Creating
Part 3 – Notes from the Garden. Click here to see series (https://notesfromthetrail.org/notes-from-the-garden/)
I mentioned in “Beauty” about the vast variety of Hibiscus flowers – many of which have been “man-made.” Humans made new varieties through grafting and other ingenious techniques. God has allowed us to co-create with him to multiply beauty and variety.
My garden is a great example of the privilege God has given me to create with Him. God supplies the vital ingredients – soil, water, sun. But I play a major role as well. I get to decide what to plant and where, pull the weeds, enhance the soil, improve the drainage, and install watering systems.
One of the benefits of staying in our house for over 25 years is that I can enjoy the cumulative benefit of many years of work. I have planted everything in my yard except four large trees. You can see not only God’s creative work but mine as well. The garden reflects my personality. You can quickly tell that I love lots of colors and a loosely organized layout (not too proper!). I am also moving fast to more natives and perennials to ease the burden of maintenance 😊.
Like the garden, God has given us a beautiful canvas on which to write our life – complete with its mysteries and contingencies and curve balls. We have a big role to play too. And that role is getting a lot bigger as God entrusts us with greater co-creative powers through genetic bioengineering and AI.
Thank you God for the gift of creating.
Toodling and Noodling, Stan
Notesfromthetrail.org
For a series of short “Stroll through the garden” videos click here (https://notesfromthetrail.org/stroll-thru-the-garden/)
Good afternoon, Stan!
I love what you are doing and the work God has given to you for The Kingdom throughout your life. My name is Tyler Patmon, a former NFL player and the founder and CEO of Camp Exposure, a sports ministry dedicated to empowering athletes to discover their identity, purpose, and worth beyond sports, in Christ. My wife and I have learned from our life experiences and witnessing others that, at a very young age, boys and girls start to idolize sports, removing God from His throne and placing the game at the center of their lives instead of their Creator. Many children, especially from low-income communities, have fallen victim to believing that their physical ability is their only gift and their only hope for success and impact in life. Our mission is to tear down this idolization and the enemy’s lie. Similar to the words you have spoken, we recognize that this idolization and mindset often begin at an early age, emphasizing the importance of immersing these children in the Word of God through both words and actions. Our vision is to create a space where children can come to know God, build a relationship with Him, recognize the gifts He has blessed them with beyond sports, and learn how to use their athletic platform and influence for Kingdom impact.
That’s why we believe God has given us a vision to establish a private K-12 Christian school dedicated to holistic athlete development. Our vision is not only to create a school but to build a community where mentors, churches, and business leaders are actively involved in our programs. Inside this school, we also have a camp that teaches our holistic curriculum on a smaller scale and provides an opportuntiy for us to reach the youth year-round. The work we are doing is very similar to what you’ve achieved with Skylark, Apartment Life, and Lionheart Academy, and I was amazed when the Lord revealed your work to us.
I would love to find some time to connect with you and learn more about where you are in life right now, and if there is any opportunity for me to learn from you as much as I possibly can, as the Lord takes us on this journey.
I look forward to the possibility of hearing from you! Please feel free to reach out at any time! God bless! (512)-779-2471 l tpatmon@thecampexposure.com