The Kingdom of God

I've been challenged lately, by God, to stay in the New Testament - especially in the book of Mark. I love the Old Testament because it's full of history and prophecy. So, when God asked me to stay in the N.T. I knew he had something up His sleeve for me. Of course, when I didn't readily listen and dive right into the book of Mark I was gently reminded in church on Sunday when our pastor challenged us to read the book of Mark this week. So, I'm now reading the book of Mark. Thank goodness I serve a God that doesn't mind reminding me over and over. :) So, this morning, as Micah watched a bit of TV and I got a hot cup of coffee I began to read the book of Mark. The kingdom. God is seriously trying to drive that point home to me. He's been yacking about the kingdom with me for about 2 months now. What is the kingdom of God? I know it's a culture of it's own. It's not American, African, Hebrew, Scandinavian, etc. It's God's way of doing things. My commentary says it's Jesus living in my heart. I'm on a quest to find out all I can about this Kingdom of God. I'm only on Chapter 4 of Mark, but so far this is what the Holy Spirit has allowed me to see. The Kingdom is a seed that is planted within us. Seeds like to grow into plants. BUT ... the soil and the environment play a part in a seed growing. I'm not the best at planting flowers, but I do know you need good soil, water, seeds and you've got to keep the deer away. Without those things you don't have much of a flower bed. I know God's desire is to plant good seeds into our hearts, but what kinds of things are keeping those seeds from budding. God is going to plant seeds - no question about it. What kind of environment are we cultivating to protect those seeds? I had to ask myself that. What, Ann, is holding the Kingdom of God back in your life? Then, of course I started feeling guilty and I had to remember what this blog is about ... ENJOYING GOD. So ... I turned my guilt upside down and re-phrased my question. Where IS the Kingdom of God in my life? That is a much easier question to answer. When I began to think of all the seeds God has planted in my life and all the fruit that has come from the seeds I wanted more and more. Similarly, when Franco planted 10 tulip bulbs in the fall and I saw how beautiful they were in the Spring I begged him to plant more and more! Now, we have about 50 tulip bulbs planted. That is the Kingdom of God. The more we recognize the goodness of God in our lives, the more we seek that goodness, and the more we receive from Him. Ahhhh ... ain't God good?