Potting soil is the newest culprit in house fires, because it contains peat moss, shredded wood, bark, Styrofoam and vermiculite. When these ingredients get too dry, they burn quickly. Once on fire, any fertilizer adds to the flames.
No one plans to start a fire but the sun heats the mix or a thoughtless smoker butts a cigarette out in the hanging basket on your front porch.
Prevention means we keep our potted plants well-watered or use clay planters to prevent fires from spreading. Then, obviously we must deter smokers away from our plants or give them something else to stub in. And we must guard open bags of potting soil or better still, add the mix to our garden.
And you thought you bought pure dirt. Ha!
Jude mentions the church’s potting soil folks.
Jude 3b-4a–I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you (NIV).
The apostles told us to watch out for them.
Jude 17-19-But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit (NIV).
Now we can spend our time looking for those scoffers or we can follow Jude’s advice by building ourselves up in the faith, praying in the Holy Spirit and keeping ourselves in God’s love. (Jude 20-21).
Because after all, potting soils just need a little common sense.
Prayer: Lord, thanks that you are able to keep us from stumbling and present us in your glorious presence without fault and with great joy. Help us to help you do that. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
Thank you. I needed that so much today. God spoke through you to my fears.