Each spring in the 40-day period before the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, the Devotions Blog digs into a garden topic with Biblical significance to explore for 7 succeeding weeks. This style of study helps develop our sense of story and anticipation for what will happen next, arguably the greatest spiritual gift our passion for gardening can give us. Enjoy these Lenten looks from over the years as Series of 7 Studies.
The Bride’s Garden focuses thoughts and meditations on God’s Words of garden matrimony. Especially, the Scriptures swooning with flowering, fruiting plants contained in Song of Songs. While God hints throughout the Bible of His Bridegroom-like devotion to His people, He goes all-out with lavish botanicals in King Solomon’s bridal songbook, describing scents and fruits and enthralling garden views, giving us things to have and to hold as we cultivate a deeper longing for Him. Published in 2024.
A Gardener’s Promise explores God’s forever-with-you devotion to us. More than a casual sentiment, God’s love is an enriching commitment to dig into everything together, a promise to hang your hat on. Part journal questions, part planting guide, this 7-part series has been created as a companion to My Father is the Gardener, Devotions in Botany and Gardening of the Bible, a way to work out God’s profound assurance in the backyard, arriving at Resurrection Day with a deeper grasp of what Christ has for us in revival life. Published in 2023.
Grounded in God is a devotions series lingering in the facets of humility from Isaiah 53. Our Savior’s greatest gift to us came through His humiliation detailed in this earthy passage. Humiliation … humility… humus… hmmm… perhaps the garden is a unique host to God’s purposes in humility, already grounded in humus-filled soil. Let these one-a-week, Scripture compositions draw you to 7 Words for simple consideration, cultivating a special intimacy with the Lord through the Lenten season. Published in 2022.
Hope is a garden defined! By its very working, the garden gives us something to look forward to — a good, glorious growth taking place or soon to dazzle us, one that lifts our hearts whenever we imagine it. Find Garden Hope is a 7-part devotional series for the Lenten season, matching God’s Word to garden antics and imagery and preparing our hearts to celebrate Christ’s resurrection with deeper union and delight. Published in 2021.
The devotional essays of Find Garden Hope were originally published in the “Garden Tools” section of God’s Word for Gardeners Bible under Hope, ©2014 Shelley S. Cramm. See page a-40 to study by the Book.
Prophets & Leaders Bible Garden Design is a 7 part survey of garden design aspects in the landscapes where the Bible’s prominent personalities lived and led. Guided by Acts 3:19-26, the devotional series incorporates lenten patterns of repentance, reflection, and restoration, along with key design elements and plant palates, anticipating the glorious celebration of Messiah, his resurrection and eternal life. Published in 2020.
As the garden wakes up in spring to the work of overturning soil, pulling up dead plants, and digging spots for new ones, let us put those shovels, spades, and trowels to work as metaphor and Dig into Prayer. At its simplest, prayer is our conversation with God—everything from quiet pillow talk to heaving cry—conversations that will grow more deeply intimate as we get to know and cherish His Words. Let A Lenten Dig into Prayer bring you close to Him and prepare your heart in 7 meetings for a truly special celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Published in 2019.
The devotional essays of A Lenten Dig into Prayer were originally published in the “Garden Tools” section of God’s Word for Gardeners Bible under Prayer, ©2014 Shelley S. Cramm. See pages a-37 & a-38 to study by the Book.
Let Faith Flourish is a devotional series on “flowers of the field,” the phrase Jesus reiterated from ancient Scripture to relate the flower-filled spring countryside to the Father’s faithfulness (Psalm 103, Matthew 6:28-34). With a series of blooming crown anemones, chamomile, tulips, lilies, narcissus, and poppies showcasing in the Holy Land spring, may worry be displaced with the Word of the Lord and may the earth’s true flourish be faith in our hearts! Published for Lent in 2018.
A Lenten Look at Trees features seven tree species, a sweeping journey from the Garden of Eden to palm’s Sunday prominence, preparing our hearts for the day Jesus hung on a tree. Some trees along the way may be well-suited for your garden; others may be more suitable the table, their fruits found easily in your grocers produce section. Either way, the symbolism and connections yield layers of hidden treasure in God’s Word. Published in 2017.
Plant a Pot of Bible is a series of devotions that go along with planting some of the herbs, spices, and edibles scattered across the pages of the Bible in our own garden pot. By the end of the series, we hope for a deeper understanding of who God is and what He has done…along with a beautiful and tastily planted container for early spring’s patio or lingering winter’s windowsill. Published in 2016.
