He Is The Vine, I Am A Branch

He is the vine and I am a branch that produces good wine and brings joy and fulfillment to my life and to those I am called to minister to. What about you ?? Are you a fruit producing vine that is pruned to perfection ?? Or have you become slothful and wasteful of what He has given you ?? Search your heart, see if there is something you need to rid yourself of. God the Father is a vine-grower whose intention is to produce good wine. God the Father plants a vine, that vine is Jesus, Our Lord. That vine, like all grapevines, is composed of roots, stalk, branches, leaves, and ultimately, grapes We are the branches; we have been made a part of this vine through our being born again, which brings us into relationship with Jesus. If we remain in relationship with Christ, we will produce fruit. If our relationship in Christ is healthy as He intends, we will produce grapes abundantly, those grapes will be full of juice. At the right time, those grapes which we produce will be harvested and pressed. Their abundant juice will ferment into good wine which will, as Scripture says of wine, bring joy to the heart – not only our heart - but the hearts of others .So, according to this metaphor, God our Father is the origin of the good wine which is holiness and human perfection. Jesus His Son is the vine which the Father plants. We are the branches which the vine produces by its internal power. Drawing from the vitality of the vine, we branches produce grapes, meaning the good works of virtue, filled with the juice of human accomplishment and perfection. Following our natural inclination as a vine follows its vegetable tendency, we will produce more shoots and leaves than are necessary for a good grape harvest. So the Father will come with his pruning hook or knife and cut away that which He doesn't want, so as to direct our vitality into the clusters of grapes that He does want. This pruning may be frustrating and painful, but it is necessary to make us really productive and not just good to look at. Then comes the harvest, the cutting of the clusters, the pressing of the grapes in a wine press, the collecting of the juice in containers, and then the fermentation into wine, which is what the Divine Vine grower has intended all along. Let us try to remain closely, intimately incorporated into the Vine which is Jesus our Lord, so that He may produce in us what His Father wants, and we may bear the fruit of virtue and become authentic disciples of Our Lord. This is what He intends for us, to be a producer of abundant fruit for the Kingdom.

John 15, v 5b is my Signature signing on my e-mails, "Without Me You Can Do Nothing !" I also have a cluster of grapes on my business cards, these are to remind me that I can do nothing without Him that has any lasting good and I should be producing fruit,(souls) for the Kingdom. I believe that these souls will be the crowns I will cast at Jesus feet on judgement day. Are you a Branch that is secure to the Vine ? Are you producing an abundance of fruit for the Kingdom ?

We can have ALL the riches that this world has to offer, but in the end these will be only fodder for the fire. If you are not securely attached to the Vine I urge you to be a diligent seeker of Jesus, He will help you to become a strong branch that will produce much fruit.

Until next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, He Has All The Answers !!"

Most Wonderful Vacation

I arrived back home last night about 8 PM, 3500 miles out and back, this was truly the trip of my life. I stopped and toured several National Parks along the way out and came back through Midland/Odessa area. Stopped at the Oil Museum in Midland, this is one of the most impressive museums I have been ever been to. Did not have time to see all of it in detail, but spent a couple of hours there, it was too hot to see all the outside exhibits. Hope to go back one day with my husband. After being in the mountains for most of the week, back home in the humidity seems very hot. Of course spending a week with my son Jason was the highlight of my trip. We went walking on the beach several times and spent a day driving into the Laguna Mountain Range and the Cleveland National Forest. Jason enjoys eating in those out of the ordinary places, New York Deli, a small family owned Greek Restaurant, Seafood Stand with fabulous oysters and of course New York style pizza at a small, but very busy side street place. Best of all these small out of the way places are not as expensive as going to the popular places. I collect magnets as souvenirs and I came back with 14, will need to rearrange my frig. Driving out west is very different than going East, less traffic, especially around the cities as they are not as populated until I got to San Diego, then Jason drove as he knows his way around the city having lived there almost 4 years. So I say to you, if you have not been out West, across far West Texas, into New Mexico and Arizona, go. The scenery of mountains, flat lands and everything in between will let you see the handwork of God. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular !! I thought except for the freeway, off road in many places it is just like it was when the wagon trains came West years ago. It is hard to imagine how they were able to travel all that way across the land full of rocks and stones, no water for miles upon miles, snakes, and Indians to name just a few of the obstacles in their way. It has given me a greater appreciation for those pioneer men, women, and children that gave up a home in the East to go West and conquer a new land. It has given me a greater appreciation for my home with all of its modern conveniences. So here I am once again refreshed and renewed to continue the call to the ministry God has given me. To bring the Good News to Victims of Domestic Violence that He is a Loving and Faithful God who wants to bring them out and into a life of a Survivor. Until next time,"Keep Your Eyes On Jesus !!"

Hello From Not So Sunny California

I have come to Ca. to visit my youngest son, I have not seen him for 2 1/2 yrs. The weather has not been as warm as I had hoped for, but it is not raining. In 1998 he was living in NY, I went the first week of May, which is usually a great time to visit.It rained the whole week, the sun came out on our way to the airport. Cool and windy is fine. Today we went to Balboa Park, it is the largest city park in America. The roses are in full bloom, also many of the cactus. I did not know there were so many different kinds of cactus. I have taken 100 pictures since I left home last Friday morning. I took my time and stopped along the way to see some of the historical and natural sights.This is my first visit to far West Texas, Southern New Mexico and Arizona. At my age this will most likely be the only time I attempt to drive it, especially by myself. We have tickets to see a Tennesse William's play tomorrow night, of course at least a half day at the beach. We rode the bus and the trolley around town today, their public transport seems to be very good and used by many. This is a very diverse city of many cultures and lots of history. The time change has me a little off, I have been waking at 4 AM, by the time I get adjusted I will be on my way back, I will lose the 2 hrs. I gained on the way out. This is the longest trip I have taken, but also the easiest, very little traffic, even around the cities. One construction delay in Phoenix and no rain. All the rain has been in Texas while I am gone. I want to thank God and my husband for making it possible for me to make this trip. Spending 2 weeks in Motel rooms and eating out is expensive. I have been saving for 6 months, I will return with only gas to pay for. God is a good God, if I do my part and He always comes through for me. Until next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, He Has All The Answers !!"

Sorrow Is For The Night, But Joy Comes In The Morning

This is one of those times when I must go by faith. My Granddaughter who was 12 weeks pregnant went for her checkup and there was no heartbeat. My heart aches for her, only those of us who have lost a baby can know how she feels. Even knowing of this for a short time will cause her heartache for losing what should have brought much joy. It is hard not to ask why ? Being a Faith/Word minister this is one of those times I must put actions to my words. Jesus said many times, only those who believe. So for now there is sorrow in my heart for what was to be will not be, another time, another season, this was not to be at this time and season. A large part of our walk with God is how we react in times of crisis, we are all living life and at times it throws us a curve ball or a strike, I maygo down, but I am not out. God always has our best interest on his heart and mind, I need only to believe. You may be reading this and have your own wild pitch to overcome, remember you may be down, but you are not out. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and look to Jesus. My church is having a our annual Women's Conference, what a joy for me to look down the row tonight and see women who were once victims and now are survivors praising and worshipping , The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is times like tonight that makes the time, money, study, and counsel sessions worth it all. God is truly awesome, He takes the broken and shattered pieces of our lives and with the glue of the Holy Spirit puts them together for His Honor and His Glory. I am expecting great testimonies from these changed lives and not until we all meet on the other side will I know how many lives have been touched and changed through my obedience to the call He has placed on my life. What about you, are you answering the call on your life ? Are you telling others how He has changed your life ? If you do not know this Jesus up close and personal, He is but a breathe away. He said Seek, Ask, Receive !! Until next time,'Keep Your Eyes on Jesus, He REALLY does have ALL the answers !!

Are You Allowing Fear to Rule ?

It has been too long since I have posted due to several factors, warm weather means more time spent outdoors as I have a large yard and too many flower beds. What seemed like a good idea 11 years ago when we moved here now looks like toooo much work. On to more important things, I want to share with you something that the Holy Spirit has been showing me these past few months. Too many people,Christians as well as the worldly are allowing fear to rule in their lives. Everywhere we turn we are bombarded by doom and gloom. Starting with the media all the way to the White House. I want to share a few things that fear does to us, I am writing to Born Again, Blood Washed Believers.

1. Fear Distorts Reality: It causes us to lose sight of what is real in our lives, The Word of God
2. Fear Victimizes : It causes us to feel sorry for ourselves, have pity parties
3. Fear Puts Stress On The Body: Causes high blood pressure, headaches, body aches
4. Fear Alienates the Truth of the Word: We begin to question God ?
5. Fear Mobilizes, Freezes and Cripples: Emotionally, Physically, Spiritually and Mentally
6. Fear Replaces Faith: Fear and Faith can not and will not operate in the same place
7. Fear Tells Us We are Failures: We will not see success in our life when ruled by fear
8. Fear Fills The Heart With Dispare: We lose hope that life will ever be peaceful
9. Fear Destroys From The Inside Out: Fear steals the joy and blessings of God
10. Fear Brings Disappointment: We see everything from a negative instead of positive

I pray as you read this you will see if you have allowed fear to come in and steal your joy and peace in the Lord. We are going to face hard times, Jesus said we would, BUT we must place our trust in The Living God who has a future and a hope for each of us, just as he did for Jeremiah. The government does not have our best interests at heart, they will not and can not take care of us. Our only hope of Survival in the coming days is to fall on our knees and pray that Jesus will intercede on our behalf, He looks to the heart and only asked we love Him and are obedient to the guidelines He left us for an Abundant Life in Him. I thank Him daily He is a God of Grace and Mercy and will never leave me. If you are reading this and do not know this man Jesus I speak of, He is but a breath away, waiting on you to call out and repent. Seek, Ask, Receive Today !Until next time,"KEEP YOU EYES ON JESUS !!"

God Is SOOOOOOOO GOOD !!

This past Sunday I had a wonderful day !! I attended the wedding of my very first client who had been a victim most of her life. She came to me about 7 years ago seeking help from a verbally abusive and controlling husband. I had the priviledge of helping her to seek out Jesus in a real and personal way. She attended one on one counsel and group meetings for several years and then found her calling to the mission field. She is a volunteer at Friendships in Lake Charles,La, where she met the Christian man she had been praying for. They both wanted to be sure this was God, so they have been waiting and seeking His will for the last year. Sunday I saw the harvest of my time of sowing the Word of God into her life. They exchanged vows before God, Family, and Friends in a ceremony which centered around Jesus and their committment to each other. I pray this will be the first of many such celebrations I will be priveledged to witness. Two lives coming together for His Honor and Glory.

Back And Ready To Go

It is amazing what a few days away from the Ministry and sitting under the anointing of the Word does for my spirit. The first week of March there is an awesome Conference at Elim Church in South Houston,Tx. It is for Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries,and Ministers. They come from all over US,S Am,Belize and Africa to name a few places. This was my 4th year to go and I think every year it gets better,the Speakers and the Praise and Worship was so good. I always come away with a new energy for my calling. There is nothing better than to have several hundred people who love God and know Jesus as Personal Savior come together in one accord to Praise and Worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. My spirit is so full it will take me a couple of days to sort it all out, then I can pass what I learned on to those who God sends across my path. There was a recurring theme throughout the Conference from each Speaker. Do we really know WHO HE is and WHO WE are in HIM ? This is why so many fall by the wayside, they get saved, but never go deeper into the Word to find out all the benefits God has for us here and now. The same Promise He gave Abraham is for us today, He told Abraham it was for those afar off, that is you and me, the believers. So I urge you to get in the Bible and find out what it says for yourself, yes we need Pastors and Teachers, but we also need to seek diligently for the truth of the Word that He wants each of us to apply to our life. It is the revealed truth of the Word that sets us free, if we do not have this Word for ourselves how can we minister it to others ? Second it is not enough to know the Truth, we must then apply it to our daily lives, others will see a difference in us. While the whole world is going crazy over the economy we can say with ALL confidence, "GOD is my source, in Him I will put my Trust !" Till next time,"KEEP your eyes on Jesus, He has ALL the answers !"