“Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

When I was a freshman in college, two girls stopped by my dorm room and witnessed to me. Using the Bible, they showed me what it meant to be a born again believer. I accepted Christ’s forgiveness that night, and asked him into my heart. That began my journey as a Christ follower. As I hung out with those girls and others in the University of Minnesota Navigator fellowship, they helped me to really understand what a Christ centered life was all about.

I listened, I watched, and I learned as they transparently lived their out their lives in front of me and the rest of the world. Their desire became my desire – to love God, and serve him with a whole, undivided heart.

One thing I just loved about those dear people was their Bibles. The pages of their Bibles were dog-eared and coffee stained. The margins and verses were marked up with dates, notes and prayers. The covers were worn and bindings were falling to pieces. It was a mark of honor to own a Bible like that, and I could hardly wait until my own Bible started to show the same marks of loving use.

Dear R&BT Readers,
 As you know, R&BT has been affiliated with the Quiet Garden Movement since we began back in the mid 1990’s. The QG is a ministry of prayer and hospitality based in the UK. We love the intent of their mission, as it so closely expresses that of Rest and Be Thankful as well.
 I am sharing a reflection from the QG that was written by Keith Green, a chaplain in the QG movement. I hope it blesses you as you ponder his thoughts.
 I also would encourage you avid gardeners out there to go on the Quiet Garden website, and pray about whether this spring you might turn your own garden into a Quiet Garden. You might want to open your own garden space for prayer as our friends at the Quiet Garden Movement envision it. Small or large, your garden could be just what someone needs to “get away from the crowds for a while and rest…” JET

The Quiet Garden Trust
Kerridge House
42 Woodside Close
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
HP6 5EF
England

Quiet Garden Reflection February 2010
By Keith Green

February 10, 2010

When February sun shines cold,
There comes a day when in the air
The wings of winter slow unfold,
And show the golden summer there.
–Philip Savage, American poet (1868–99)

The Old Farmer’s Almanac saved the day for me. I got their newsletter in my email box this week, and it was full of encouraging, non-cabin-fever-spring-is-coming kind of news! It cheered me up something grand, and so I am going to pass several of their news items on to you.

(Just a reminder for you – I get this OFA stuff for free, and so can you. You can Google The Old Farmer’s Almanac, register on their site, and have access to all kinds of great gardening, astronomical, cooking information for yourselves. I subscribed to their online magazine when I started, but that was so reasonable ($6 or $7?) that it is well worth the cost, if you find you have to pay to start as well.) 

So, here we go. We have just passed the astronomical midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. A snowstorm can turn to rain, or the brightening sun can set icicles to dripping. Spring is coming friends!