The story of these two gardens are linked together by Him, Jesus. The first one is in the Garden Tomb. The second I loosely call a garden, it is the small lot on which our home rests. And in my heart, they are both linked to the song, In The Garden.
This is part 1:
Today in church we sang, In The Garden, and I was reminded of hearing and singing it as a child. As now, even then the words seemed very precious to me, creating a picture of intimacy and peace in His presence. I somehow knew that being with Him made me know I am safe, secure and loved.
In The Garden was written in 1912 by C. Austin Miles. It is based on a vivid dream he saw after reading John 20, and was then inspired to write this hymn about the first encounter between Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala) and her risen Lord.
According to Miles’ great-granddaughter, the song was written “in a cold, dreary and leaky basement in Pitman, New Jersey that didn’t even have a window in it let alone a view of a garden.”
I encourage you to listen to a wonderful video sharing the story and song of In The Garden here.
Below are the words. As you read them, I encourage you to get quiet and picture yourself meeting with Him in a place of peace, intimacy, and surrender. Speak to Him, and listen, expect Him to answer. He wants to reveal himself to you. Oh how He loves you and me.
I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear falling on my ear The Son of God discloses.
Refrain: And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing.
I’d stay in the garden with Him, Though the night around me be falling, But He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling.
I have found that listening to instrumental music by Alberto Rivera helps me to quiet myself. I particularly enjoy the albums titled as prayer soundtracks. There are several others. You can find him on Amazon Music or Spotify, and probably other music streaming services, as well as on YouTube.
In continuing to research the word, Hineni, I read and have been thinking the story of the Prophet Samuel, and his impact on the nation of Israel.
I remember Samuel from the Bible story in Samuel 3:1-21 that I often heard as a child. It talks about Samuel being dedicated to God as a small child, and that one night (at about 12 years old) he was awakened by a voice calling several times and how he got up to answer it. He thought Eli the Priest was calling him, so he went to Eli and said, Here am I (Hineni). Eli recognized after a few times that it must be God calling and told Samuel that when he heard it again, to say, “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.”
I think that’s where the Bible story ended back then, with the lesson being, if we were willing to say, Here I am, and to serve God, he would lead us. That’s a good lesson for a child, or for anyone to learn. But the story is so much richer if you take some time to look a bit deeper.
I read about Samuel’s mother, Hannah, in Samuel 1 & 2, and based on that I began to think about her impact on Samuel’s life. She only had him with her for 2-3 years, and after that she gave him to the Lord. Reading of her story and her faith, I can imagine her holding Samuel close during those years. Singing to him, praying over him and telling him of the God that had great plans for him. I can also imagine the love she poured into the garment she made and gave to him each year as he grew up in the service of God, and her joy in seeing him each year.
Think about it, God used Hannah to lay the ground work for Samuel’s faith and his willingness to listen to and serve the Lord. I believe God also hears our prayers, our heart’s cries, and He will use us if we will listen and say with a willing heart, Hineni Here am I.
Below is a condensed version of Hannah’s story, but I highly recommend reading it for yourself.
Hannah (whose name means, favored) was very was loved by her husband, but she was barren, distained and embarassed by her husband’s other wife, and desparately wanting to have a child.
During a yearly visit to sacrifice at the temple she made her appeal to God. Crying inconsolably she prayed and vowed: “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid and remember, and not forget your handmaid but will be me a son, I will give him to the Lord all of his life; no razor shall touch his head.”
Eli the Priest saw her praying and thought she was drunk, but when she explained she was praying, he said, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” Hannah believed it! She took that as her prayer answered, now that’s faith!
Hannah was soon pregnant, and she named her son Samuel (Heard of God). When she had weaned him (estimated at 2-3 years old), she took both him and an offering to the Lord’s house at Shiloh, and brought him to Eli, saying: “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted my petition… therefore I am given him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is given to the Lord,” and they worshipped the Lord there. Before leaving Samuel to minister to the Lord before Eli the priest, Hannah prayed this wonderful faith-filled prayer:
My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no longer silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance go forth from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children languishes and is forlorn. The Lord slays and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He lifts up. He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts up the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with nobles and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked shall be silenced and perish in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them will He thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge [all peoples] to the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His king (King) and exalt the power of His anointed.
Not only did Samuel hear the voice of God as a child, he went on to be a mighty Prophet of God and Judge of Israel. And, it was also Samuel that God used to anoint Saul (the 1st King of Israel) and King David. Here are some verses that speak about him:
Samuel 3:19-21 Samuel grew; the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh through the word of the Lord.
Samuel 7:8-15. And the Israelites said to Samuel, Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines. So Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord; and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a great voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and smote them as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and he called the name of it Ebenezer [stone of help], saying, Heretofore the Lord has helped us. So the Philistines were subdued and came no more into Israelite territory. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel rescued [the cities’] territory from the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. And Samuel judged Israel all his days.
My prayer is that I will hear whenever He calls, and that He will hear me say, Hineni. Here am I. Whatever He may ask, I know that He is good, He is faithful, He is kind, He IS LOVE. Oh how HE loves YOU and ME!
I am back! I’ve been really busy for the last few months, getting ready to retire, writing work instructions for a job I did for 12+ years, and then training my replacement. I officially retired a few days ago, so now I can get back to writing. I am grateful.
I haven’t written in a while, but writing has been on my mind as I have recovered from a total knee replacement surgery. It’s been a journey of healing and during this time I have quite often thought about the word, Hineni.
Hineni (הִנֵּנִי) is a Hebrew word that most simply means: Here I am, Here am I, or Behold, I.
Biblically it is significant, so there’s a lot we can learn. To start things off, I will share this song that inspires me.
I woke up earlier this week with this lovely hymn on my mind. I haven’t sung it for years and years, and yet I remember the words so well. That’s true of many of the precious hymns I sang as a child.
I felt compelled to hear it and learn about its history, and while searching I found this wonderful blog by a fellow believer. I haven’t been able to contact him, but I am sure he won’t mind me sharing this link to Barry’s Hymns, which he has been writing for many years. There are so many, and he shares his thoughts and the stories of each one. Here is what I found:
(1) O what a wonderful, wonderful day-Day I will never forget; After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met. O what a tender, compassionate friend-He met the need of my heart; shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart!
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, When at the cross the Savior made me whole; My sins were washed away, And my night was turned to day-Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!
(2) Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine, Justified fully through Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine! And the transaction so quickly was made When as a sinner I came, Took of the offer Of grace He did proffer-He saved me, O praise His dear name!
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, When at the cross the Savior made me whole; My sins were washed away And my night was turned to day-Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!
(3) Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time; I have a future in heaven for sure.There in those mansions sublime. And it’s because of that wonderful day When at the cross I believed; Riches eternal And blessings supernal From His precious hand I received.
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, When at the cross the Savior made me whole; My sins were washed away And my night was turned to day-Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!
This song also reminds me of the angel’s declaration, when He and Heaven came down:
“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. You will recognize him by this miraculous sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in the feeding trough!” Then all at once in the night sky, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing: “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”” Luke 2:9-14 TPT
As I reflect on celebrating the birth of Jesus next week, I am keenly aware of His great love for all of us. My prayer for all of us is that He will reveal more of who He is and how very much each one of us are deeply loved by Him. That in knowing His love, it will be revealed through us and our world will be impacted.
I am sure you’ll be blessed by reading about Faith’s Gift. I am republishing it with permission of the author, who is a dear friend that I met while in Israel in 2019. Lori wrote a series of books that get right to the heart, I’m sure you’ll enjoy those, too. You can find them through https://wordscroll.org/ or https://nationofwomenpublishing.com/.
I am spending this week at Southwest Believer’s Convention. If you want to be encouraged, build your faith, and more, I invite you to join me either in person or online. It’s free and a great way to refresh your faith.
At 9 1/2 months Jackson completed day 1 of the HRC (Hunting Retrievers Club) Started Hunt Test on May 11. Day 2 didn’t go as well when he couldn’t locate duck #2, No worries though, he will be in his next event this weekend, after another week of training. He is a happy pup who enjoys swimming and has a drive to hunt.
I am looking forward to the event, and to having him home in a few weeks. However, I am grateful for the training he has received. It has given him a good foundation and will help him be more obedient and in tune with the desires of his master.
Good training, it certainly applies to me/us too. I am so grateful for the training of the written Word of God and the teachers God has brought into my life. I need to reinforce it and keep learning every day.
2 Timothy 3 14-17 AMPC But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word, we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
I am reading, Some Days You Dance, by Vikki Burke. It is really ministering to me. I wanted to share it with you, so I contacted Vikki and she graciously agreed to ket me share a bit.
Let this sink in, my friend. Think about it until it saturates your heart. God doesn’t love us in spite of ourselves. He loves us because He knows who we were truly created to be. He loves us because He can look beyond the temporary effects of sin and see us through His plan of redemption, restored to our original condition, crowned with glory and honor, exact duplicates of Himself with whom He can walk and talk and fellowship on His own level.
Even before we were born again, God saw in us the children He always dreamed of. He saw in us the most magnificent, God-like beings ever created; men and women so divine that on the day God made them, all of heaven caught its breath in awe.
Wow! I don’t think I have ever heard it said better. I’ve read and thought about it several times, and I am working to “saturate my heart” with it, as Vikki recommends. And, I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book.
Interested? You can purchase it and her other books from DennisBurke.org, on Amazon, or from a number of websites that sell books.
As it says in Ephesians 1:4 (TPT),
And in love, he chose us before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.
Mr. Rogers never talked about his faith on his beloved childrens program, but it was a part of who he was, and prayer was a part of his every day life. He had a unique way of making everyone feel loved and accepted… as in the example below (from the above book) during the taping of one eposode of Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
Mister Rogers said, “I wonder if you don’t have somebody in your life that just the very thought of that person makes you feel better…It would be wonderful if you could take a minute, at least a minute every day, to think of such a person. “Just think. Just be quiet and think,” he said softly. “It’d make all the difference in the world.”
in a 1992 graduation ceremony he prayed: “Dear God, please inspire our hearts to come ever closer to You… We pray for those people who know us and accept us as we are. Those people who encourage us to see what’s really fine in life… We pray for all the people of Your world, our sisters and brothers whose names we may not know but whose lives are ultimately precious in Your sight. With all our hearts, we pray for all Your children everywhere—yes, everywhere…And finally we offer our strengths and our weaknesses, our joys and our sorrows to Your never-ending care. Help us to remember all through our lives that we never need to do difficult things alone, that Your presence is simply for the asking and our ultimate future is assured by Your unselfish love. In our deepest gratitude we offer this prayer. Amen.” You can watch it here.
I am inspired by this, and reminded to “just be quiet and think…and to be grateful for those people have encouraged me to see what’s really fine in life — for a minute every day, and to take a moment to pray for them. I hope you are too.
I read that it was Mister Roger’s practice to pray at the studio door each day “Dear God, let some word that is heard today be yours.” And to that I say, amen.
You can view episodes of Mister Roger’s Neigtborhood or watch, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood with Tom Hanks, on several streaming services.
It’s been on my heart to share a few of the resources that the Lord has used and is using to teach me. This list is far from complete, but I hope you will find something that will minister to and encourage you.
Billye Brim’s website has Prayer Cards with a bit of Hebrew mixed in. They are a delight to read and use.
Terri Copeland Pearson is an excellent teacher on prayer and a joy to learn from- the series “Praying Like A Grown Up” is so good.
This is an excellent daily devotional. It really ministered to me the 1st year, I still find myself reading it at times. I Hear His Whisper: Encounter God’s Heart for You, 365 Daily Devotions by Brian Simmons
Many of Graham Cooke’s teachings are available on YouTube. I have enjoyed several, but this one (broken into several short videos) I needed to hear: The Practice of Rest. You can also purchase and download from Brilliant Bookhouse.
I often play the music by Kimberley and Alberto Rivera when I pray, sometimes just to fill the atmosphere with peace. A favorite is Prayer Soundtracks.
Mama Jane’s Secret: Walking in Deep Friendship With God by Chad Norris. I have it both on Audible and on Hoopla as an e-book rental from the library. I am listening for the 4th time now and learning a lot. It’s available on Amazon and from other online book sellers.
I am so hungry to know Him more and so grateful that it is His hearts desire for each one of us. Oh how He loves you and me!
So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth.
And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.
Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.
Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions.
How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
I enjoy old movies. When recently thinking about being mindful to be grateful, I thought of the movie Pollyanna. I haven’t watched this movie from the 60s again just yet, but I found the story available on Kindle and I am reading it. If you want to learn more about the movie and see some clips, here is a link to Turner Classic Movies.
In the story, Pollyanna is an orphan who was born to missionaries and being sent to live with her wealthy, austere Aunt Polly. Early in life Pollyanna’s father taught her to play the Glad Game. The object of the game was to find something to be glad about no matter the situation or circumstance. To the chagrin of people around her (including her Aunt Polly–who did not want to hear anything about Pollyanna’s father), Pollyanna was very good at it! Although several did not like her positive attitude, eventually many of them found themselves learning to play the game too. She touched the lives of many around her, even the minister of the local church.
Not only do I enjoy Pollyanna’s story, I admire her courage and perserverance to do just what her father said, even when it was difficult — choosing to find something to be glad about. It seems that at the root, the Glad Game is quite biblical. It goes right along with the scripture below from Philippians. And with the following scripture that talks about the Lord being glad.
Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Philippians 4:8 TPT https://bible.com/bible/1849/php.4.8.TPT
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/zep.3.17.NLT
So as we near this Thanksgiving season, I’m making an effort to do just that — to hear and obey the Word of my Father — to choose to fix my thoughts on what’s good, pure, lovely… And no matter the circumstance to choose to BE GLAD, BE THANKFUL, and BE GRATEFUL.
Here’s an example: I would really enjoy being able to sit and talk with each one reading this. That might not be possible, but I am glad to have the opportunity to share my thoughts and my faith with you. Oh how HE loves you and me! I pray you will find many reasons to be glad too!
Higher than the highest heavens— that’s how high your tender mercy extends! Greater than the grandeur of heaven above is the greatness of your loyal love, towering over all who fear you and bow down before you! Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset— that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us. But Lord, your endless love stretches from one eternity to the other, unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you and those who bow facedown in awe before you. Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren, and beyond. You arefaithful to all those who follow your ways and keep your word.
Take a few moments to reflect on these words and be encouraged dear one. Oh how He loves you and me!
Higherthan the highest heavens— that’s how high your tender mercy extends! Greater than the grandeur of heaven above is the greatness of your loyal love, towering over all who fear you and bow down before you! Fartherthan from a sunrise to a sunset— that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us. But Lord, your endless love stretches from one eternity to the other, unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you and those who bow facedown in awe before you. Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren, and beyond. You are faithful to all those who follow your ways and keep your word. Psalms 103:11-12, 17-18 TPT https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.103.11-18.TPT
I was inspired to write this poem several years ago. It fell out of my Bible today and reminded me of the many benefits of my relationship with Jesus. I hope you know Him too and are experiencing the benefits of trusting in Him.
Rest I am your deliverer and salvation, You are my covenant child, I have justified you, I have made you righteous, I have made you holy through the blood of my son.
Rest You are hid in Christ, My Spirit is in you and with you always, I am at work within you, I am causing you both to will and to do my good pleasure.
Rest Trust in my love, I know the plans I have for you, I planned them before your birth, I see the end result, I am focused on your future, not your past.
Rest I am your Lord, I am King of Kings, I am working all things together for your good, I am the author and finisher of your faith.
Rest I am faithful to My Word, My promises are true, You are a branch of The Vine, Rivers of living water are in you.
Rest I am your life and light, The strength and might of my Spirit are being imparted to your inner man, along with My wisdom and My ability.
Now My beloved child, rest.
Hebrews 4:3a For we who have believed(who have adhered to and relied on God)do enter into that rest.
Learn more about Jesus…pick up a Bible and read the book of John, then see Romans 3:23 and Romans 10:10.
I’m praying that you find rest in Him. Oh how He loves you and me.
A Grateful Grace-full Life 