“You have a magical green thumb, daddy!”

“No, I don’t. I just take care of my plants, that’s all. I was but a little boy when my dad taught me a valuable lesson. We didn’t have much money, so father planted vegetables in our backyard. One day, I was helping him sow some seeds. I had just placed some in the ground, put dirt back in the hole and was patting it with my small hands, when he said something I’ll never forget: ‘You are responsible for everything you sow, son. If you don’t water these seeds, they will not grow. And if you don’t take care of the plant, it will certainly die.’”

We were talking about the beauty of his front yard when he told me this story. As it has happened a thousand times before, my 83-year-old father was once again inadvertently imparting the wisdom he portrays in life. If I’ve ever met a man who knows how to care for what he loves, that man is my dad.

“You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.” Dr. Charles F. Stanley – Life Principle #6

I’ve been blessed to be a member of Dr. Stanley’s church for 18 years. His Life Principles bible has been a favorite since it was originally published in 2005. Within its pages, the pastor and bestselling author included 30 life principles based on lessons found in various passages of Scriptures.

I personally call it “the farmer’s principle,” and it could not be any simpler: Farmers know that they cannot expect an apple orchard where they planted orange seeds. They also know that one single seed can bear a tree that produces hundreds of fruits. Lastly, even though some crops may yield a harvest rather quickly, one usually must wait a while before reaping any fruit. It’s a simple principle, nevertheless pregnant with depth.

There is hardly anything sadder than to witness this principle portrayed in the life of someone who either did not care for the seeds God gave him, or allowed weeds to kill the beauty of his crop. I once knew a man whose life was a perfect translation of this metaphor. He spent his youth accumulating wealth with little regard to family, taking advantage of people and doing whatever it took to get ahead. Money and pleasure: Those were his gods. As he grew old, bitterness and loneliness were the harvest his life yielded. My heart ached for him.

On the other hand, I have witnessed people like my dad and others, whose choices and commitment to take good care of their family and friends yielded a life filled with peace and joy in their old age. People like that are usually never alone to endure life’s trials, and their countenance displays the peace and joy that only God and a clean conscience can bring.

The apostle Paul used the farmer’s principle in his letter to the Galatian church to admonish first-century believers: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

There’s a reason his admonition starts with a warning: “Do not be deceived.”

Truth is, no one makes a conscious decision to destroy his or her own life. Whether out of impulse, selfishness or anger, we usually do not stop to think of the future consequences of our actions … or neglect.
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No one thinks: “My child will resent me for this when she grows up. We will not have a good relationship. I’ll do it anyway.” Nope. We wreck relationships and build mistrust because we are deceived into thinking that our actions will have no harsh consequences. That is simply not true.

Whether you believe in God or not, this principle is tested and proven, certain and true:

There is a time appointed for the harvest, and it is usually much later than when it is sown.
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The question is: Are we planting love, compassion, forgiveness, righteousness and grace, or rather, seeds of neglect, selfishness, immorality and corruption?

Our answer determines the fruit our lives will yield, and the peace or turmoil we will experience in the future.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – July 21, 2018.

The post The Farmer’s Principle – Reaping What We Sow {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“Fight your battles on your knees.”

I have been privileged to sit under Dr. Charles Stanley’s teaching at First Baptist Atlanta for the past 16 years. This quote is one of “30 Life Principles” that he wrote, all based on Scriptures and his life experiences as a Christian for over 70 years.

I was reminded of that principle this morning during my morning walk. Both my children have recently had some bad experiences with friends who have proven to be unfaithful.

As my teenage daughter shared some of her struggles with me, I thought about my own battles as a teenager. I remember feeling left out, less than, as some girls who I thought were my friends isolated me or betrayed my trust. I remembered the hurt, pain, and how much it affected my self-esteem.

As I started thinking about how I could help, how I should put on the Super Mom cape and do something to rescue and vindicate my child, I heard this tested and proven “Life Principle” ringing in my heart. While thinking about what I should do, God reminded me of the many battles he has fought for me when I did not lean on my own understanding, and, instead of taking matters into my own feeble hands, simply prayed.

I just finished studying the book of Joshua again. Although I have read Joshua’s last words to the Israelites several times before, they echoed in my heart in a fresh way this morning. Just before Joshua breathed his last, he assembled the people to remind them of the faithfulness and power of their God.

He reminded them that it wasn’t their weapons that won battles against much stronger people as they entered the Promise Land. It certainly wasn’t Israel who defeated Egypt, the greatest army of their time. It wasn’t by their own hard labor that manna fell from the heavens every morning for 40 years. It was because, even though they turned from God and rebelled time and again, he was always faithful to forgive, protect, provide and defend them, every time their leaders prayed.

As I reflected on what made Israel a great nation, and the many times God came to her rescue, I couldn’t help but smile. Because I have seen the same sovereign hand in my life, time and again. As a teenager, when I felt betrayed and lonely, it seems as if God would always send me a better friend. When I moved 6,000 miles away from home, leaving behind my country, my entire family and friends, I prayed and watched God’s faithful hands planting new, wonderful people in my life.

As I reflected on these and other times, when I watched God act on my behalf, even when all hope and material resources were gone, I realized that one thing indeed stood above all else: I have always fought the fiercest, yet most successful battles on my knees, in submission and humble prayer.

And so I decided to pack my Super Mom cape, and chose instead to spend the rest of my morning walk praying for my children. As I came back home, my heart was full of confidence on the lesson I would convey to them. Instead of coaching them on what to do or how to respond to their enemies, I chose to spend some time reminding them of our pastor’s tested and proven principle: Before you do anything, say anything, or choose any weapon and tactics to battle against those who wrong you, remember — fight your battles on your knees. For God will always be our defender and mighty warrior, so long as we choose to obey his word, and trust his mighty hand.

Before chosing a weapon to battle against your enemies, remember: you fight best on your knees. http://bit.ly/2abOUkK
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Patricia Holbrook is a Christian author, blogger and International speaker. Her Book Twelve Inches is on sale at Barnes & Nobles, Amazon and retailers worldwide. Visit her website www.soaringwithHim.com. Email pholbrook@soaringwithHim.com

The post Allow God to Handle Your Battles {Column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

A Great Way to Celebrate

I had been waiting for this day for a while. And isn’t it just like God that it actually happened two days before the official release  of the paperback version of my first book Twelve Inches on retailers! I didn’t plan it that way at all. God is just that GOOD!

I have spoken at conferences with over 500 women in attendance before. I’ve spoken at live television shows. Yes, it never gets old and I always tremble. Yesterday, as I stood before the man who was used by God to impact my spiritual life forever, it wasn’t any different. My hands shook in humble excitement as I showed him the acknowledgements page in my book, where I wrote, in a few words, of my eternal gratitude.

This was not the first time I talked to my pastor, but it was undoubtedly the most special one.  You see, when my husband and I joined First Baptist Atlanta in 2000, I was a young Christian. I had been saved for only 5 years and, in all honesty, I was still a baby in Christ. It was Dr. Stanley‘s teaching that instilled in my heart the desire to know Jesus in a more intimate way. It was his deep, serene voice that helped bring conviction, peace and healing to my soul through the years. It was through his teaching that I was inspired and challenged to “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him“, which is one of his most quoted Life Principles.

And because I obeyed… because I said YES when my heart shouted “NO WAY!”, today I hold my published book Twelve Inches.

I wonder what would happen if every Christian followed that principle. Can you imagine the multitudes that would impact the world for Christ with their gifts and talents?

Obeying God is at times a scary thing, I admit. Because He does challenge us to blindly trust Him. And that’s the greatest test of our faith. But the consequences, oh! The consequences are priceless: Deeper faith… peace… and even some pretty awesome dream-come-true moments. Like having your name on the cover of a book that someone else believed enough to invest in.

Truth be told, I never imagined that I would be a writer one day.

When God told me to start this ministry, all I did was say yes, however inadequate I felt.

Then He said, “Step here” (so out of my comfort zone). And I did… and left the results in His hands.

“Talk to this person,” He whispered. And I did… and watched as He opened the doors.

“Give this up,” He commanded… and as I obeyed, He blessed me with something much better.

That still small voice spoke… and all I did was listen and put one foot after the other in the direction He showed.

True, I’ve lost my way before, caught up in the busyness of life… caught up in the doing, rather than in the being still (and knowing He is still God). But oh, am I ever grateful that the Holy Spirit is always there to call me back to the center of His Perfect will! Am I ever thankful that Grace never ceases to shout: “Come back!“, when I start to get my eyes off of His.

My heart may have said “NO WAY” a thousand times before. But I’ve learned to press on and silence it with what I know about my God. Oh! and by the way, that’s the core message of Twelve Inches: Tell your heart who your God is. Calm it down with the power of His Word. Trust and obey Him… and get ready to be amazed! 

“Obey God… and leave all the consequences to Him.”

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for these inspired words that changed my life forever.

Thank you, Pastor, for instilling in my heart the desire to be all God has designed me to be. I know it’s not about you. You’re the first one to say so. And I so get it. But I thank you for being obedient to the call through the years… Through the storms… and in spite of.

When I grow up, I want to be like you.

In His love,

Patricia

PS: Hey, would you like to learn a bit more about Twelve Inches and celebrate this day with us? Watch this 13-minute TV Interview at Atlanta Live and learn what this book is about and about my upcoming book tour with my friend and singer Sandra Onal. God bless!

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