Today after church, I took my manuscript and drove out to Willamette Valley Vineyards. This beautiful vineyard offers stunning views and they have a peaceful restaurant with a warm fire you can sit beside.
I am not a wine drinker, but I love their apple, fennel and kale salad with pecans and Parmesan. Today I also ordered a warm bowl of split pea soup with smoked trout.
I sat outside on the veranda, and the warm sun actually made the outdoor seating comfortable on this crisp Oregon day in January.
Jesus shared words of encouragement and hope as He used the vineyard scenes as an example.
Jesus told those listening:
I am the true Vine, and my Father is the keeper of the vineyard.
Jesus went on to tell them how the Father cuts off every branch that produces no fruit.
When I was attending college at Pacific University, I often looked for part-time work to help pay my way. I had saved up for college by working full time every summer and by raising 4-H steers and selling those at market. But whenever I heard about jobs in the area, I gladly applied. I worked in the physical therapy department of the Tualatin Hospital in Hillsboro.
One year, a local vineyard posted a notice that they needed help pruning the grape vines. I talked with the farmer, and drove out to the beautiful vineyard up on a hill overlooking the coastal mountain range.
Our hands were cold as we used the pruner to cut the vines as the instructed us, and the view took my breath away.
We pruned away the old vines that weren’t producing grapes very well any more, and we left the healthy vines.
I thought of John 15, and the rest of this analogy. Jesus told those listening that if they would abide in Him, they would bear fruit.
He told them to remain in Him, and He would remain in them.
This beautiful picture of abiding in Christ is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Later in the chapter, Jesus calls us His Friends.
In the relationship we have as joint heirs of the grace of God, made possible by Christ’s shed blood, we experience adoption by our Father. We can experience secure attachment, and we can rest in His love, knowing we are safe and we are loved.
Sometimes I read the things I wrote almost a decade ago, and I am grateful I have felt the compulsion to write down my thoughts or things God has been teaching me.
I wrote this nine years ago;
Fighting a cold again today. I am always really thankful that colds, unlike diseases like MS, have a limited duration. But lots to thank God for...As I've been studying Revelation in BSF, I have thought a lot about God's wrath and how He will set all things right in the end.
Those who don't know Christ, and who persecute God's own children, will face some really severe judgement. But His children are sheltered in His Presence and safe and secure in His love both now and in the end of the age.
We live in a culture where people want every lifestyle to be "accepted" and considered okay. But it would be disingenuous to blindly go along with our culture and to say that everything goes.
God is holy and just.
He is loving and righteous.
Unless we are covered by the blood of the Lamb (the sacrificial death of Jesus in our place), the wages of sin is death. So one day there will be a very severe reckoning. To think of eternity without God's Presence and love and power is very sad, but there are some very serious judgements and realities beyond that for those who do not know Jesus.
I know that these words may be offensive to some. Jesus said that the world hated Him and will hate us as well.
Please feel free to write me with questions or responses.
I would be glad to talk about this and listen to your thoughts, even if you strongly disagree. But I would be wrong to keep these thoughts to myself.
I don't want anyone I love to face eternity without hope. This life is hard, but it isn't all there is. Thanks for reading this if you did :)
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At the vineyard today, the waitress or wine steward who took my salad order at the bar smiled when I told her I had come alone to have a little time to write. She said she thought that was wonderful.
She asked me what I am writing and I showed her the cover of my book. She said, “It’s no coincidence that we are talking. I have been on a journey of healing and growth.”
She said she wants to read my book, and she shared a bit of her own story. She grew up with her biological mother, and she’s soon moving across the United States to get to know her biological father. Her story, a remarkable story of God’s healing and grace, is one I look forward to hearing more about. She took my card, and she said she’d be in touch.
Although I’m writing on a cold day in January, the sun is shining and my heart is encouraged. These two pictures were taken in the spring, a time of year I always anticipate eagerly.
On the same day in January, nine years ago, I fell in the parking lot of our condominium. I sometimes run across these memories, and to be honest, I see God’s grace in enabling me to have a resilient attitude. It isn’t that we need to minimize the pain or realities. But when I find old journal entries, I see how God encouraged my heart despite falls or other challenges.
Falls hurt, and usually we live with pain for several days afterwards (unless we break something). Living with multiple sclerosis means falls have been a relatively common occurrence.
Psalm 37:24 (NASB)
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
This verse is very special to me as a woman living with a neurological condition that makes staying upright more challenging.
On January 18, 2016 I wrote:
Just fell hard on my knees (and barely missed a face plant thanks to my palms taking a hit for the team) on the asphalt in our driveway as I carried two bags of groceries. Thankfully no scrambled eggs for dinner! Falls are not good, but aside from my knees and hands hurting, I don't think I broke anything.
I am thankful that when I fall, God is there to pick me up. Jerry will be home soon. Lots to give thanks for despite this wipeout.
Father, please help us to respond to life’s adversity by abiding in the Vine, drawing power and strength from Jesus, our Redeemer.
Thank You for loving us.
In Jesus’ Precious Name,
Amen
Lovely write up which is encouraging and calming at the same time. Your experience at the vineyard and John 15 is a perfect match for what the Father does. It is in one way sobering. Made me think about my spiritual life and what kind of fruit I'm producing. Thank you, Susan.
Here is something I learned last year. God is ready to commune with us anytime. It is us - who are so busy all the time. We need to look out for people who get in touch with us every day. Each of them is a precious soul who needs salvation. A silent prayer and a willing heart should keep us ready. If God opens the door, simply go in and share the Good News. Who knows? Another soul could be added to the Kingdom of God the same day!
Susan, my word for the year is “Resilience,” and I have had my eyes and ears on the lookout for Godly heroes to look up to. I am adding you to my list. Your perspective and attitude and so inspiring to me, and your post is a gift to me. Thank you for what you shared about our Vine, and about how he is the one who lifts us, sustains us, prunes us, cares for us. Your post also made me realize I need to grab my old journals and share some things from there. It’s so interesting to see excerpt from the past “us,” and then share our ‘now’ perspective. That’s such an impactful part of storytelling. Bless you my new friend and sister! Looking forward to reading more of your publications. ❤️