Rita Hutchings - Journey With Jesus

To those who shared this vision of Journey With Jesus having insights and support. Thank you for believing in one, for this finished work of Gods Garden in us, Paula, Marie, Sean, Rosemary, Jordan, and many others including Writers Branding Staff, who have been cheering me on right from the beginning.

A special dedication goes to my granddaughter Karina, who was seven years old when she drew the picture of the flower and the bee. Just as He watches them, He watches us. Karina is a special little girl who loves God, and her picture is a welcome addition to this theme.

A tribute to Don Hutchings is fitting also at this time. Amy and Andy, my daughter and son, along with me and my granddaughter Karina, want to pay respects to his memory.

Don has passed away several years ago now. He is known to be with Jesus and that is our comfort. We think of him often, with love. He never knew Karina on this earth, but it is known he sees her now and all he cared for while he was here. We have a lot of fond memories of him. He is remembered as one who enjoyed life and with Gods help, overcame many obstacles along the way. There came a time in his life when he opened his heart to Jesus and Gods forgiveness flooded within him. He spent enjoyable times with his children, with family and friends. He partook of community service minded activities. Don was fun loving and outgoing but he also had grief and sorrow. He released himself to God during an illness and let God take over. Don was so glad to do so, and a total heart change occurred.

Thought of Don crept in while this book was coming together. Included are some of the places that he knew. While Don lived life here, he lived with an intense flair all his own. This book comes from the hand of God. What Don had shared with those who love him, we remember. In this, he shares a portion of these pages.

A special acknowledgment to Ron B., who was instrumental in leading Don to our Savior, Jesus. Words arent always enough to express it to you Ron, but thank you from our hearts to you for your obedience to God.

Don and my children and grandchildren are Andy, Amy, and Karina. Extending now to Jenn, Olivia, and Owen. They are all flowers that have been rooted in our garden.

The richness of His nutrients of Grace are there. This is ensuring future growth in the best possible way.

NIV Matt 6:31-34

When you seek the Kingdom of God first, and all of His righteousness, all of these things will be added to you. Take no thought for these things, therefore, for tomorrow will take care of itself.

NIV Matt 6:25-28

So I tell you to stop worrying about what you eat, drink and wear. Isnt life more than clothes? Behold the birds of the air, for they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; Your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Which of you can add even one inch to his stature? Take no thought for clothing. Watch the lilies of the field, how they grow; they dont toil, and they dont spin.

NIV 1 Chronicles 16:27

Splendor and majesty go before Him; praise and joy are in His holy place.

NIV Ps 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

NIV Isaiah 58:9-11

You shall call on the Lord, and He shall say, here I am. If you do away with the pointing finger and malicious talk and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your light will become like noon-day. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You are like a well-watered garden; like a spring whose waters never fail.

NIV Jeremiah 23:23-24

Am I a God near at hand, says the Lord, and not a God far off?

Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?

Do I not fill heaven and earth? Says the Lord.

NIV Ps 91:1

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the almighty

T he soil of our hearts cant help but change to be more and more fertile, when we yield To Him. Our roots go deep into the words of Jesus and they become a part of us.

As seasons change, and things look different, as with a snow cover, compared with other changes, transformation happens. Even when we cant see them right away. God is up to something-something wonderful. When we pray, sometimes there is a quick manifestation. Other times, we need to keep on believing, even though we dont see it happen with our eyes like we think it should. Gods timing is always better than our own, Prayers are like seeds, sent to the Father, opening up on the way to Him. These start in our hearts, and He sees that. Just as a farmer starts to see what he has planted spring forth, so it is with us. The intended result depends on how much of the word we get into us and how we respond to it as it enters our hearts.

With the right kind of nurturing in a garden, such as water, sunshine and a caring hand, healthy growth occurs. It takes also, a cool, gentle breath of God blowing over them. Its a vital part of it all. When we come with a right heart, we can come to Him; we can ask what we will in accordance with His will, and be confident that He hears us, Any good thing you see, has come about by prayer. This is awesome to think about. His gentle, life-giving breath is in and on us as well.