What is behind the name Olive Grove Life?
Can I let you in on a secret?
I did not like the name of my store for a while. God gave it to me during devotion time one morning and I just was like what?????
I will be honest and say that my thought process on the purpose of my store has evolved over the years. My time in obscurity lets me work out the kinks and issues.
I always wanted to encourage others the way I needed encouragement when I had fallen down. And even day to day now.
Slowly God has shown me that there are a few things that caused me issues and I think are causing a few other people issues also.
1) We do not realize we must train to be great Christians.
2) We do not realize how great is our God
3) We do not realize and walk in the new spiritual identity that we have when we become new creatures.
4) We do not value the stunning resource God left us when He gave us the Bible.
5) This narrow road is hard but worth it.
So the store name...Olive Grove Life
Olive as in Olive trees
I love the fact that Olive oil was used for light years ago in the temple and we are to be a light.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify the Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of the light. Ephesians 5:8
I love that the olive tree is a symbol of peace as we Christians are to be.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God, Matthew 5:9
I love that even if the olive tree is cut down from the roots springs up new life.
Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
The word Grove makes me think community
And truly God did not want us to be alone. Not only did He not want us to be alone but He wanted us to help each other.
It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make for him an help meet for him Genesis 2:18
As iron sharpens iron,so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Share each others burdens and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34
We are just better together.
We are stronger together.
We can do more together.
Lastly is Life as in lifestyle.
Lifestyle refers to the way one lives. The path of a fruitful Christian is not something you can wing or hop in and out of (been there, done that).
It takes consistently doing what God has called you to. Yes, we will fall but we get up. So what does the lifestyle involve? It actually involves quite a bit but mostly it is love.
Love
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, ... And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Olive Grove Life is about choosing the narrow path and being a light in this dark world. But beyond that, it is recognizing that we need reminders to
- remember how great is our God
- remember to keep training to be a great Christian
- realize and embrace our spiritual identity
- utilize and remember the great resource that is the Bible.
and we do all that not to be famous but to be fruitful.
So that is what is the purpose behind this storefront.
I hope you can find something that will encourage you as you walk down the narrow path. If you have suggestions feel free to email to me at admin@olivegrovelife.com/
And of course, if you need or want someone to pray email request to admin@olivegrovelife.com.