SCAPEGOAT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH – SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

Hello everyone

August seems to have flown past incredibly quickly, and some folk really had severe withdrawal
symptoms when the Olympic Games were over. Although it was not without its controversial
moments. Has there ever been an Olympics to compare with London 2012?
One interesting fact: in the original Olympic games in Greece (which were held in honour of Zeus), the
prize was only for the person who won. Herod the Great had a burning desire to have some
importance in the Roman world. He too promoted an international games event every four years, held
in Israel. To entice more athletes to come, Herod awarded additional prizes for 2 nd and 3 rd place –
hence we have Gold, Silver and Bronze.

On a different note, altogether – a recent experience in the garden taught me a good lesson on
judging a tree by it’s fruit (or not, in this case). Just on the bend above our drive there is a beautiful
wild Yorkshire Rose. It has been there over 20 years. About 12 years ago a rose self-seeded just by
our window. I was so pleased. The only rose in the neighbourhood was this white one, so I tended it,
and looked forward to it getting established and having lots of white roses. It certainly grew, but it was
vicious – lots of thorns and no flowers. After a few years of hoping and nurturing, finally that hope was
lost and I realised it wasn’t going to happen. It grew like mad and attacked anyone who went near it –
usually me. How I wished I had never let it take root! Out came the secateurs for some terminal
pruning! I couldn’t get the root out. I cut it back to soil level – but within a couple of weeks it was back.
This has gone on for a good few years. The day dawned last week to redesign this little patch, to
flatten the soil, put plastic down, pebbles on top and planters on top of that. Serious excavation is
taking place – that root is coming out!

About six years ago we noticed another shrub appeared unplanted. I knew I recognised the leaves. It
grew into a beautiful purple buddleia which attracted lots of butterflies.
The truth here is that we can’t always judge by first impressions. I didn’t get over-excited about the
buddleia – but this is the one that has lovely flowers and brings the delightful butterflies into the
garden. We need to see the fruit of the tree/plant/whatever before we allow things to take root in our
lives. If I want a special plant, I need to buy one with a picture of it on the label! I know this is just a
silly story about a plant, but I hope you understand the point. There are so many things that we can
take easily into our lives, and not till later do we sometimes realise the consequences are not what we
expected, and not always positive.
Jesus said “… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matt 7:17) And King
Solomon warns on a similar theme “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from
it” (Prov 4:23)
Every blessing to all, Liz