In church last month we were learning about pruning, and how God can snatch off branches from your life that aren't fruitful, to have you bear more fruit. A friend, a job, a husband...anything. I've reflected on these scriptures many times since the diagnosis and hope someone may find them useful. Do they pertain to my current diagnosis? Maybe, maybe not. I do know as always, that I've got some praying to do. :)
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
I need to return to church...I started at a BIG Southern Baptist Church when I got here in 2006, but it was all to "commerical" for me with 3 different services and a huge attendance (being that there are only 4 Baptist Churches in the whole state of Nebraska--(Catholics)--I miss it greatly--our church family--or something like it would suffice.
ReplyDeleteCathy-YOU are strong and beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to blog your thoughts and feelings. You are an inspiration. God bless you. ~Bobbi
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