Grow through gardening week 2: Why hang gardens in hard places (like Babylon, or urban parks today)?

Grow through gardening 2 centred around God's call to Jeremiah to plant gardens in a hard place, a place of exile. We interviewed a gardener. We enjoyed a video clip from re(bar), who made a garden in an urban park. We looked at the 10 worst gardens in our city.

Who is God? Gardener, sprinkler, soil, grower, hope in hard times. Ultimate Gardener. Creator/Designer. Father, Son & Holy Spirit, sustainer, makes good thing happen. Giver of gifts – self seeding plant in the wrong place can be moved and tended.

What is God doing in the world? Active with non-christian & Christians, sustaining. Loving us – Making people become Christians. Developing His kingdom by allowing seeds/persons/groups. ie church to grow in different types of places. Giving hope. Gardener when we are in hard places. Helps us grow, gives us what we need. Sometimes slowly

How is God achieving this? Restores and renewing through us. And through the Holy Spirit. Through Youtube. Gives us the seeds/word – we have to nuture – tend – water. Listen to God's word/read the bible. Gifts to teach.

Who am I? Loved by God. A garden and a gardener. A sower of God’s seeds ie hope. Making the best of the situation. A bulb, with God’s help to become plant he wants us to be. Not a gardener – am a gardener. I’m Grace.

Where am I going? I am going to grow, maybe even in hard places. To those garden’s that are lacking God’s seed. You’re in – acceptance that God ultimately has a plan and a purpose for each of us.

How am I supposed to get there? Listen to the master gardener. Following the hope/seed – Word of God – plantings. Not for us to understand the situation – have the right to question God – even complain!

How then should we live out our lives? Making the most of the things we have. Live to grow, not just survive (not die!). Live to grow and give God pleasure. Willingness to grow through seasons. Even in times of little growth or encouragement. To feel "rooted" we can go where we feel comfortable for some garden for some iceskating.