The Gardener Came; The Pruning Has Begun

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful....John 15:2

Major storm hit my yard on Friday.  I came home to this scene after work.  Surreal.  Friends came by the next day to start the clean up and as I spoke about the "beauty" I saw in this destruction, someone mentioned God's pruning.

I thought to myelf pruning is pretty "painful", yet beauty - fruit - comes from it, if we allow it.


“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  John 15: 5-6

I am imaging the pruning THe Gardener is doing in my own life.  The Branches that are being cut off, that very much feel like they are being "torn off" by a great and mighty wind.  

Then I imagine how much  more useful I will be for HIS use...the potential of the fruit yet to be.

I don't want to be fruitless.  I willingly submit to the pruning the Gardener wishes 

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:7-8

PRACTICING what I am PREACHING

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
^4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
⁶ Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.
^7-8 Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
^9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.  Galatians 6: 1 - 10  THE MESSAGE


Wow, many many times I realize that God's WORD speaks for itself.  I had some thoughts in my mind to blog about tonight...but as I read this passage from The Message Version, I realized that there really isn't more I can add to this. I will say - I had this "sowinig and reaping" passage on my mind this morning, and was considering a future "message" that I could share with the youth/young adults about reaping what they sow.  As one might expect, after developing the ideas in my head, my day proceeded in such a way that I was challenged to consider my own planned exhortation to them - I had to intentionally practice what I was preparing to preach.


I realize how often GOD does this to/for his children.  It's like the "joke" about praying for patience -- Don't Do It!-- for as sure as you do, you will be placed in circumstances where you will have to practice it. 
This is exactly what happened to me today - and when I realized this, I just thanked GOD for reminding me how very HUMAN I am, and how much work HE still has yet TO DO IN ME!  I often tell people, we all wear Human Suits, and sometimes our skin get's caught in the zipper!  Well, I have a few zipper burns today!!!


God Bless You on you fantastic and exciting journey!!!  Keep Living!

Amazed

Tonight is one of those nights when I glance back at what has been going on around me and I realize that I am just AMAZED!


I am AMAZED at the way God is moving - in spite of me!  There was an excitement 'in the air' with the youth tonight.  I know GOD is up to something good!  I love how the youth are bringing visitors - and my prayer is that they will stay and become really involved.  That they will bring their families and that as a result, our whole congregation will grow - not only numerically, but "spiritually" and with great excitement! 


I am just focusing on HIS leading and not my own.  This is not about me, nor has it very much at all to do WITH me.  It's HIS time and HIS hour to shine.  May I be that willing vessel and tool that HE can work through to bring others to HIM. OH, how aware I am that many prayers for many years have been the foundation for what I might get to "reap" --- these lives are precious seeds that were sewn, not by me, by so many others.


We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. 1 Cor 3:6 The Message


Lord, if I get to be a part of this harvest for our youth group -- I thank you! Not forgetting the foundation laid, I pray that you enable me to stay in line with your WORD, YOUR TRUTH, YOUR WAY!!!  Looking forward to YOUTH SUNDAY, this week!  It's gonna be a blast

Thoughts for Today

Lots going through my head today.... I will share a bit of what I have been thinking

* The battle waging in Indiana today will reveal the intolerance of Biblical Christianity.

* Those sitting on the fence will be left and found sitting when Jesus Returns,

* Doing the right thing doesn't always "feel" good.

*Doing the right thing can result in some bad things happening 

*Jesus didn't win any popularity contests, why would we expect to?

*The separation has begun and is becoming more evident -- sheeps and goats

*The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray  1 Peter 4:7

and this is what I have been doing so much more lately.  My heart is breaking as I see the word of God maligned and HIS FOLLOWERS belittled because

*They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.  Romans 1:25

Father,In Your Son's Name -JESUS- I ask you to forgive them for they do not know what they are doing!  Use me to be your instrument of truth and love, to maintain YOUR standard and present myself blameless before you.  May they see YOU first in me, and may I be ready to proclaim your WORD to them and make you known.  May they want and be compelled to serve you.

I said, "I am available Oh Lord" and now I am leading a youth group

Who'd a thunk it!?!?  It's true, I am now leading a youth group.  I don't know for how long - but for as long as I am doing it, I am going to do it as if I am going to be doing it forever!  Meaning - I am giving it My All. 

How'd it happen?!?!  In November of this past 2014, our Associate/Worship Pastor  - who was the interim Youth Pastor after our long time Youth Pastors resigned about a year or so ago before - himself - he and his wife - took another position in a church several hours away.  I was already leading the Young Adult Ministry - 25y/o and younger, who sometimes palled around with the older youth anyway, so it made sense to me.    There was also no one else expressing interest in doing it. So, since about December, we meet as one combined group on Wednesday nights and then I do a special session for Young Adults on Sunday nights.

What'd ya think?!?!  I think it's a challenge, but I am having fun.  There definitely is a generation gap and a learning curve, but the "kids" have been gracious.  The young adults who come have helped take on leadership when I divide the teaching time into smaller groups - and the kids keep coming back weekly!  Some are bringing friends, and some of the friends are "sticking around".  WE do a lot of laughing! It is also becoming quite clear that an ADD diagnosis went undetected in my youth (all this time I blamed my behaviors on chocolate)!

So what's in store for the future?!?!  Truly, only God knows.  As our small congregation continues to seek God for direction/guidance - I remain open that God might provide someone who has a proven call for Youth Minsitry to begin attending.  For as long as this door remains open and God ushers me in, I will continue to move forward and be the best Youth Leader, I can be. I am going to pray, prepare and plan, As much as it depends on me I am going to demonstrate dependability, commitment, availability, responsibility. I pray that our Youth and Young adults continue to grow in their faith and look forward to the way God will use them to reach their generation.

FLAT YOLANDA MEETS THE RAGGEDYS

What I love about this is....my coworker decorated her guest room in her new home with my favorite color (yellow) and something I collect  (Raggedy Ann and Andy)  - She had NO idea.  So, when she told me about the room, I claimed it my own and have invited myself to be one of her first guests.  Well I have yet to see it!  Flat Yolanda, however, has seen it and even had a chance to spend the night!!!!  Now, via these photos I have a glimpse of "my" room!

YELLOW *****FLOWERS*****What makes me smile

Droopy Babies after being left at work over the weekend! :(

After a bit of water, starting to perk up

They are fighters!!!!

Half way "back to life"