#thingsthatgrow

[jordankwalker]

I've been doing a lot of plein air studies in the garden outside my home recently. It turns out you really don't need to travel far to find fascinating subjects to paint! I think this 6" x 8" squash rendition turned out pretty well. You can find out more about it by following the Daily Paintworks link in my profile linktree! #pleinair #squash #botanical #originalart #artforsale #garden #gardenpainting #artistsofinstagram #instaart #leaves #flower #thingsthatgrow (at Eugene, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1rOLUfHNY0/?igshid=lc4f3pz6lzop

[calebyap]

Meanwhile across the island, #thingsthatgrow continue to penetrate even the sturdiest of inorganic structures. Yes, that is a tree growing its way straight through a building. (at Owen Road) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKl435wH9wCY7SAqK87TfXG2e_Gk0-BFd7i8BQ0/?igshid=13vydnse5xdw0

[calebyap]

Have been struggling with looking for things to be excited about in the year to come. Anyone else feeling that way? In an effort to discipline myself in this direction, here are ten NEW things I am sincerely thankful for, and (possibly) excited about... 1. New worship service starting TODAY at church 2. New brothers and sisters at church to get to know 3. A new year to read the Bible with new reading partners 4. New opportunities to read with friends in need 5. New job and opportunities to contribute 6. New family members 7. New growth and fruit in me 8. Nee leaders and laborers to raise up as God allows 9. Resuming in-person Bible studies again 10. New life phases for many dear friends #throwback to #thingsthatgrow from yesteryear. I think this is Lancaster 2018? https://www.instagram.com/p/CKFkr3zH-S18QjXc7ZPIyiC3KA_i4E1CIBWjCk0/?igshid=1odq6bzyddj3n

[calebyap]

“What the Heart of the Young Man Said to the Psalmist” Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,—act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o’erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.” #thingsthatgrow https://www.instagram.com/p/CI4reYkHKvVsjhIILRWzDEceLhxWev3GRJjONg0/?igshid=19eitf40e1t9n

[calebyap]

This beautiful gift from @kiyokuniya has lasted longer than we thought was possible and brought so much cheer to our home. It’s an enduring symbol of resilient beauty — and reminds me that by God’s grace #thingsthatgrow can get through long and difficult days. Like we were reminded this week from 2 Cor, afflicted not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. This morning in worship I told the Lord that I was just so tired of pressing on and soldiering on through this dry season of seeming fruitlessness, feeling lost and insignificant, and just weary of my sin and the sins of others. In truth, I am tired. But God’s word is a both a comfort and source of courage. So it’s good to remember that like this beautiful orchid, living things are hard to kill. https://www.instagram.com/p/CH5Y4O2Hvq0kBzxTxrtGtQZPg50B1jNOPN2YpA0/?igshid=zy2juvav5a2i

[calebyap]

Met some dear ones this evening for some long delayed catch up time where we were able to hear about struggles, spiritual lessons and sanctification in remarkably difficult days. The road we take may not have been what we would have chosen, but the Lord knows what routes He would like us to travel by as He shows us vistas that only those paths supply. This was a beautiful truth we heard about tonight. As we left, I saw these creeping vines stretching across the corridor, clearly spilling over into areas where they didn’t belong, winding and stretching their way into foreign grounds. And even here, I saw that #thingsthatgrow are by grace, stretched in growth to new lengths and new distances, and so they grow stronger and longer. This is uncomfortable, but necessary to learn radical dependence. The Lord knows how to extend us as we grow, and even through tears and heartache show us His good will. https://www.instagram.com/p/CG0I7u9n4B2W3svfrdduszQn69OzvQWOMRTtGY0/?igshid=1djhecblamp49

[calebyap]

Met some dear ones this evening for some long delayed catch up time where we were able to hear about struggles, spiritual lessons and sanctification in remarkably difficult days. The road we take may not have been what we would have chosen, but the Lord knows what routes He would like us to travel by as He shows us vistas that only those paths supply. This was a beautiful truth we heard about tonight. As we left, I saw these creeping vines stretching across the corridor, clearly spilling over into areas where they didn’t belong, winding and stretching their way into foreign grounds. And even here, I was saw that #thingsthatgrow are by grace, stretched in growth to new lengths and new distances, and so they grow stronger and longer. The Lord knows how to extend us as we grow, and even through tears and heartache, bring forth new life. https://www.instagram.com/p/CG0I7u9n4B2W3svfrdduszQn69OzvQWOMRTtGY0/?igshid=kn8o0xe7d0k9

[calebyap]

Sometimes I slip into the frame of thinking that my professional life is the real me, and my extra-curricular commitments are the spiritual community and duties, when actually it is always the other way around. Our tent-making allows us to be sincere workers commissioned for the harvest, and insofar as we are called to this kind of work, then our 9 to 5 should please our employers as we are pleasing God as a subset of how all we do is for His pleasure. How does Paul say it? We are the fragrant aroma of Christ to God, to some a fragrance for life to life and for others for death to death. Who is sufficient for these things indeed? Thankful to bro @tjotlims for pointing us to 2 Cor 2:15-16 this evening. This was my stunning realization today: by the word preached, both life and death can be #thingsthatgrow. (at Regent Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnEqp9H5ISuZN_6M6Hp4MSPp_XrlzIGwhhfMU0/?igshid=y0vz5jrbrj5i