Fruit of the Vine

 

Sometimes I am but a small seed. The Lord is the Vine and I am connected by a branch. And by a fruit connected to that branch. A tiny seed within that fruit. I, myself, am not all in all or ALL FOR ALL. I can do but a part. And sometimes it’s a small seed part. Put in a certain place at a certain time for a certain thing but not for all things. There are other seeds too with God purpose. And still some are the skin of the fruit. Others flesh of the fruit. Still others the stem keeping us connected to the Vine. The seeds will eventually produce more fruit; that flavorful flesh and juice. All connected as in sweet communion - community - we can avail much. But ultimately it is the Lord ordering our place, our purpose, and our progress. Some days you may feel like the one holding fruit and Vine connected. Other times you may feel like a tiny seed. Remember what Jesus said about the mustard seed. And its power. Even tiny seeds have awesome strength when they remain connected to the Source. So it’s okay to be a tiny seed. To do your small part. Other seeds, flesh, skin and stem of the fruit have their small part to play as well. All working in harmony according to God’s finely tuned plan. So you be you. Let them be them. Let God be Lord over us all. 

“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.” (John 15:5)

“It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became like a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” (Luke 13:19)

“If your faith were only the size of a mustard seed,” Jesus answered, “it would be large enough to uproot that mulberry tree over there and send it hurling into the sea.” (Luke 17:6 TLB)

Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others. (Romans 12:5 TLB)

That Wise Builder

 

They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. - Luke 6:48

When life is going good, so am I. I remember to pray, read my bible, sing praises, and smile with the love of Jesus in my heart. I feel like that wise builder. Unshakable.

Then trauma enters in. I forget everything. I rant and rave. I pout. I cry. I feel helpless. I struggle. I wrestle with God. Maybe I'm not so much like that wise builder after all. My faith can seem so weak sometimes. I start to doubt my foundation. I question whether I have invested enough time in fortifying it.

But whether you feel like you've built on rock or sand ...

KNOW THIS!
God's character does not waiver.

God IS reliable. You CAN count on Him. 

The LORD IS Rock solid. (Psalm 18:2)
He neither slumbers nor sleeps. (Psalm 121:4)
He doesn't grow tired or weary. (Isaiah 40:28)
He is forever faithful. (Psalm 89:1)
His love endures forever. (Psalm 100:5)
He is unchanging. The same yesterday, today, forever. (Hebrews 12:8)
Full of love and compassion. (Psalm 86:15)
Slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 103:8)
He is your Help. (Psalm 10:14)
He has a solution to every circumstance. (Mark 6:42)
He can be trusted. (Psalm 145:13)

He makes everything end in some kind of goodness. (Romans 8:28)

God is your Almighty.
You don't have to have it all together. Just keep the truths you know about Him close by. He will do the rest. I bet you ride the storm out better than you think. Thank You, Jesus.

Lessons from bread making

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. It’s just always wise to read and apply instruction from a reliable source; the tried and true way to do something right for the best outcome.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. (Proverbs 16:20)

MIX WELL. Don’t be afraid to mingle with new and “different than you” people, places or things. Something really good could develop.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES. What is truly a punch in the gut and what is an inconvenience? Or an annoying detour of the expected perhaps. Life doesn’t have to be so heavy and burdensome - know when to let some less important stuff slide.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

LEARN THE VALUE OF WAITING. We’ve all had things not turn out - because we wanted to rush the process and find a shortcut. Oh, how we hate to wait - especially when it’s for something good. Too often we settle for close enough.

When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen. (Isaiah 60:22)

RISE TO THE OCCASION. There are times when you just need to take that leap of faith. You have to trust, believe, and move forward in the energy of God. Sometimes it has to be you and not someone else. 

And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

THE AROMA. That delicious smell that fills the room. Be that. Fill your surroundings with the countenance of Jesus from your heart and let it fill the room with His fragrant presence expressed through you.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

THE NEW SUMMER CARD CATALOG IS NOW ONLINE!

 Well, I just couldn’t wait any longer to release my new summer card catalog! There are so many good ones! They will be available all summer long (but I’d keep some on hand right now!) Click the link below for all the newest, and of course, the oldie but goodie favorites as well! Just reading through them will give your spirit a lift - so click now and feel the boost. Know someone else who loves cards? I love referrals. Or better yet - introduce them by purchasing a pack for a “Just Because” gift. Thanks in advance for your support in this ministry!

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

Earthly limitations

My prayer list is starting to look like a hospital ward. Literally, I have people recovering from:

Hip surgery

Knee surgery

Shoulder surgery

Foot surgery

Wrist surgery

Eye surgery

I, myself, went under hand surgery a few months ago. So I know quite well the feeling of being limited in what was normal and what my body was capable of doing without thought or effort. Yes, the use and mobility had been taken for granted.

There are many more suffering from long term illness or physical limitations due to some disease of the body. Long gone are the days of freely going from one thing to the next without forethought. Simple aging does the same…

So inconvenient… and frustrating… and -

(Jesus) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… (Philippians 2:6-7)

And the Message translation:

He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of Himself that He had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, He stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges.

Remember your life from 30 years ago. Now think of your life 30 years from now. Jesus lived His whole 30+ years of life here on earth with limitations compared to what He had - this equal status with God. Can you imagine the power, wisdom and abilities He had - had to give up? I wonder if He thought about the good ol’ days like we do…

Many of you are going through heavy challenges. Whether temporary or permanent, you have a Savior Friend Who truly knows, has experienced firsthand and understands. You can lean into Him for comfort and strength. And like Jesus, the promise is yours:

By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. (1 Corinthians 6:14)

Who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:21)

So hang in there, like Jesus did. It’s only a matter of time. The day is coming when pain and suffering shall be no more.

And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)

A constant reminder

 I love to joke about having tattoos. Whenever the question pops up, I always respond that I have three. Most people are surprised to hear that about me. Until I explain I have three tatoo dots - used during radiation for proper alignment of the treatment. Back when I had cancer. The cancer now long gone, often forgotten. But the tatoo marks remain forever. A constant reminder.

People from every walk of life get tattoos for various reasons. But I think mostly because they want to remember: a person, a special moment in time, a certain love… they want it to be a visible part of them. They want others to know the importance of it to their lives; the weight of it in their daily living and being.

The Bible says our names are engraved into God’s palm (Isaiah 49:16). We are so important to Him! Always on His mind. So special to Him that He gave His only Son, Who also has marks put on His hands - for love of us. God remembers us. Thinks on us. Loves us deeply, constant and forever.

I’ve wondered what kind of tatoo I would ever choose. Some of you might assume a cat - because I love them so. Or maybe the location of a favorite bible verse. But this morning, I thought, perhaps - the name of Jesus on my own palm. A visible part of me. To let others know the importance of Him in my life - in theirs; a constant reminder:

When I extend my hand to friend and stranger, there’d be that loving reminder of Jesus…

when I open my hands in prayer

when I wave a hello

a hugging pat on someone’s back

resting my head in my hand to sleep

reaching out for food and drink

washing dishes

steering the car

The visible reminder of Jesus’ loving presence would be endless.

While Jesus has that permanent stain on His hands, perhaps I will just “stick” for now, with the praying that the Holy Spirit will keep me aware and remembering…

the permanent, forever love of God.

What mom taught me about Jesus’ miracles

 I don't know how she stretched one dollar into ten. I don't know how she turned scraps of meat into a hearty meal. How she kept eight kids in clothes and shoes. Or how she found time to crochet wedding afghans and baby blankets beyond number. And something for every single grandchild under the Christmas tree. Making a way where there seemed to be no way...

But I also see her on the ground planting petunias. Waltzing behind the ironing board to Ray Price. And pans of yeasty cinnamon rolls on Saturday mornings.

Despite any challenges, she also knew how to find joy in the life she was given.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied... (Matthew 14:18-20)

I want to be like my mom. Because she was so much like Jesus.