Fruit Salad, anyone?

Good morning Ladies! I am beginning to feel like the "old" Anna again. Yahoo! I know I am better because my dear Lord coddled me for a few days and this morning He started dishing up the Meat in His word. I had all kinds of things I wanted to share with you today, however, after my Bible reading this morning, I am going to share my "pain". (I am sorry but I couldn't keep a straight thought yesterday, thereby no post.)

Please take some time to carefully read the instructions below then read the rest of my post.

Basic Fruit TreePruning Instructions

Following simple fruit tree pruning instructions will ensure your fruit trees enjoy good health, disease management, and better fruit yield.
By pruning your fruit trees, you stimulate shoot growth, control the size and shape of the tree, and improve the quality of the fruit.

General Fruit Tree Pruning Instructions

• Always use sharp shears or saws so your cuts are clean.
• Begin by removing dead wood and broken branches. Then cut out any wood that crosses or rubs against any other branches. This opens up the middle so the sun can get to all the fruit.
• Make your cut close to a bud, to a joint in the branch, or to the trunk; never leave a stub.
• Prune stems just above a pair of opposing strong shoots or buds.
• Keep more horizontal branches, and prune more vertical branches.
• Remove suckers (shoots) from around the base of the tree.
• Get rid of all debris which can harbor pests and disease.
  www.lawn-and-gardening-tips.com

The Bible Passage I Read this Morning

Matthew 12:33-37 nkjv

33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by it's fruit.

34 "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement.

37 "For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Any one want to borrow my pruning shears? What size do you need? My husband has a great office in our home with a view. Just outside one of his windows is this ugly spiky branched tree. It grew tall enough that Kevin finally went out and pruned it. Ladies it took him quite some time to scale it back because he was using small hand pruning shears. Girlfriends, he needed the big gun machete in my opinion. What words and attitudes need to be severed so our Lord Jesus is able to shine and produce beautiful, edifying fruit out of our mouths, and for us to hand out and serve with.

Now ladies let me tell you. I have had humbling experiences these past few days. I have tried to practice patience, graciousness, kindness, and find joy. I haven't really spoke to many people because my air is still confining. Have my words been harsh? What did I say that was unGodly? Why would I need this passage today, Lord? Well don't ask if you don't want to know, my friends. The scripture says I will give an account for every "idle" word I speak. The NIV version uses "careless" words for idle. Do you ever say unGodly things about someone or a situation when you "Vent" to a friend? How about the instruction about pruning above that says remove "suckers and shoots from the base of the tree"? What are the suckers and shoots that affect your "heart" and thereby the words of your mouth. Do you have debris in your life that harbor "pests and disease"? Don't you love when I share my "Pain"? Lol!

Jesus was being surrounded by the Pharisees and had been accused of being under Satan's power in performing His miracles. Jesus had told them they were blasphemous. It was a serious time. This is a serious lesson. It grabbed my heart this morning. I hope you will be inspired to take the necessary time to review your words and attitude. I know your hearts are precious and beautiful. I have experienced the fruit of your life. Just keep an eye out for the "suckers and shoots" and the "pests and disease" surrounding your ground. By the way kids, inlaws and coworkers don't count! Lol!

Love ya, mean it, Ciao!