Immersed in the Word

As the days start to lengthen and we draw closer to the season of Lent, I start to think about my garden. When I'm standing by my grill, or am romping with Addison in the backyard, I am more and more drawn to the mystery around me. My yard is a mess of brown grass; my beds are full of death and decay; and the place where I grow my herbs, vegetables and asparagus looks forlorn and hopeless. But all is not lost. This is not my first rodeo. I know that lying dormant under their cold dead ancestors is life and glory waiting for the right conditions to call them forth. Lent will officially signal the time for weeding and clearing out-from death will come resurrection. The most profound mystery of all of this is that I will put seeds in the ground; and with sunlight, warmth, and water, from seemingly dead seeds will come forth an abundance of tomatoes, peppers, and herbs--things that will bring delight to my table and joy to my heart. I suppose folk have always been struck by the mystery of this. Before we had farmer co-ops, planting charts, or knew anything about DNA, folk have been planting and harvesting time out of mind for both necessity and the joy of seeing a well-turned field that was seemingly devoid of life turn into something that looked like the Garden of Eden. People knew that life was in the seeds they carefully harvested and painstakingly saved for the next year.So, when James calls God's Word "seed" in James 1:21, he is capturing both the mystery and the power of God's Word and the fact that it is a "living thing." James says, this "implanted word" (seed) has the power to save our souls. This week we are talking about why the centerpiece of a life with God is the Bible. We are talking about why we have to be immersed in the word. Also, this Sunday we have a special luncheon and presentation to talk about what I think is one of the most significant ministries we have ever launched at St. Patrick––a ministry to families that have special needs children. I am so moved by the fact that almost two hundred of you have signed up to hear about what will be involved, why we are doing this, and how you can be involved. I will say no more--I don't want to steal Amy's thunder--and you will hear more information at the presentation on Sunday.I can't wait to worship with our St. Patrick family. I am so thankful for what God is doing in our midst. See you Sunday!Blessings,Jim