Coral tree and honeysuckle.

Ahaz was king of Israel . He was to care for the people and help them focus on God instead he lead them into pagan worship. He asked his children to walk through the fire as the pagan mothers and fathers did. He also sacrificed to the gods in the mountains under the green trees. At this time Isaiah and Micah were prophets. Isaiah was told to talk to the people with a strong hand. He didn’t want his people sealed with his law to be asking for help from familiar Spirits and wizards… God told Isaiah to help the people define what was good and right: ” To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:16

This is my summary but read this interesting story in 2Kings 16.( Ahaz was trying everything except God.)  Then look at Isaiah and see what God was saying to these people through this prophet during this time. Isaiah 8

It was on one of the three occasions I visited the Victoria Falls with our family that Dad bought Shelly and I a lucky bean. Out of a little box Shelly carefully took out this treasure. I couldn’t stop smiling to once again  see this little seed from the Coral tree. It was no longer bright red but a deep brown with age. It’s black bit  replaced by a minute close fitting lid  and inside – there it was, a perfect carved elephant.

The Great in the Small.

Perfect.

Gardeners appreciate this tree for its thick shade in summer and then architectural shape for five months of the year. The red flowers are a delightful part of that bare period. The name used by Dad for the tree is the Lucky Bean tree.

The giant step in the walk of faith is the one we take when we decide God no longer is a part of our lives. He IS our life.

Beth Moore

All God’s giants have been weak people who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.

Hudson Taylor

This plant is loved for its nectar. As little girls we used to pull off the flower and suck the end. The taste and sweetness was delicious on a hot afternoon. The plant hung in long curtains from the roof of our veranda in Johannesburg and there was no chance of the flowers running out. Here in my sister’s garden it grows on the inside of the pole fence so the deer don’t pull it out by its roots.

Ah, and here is another animal from Moholoholo. An active creature who hardly stayed still for one moment. The Honey Badger. The animal has few natural predators with its skin loose, thick and impervious to arrows and spears. It’s defensive abilities are ferocious our guide listed animal after animal that it could harm.

Hope your weekend is blessed.

Sandy 🙂