Fireproof

Several months ago, I finally took the time and courage to watch the movie Fireproof.  It came out about the same time my wife left our 21 year marriage.  I had hopes to watch this with her, that never came to fruition.  What a power message and endearing movie centering on values such as commitment, trust, love, denying self, imperfections, hope…….the list could continue.  While I loved the movie, it was difficult to watch………alone-heartbreaking.   However, I could not resist expressing some thoughts that the movie places on my heart.

While it has been a few years, it still does not seem right/factual or comfortable to say “I’m divorced”.   Scripture tells us that God hates divorce.  It was never something I thought would happen to my marriage-I’ve learned some things are beyond our comprehension and control.  God is in control, especially when something does not make sense (there is a book of that same title that I have read -“When God Doesn’t Make Sense).  Sometimes, it is not a matter of how good and faithful of a spouse you are…..there is always much room for improvement.  And while I blame my marriage prematurely  on the dangers of powerful , long-term ,prescription pain medication and the effects they can have……..still I could have been better.  While I do not understand-I must trust in my Creator.  Through time and God’s strength—I have long moved on/forward.  Not until we as Christians, spouses, parents   truly deny ourselves and live in submission to God, can we live the life He offers.  If we are to defeat Satan and the “hold” he has on our lives--(marriages, families, etc) we must live selflessly.  My friends, that is not the world we live in….we are not to conform here, but look/live upward.  If you are trying to change someone or think you can, it starts inwardly with ourselves by living the godly life we are called to in all facets (jobs, friendships, as parents, church and especially marriage).  We can’t change others,  however, what we can do is live a life that is exemplary of Christ-like letting the love and spirit of God shine…….then, perhaps others may choose to desire and experience the love and promises of God......and change-it’s up to them and the power of God to transform.  None of us are remotely close to being perfect—that’s not a requirement.  God loves all-equally-all he asks for is………..our hearts.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

The Vineyard

The passage in Isaiah 5:1-9 (The Song of the Vineyard) tells of God's expectations of His people of Israel.  This demonstrates that His yearning is obedience, genuine, love, total surrender, etc.  The owner of the vineyard had the best.....fertile land, choicest vines, watchful care and up keep, yet when harvest came and he looked for the expected good yield.......it was not there.  The end of verse 2 states....Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. Why is this?  God is serious about genuine obedience.  Just like in verse 7 where the people of Israel are God's chosen vines, we as Christians today are also His.  Verse 7:  The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in.  And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.  Choice vines can produce bad crops......the same is true for us.  God delights in His creation....he finds pleasure in us as faithful followers.  However, God despises sin and He will righteously judge against iniquities. God created us, he knows where our hearts are planted.

Are you attached to The Vine?  What are you anchored in?
 
John 15:5, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Blessings in your pursuit.......TO