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So I have been reading this book called “The Secrets of the Vine“. I was talking with one of my mentors and he had recommended I read it. He had said that it was probably one of the top two books he had ever read besides the Bible. So I ventured out and read it. Was he totally right!
In this book, Bruce Wilkinson, talks about different lessons from a Vineyard and how they apply to our walks with Christ. Although these lessons are good they are definitely not easy to learn. Here are the three “Secrets” of the Vine…
Secret #1: If your life consistently bears no fruit, God will intervene to discipline you.
God disciplines those He loves so that they will begin to bear fruit.
Discipline comes because of major sin in our lives.
Secret #2: If your life bears some fruit, God will intervene to prune you.
If you are not careful, you can confuse God’s pruning with His discipline.
Pruning is God correcting those minor issues (self not sin) in our lives so that we will bear more fruit.
Secret #3: If your life bears a lot of fruit, God will invite you to abide more deeply in life.
* When you are accomplishing a lot for God it is easy to neglect the relationship you have with God, all in the name of service to Him.
The interesting thing is we can be at an entirely different level of fruit bearing in one area of our life versus another.
I just want to admit from the start that I did not whatsoever vote for Barack Husein Obama. I personally thought that he was not qualified nor was he the candidate God wanted in office. Even worse was Joseph Biden as Vice President.
Although, I did not agree with everything John McCain and Sarah Palin stood for, I believed firmly that they were the right candidates for this country! The most important issue to me in the election was the abortion issue. I am 100% Pro-life! Sarah Palin was and is someone who has a proven record on this issue. Barack Obama’s past record has not been very good on this issue.
Before the election, I prayed continually for the right person to be placed in leadership. I even was asked by Pastor Steve to lead prayer for the election a couple of times during Sunday Night Prayer. During these prayer times, I prayed that whoever God intended to be President and Vice President would win! I also prayed that they would win by a majority (even a landslide). I prayed these with John McCain and Sarah Palin in mind.
At the same time, I said some very negative things about Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I told many people about my opinions and very openly spoke positively about McCain/Palin.
But, ever since the election, I have been really convicted. The outcome was definitely not what I expected, so I first got very disappointed. Then came conviction that regardless of my opinions Barack Obama was going to be the 44th President of the United States. So I chose to start praying for him and believe the best of him.
But today, as I watched History in the making, I was reminded of some things. I believe firmly that God ordains the leader of a country (especially one that is dedicated to God). Our church prayed corporately for the right person to be elected. I prayed that the man would be elected by a majority or landslide.
So if I believe all these things, then Barack Obama must be the GOD ordained 44th President of the United States of America!!!
So now it is our duty and privilege to pray for our new President and new Vice President! We must pray that they seek Godly Wisdom and Counsel! We must pray that the decisions they make are not dictated by a particular Political Party or agenda, but dictated by their hearts as they lead by God. We need to be very careful what we speak over our leaders. Mark 11:23-24 says that we have what we say! So what are we going to say about our new leaders?
Wow! Being a Father is one of the most amazing feelings in the entire world!
There is a sense of tremendous love and of awe at how you actually got to be a part of creating such an amazing thing! But then there is the sense of tremendous responsibility for taking care of and raising this child to serve God all his days! I love all of it!
I had always heard about the love between parent and child but I never really knew it was possible to love a child you barely know so much!
Fatherhood is amazing when you have an amazing relationship with your wife! My Jennifer Rocks!
The picture is of me holding Caleb as I was writing this blog.
Sorry it took so long…
Caleb Joshua Spinks
Born: 11/4/2008 at 6:33 pm.
Weight: 8 lbs 15 oz
Length: 21 inches
Healthy Baby and healthy Mommy!!!
We are at 10 cm dillated, 100% Effaced, & + 1 Station!!! So very soon! Keep ya posted!
So we finally have reached a milestone! After being at the Hospital for 24 hours, 2 rounds of Cervidal, and alot of contractions we got some good news! Up until now, Jennifer’s cervix had not been very cooperative and was not even dillated. But a few minutes ago, the nurse finally could tell she was dillated! And instead of a measley 1 cm. She was at 3 cm dillated, 50% effaced, and – 2 Station!!!! Woohoo!
So we finally have made it to the Hospital. Here are some pics so far:
P.S. How about a bet on the weight?
On Tuesday, my wife’s Grandmother passed away. Her name was Zelda Asher (I know, What a cool name!), and… She was an Orthodox Jew.
So, on Friday my wife and I went to the funeral in Portsmouth, Virginia. This was the first time I would be meeting that side of my Wife’s family. Being unfamiliar with Jewish customs to this degree, I was concerned on how I would be recieved as a “Christian Outsider”.
But, I learned alot from this experience!
First, I learned that Jews have an awesome sense of family. People were coming out of the woodwork it seem like. People that were only 2nd or 3rd cousins of Jennifer’s father came to show their respects. Even I was treated as a part of the family! Many generations came together to mourn the loss of this woman.
Secondly, I learned alot about Jewish culture, which gives me a better understanding of Jews of the Bible. I did not realize until this experience that Jews do not cremate their dead. They are very particular about how to prepare the dead (including preparation of the body and that they must be buried within 72 hours). Also, before a Jewish Funeral is over, you must fill the grave. Also, they really make their burials very simple. Honestly, I think this is a lot smarter than spending thousands on a casket lined with comfortable cloth (as if they could feel it). When I was told that they use a plain box, they were not kidding!
Thirdly, I realized how similar Christianity and Judaism really is! During a funeral, they have a minister (a Rabbi), they pray to Jehovah God, they believe in God as Creator and Judge, etc. During the eulogy, the Rabbi even mentioned Deborah the Judge as a reference to great women in the Bible!
Fourthly, I learned that Jews really know how to eat!!!! It is custom for Jews to eat a meal immediately after a funeral (called seudat havra’ah or meal of consolation). At this meal, they had some amazing food like White Fish salad, Salmon Lox, Tuna Salad, Bagels, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Keugel, with tons of desserts as well! It was all delicious! At this meal I got to sit next to a couple of people that were truly remarkable! Their names were Uncle Bill and Aunt Esther. Uncle Bill was Grandma Zelda’s 96 Year Old Brother (who is still driving despite the fact that his license is expired). He and Aunt Esther have been married for 71 years!!! Talk about fidelity! We talked for hours about all different things! I learned alot from these two amazing people! Although, I had never met them before they treated me like I was family!
Fifthly, I learned that we need to make the most of the time we have here on earth, no matter how long that may be! This lady left a legacy of love and the importance of family! I want my life to leave this kind of legacy!
The sad thing to me, is that I never had the privilege of meeting this woman that we had come to honor.
