~ Musings of an Idle Mind ~
When my daughter was quite small I was working in my flower bed and she was playing in the dirt along side of me. I remember that I remarked to her that even the flowers call out the Name of Jesus. This of course was made in reference to the passage found in Isaiah 35
Isaiah 35:1-2 "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy".
For years after that she eyed every daffodil, every rose or even a common wild flower with suspicion ... expecting them at any moment to spontaneously break out into a happy dance; waving their little green leaves and singing "Jesus" at top volume. I suspect as she grew older she was a little disappointed to have not yet seen such a sight.
Crocus flowers are amazing flowers. They are among the first flowers of Spring to bloom, often emerging long before the danger of snow and freezing weather has passed. Once a bud is mature, the flower will open on warm sunny days and close when it becomes cold. It doesn't come as any surprise to me to read of them referenced in the Bible because what greater warmth is there (or could there be) than to stand in the warmth of the Master. Certainly; a cause to break forth into song. Wouldn't you agree?
The Bible speaks of other wonderful places in nature that also have a voice. Let's look at a few.
Psalm 65:13 "The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing".
Psalm 98:8 "Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy"
Luke 19:40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Here we see that the animals standing in a meadow can praise Jesus, as can the grains that grow, rivers clapping their hands and mountains singing. Even rocks! Wonderful! Now let's look at what the Bible says about trees ...
Ezekiel 17:24 "All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it"
Isaiah 55:12 “the trees of the field will clap their hands”
1 Chronicles 16:33 "Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD ...".
Amazing isn't it? Shouldn't we use nature as an example of the praise we should have continuously on our lips? I think so!
~ Scripture Tree ~
I've always had a passion for creating things that are unique and unusual. This is especially so if I happen across something that reveals my passion for the Lord.
In keeping with the above Scripture references to trees; let me tell you how to make your own scripture tree. You can use an artificial tree or a live one or even just tree branch that resembles a tree. You can use ornaments that correspond with the Scripture or you can make home made hang tags with a picture on the front and the Scripture reference on the back. Lights are optional and it doesn't have to be any special occasion to create one. Just have fun and enjoy this time with the Word and the Lord!
Happy Crafting!
Scripture Tree by Scripture Reference:
Angel
Luke 2:10
Angel with trumpet
Matt 24:31
Bell (Timbrel)
Job 21:12
Bird
Matt 8:20
Bread
Matt 15:36, I Corinthians 11:26,
Candle
Matt 5:14-16
City (Village)Bethlehem
Matt 2:1
Child
Matt 19:14
Cross
Mark 15:30, John 19:16-17
Crown
Timothy 4:8, Matt 27:29, James 1-12
Cornerstone (child's block)
Ephesians 2:20
Donkey
Matt 21: 2 & 5
Dove
Matt 3:16
Eye
Matt 5:29-18:9/Mark 9:47/John9:6
Foot
John 13:5
Flute
Dan 3:5
Fish
Matt 14:17
Fruit
Matt 7:16
Globe (world)
John 3:16
Gift
Matt 2:11-5:23
Hand
Matt 4:6-27:24, Luke 9:62-23:46,24:39
Harp
Job 21:12
Heart
Matt 5:1-12, Matt 5:43-48
House
Matt 7:24-29
Lamb
John 21:15
Lamp
Matt 25:1-13
Fishing Net
Matt 4:18-22,13:47-52
Organ
Job 21:12
Peace (word on ornament)
Mark 4:39, Luke 2:14, John 14:27-20:19
Perfume
Matt 2:11
Robe (scarlet)
Matt 27:28
Seeds (packet of seeds)
Matt 12:1-32
Star
Matt 2:2, Numbers 24:17
Salt (salt shaker or small packet of salt)
Matt 5:13-16, John 19:2
Saw (carpenter tools)
Matt 13:55
Shepherd
Matt 9:36-10:42, Luke 2:8, John 10
Shepherd's Crook (candy cane)
Matt 9:36-10:42, Luke 2:8, John 10
Shoes
Matt 3:11, Mark 1:7
Song (sheet music rolled up)
Matt 26:30
Snow (paper snowflake)
Matt 28:3, Mark 9:3, Isaiah 1:18
Soldier
John 19:2
Stone (rock)
Mark 16:4, Luke24:2, John 8:7-9:41
Tree (small branch bundles tied with string)
Acts 5:30
Trumpet
Matt 24:31
Twig
Matt 7:1-5
Water (canteen)
John 4:14
Well
John 4:6
Whale
Matt 12:40