Hubby and I were shopping recently and I noticed this sign in the store. I absolutely loved it!
“Seeds! Grow something … fresh veggies … good health … memories … traditions.”
For the month of December my son and daughter-in-law gave me a Gardening Advent Calendar. It was the highlight of the Holiday Season for me! Each day I got to open a little flap, behind which was an exciting little packet of seeds! How cool is that!
On the very first day … I opened the little flap to discover: Livingstone Daisies. Yay! Aren’t they pretty!
Day two … surprised me with Thyme.
Day three … was California Poppies. How fun!
There were Spring Onions … I’ve never grown onions before. Won’t this be fun!
Zinnias … I’ve never grown Zinnias before either! Yay!
Basil … I can make pesto!
Giant Sunflowers … and Mini Sunflowers! So exciting!
There was Zucchini … Butterhead Lettuce … and Arugula! I love Arugula. Can’t wait to try growing it!
Poached eggplant (now isn’t that interesting!) … and Tarragon!
Here you can see my completed Advent Calendar! The grand finale for December 25 was to open the box and remove the seed-planting tray … which also came with two square blocks of dried sphagnum moss for planting. Is that not the coolest gift ever!
I can’t wait for spring to arrive so I can plant all my exciting seeds! I can’t wait to see what will grow from all these exciting seeds!
Seeds of hope!
Paul stayed in the city of Corinth for a year and a half, teaching the people the word of God. (Acts 18:11) Paul planted lots and lots of “seeds.” Seeds of the Gospel. Seeds of hope!
But Paul couldn’t stay in Corinth forever. There were other cities where the people had never heard the good news about Jesus Christ. Paul needed to move on … and go tell other people about Jesus.
“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. … They arrived at Ephesus …” – Acts 18:18-19
Farewell Corinth …
Here is the view hubby and I had as we sailed away from Athens … headed for Ephesus.
Considering that Corinth and Athens are very close to each other, Paul and his traveling companions probably had a very similar view as they likewise sailed away from Corinth … headed for Ephesus.
A lot of “seeds” had been planted in Corinth over the year and a half Paul was there.
The “seeds” of the Gospel had been planted in the people’s hearts and minds.
A brand-new church had been “planted.”
Here you cans see the “Forget-me-not” seeds I received in my Advent Calendar.
Forget-me-not.
Paul would never forget the people he ministered to at Corinth. In fact, over the next few years Paul would return to visit the city of Corinth several times.
In writing his letter (1 Corinthians) to the Christians in Corinth, Paul instructs them how to take up a monetary offering for God’s people in Jerusalem. He tells them: “When I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.” – 1 Corinthians 16:3-4
“After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you – for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.” – 1 Corinthians 16:5-7
There and back again!
Paul went to the city of Corinth … but he couldn’t stay forever, he had to leave … and yet, he came back again!
Here you can see mine and hubby’s footsteps in the snow, from where we walked to the mailbox. This view is taken from the mailboxes. When it comes to life itself … as we “walk” through life each day, we leave “footprints” behind in people’s lives along the way. Paul left “footprints” behind in the people’s lives who lived in Corinth!
Here you can see our footsteps going there and back again! This is the view looking towards the mailboxes. We went there … and came back again.
In the same way, Paul left “lots of footprints behind” in the people’s lives as he went there and back again to and from Corinth.
In fact, when it comes to just about all the churches Paul planted, he went there and back again! Paul didn’t just plant a church and leave it on its own. No. He came back again … and again. To “tend” and to “water” the “seeds” which he had planted. And to strengthen the newly growing churches.
Paul planted lots and lots of “seeds.”
Seeds of hope!
Paul couldn’t stay and personally pastor all of the churches he planted. He couldn’t personally disciple all of the “seeds” which were planted in people’s hearts and minds. But he did go there and back again!
Paul “planted” … others would come along behind him and “water” the seeds … but ultimately it is God who makes the “seeds” grow. (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
Here we are sailing away from Greece … just like Paul and his team sailed away from Corinth. But Paul would come back again. He would return to continue “watering” the “seeds” which had been “planted.”
Lots of “seeds” had been planted! God was going to do amazing things from all those “seeds.” The letters of 1 & 2 Corinthians are in our Bible today because of the “seeds” which were planted in Corinth. You and I today are able to read 1 & 2 Corinthians and “grow” in our faith because of the “seeds” which were “planted” in Corinth.
The letters of 1 & 2 Thessalonians were written from the city of Corinth. Lots of “seeds” which you and I today are able to read and “grow” in our faith from.
The great letter of Romans was written from the city of Corinth. Lots of “seeds” in the letter of Romans, which you and I today are able to read and “grow” in our faith from!
Farewell Corinth! But Paul will be back again.
