We visited our friends living outside Saturday to get our week going. Basketball is still being played in the gym at First Baptist. And food is being prepared by Z and eaten by all of us!
It's been a quiet week around the center with schools still closed for their holiday break. That will all change next week, which is good!
Tuesday evening the men of the community came together to share the Word and some good food. Brother George led us in the reading from John 15, The Vine and the Branches. How many times have we read that passage and still the Living Word shows us new and exciting things to talk and think about.
Thursday evening, was misty and cold with a small community gathered in chapel to hear Ms Abbie play the piano and listen to a new friend share the Word. Our meal was prepared by Z with help from Sinotra. The clothing room and Market was open to provide needed help to the community. A good evening of food and fellowship.
Thinking back on Tuesday night, two things come to mind, with Jesus talking, He says in verse one, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. The word "true" stuck with me. I typed in "true vine" and this is the only passage the word "true" is mentioned. There are numerous passages with vine in them, but just this one with "true"?
Got me to thinking, we can become attached to many different vines in our lives. We can grow branches, produce fruit, but is it of God? We can work hard, be productive, make money, have a nice car, a big house, 2.5 children, but what does it do for God? We can go to church, teach Sunday school, attend Bible classes, sing in the choir, play in the band, but is it for God?
I thought I was a pretty good guy, hadn't killed anyone, didn't drink too much, hadn't robbed a bank, worked in the Scouting program, but as I began to get back into the Word, I realized my vine was my own vine. I was living for me, my pride, not for others. I was not attached to the "true" vine, so my works were good but not of God.
The other part of verse one, that has stuck with me is, . . while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. God is not interested in just producing fruit, He wants to produce the best fruit there is. Most anybody can produce an orchard of fruit, or a field of grapes, but it is the special few that can produce the best. Grape farmers are not honored for producing quantities of grapes, but they are recognized for the quality of their harvest. So is God. He wants the best of the best.
I remember years ago, Momma T and I were in the garden talking about pruning our peach tree. I suggested we needed to do some pruning, but Momma T's caring heart, did not want to cut anything away, pruning is painful. Several weeks later Momma T comes to me and says, I did it, the tree is pruned!
As we begin a new season, start a new year, two things come to mind for us to think about. One, are we attached to the "true" vine in our ministries of common ground?Common ground is a community of things that are good. People come to be lvoed. People come to be fed and clothed. People come to be listened to. Children are educated and hugged on. The Word is being shared. Lives are being changed. All good things. All great things. Are they attached to the "true" vine?
Two, are we willing to be pruned if it will produce even better fruit? Pruning is hard, could be painful. It will be hard to let go of something we are doing now, in order for something else to grow. We have to remember God wants only the best fruit. God is the gardener. He know what's best for us and our community. Let Him produce His best in you. Then we all will be blessed beyond our comprehension! Amen.
Have a great week, stay warm!
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