Deliberations: I am the vine

Growing grapes………An interesting art (or science?). 

Here are some things I learned in my Internet search:

·      Grapes do not like an overly-rich soil. They prefer a less fertile soil and then their roots will grow deep in search of nutrients. Similarly, Jesus did not come to preach the gospel to a well-prepared and righteous people—He came to call sinners to repentance.

·      Grapes need a lot of water on the first planting, but only a little after that. Sounds a bit like us as believers in Christ?  When we were baptized, we felt drenched with the Holy Spirit, but we still need a little watering from the Holy Spirit (our comforter) on a regular basis don’t we?

·      The vines need some type of support, to which they will stay connected. But a single stake won’t do. They need a broad trellis with many sections onto which the vine can hold*.

·      Grapes need regular pruning to produce the best fruits… Is that what our daily trials and discouragements do for us?

·      Pick grapes only when they are ready. They stop ripening after they are picked... We need to learn patience. Only Jesus knows when the persons we are praying for are ready to surrender. Wait on Him to convict their hearts.

*Jesus said “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me”. 

We must stay connected to Jesus, and we must provide the broad support each person needs on his/her Christian journey

Deliberations 2017 (5) #lockedontoJesus

Built in 1914, the Panama Canal is a marvel of engineering. It extends across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic Ocean (in the vicinity of the Caribbean Sea) and the Pacific Ocean. The canal saves transit-time, and saves fuel, by reducing the distance between the two oceans to a mere 48 miles, (compared to 8000 miles if the ships had to journey around South America).

How does the canal work? Geographically, the Pacific Ocean is a little higher than the Atlantic, and the terrain of Panama is higher in the middle of the country. A series of locks (devices that open and close) lift ships up to 85 feet (26m) and lower them down into the next ocean. Each lock is double – so two ships can pass through at the same time. 

 

                                                                           

New upgrades to the system were completed in 2016 – allowing the system to accommodate large modern ships, which the original canal was unable to handle.

What’s the connection? It is this…. Why don’t we lock on to Jesus? His grace is extended to us all. His mercy is unfathomable. He can raise us from the depths of sin and despair to the heights of glory. He alone can lift us up and deliver us safely to His Father. And He has room to accommodate us all.

Watch this video showing the ship “Celebrity Infinity” making its way through the canal – a journey of more than 10 hours condensed to 5 minutes of beautiful footage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWrzvNGLdw

Deliberations 2017 (4): #YourAchillesHeel

The Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone. This tendon allows you to jump, walk, run, and stand on the balls of your feet. Pain or swelling of the tendon is frequent, especially among athletes.

An Achilles' heel is a weakness which can lead to downfall. Persons’ Achilles’ heels vary immensely, for example a weakness for alcohol, or drugs, or gambling, or chocolate - a weakness for sweetness!

In Greek mythology, when Achilles was a baby, it was foretold that he would die young. To prevent his death, his mother Thetis took him to the River Styx, which was supposed to offer powers of invulnerability. There she dipped his body into the water. However, Thetis held Achilles by the heel, and his heel was not washed over by the water of the magical river. Achilles grew up to be a man of war who survived many great battles. But one day, a poisonous arrow shot at him was lodged in his heel, killing him shortly afterwards.

What is your personal Achilles’ heel? You do not have to fight it alone. Ask Jesus to give you the strength to overcome it. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Deliberations 2017(3): #Fireflies

The tiny lamplighter – also called a firefly or lightning bug – is an astonishing insect. Only about 1 inch long, it carries a lamp that can light up the darkness of a summer night. The light is so bright that it can illuminate the pages of a book!

It is always amazing for me to see how nature illustrates the truths of the Bible. The chemical that produces the firefly’s light is called luciferin. Did you get that? Lucifer-in. Lucifer was the brightest angel in heaven, until his pride caused him to be cast out of heaven – along with 1/3 of the angels who listened to his lies. Now he roams the earth as the angel of darkness, seeking to spread more lies. He offers sights, sounds, and experiences that are extremely beautiful and pleasurable - that will lead to hell. But get this. Hell was not created for you. Do not make the choice to go there.

We can be like a firefly and be a light to the world. Let us continue to shine our light as we lead others out of darkness into marvelous light.