February 22, 2020

Waking Thoughts: Love Not the World

February 22, 2020/ jan

…As one friend said, “It sounds like Vanity Fair.” You know, the town in Paul Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress, that contained every worldly pleasure to suck poor Pilgrim in.

Well, I’ve been reflecting. Even though this place was “to the hilt” worldly perfect in so many ways, I can’t help but think that we each have a Vanity Fair all around us no matter where we are. Our Vanity Fair beckons us to chose the world of ___(FILL IN THE BLANK)_____ rather than God.

February 21, 2020

Waking Thoughts: We Will Dance

February 21, 2020/ jan

Wow, I hadn’t heard that song in years and maybe only then for the very first time…and not since. You see, I was in Indianapolis for an overnight stay because a medical procedure…maybe decades ago. The therapist had invited me to her church that evening, and I heard it for the first and last (or so I thought) time.

Then at the Memorial service for our dear brother in the Lord Mike Sabin on Tuesday evening, I heard it again. And it brought joy to my soul.

February 20, 2020

Waking Thoughts

February 20, 2020/ jan

I pay attention to my waking thoughts.

Ever since I discovered a poem by George MacDonald, tucked away in an old notebook on my husband’s shelf, my waking thoughts have been captured and inspired by God’s Wind-Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God. I have invited Him to do that.

Otherwise, my waking thoughts were being filled with the anxieties of life, the trap of the flesh aided by the enemy of my soul. . .

February 18, 2020

Let Me Get Home Before Dark

February 18, 2020/ jan

Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

The imagery of the race as a picture of the Christian life on this earth has always held fascination for me. And finishing the race without pooping out is my heart’s desire . . . and more and more as I get older.

I get tired and so I grab hold of my God daily at a slower pace. But still I grab! Otherwise, would I end up not living from who I really am in Christ?

A spiritual father of mine, who is approaching his 90th year of life on this earth, shared this poem with me recently. He said that it is his prayer to make it to “the finish line” faithful to his God.

February 16, 2020

A Time to Live & a Time to Die: Reflections on Time & Eternity

February 16, 2020/ jan

For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die...
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a,4a (NLT)

Time, that fleeting commodity that holds us while on this earth! Yet, we can't hold onto it! And for all of us, time is ticking away. We are closer to the end of our earthly journey every second that we live.

February 14, 2020

Remembering Our Dear Brother Mike Sabin

February 14, 2020/ jan

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.
Let’s celebrate together!’
Matthew 25:23 NLT

February 13, 2020

A Love Song to Jesus

February 13, 2020/ jan

When my husband John and I were seniors at the University of Arizona, the Carpenters were at the top of the music charts. We embraced them as our group who sang our songs as we were "a-courting." Their mellow sound and rich melodies fed our romantic feelings toward each other and toward life in general. At our wedding, we danced to, you may have guessed it, "We've Only Just Begun." Lyrics like "White lace and promises, a kiss for luck and we're on our way" made it the perfect song to start out a new marriage...or so we thought.

But as the years have rolled by and reality and maturity have set in, so has the realization that the romantic expectations of youth are so unrealistic and can only truly be fulfilled by an Almighty God.

February 12, 2020

Celebrating Cancer Survivors and a Son, 22 Years Cancer-free

February 12, 2020/ jan

Today I’m celebrating Cancer Survivors, those brave but suffering souls who have battled and prayed and cried and begged and pushed through . . . or maybe who have suffered in silence and pushed through inspite of it all. All were scared and maybe still are.

I’m celebrating the loved ones who suffered alongside and didn’t run away from the “not knowing” . . . who cried and prayed and begged and never gave up….

February 02, 2020

WE ARE FA-MI-LY -- on my way to the Villages

February 02, 2020/ jan

♥We are fa-mi-ly...my mother, brothers, sisters, and me! ♥

They have left our beloved New Jersey (home of the famous Jersey shore and my favorite sunrises over the ocean) and have gone over to the “dark side” a.k.a. Florida!

So A Branch in the Vine will be taking a break for a while.

But before I do, I would like to share a post from 2012, after one of our special times together at Nancy's home in Belmar, New Jersey. So may I introduce you to these precious folks who have beckoned me back to New Jersey again and again . . . and now to Florida.

January 30, 2020

On the Doorsteps of Heaven

January 30, 2020/ jan

But right now, Janice is suffering. According to a shocking medical diagnosis, Janice may soon see her God, the Lover of her soul, face to face.

Prayers are ascending to the Throne of Grace — for mercy, for healing, for grace to face each day. We, her friends and loved ones, want her to stay with us.

Please, O God!

January 28, 2020

Almost a Flash mob . . . Just for Fun in the Journey

January 28, 2020/ jan

Just for fun as we close out January and some gray days in OHIO, I just have to post this — an almost “flash mob” at my very own Kroger. But by doing so, I’m departing from my “rule” that everything that I post on A Branch in the Vine MUST have a spiritual theme or application.

Well, since everything is spiritual for a child of God, I guess I’m not really “breaking my rule,” am I? So here it is and enjoy with me. I dare you to not at least tap your foot or hum along.

January 27, 2020

Life in the Spirit . . . The Dance in the Journey

January 27, 2020/ jan

Life, glorious life! How we take life for granted, until...

someone we love dies,

our health or safety is gravely threatened,

we realize our days are waning because of the years...

It is then that we value what we've had all along.

But there's a Life that we never need fear will diminish, be endangered, be lost...

In fact, this Life can grow in our experience even in this time-based, fearful, waning physical life.

What is this Life?

January 26, 2020

The "Ghost" Inside of Me . . . My Indwelling Hero in the Journey

January 26, 2020/ jan

To follow up the last post on our Hero — the Holy Spirit — I remembered this amazing song. Even my young grandson William started to “get it” as we sang it last Halloween.

You and I are never alone, my journeying friend. Let’s enjoy Him and His Presence . . . no matter what!

January 22, 2020

The Holy Spirit of God . . . Our Hero in the Journey

January 22, 2020/ jan

Bullies don't often give up. They just look for another opportunity in a different place of vulnerability, changing tactics and catching the victim off-guard.

And so true to form, the Bully didn't take long to regroup and sneak up on me in another situation. It sent me into a tailspin of emotion...trying to choke back tears and keep on doing life. But thankfully, my Hero, the Holy Spirit of Christ broke through the emotional cloud I was churning in.

"Ok Jan. Resist! Stand! Say NO! Remember that? Now look at the entire passage and park yourself there."

January 22, 2020

The Bully . . . Our Enemy in the Journey

January 22, 2020/ jan

God’s children are being attacked left and right. Some of us are stuck. Some feel worthless. Some are walking through the trials of our lives, believing that God is against us.

Why, God?

You can be sure that when God is doing something in our lives, the devil is always helping the weakness of our flesh to draw us in the opposite direction.

January 21, 2020

Every Praise . . . Joy in the Journey

January 21, 2020/ jan

Did you know that praise and thanksgiving to God about everything, everyday can change your perspective on your life. Why? Because HE is our God, our Source. And HE IS WORTHY of every praise and thanksgiving.

Why not begin right here until it becomes the habit of your soul....EVERY PRAISE is to our GOD! Amen!

January 19, 2020

A Value Shake-up . . . Joy in the Journey

January 19, 2020/ jan

Your value doesn't decrease, based on someone's inability to see your worth.

Truth!

Where does our value lie? Our value is based on our Creator's opinion of us...which is love and grace and glory!

January 16, 2020

Christ In You . . . JOY in the Journey

January 16, 2020/ jan

!’ve been feeling a bit low lately, and I don’t know why. You too? No matter, our Abba Father God loves us anyway, no matter how we feel . . . no matter how depressed, no matter how dark, no matter how ugly.

And so I prayed this morning,

Good morning, LORD
I’m feeling a bit low this morning, and I don’t know why, Lord. But I will trust You to be the Joy and the Strength of my fluctuating soul.

January 14, 2020

An Encouraging Friend . . . Fruitfulness in the Journey

January 14, 2020/ jan

I had to giggle. . . it sounded like Peggy was basically telling me to “Suck it up, Jan,” despite my vertigo and dizziness.

And the Holy Spirit whispered His encouragement and His own “Suck it up” to me:

If Peggy can keep on painting at 88 years of age, despite her health issues, you can keep on writing!”

Yes, my darling friend Peggy is 88 years old and still painting. So let me share a few of her gems with you:

January 11, 2020

My Husband . . . Companion in the Journey

January 11, 2020/ jan

17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
    and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray,
    do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
    your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

A Branch in the Vine

A Branch In the Vine