by Georgia Shaffer | Sep 17, 2019 | Stories
“My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:1-2, NLT When I drove past a nearby apple orchard in late winter after it had just been...
by Georgia Shaffer | Sep 10, 2019 | Stories, Uncategorized
Two years ago, when I pruned a twenty-year-old Queen Elizabeth rose in March, I didn’t notice little sucker canes growing on the bush. I was busy with traveling and speaking, so it wasn’t until June I realized I had several long rose canes growing on the back of my...
by Georgia Shaffer | Sep 3, 2019 | Uncategorized
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31a TLB I rarely see a field lie fallow anymore. Some of the fields around my home even have two crops a year—winter wheat and soybeans. Most farmers use the latest fertilizers to quickly replenish...
by Georgia Shaffer | Aug 26, 2019 | Uncategorized
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 NIV One cloudy winter morning at the end of February, I awoke with what felt like an ever-present ache in my soul. Not...
by Georgia Shaffer | Aug 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NIV One summer evening, long after sunset, I lingered in my garden. The trees and flowers appeared black, silhouetted against the light gray of the sky. Although my summer garden...
by Georgia Shaffer | Aug 13, 2019 | Uncategorized
“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 NLT In the Old Testament story, the words of Job’s friends or counselors not only failed to comfort him but added to his distress. Job wanted and needed the help of others. He said,...
