These branches are far too heavy... John 15:1-8

Take ten minuets, or how every many you need, but at least ten. I urge to to pick up your bible, touch the pages, feel the heavy grace printed on every ancient page.

I will post the text for this week on here but I urge you to use a print copy

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (NKJV)

If any of you follow this blog with some consistency, you will have noticed a previous series on forgiveness and healing. I have been going through a rough patch. The details i will spare you. If you are currently experiencing a rough patch or not, may thins bring you hope, peace, and rest.

I took a science class this last summer to finish up some credits for my degree. It was on urban horticulture and sustainable gardening. Pretty cool stuff honestly. The last unit of the class was on pruning. This passage brings me straight back to that class.

Pruning is an incredibly important part of gardening, especially in orchards. If a tree, plant isn't properly cut back the yield of produce can be stunted or even worse, the plant will die.

Plants often grow in an unruly fashion, with branches and limbs growing in all directions, often times causing damage. Much like plants our lives are very much the same way.

As difficult as it is to hear, in many ways there is purpose to the pain we are experiencing. There are times in each of our lives where we have to go through some sort of unbelievable pain (or what we think is unbelievable). The Lord allows us to go through these trials at time to teach us something. For many people this doesn't make sense theologically, but I beg to differ. Sometimes we have to be cut off from something or some situation in order to stay in tune with the way the Lord wants our lives to be.

Know this brothers and sisters in pain...it is temporary. Our hope in CHRIST OUR LORD ISNT TEMPORARY. Draw close to him in the moments where it feels like your life is crumbling and he will give you the peace and healing we desire in his time.

The next post Is going to be on the promise that we have in moments of uncertainty.





Go under the mercy. Sleep, under the protection.....