Back to Basics

Reading Jesus’ teaching about the fruitful vine has always been a helpful way for me to start a new year:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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.”  John 15:1-5

Periodic, intentional and aggressive “pruning” is always important because it serves to keep us firmly rooted in and thriving in our Vine. But getting back to the basics of life and faith are especially critical when confronted with things like crisis, chaos, discouragement or fear. Since that’s how Larry and I are starting 2012 — at times, overwhelmed and fearful — we’ve been re-anchoring on some of Jesus’ foundational teachings:

• Abide in the Vine
• Love others
• Have faith like a child

These aren’t resolutions. These are a matter of survival and the way to thrive. And that’s not our theory. That’s God’s Divine promise.

NOTE: Due to a very full January calendar for our family and ministry, I am trimming my Blogging schedule for the next several weeks. I don’t like it. Writing is my passion and I have a lot of ideas about things to share soon. So even as I pray that the Lord keeps this quiet season short, I am praying that He is using the fresh start of a new year for each one of us — to train us toward the most critical things and shape us according to God’s heart. 

Top Blog Posts for 2011!

We are looking back at WRIM Blog reader favorites for 2011. If you missed them the first time around, we hope you are blessed today!

The Power of A Thanksgiving Love Story

The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving 2000 were a time of profound emotion for Larry and I.  While overwhelmed with gratitude for an experience of remarkable community support, we had also just been told that our 2 1/2 year old daughter Carly had Angelman Syndrome. The news ripped our hearts. Continued here.

What's all the fuss about STORY?

I'm excited to share a really fun story today. It will take a little setting up but stick with me because this will kick your week off with a big smile. Have you heard? Story is all the rage these days. Everyone is talking about it. Your story. My story. God's story. Continued here.

Carly Update: We Humbly Request Your Prayers

This is a very difficult update for me to write. Ordinarily, we would post something of such a personal nature only on Carly's Care Page. But I felt prompted to share our need for prayer more publicly at this time.  Continued here.

We can tend our Chores while the Lord tends our Fears

Pulling dead flowers from the gardens one afternoon last week led me to tears and a couple days of raw emotion.  I knelt by the phlox and day lilies praying ... Continued here.

Christmas Throwback

We drove to Springfield, Missouri and back to Minneapolis for Thanksgiving. It involved almost 24 hours driving and required a certain amount of caffeine. My usual “drug” of choice is green tea but that would have triggered too many stops. After peering into the cooler at the gas station for a moment, I decided on a Pepsi Throwback.  Continued here.

FINDING GLORY Wednesday

Circumstances of this life frequently fail to make sense to us and we can be tempted to lose hope. After all, it is easier to quit hoping for better days than risk being disappointed. Yet, the Bible teaches that there is always reason to have hope. We can always be assured that God’s work and wisdom are accomplishing something valuable for the good of those who love Him and, most of all, for glory of His own name.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

When have you been tempted to give up hoping for something but been surprised when God used the situation for something good in ways that you didn’t imagine or expect?

These “Finding Glory Wednesdays” posts are an online discussion series based on the books Finding Glory in the Thorns and the companion Finding Glory in the Thorns: Group Discussion Guide by Larry and Lisa Jamieson. For more information about Finding Glory Groups, visit http://www.findingglory.com/findingglorygrou.html.