MOVIE & BOOK CORNER

There is one movie I want to fit in this issue. It may not fit in with my theme of miracles but it has to be mentioned. It’s called, A Man Named Pearl.

Pearl Fryar is a Black factory worker and self taught topiary artist living in a rural town in South Carolina. When Pearl first moved into his home, neighbors feared he wouldn’t keep up his property, based on bigoted stereotypes.

Pearl wasn’t willing to let such a silly obstacle determine the outcome of his life and vowed to win the ‘Yard of the Month” award from the Iris Garden Club. He started in a humble way by taking discarded trees and shrubs that a nursery threw into a heap behind the store. They were plants that weren’t expected to survive.

He sat in on a short lecture about topiary and read some books but they couldn’t teach what he had in mind when he saw a plant. He finds character and shape no one else sees and creates the most amazing sculptures ever seen.

He has become an ambassador for the town and even today, his home is a tourist destination for visitors from all 50 states and many countries. More than just a yard, Pearl’s awe-inspiring landscaping creates a feeling in visitors that they didn’t have before they set foot on the grounds.

Filmmakers Scott Galloway and Brent Pierson collaborated on this documentary. It should be noted that Pearl still lives and he and his wife are very Christian. It is evident in his work ethics and his way of bringing a community together. If you don’t believe that God works through the common man, watch this movie and be sure to see it with your entire family.

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And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:18

TO YOUR HEALTH

All that a man has he will give for his life.
Job 2:4

This is for those I met in Marianjoy and Edward Hospital.

Taking Job’s possessions and children didn’t wreck his trust in God, so Satan attempted to draw Job away from the Lord by robbing him of his health. While Job was unaware of the cosmic battle focused on him, he did realize that all of our days are ultimately in the hands of our living God: “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10).

When we receive evil, especially chronic health issues, continuing trust in God becomes difficult. Whether we doubt His love and power or our own worthiness, months and years of treatments and therapies weigh heavily upon us. Must we drag that oxygen everywhere? Why bother with dialysis three days a week? Money is tight and time is precious. Would it be better to give into the affliction and let it take us?

Job’s resounding “No” comes from a heart that trusts in God’s ultimate good. If good health allows us to serve God actively, poor health brings us to depend upon His grace passively. It erases confidence in one’s self and replaces it with trust in the Lord. It allows us to testify to the One who, in Christ, gives us strength to continue, weak and weary though we may be.

As You bless me in times of strength, so You sustain me in times of weakness. Thank You for both of these blessings.
Amen.

(Read Job: 1-10 and Psalm 41.)

Beatitudes

Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12