Tag: John

  • Fried Green tomatoes anyone?

    (Photo by Teresa)

    I eagerly watch as my first green tomato crop grows heartily on the vine. I can almost taste the juicy, red tomato next to a bacon slice surrounded by leafy lettuce all sandwiched between two pieces of toast.

    But patient I must be. The harvest can’t be hurried. However there are things I can do to promote success such as.

    *Faithful watering

    *Adequate sunshine

    *Occasional fertilizing

    The sturdy vine connects to the branches that support the tomato. If for some reason, the branch becomes detached from the vine, the growth process stops. Fruit cannot happen without its source of strength.

    The apostle John talks about how God is the gardener in John 15:1, 4–5. “I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener … remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

    Just like the sturdy vine connects to the branches supporting the tomato, God is the vine of protection. There are certain things I can do in order to strengthen the vine such as:

    *Spending time in prayer and reading the Bible

    *Seeking out spiritual mentors and friends

    *Regular church attendance with those of like faith

    Without a combination of the above, life becomes unbalanced. We need God and each other to survive and thrive.

    Do you feel connected to the vine? If so, in what way?

    ***

  • Are you ready for Christmas?

    Only two more days before Christmas. Just two more sleeps before the big day. Reality check time again. Am I calmer — more rested? Am I ready to properly celebrate the birth of the Christ-child? His birth is a big deal and worth preparing my mind, body, and soul. His death manifests the ultimate sacrifice. How can I offer any less to God than to prepare myself in readiness for Christmas Day? He gave his all for me and any who believe in him.  

    Back to the verse in Colossians 4:2 — “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 

    1.      I must “continue to pray” for family members and friends as I become aware of their needs such as: broken relationships, freedom from addiction, a vehicle to drive, housing, employment, zest and yearning for God’s approval vs. man’s approval.

    2.      “Be watchful.” Ever present and aware of people and needs around me. Take the time to pause, smile at a harried clerk and wish them a Merry Christmas before I depart on my way. Many retail personnel work extended hours away from their families this time of year often dealing with short-tempered, frazzled and frustrated customers.

    3.      “Be thankful.” I am thankful for a warm home to come back to, a faithful husband, loving family, delightful grandchildren and caring friendships — just to name a few. I truly am blessed and have much to be thankful for this Christmas season!

    John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

    *** 

  • Maximilian Kolbe’s sacrificial story

     

    Yesterday our pastor told of the story about Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, who volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Nazi German concentration camp of Auschwitz during World War II.  

    Auschwitz-Birkenau main track/Wikipedia

    On February 17, 1941, Maximilian was arrested by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in the Pawiak prison. On May 28, he was transferred to Auschwitz as prisoner #16670.

    At the end of July 1941, three prisoners disappeared from the camp. The camp commander picked 10 men to be starved to death in an underground bunker in order to deter further escape attempts. One of the selected men cried out, “My wife! My children!”– and Kolbe volunteered to take his place.  

    Kolbe (left) above West door Westminister Abbey

    Can you imagine someone voluntarily asking to take the place of another person destined for death? I’m not even sure Kolbe knew this man very well. His charitable act cost him his life. Given the same set of circumstances, I wonder if I’d be brave enough to do the same.

    I know of another who willingly laid down his life for others. His name is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. The gospel of John chapter 3, tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

    I can think of no greater sacrifice than this, can you?

    ***