Life in the Vine

A simple message connects us to the heart of the gospel.

"I am the vine and you are the branches. Remain in me and I will remain in you...I have called you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. This is my command, love each other."

Mike Cope reminded us today about our consistent desire to participate in an active Christianity. It is easy for us to focus on the go and bear fruit. However, this is not the central message found in John 15. Here, the key word is remain! It is a very passive word yet it can be the most powerful way to participate in life with God in Christ. To remain in Christ...to be branches connected to the vine, allows us to bear fruit and that fruit is to love one another. In all things may we desire to remain...remain connected to the one who freely gives us life!

"This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
--Jeremiah 17:5-8

From Horses to House Sitting

Yesterday I participated in the training for the H.E.R.O. program through Hendrick Hospital. It is a rehabilitation program which uses horses to help in the treatment process of physically handicapped children. The clients are typically either cerebral palsy or multiple schlerosis patients. Their physical therapists work with them by helping them do different exercises while riding horseback around an arena. The HERO program is not an outright ministry related program but I believe the opportunities for ministry through this program are endless. I look forward to this learning service.

Tonight, Sara and I are house-sitting for a couple in our care group. We have already had quite the time. Five minutes into this new adventure I brought our bags into the house and set them down near the door. Then I went in to the kitchen to read the note left for us. I didn't know of the warning as I read about midway through the note that their dog, Sandy, loves to dig through bags and especially enjoys gum and toothbrushes. I ran to check our bags and sure enough our toiletries were strewn all over the floor. Lo and behold, Sara's toothbrush was missing in action. About 20 minutes later I found Sandy chewing on the bristles of a toothbrush and I knew the warning had become reality! But the actual toothbrush was nowhere to be found. This tooth cleaning tool was no measley brush mind you but a battery operated machine. I searched throughout the house and finally found the bottom half of the toothbrush. At least I hope Sandy might be able to enjoy some fresh breath for a change...

One other note about our new friend Sandy. She loves to sing along with the ZOE group and any other acapella music. We were playing cards with another couple and I began singing along with the music playing on the stereo. It wasn't long before the smooth harmonies of our howling hound joined the vocal symphony. Somebody sign him up to a record deal. Talk about the next American Idol (or Idogl for that matter). Who knows what might happen from here!

Blogging Along...

I have now entered the wonderful world of blogging! Stay tuned for future mind-blowing or perhaps mind-numbing blogs...same time, same channel!