Sher Birmingham

The legend of the donkey is that the lowly donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem when she was with child and fleeing Herod’s troops. The donkey was again present at Christ’s birth in that humble stable. Years later, he was chosen to carry Jesus into Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday. Alas, the little donkey was unable to assist his lord and master when it came time to carry the heavy cross. As the sad, little donkey took his last look at Jesus on Calvary, God smiled on him for his faithful service. As he slowly walked away, the shadow of the Cross fell across his back and shoulders and remains there to this day as a symbol of his love and humble devotion.

The truth is the Bible does not tell us how Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt nor does it tell us what if any animals where in the Stable where Jesus was born. The Bible does tell us that Jesus rode a colt that had never been ridden when He entered Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday. So it couldn’t be the same donkey. The Bible doesn’t speak of any animals near Jesus as He made His way from Pilot’s decree to Calvary.

The Bible says in Job 12:7-11 “But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that He holds all things in His hand — Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature? Isn’t this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste? Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom, that you have to grow old before you understand life?” (Message) Like in the legend of the dogwood tree the marking on our donkey should remind us of Jesus and the salvation story. Again Jesus wrote it in nature this time an animal, but as is written in Job all animals know He is God.

The Bible also says in Romans 1:19-20 “Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (NIV) God makes it easy for us to see Jesus’ work on the cross, by declaring Himself in the plants, animals and all of nature. The truth of the donkey and the marking of the cross on his back is so that no person can deny that saw Jesus and His work of salvation because it is written on the back of the donkey.

Sher Birmingham, wife to Bill. We have 7 children (ages 29 to 6 years old) plus 3 grandchildren (ages 5 to 1 years old). Encouraging moms that they can successfully run a business, school, and keep house at Home! If you enjoyed this article, please join my e-group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fruitfully. Or / and you may want to purchase my e-book “Passover & Jesus” (see the page entitled “Passover & Jesus Ebook”).

The legend of the dogwood tree is that when Jesus walked the earth the dogwood was a tall and proud tree. Its trunk was as large around as an oak tree and its wood was hard and strong. When Jesus was to be crucified, the Roman soldiers choose the dogwood tree to make crosses. They made a cross for Jesus. The dogwood tree was very sad and ashamed to be put to such a terrible use. Jesus knew the tree was very unhappy and he felt sorry for it. He promised the dogwood that it would never again grow large enough to be used as a cross. And then, to give the world a reminder of the tree’s history, Jesus gave it a very special blossom. This blossom would be a sign of Jesus’ death. That is why the dogwood’s four white petals form the shape of a cross. On the outer edge of each petal there is a dark red stain, as a reminder that Jesus was offered on the cross for forgiveness of sins. And in the center of each bloom is a tiny crown of thorns.

The truth is the Bible does not tell us what type of wood the cross was made of that Jesus was crucified on. Roman history does not go into specifics as to how the crosses were made or what type of wood they used. We cannot know for sure what type of tree was used to make the cross.

The Bible says in Psalms 96:1-2 & 12 “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day” …. “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;” (NIV) The trees sing for joy. I believe the dogwood tree reveals Jesus in the Spring with it flower petals in the shape of the cross. Each petal has a dark color and shape reminding us of the nails. The very center of the flower does look like a miniature crown of thorns. This very flower reminds us of Jesus’ work of salvation on the cross. Isn’t it lovely that God has designed it to be in bloom during the Easter Resurrection Sunday marking the resurrection of Christ after the Crucifixion.

In I Chronicles 16:28-36 it says, “Shout Bravo! to God, families of the peoples, in awe of the Glory, in awe of the Strength: Bravo! Shout Bravo! to His famous Name, lift high an offering and enter Jis presence! Stand resplendent in His robes of holiness! God is serious business, take Him seriously; He’s put the earth in place and it’s not moving. So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant, and pass the word among the nations, “God reigns!” Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow, let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters; Then the trees in the forest will add their applause to all who are pleased and present before God He’s on his way to set things right! Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits. Say, “Save us, Savior God, round us up and get us out of these godless places, So we can give thanks to your holy Name, and bask in your life of praise.” Blessed be God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then everybody said, “Yes! Amen!” and “Praise God!” (Message) Again the trees are proclaiming God! And again we see how the dogwood tree is proclaiming Jesus works on the cross the salvation story for us to see.

And again the Bible says in Psalms 19:1-4a “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (NIV) This is where God makes sure that every part of His creation tell of Him. Day after day in every language and speech in such away that no one can deny they heard of Him and His wonders! Each fall the dogwood produces blood red berries reminding us day after day of our Savior and all that He did.

God declares Himself in nature. I believe this is the truth of the dogwood tree. God wrote in the tree the salvation story. Not necessarily because of the tree’s use but because of His desire to reveal Himself to us. So that no living person can deny Him and what Jesus did…it was written the dogwood.

Sher Birmingham, wife to Bill. We have 7 children (ages 29 to 6 years old) plus 3 grandchildren (ages 5 to 1 years old). Encouraging moms that they can successfully run a business, school, and keep house at Home! If you enjoyed this article, please join my e-group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fruitfully. Or / and you may want to purchase my e-book “Passover & Jesus” (see the page entitled “Passover & Jesus Ebook”).

Hi, I am a Christian, homeschooling Mom.  I am married to my wonderful husband, Bill.  We have 7 children and 3 grandsons.  And I have just learned that a 4th grandbaby is on the way! (Sadly our dear daughter is having a miscarriage.)

Our oldest daughter is starting her oldest child in homeschooling next year.  You know the BIG Kindergarten.

I have written a few ebooks for homeschooling moms who want to do copywork or easy lessons but want things laid out for them a little.  I also try to find ebooks for the home business moms.   And all of us moms still need to cook and clean, so I bring tips or ebooks on those subjects too.

You may ask why so many subjects to cover in one website.  I ask you do you do all those things?  Or at least 2 of the 3?  So this site is just for you.  One place to find the subjects you need to or want to know about. 

Oh and all I write will have God and Jesus Christ all over it.  Now some of what others write that I tell you about may not be so.  I still try to find only what will be uplifting and useful.

Love you,

Sher