It's been a while but here I am. Life has been full of transitions here lately from grad school, to no job, to almost having a job, to not getting that job, to having a job, and to having a better job in my field. And that's what I want to talk about today.
My new job is at an all male medium/maximum security prison. Soon I will be one of the night social workers but for now I have been training on day shifts for the last month. People ask me a myriad of questions about my career choice but these are the most frequent:
1. Why a men's prison?
2. Aren't you afraid?
3. What do you DO there?
4. Why do you want to work there?
So, I will use this platform to answer these questions for both you guys and myself.
WHY A MEN'S PRISON?
Well, the long and the short of it is that this is the door that God has opened for me to walk through. Since about March of this year, I have applied for 50 jobs easily. One job, that I thought was a door the Lord opened, abruptly closed and this door was the next wide open one. Out of the 40 applicants, 5 individuals were chosen for interviews and I was the one that was offered the position (sounds like a God set up to me!).
AREN'T YOU AFRAID?
At the start of last fall semester, when I realized I would be on an all male psych unit at my internship, I had great concerns. I don't know that I was ever out right afraid but I definitely dealt with some initial anxiety until I learned the guys on our unit. While our guys were mostly mentally stable, they still had committed major crimes and most had been found Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity.
So, to make the transition to the all men's prison, I had that same initial anxiety until I met some of the men on my caseload. And now, I'm not even anxious. I am alert and I am prepared but not afraid.
WHAT DO YOU DO THERE?
Each day looks a little different but there are several common tasks. Each inmate that has a mental health diagnosis must be seen once every two weeks by a social worker. I have a caseload of men that I meet with for one on one sessions. At this point I meet with them in the Diagnostic office but when I move to night shifts I will meet with them on the cell blocks and in the dorms. Additionally, I also help with the individuals put on suicide watch. We have to make rounds to see them and when an inmate indicates they will hurt themselves or others, we have to put them on suicide watch which essentially means that they have to be placed in special cells and checked regularly to ensure their safety. Of course, with any job, paperwork is involved so I do some of that and when my night schedule starts, I will lead a group and I will participate in night court for those offenders who have been written up. So this area will expand when I move to night shift.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK THERE?
Perhaps my favorite question to be asked about my new place of employment is why I want to work in a prison. And my automatic response tends to be, "Why not?" When I look at the life of Jesus, He majored in the outcasts, the lepers, the people that others wrote off, the broken, the bruised, the scarred, the SINNERS. Jesus LOVES THE UNLOVELY! He looks for the hurting. He likes to find people to show forgiveness and grace too. He chooses ones that others will disregard. If that is who Jesus is drawn to, shouldn't that be who I am drawn too?
When I see these men sitting across from me in a counseling session, laying practically naked on the ground in their cell, walking across the yard or down the walk, I can't help but have compassion on them. Yes, some have stolen, some have molested, some have killed but is there sin any worse than mine? There is no such thing as venial and mortal sins...they are all God separating acts that keep us from the love of Christ. But repentance changes things. And while I may not have the capacity and the capability to reach each and every inmate in that prison, I know that the love of Christ is what will draw them to repentance. If I can show them respect and patience, if I can extend grace and keep no record of their wrongs, if I can instill hope and help them find peace, then I have done what God has called me to do. Yes, I am a social worker but I am a kingdom seeker too! And I can't help but see 2500 men with the potential to be transformed by Christ!
This is my calling for this season and I am thrilled about it! You may be petrified at even the thought of me walking inside a prison gate. But I ask you for your prayers. I need the wisdom of Christ each and every day to talk to/minister to these men. I got nothing on my own but I need to know when to be firm and assertive and when to be kind and accepting. Pray for even greater levels of compassion and that I will see each man as Jesus sees him. So if the Lord leads you, pray for me. And I pray that one day, maybe, you can see what I see!
Monday, July 14, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
What I've Learned at the Psych Hospital....So Far
I never would have imagined, for the last 7 months, I would be at a psych hospital.
Not as a patient, although some would argue I should be, but as a Social Work Intern.
And the reality is I probably wouldn't have ever chosen to be in that setting without the prompting of the Lord. Like most people, I had absolutely no idea what to expect as my only real exposure to mental illness was in the media, on shows like Prison Break and in the movie Patch Adams. So, to dispel some misconceptions and myths, I want to share with you what I have learned and what I continue to learn each day.
1. Individuals with mental illness should not be defined by their diagnosis.
I think oftentimes, we view individuals that are different, maybe people who are incarcerated or those in a psych hospital, as less than human. We see their illness or diagnosis instead of the person behind it. You hear this a lot in the way we use language, "he's schizophrenic", "he's autistic" or "she's bipolar." In social work, we try to use person first language as we like to call it. Instead of "he's schizophrenic" we would say "a person with schizophrenia". Do you see the difference? Think about it this way..."she's breast cancer"...would we ever say that?? NO WAY! We would say "she has breast cancer" because she is not her diagnosis. Sadly, even our patients often refer to themselves as their diagnosis and so we must retrain them to think differently. But the thing to remember is that diagnosis does not equal identity.
2. Mental illness does not equal demon possession as many Christians believe or have been taught.
This lesson will likely put me under fire but I don't really care because after spending months and months with these patients, you can't honestly tell me that they are all demon possessed. You see, I never really understood mental illness and I have spent the majority of the last 7 months determining how I view mental illness in light of being a Christian and a social worker. To help me in this, I have been reading 2 books, Grace for the Afflicted and Troubled Minds. (I highly recommend them if you want to know more about mental illness!!) These books have been tremendously helpful in my journey of understanding mental illness but I am still working this out with the Lord. But as I interview patients, I find many traumas and abuses as well as family histories of mental illness. So, while some would argue those are still the works of demons, may I remind you that we live in a fallen world, one that is full of sin and depravity. So, yes, I think there is more in play than the view of demon possession.
3. Individuals with mental illness, on the whole, are not really as scary as you would imagine.
As I noted previously, my experience with mental illness prior to this internship was entirely based on the media, as my guess is yours is too. And let's be honest, media is not usually accurate. The guy that murder's Patch Adams girlfriend, yes, he was scary. In my last 7 months, I have probably only been scared twice and both times, the individuals were in the midst of psychotic episodes. No, they didn't hit or attack but were more verbally accosting than anything. Now, don't get me wrong, several of out patients have been deemed Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity for crimes they committed while having a psychotic episode, which I'm sure were quite scary but on the whole, in the hospital, a level of stability occurs within the first few days with the medication. Again, this goes back to Lesson Number 1, these individuals are human beings and they are not their diagnosis. If you can remember that, they are even less scary than you can imagine.
4. Individuals with mental illness need acceptance, a listening ear, a lot of patience and a lot of love.
Christians ask me quite often how I can work with this population and not get to pray for them and tell them about Jesus.And I must ask in response, "if this is our only idea of what Christianity looks like, are we missing something?" I think one of my favorite Bible stories in this season is the woman at the well, probably because her issues remind me of a lot of our patients. Yes, the woman had husband issues but she was going to the well to draw water at a time when none of the other women would be there because she was an outcast and she was ashamed. But then enter Jesus. Jesus talked with her, accepted her (not her sin), listened to her story with care and patience and poured our a whole lot of love on her, which ultimately led to her salvation. Elsewhere in Scripture, Jesus talks about the importance a single cup of water can make in the Kingdom; so how could I think that taking time to listen to patients, even when they are delusional and not making a lick of sense, is of no importance? I like to think that all of these acts in Lesson 4 lay the ground work for a relationship with Jesus but even if I never see it, but do it in the name of the Lord, then God will honor that.
I feel like there are more lessons I am learning but I will wait to share those another day. Hopefully, the lessons I've shared can be helpful to you and, if nothing else, challenge the way you view individuals with mental illness.
Not as a patient, although some would argue I should be, but as a Social Work Intern.
And the reality is I probably wouldn't have ever chosen to be in that setting without the prompting of the Lord. Like most people, I had absolutely no idea what to expect as my only real exposure to mental illness was in the media, on shows like Prison Break and in the movie Patch Adams. So, to dispel some misconceptions and myths, I want to share with you what I have learned and what I continue to learn each day.
1. Individuals with mental illness should not be defined by their diagnosis.
I think oftentimes, we view individuals that are different, maybe people who are incarcerated or those in a psych hospital, as less than human. We see their illness or diagnosis instead of the person behind it. You hear this a lot in the way we use language, "he's schizophrenic", "he's autistic" or "she's bipolar." In social work, we try to use person first language as we like to call it. Instead of "he's schizophrenic" we would say "a person with schizophrenia". Do you see the difference? Think about it this way..."she's breast cancer"...would we ever say that?? NO WAY! We would say "she has breast cancer" because she is not her diagnosis. Sadly, even our patients often refer to themselves as their diagnosis and so we must retrain them to think differently. But the thing to remember is that diagnosis does not equal identity.
2. Mental illness does not equal demon possession as many Christians believe or have been taught.
This lesson will likely put me under fire but I don't really care because after spending months and months with these patients, you can't honestly tell me that they are all demon possessed. You see, I never really understood mental illness and I have spent the majority of the last 7 months determining how I view mental illness in light of being a Christian and a social worker. To help me in this, I have been reading 2 books, Grace for the Afflicted and Troubled Minds. (I highly recommend them if you want to know more about mental illness!!) These books have been tremendously helpful in my journey of understanding mental illness but I am still working this out with the Lord. But as I interview patients, I find many traumas and abuses as well as family histories of mental illness. So, while some would argue those are still the works of demons, may I remind you that we live in a fallen world, one that is full of sin and depravity. So, yes, I think there is more in play than the view of demon possession.
3. Individuals with mental illness, on the whole, are not really as scary as you would imagine.
As I noted previously, my experience with mental illness prior to this internship was entirely based on the media, as my guess is yours is too. And let's be honest, media is not usually accurate. The guy that murder's Patch Adams girlfriend, yes, he was scary. In my last 7 months, I have probably only been scared twice and both times, the individuals were in the midst of psychotic episodes. No, they didn't hit or attack but were more verbally accosting than anything. Now, don't get me wrong, several of out patients have been deemed Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity for crimes they committed while having a psychotic episode, which I'm sure were quite scary but on the whole, in the hospital, a level of stability occurs within the first few days with the medication. Again, this goes back to Lesson Number 1, these individuals are human beings and they are not their diagnosis. If you can remember that, they are even less scary than you can imagine.
4. Individuals with mental illness need acceptance, a listening ear, a lot of patience and a lot of love.
Christians ask me quite often how I can work with this population and not get to pray for them and tell them about Jesus.And I must ask in response, "if this is our only idea of what Christianity looks like, are we missing something?" I think one of my favorite Bible stories in this season is the woman at the well, probably because her issues remind me of a lot of our patients. Yes, the woman had husband issues but she was going to the well to draw water at a time when none of the other women would be there because she was an outcast and she was ashamed. But then enter Jesus. Jesus talked with her, accepted her (not her sin), listened to her story with care and patience and poured our a whole lot of love on her, which ultimately led to her salvation. Elsewhere in Scripture, Jesus talks about the importance a single cup of water can make in the Kingdom; so how could I think that taking time to listen to patients, even when they are delusional and not making a lick of sense, is of no importance? I like to think that all of these acts in Lesson 4 lay the ground work for a relationship with Jesus but even if I never see it, but do it in the name of the Lord, then God will honor that.
I feel like there are more lessons I am learning but I will wait to share those another day. Hopefully, the lessons I've shared can be helpful to you and, if nothing else, challenge the way you view individuals with mental illness.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Peace, Be Still!
Without the active presence of the Lord in my life, I have no idea where I would be or what my life would look like. Many individuals have been led to believe that becoming a Christian solves all of your problems and that life becomes "easy, breezy, beautiful Cover Girl!" However, that is not Biblically accurate and I can tell you from my own experiences this has not proved true in my life. You see, once I gave control of my life over to the Lord, the enemy of my soul was none too pleased and the war for my heart raged on. I am not one to blame everything difficult, hard or bad on Satan because sometimes while it may feel like "the devil made me do it" oftentimes, it is my own sin nature rearing it's ugly head or unhealed wounds that are draining into my life. And sometimes, many times, the Lord sets me up for hard things so He can prove to me, once again, my need for Him.
I can say this now that the holidays are over but I am not too fond of them.(I didn't want to be a Debbie Downer for those of you who love them!) From about November-January, I battle depression as many tend to do around this time of year. The reason being is that it becomes a very lonely time for this single girl. My family doesn't do an exceptional amount of holiday related activities except on the actual holiday. So, much of my time is spent alone and feelings of loneliness envelop me. While I try not to dwell on those emotions, too often they have consumed me.
As I drove home to my parents' house this Christmas, I turned my radio off and just listened for the Lord. This is one of my favorite things to do on road trips as it is uninterrupted time for the Lord to speak. I believe I had been crying and placing my frustrations with the season before the Lord when He began to speak and I began to sing. Here are the words:
Peace, be still, I am with you
Peace, be still, I’m by your side
Emmanuel, I’m God with you
Prince of Peace, I bring to you
I know your heart
I see your face
And I’m right beside you
Running the race
So keep believin’, keep on trustin', keep on hopin’
‘Cause I will come through
I will come through always for you
I will come through always for you
For my delight is in you
I rejoice over you with singing
I rejoice over you
I delight in you
Though you’re lonely
Though you’re hurting
Though you’re sick
And wounded too
I am with you healing your heart
I am with you no matter what
Keep on trustin’, keep believin’
Keep on hopin’ cause I will come through
Little did I know how much I would need this song in the days and weeks to come. The lyrics have been in my head and my spirit almost without ceasing.You see, the depression, thanks to some medication, has decreased almost completely. But I have since started to experience something I have never walked through before at this level: ANXIETY. You may not know this but I am in graduate school, working towards my Master's of Social Work. I am set to graduate in May, given I pass the comprehensive exam on January 21. Yes, I said COMPREHENSIVE, meaning the last 3 years of my schooling are fair game on this 50 question test. Normally, I have some worry over school work but never before have I had actual physical symptoms of anxiety that caused me to seek medical assistance. I recognize this is a spiritual attack as well as my flesh trying to rise up and succeed in and of it's own self. I am keenly aware!
This morning, though, I came across this Scripture in Psalms 94:18-19:
When I said, "My foot is slipping," Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Some individuals say that Christianity is a crutch and if you are going on the mere definition that a crutch provides support then I guess you are correct. But crutches can't bring joy, hope and peace in the midst of circumstances that would cause the best of us anxiety or sadness or insert emotion here. So, while I continue to let the Lord support me and bring me peace and joy, I wanted to share with you the words/the song that He gave to me. PEACE, BE STILL, HE IS WITH YOU!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
My Mind Wandered in Sunday School
This morning in the young adult Sunday School class we had a discussion about faith. We talked about those times in Scripture where Jesus rebuked his disciples, "O ye of little faith!" and then those times when Jesus commended individuals for their faith. We explored the definition of faith which included the words: trust and assurance.
But I must admit that throughout the whole lesson my mind was not necessarily on faith but on the character of God. As I pondered the correlation between God's character and faith, I began to realize how imperative it is for the Christ follower to know the character of God. It is of utmost importance that we allow God to reveal His character to us through both His word and our interactions with Him in prayer.
When I look at the many times in my life when I begin to be faith-less or become anxious, it is usually when I have lost sight of who God is. And what do I mean by that, I mean that I have lost sight of His character, the attributes that make God God! (More on this in a minute.)
There is no doubt that faith and trust are intricately linked and many times we use the terms interchangeably in the church realm. Let's look at all of this from a natural rather than just a spiritual perspective for a moment.
Those individuals in my life that I trust, that I have faith in, are those people who I have had the experience of learning their character. I have found that those people, while they are human and will no doubt let me down or hurt me, have a depth of character that allows me to feel safe enough to share my life and heart with them, to trust them, to have faith in them.
Part of me can't help but wonder if this whole idea isn't why God calls us to a personal relationship with Him rather than a religion. With religion, we just learn rules and why we need behavior modification. With relationship, we learn His character and His heart! And then, He is gracious enough to reveal to us who we are in Him!
When I know His character, it is a lot easier for me to have faith in Him! I know He is faithful, I know He is loving and I know that He is not a man that He should lie! I know that He is good and I know that He is merciful! I know that He is gracious and that He is peace!
Sooo, maybe I did pay a little more attention in Sunday School than it seemed!
Faith and the character of God, I don't think you can have the former without knowing the latter!
But I must admit that throughout the whole lesson my mind was not necessarily on faith but on the character of God. As I pondered the correlation between God's character and faith, I began to realize how imperative it is for the Christ follower to know the character of God. It is of utmost importance that we allow God to reveal His character to us through both His word and our interactions with Him in prayer.
When I look at the many times in my life when I begin to be faith-less or become anxious, it is usually when I have lost sight of who God is. And what do I mean by that, I mean that I have lost sight of His character, the attributes that make God God! (More on this in a minute.)
There is no doubt that faith and trust are intricately linked and many times we use the terms interchangeably in the church realm. Let's look at all of this from a natural rather than just a spiritual perspective for a moment.
Those individuals in my life that I trust, that I have faith in, are those people who I have had the experience of learning their character. I have found that those people, while they are human and will no doubt let me down or hurt me, have a depth of character that allows me to feel safe enough to share my life and heart with them, to trust them, to have faith in them.
Part of me can't help but wonder if this whole idea isn't why God calls us to a personal relationship with Him rather than a religion. With religion, we just learn rules and why we need behavior modification. With relationship, we learn His character and His heart! And then, He is gracious enough to reveal to us who we are in Him!
When I know His character, it is a lot easier for me to have faith in Him! I know He is faithful, I know He is loving and I know that He is not a man that He should lie! I know that He is good and I know that He is merciful! I know that He is gracious and that He is peace!
Sooo, maybe I did pay a little more attention in Sunday School than it seemed!
Faith and the character of God, I don't think you can have the former without knowing the latter!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Are We As Christians Scared of this Non-Believing World?
I don't really know why I feel led to write this post but because I feel led, I will obey. I was in a Bible study tonight and the conversation surrounding a specific question prompted this question in me: "Are we as Christians scared of this non-believing world?"
The question in the study asked, "What opportunities do you have for contact with unbelievers? What could you to do increase these opportunities?" In thinking about this question, I have been at both ends of the spectrum, seasons in my life where it seemed like all that was around were "unbelievers" and then other times only "believers". And I began to think about which I prefer.
When I worked at a Bible college, I often referred to the experience as being in a Christian bubble. My co-workers were Christians, our students were Christians and the only other thing I did besides work was go to church...with other Christians. I remember getting restless being solely around Christians. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty easy being in the Christian bubble. Many things were kept at bay due to the rules and regulations of the Bible college, at least I should say in my realm. We as staff went to chapel at least once a week and our days started with group prayer. It was a pretty great deal. But then I started to get stagnant and really restless. There was no one to share the Good News with. Yes, I encouraged the students and prayed with co-workers but as far as being around "unbelievers" I had to go search them out. I remember going to a specific restaurant, almost weekly, to try and develop a relationship with this one particular waitress, so I could tell her some Good News. (Trying to evangelize the world without relationship is pretty useless but I digress.) This soon to be friend was all up in the world, very non-believing and very much in need of Jesus (aren't we all?!) But minus this new friend, I pretty much remained in the Christian bubble.
This season of life finds me at an internship made up of 90% unbelievers and I attend a public university for graduate school that probably consists of about 85% unbelievers. And when I think about my next internship, I will be in the darkest of the dark places, a mental health hospital with probably even higher levels of unbelievers. If I allow myself, I can become scared of the internship that lies ahead, scared of the unbelieving world that I live in and the world of mental illness that I am about to enter. But in those moments when I start to feel fear or find myself starting to pull away from the world so that it's doesn't influence me poorly, I have to remind myself that GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD!! I have no reason to fear the world or the unbeliever. I think that too often, Christians quote Scriptures that call for separation from the world to lead a holy life without balancing that out with the other half of Scriptures that call us to go into all the world and share the gospel or to go meet the needs of the needy or just plain go show them love. I know that I have been guilty of this so I am not trying to point fingers at anyone. I just feel a burning in my spirit that we as THE CHURCH need to rise up, to not fear the things of this world and to know that HE has overcome the world and since HE lives in us, so do we! When we look at Jesus' ministry, He was all up in the world! No, he didn't participate in all of the things of the world and I am not saying we should either but He was right in the mix, right next to the unbeliever showin' em love.
I read a Beth Moore quote today that said something to the effect of "we don't share our faith because we don't have enough of it." This challenges me. And I would like to add that "we don't go into this unbelieving world because we are scared of it."
I don't want to be scared of this world or the unbeliever. I don't want to be ashamed of the Good News that transformed my life. I want to be such a bright light in a dark place that people are nearly blinded by the Jesus in me. And I want to have enough faith that I have plenty to share, an overabundance.
Feel free to share your thoughts or comments.
The question in the study asked, "What opportunities do you have for contact with unbelievers? What could you to do increase these opportunities?" In thinking about this question, I have been at both ends of the spectrum, seasons in my life where it seemed like all that was around were "unbelievers" and then other times only "believers". And I began to think about which I prefer.
When I worked at a Bible college, I often referred to the experience as being in a Christian bubble. My co-workers were Christians, our students were Christians and the only other thing I did besides work was go to church...with other Christians. I remember getting restless being solely around Christians. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty easy being in the Christian bubble. Many things were kept at bay due to the rules and regulations of the Bible college, at least I should say in my realm. We as staff went to chapel at least once a week and our days started with group prayer. It was a pretty great deal. But then I started to get stagnant and really restless. There was no one to share the Good News with. Yes, I encouraged the students and prayed with co-workers but as far as being around "unbelievers" I had to go search them out. I remember going to a specific restaurant, almost weekly, to try and develop a relationship with this one particular waitress, so I could tell her some Good News. (Trying to evangelize the world without relationship is pretty useless but I digress.) This soon to be friend was all up in the world, very non-believing and very much in need of Jesus (aren't we all?!) But minus this new friend, I pretty much remained in the Christian bubble.
This season of life finds me at an internship made up of 90% unbelievers and I attend a public university for graduate school that probably consists of about 85% unbelievers. And when I think about my next internship, I will be in the darkest of the dark places, a mental health hospital with probably even higher levels of unbelievers. If I allow myself, I can become scared of the internship that lies ahead, scared of the unbelieving world that I live in and the world of mental illness that I am about to enter. But in those moments when I start to feel fear or find myself starting to pull away from the world so that it's doesn't influence me poorly, I have to remind myself that GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD!! I have no reason to fear the world or the unbeliever. I think that too often, Christians quote Scriptures that call for separation from the world to lead a holy life without balancing that out with the other half of Scriptures that call us to go into all the world and share the gospel or to go meet the needs of the needy or just plain go show them love. I know that I have been guilty of this so I am not trying to point fingers at anyone. I just feel a burning in my spirit that we as THE CHURCH need to rise up, to not fear the things of this world and to know that HE has overcome the world and since HE lives in us, so do we! When we look at Jesus' ministry, He was all up in the world! No, he didn't participate in all of the things of the world and I am not saying we should either but He was right in the mix, right next to the unbeliever showin' em love.
I read a Beth Moore quote today that said something to the effect of "we don't share our faith because we don't have enough of it." This challenges me. And I would like to add that "we don't go into this unbelieving world because we are scared of it."
I don't want to be scared of this world or the unbeliever. I don't want to be ashamed of the Good News that transformed my life. I want to be such a bright light in a dark place that people are nearly blinded by the Jesus in me. And I want to have enough faith that I have plenty to share, an overabundance.
Feel free to share your thoughts or comments.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
So, there's this...branch...
So, there's this...branch...yes, a tree branch, that has had my attention for the last several months and today I finally have the courage to talk about it! I noticed this branch in my front yard one day. Why? Because it's just not right. You see, instead of being parallel to the ground, like the other branches near it, this one is perpendicular and it looks as if it's heading South! It's leaves (or should I say needles) are mostly brown, with a few green ones here and there while the rest of the tree has remained green through and through. You can tell that this branch is barely hanging on.
Sometimes, I feel like this branch.
I believe it came to it's current condition after the last Hurricane we had here. The storm took down many other branches and limbs but this one appears to be fighting to hang on, to stay connected. Since that storm, many more have come, the winds have blown and the rains have come but it remains.
My mind meanders to John 15 (vs 1-8) where Jesus shares about the vine and the branches:
I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].
There are times where, like this branch, I feel barely connected , like the storms of life have left me barely able to hang on. And then there are times when I know I am vitally connected, vitally united to the vine.
I think my lesson to learn from the branch is to keep hanging on! Yes, the branch doesn't have much of a natural chance to be fully reconnected to the vine but thankfully, spiritually is a different matter! I want to remain vitally united with Him and I am thankful that He is my source of strength, hope and love!
Sometimes, I feel like this branch.
I believe it came to it's current condition after the last Hurricane we had here. The storm took down many other branches and limbs but this one appears to be fighting to hang on, to stay connected. Since that storm, many more have come, the winds have blown and the rains have come but it remains.
My mind meanders to John 15 (vs 1-8) where Jesus shares about the vine and the branches:
I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].
There are times where, like this branch, I feel barely connected , like the storms of life have left me barely able to hang on. And then there are times when I know I am vitally connected, vitally united to the vine.
I think my lesson to learn from the branch is to keep hanging on! Yes, the branch doesn't have much of a natural chance to be fully reconnected to the vine but thankfully, spiritually is a different matter! I want to remain vitally united with Him and I am thankful that He is my source of strength, hope and love!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Forget About It!
FORGET ABOUT IT!
I don't know about you but I have difficulty forgetting. I'm kind of like an elephant in that regard as the old adage goes, "An elephant never forgets." Many people have difficulty remembering things and as I have learned in my DSM class, there are many categories even for that (Amnestic Disorders, Alzheimer's Disorders, etc.)!
But yesterday I was reminded to forget. And the reminder went something like this:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past! See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs
up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
~Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
I like the way the Amplified Bible says it too:
"Do not (earnestly) remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am
doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Throughout Scripture we are often told to REMEMBER the things the Lord has done for us as a reminder of His faithfulness to us. But here we are told to FORGET THE FORMER THINGS!!
So, here's what I am forgetting, with the Lord's help:
*MY PAST SINS
*MY PAST HURTS
*MY PAST HURTS
*MY PAST FAILURES
Let's FORGET ABOUT IT! (said with a thick Italian mobster-like accent!) ;)
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