Themes and Bible Verses
Memories – German Violets (Viola odorata)
Connecting the Old and the New
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Song of Solomon 2:12-13a
Round-lobed Hepatica ( Anemone Americana) and Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Anemone acutiloba)
Joy in Finding and Sharing
“ … for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, Song of Solomon 2:11-12a
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
Because God Loves Us We Need Each Other
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
What Keeps Us Alive?
The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7b
White Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum) Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)
Seen and Unseen aspects of the Life of the Trout Lily
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in
Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4: 32
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Blooming Where Planted and Spreading Seeds
He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). John 1:41
Marsh Marigold or Cowslip (Caltha palustris)
Rich or Poor
Through the centuries people have desired the riches of gold and silver. They want the precious metal so that they can purchase things that make them happy. The writer of the book of Proverbs said, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1
Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia)
Who is in Control?
The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:7-8
He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:39-41
Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
God Raises Hope Within Us
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)
Beauty
For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. Wisdom of Solomon 13:5
Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Blooming Together
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, Philippians 1:3
Large-flowered Trillium or Common Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
Garment of Righteousness
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Preacher in the Woods
Messages from the Pulpit
But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!" Luke 11:28
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Appreciation on Our Knees
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! Psalm 95:6
Nodding Trillium (Trillium cernuum)
Showy or Quiet
You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. John 15:16
Wild Oats or Merrybells (Uvularia sessilifolia)
Bells
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
Psalm 95:6
Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens)
Follow the Signs
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Psalm 25:5.
Wooly Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
God is Faithful
Your steadfast love, O LORD extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 36:5
Thy faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. Psalm 119:90
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness, Lamentations 3:22-23
Miterwort or Bishop’s Cap (Mitella diphylla)
Shapes and Symbols
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, but to those of us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
God’s Gifts Are Good
God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. Genesis 1:29-31a
Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)
Members of the Same Family
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:28b-33
Cut-leaved Toothwort (Dentaria laciniata)
The Cross
May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
Clintonia or Bluebead-Lily (Clintonia borealis)
Good Habitats – Wants and Needs
And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Yellow Rocket, Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris)
Point of View - Contentment With What We Have
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
The Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:14-16.
Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Ordinary and Extraordinary Views
--- and the street of the city is pure gold. Revelation 21:21b
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)
Water Marks
Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5
Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis)
Where Are Our Roots?
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7
False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina racemosa)
True or False
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. 1 John 4:1-3b
Starflower (Trientalis borealis)
Promises Fulfilled
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” Matthew 2:1-2
“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16
Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta)
The Heart – Symbol of Love
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17
* Scripture references are taken from the New Revised Standard Version
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