…grace and truth came to be through Jesus Christ. ~ John 1:17b NASB Raising Bars in Low Places In His life on earth, Jesus had a habit of raising bars in low places. When He walked in full of grace and truth, the atmosphere was charged with something different than the now ‘acceptable’ lower standard […]
Vineyard Days – Horticulture of the Heart
Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God. But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:11&15 (AMP) ~ Jesus speaking I love reading what […]
Vineyard Days – Grafted In
For quite some time I have been convinced there is absolutely nothing about one’s life that is not spoken to in Scripture. (This post hits rather close to home, spiritually and physically). Some things are overtly obvious, while others are of a more mysterious nature meant to be searched out and discovered. Embedded within the […]
Vineyard Days – A Company of Horses
Sometimes our heart knows what our lips cannot quite articulate. There is a stirring inside that is of a nature not our own. An air of expectancy and restlessness. Anticipation, Heinz ketchup-style. An impatience born of a sense of something greater… I think it’s not too far-fetched to compare such stirring to internally ‘pawing the […]
Vineyard Days – Three Confessions of Love, Part 3
If we could imagine the love of one who loves men purely for their own sake, and not because of any need or desire of his own, purely desires their good, and yet loves them wholly, not for what at this moment they are, but for what he knows he can make of them because […]
Vineyard Days – Selah III
Penning Vineyard Days has been to this wellspring’s heart what writer’s block is to an author’s novel. I hit a wall. For four weeks I have been focused on writing other pieces and getting a Fall video series underway with fourteen students in the class. It was also four weeks ago that I posted Part […]
Vineyard Days – Three Confessions of Love, Part 2
If a branch is going to bear fruit, there comes a time in the believer’s life when growth is not an option. It is a necessity. To advance upon the stairs toward the heart of the Beloved means that Eros love must be left behind and a higher expression of love embraced. It is a […]
Vineyard Days – Three Confessions of Love, Part 1
The Shulamite’s (and our) progress in spiritual growth can be likened to ascending stairs from one level to the next. The lovely truth is that Shepherd Lover was so intentional in His desire for her fellowship that He designed opportunities for her to respond to Him (just as He does for us). At every level […]
Vineyard Days – In the Footsteps of the Flock
*** Yoyo-ing between frustration about herself and others and feeling good about her self-impression and how others viewed her, had swung her one too many times in the wrong direction. She was worn out and had finally tired. It was about time. The Shulamite was ready to listen… “Tell me, You whom my soul loves, […]
Vineyard Days – A Branch, A Vine and A Pile of Rocks
The Shulamite was coming uncorked. She was upset with those close to her (“my mother’s children were angry with me” SS 1:6b), while not yet realizing that her frustration resulted from some erringly placed attachments. All she knew is that she was laboring hard, trying her best, working long hours guarding the vineyard, and feeling […]