. Through the creation of a Resurrection Garden. “Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:32 Santiago attended Abundant Life Church on Sunday April 11, 2021. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corin 3:6

A prophecy spoken by Jesus and fulfilled by His obedience …  John 2:19-21 “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body.” Jesus is Alive! My Redeemer lives and I will testify and glorify His name, Jesus, Yeshua, Adonai. All Glory to God for His Word never fails. Hallelujah and AMEN — His great love for ALL proven in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

LYRICS to SHOUT! When I think about the Lord, how He saved me, how He raised me, How He filled with me with the Holy Ghost, how He healed me to the uttermost, how He picked me up and turned me around, how He placed my feet on solid ground—it makes me want to Shout Hallelujah, thank You Jesus, Lord You are worthy of all of the glory, and all of the honor and praise!

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7  Our Father loves us so much He sent His son, and gave us His word so we know how to think! “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phil 4:4 and His peace, joy and love will radiate from within you!

In Spanish Efesios 6:10-17 La armadura de Dios “Por último, recuerden que su fortaleza debe venir del gran poder del Señor. 11 Vístanse de toda la armadura que Dios les ha dado, para que puedan hacer frente a los engaños astutos del diablo, 12 porque nuestra lucha no es contra seres humanos, sino contra los poderes, las autoridades y los gobernantes de este mundo en tinieblas; o sea, que luchamos contra los espíritus malignos que actúan en el cielo. Pónganse el casco de la salvación y tomen la espada que les da el Espíritu, que es la Palabra de Dios.”

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Heb 11:6 NIV

Why Do We Sing? Because Jesus first loved us, He left His throne in heaven, came down to shed His blood as the sacrificial Lamb, and in three days rise again as the Lion, the King of kings. Jesus defeated Satan and his plan for us to burn in hell for eternity. Jesus is the only Way to eternity in heaven. Jesus described the Devil as “the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT) and God hates pride and liars. Jesus said come to Me, all who are burdened with guilt and shame, and I will wash away your sin, forgive you. Jesus welcomes all into the family of God.