Wednesday, March 5, 2008

READING

I have been reading MY HEART'S CRY by Anne Graham Lotz. This is the first book my Anne that I have read. It will not be the last!!! She is a wonderful writer. She writes with such a clarity and yet in an almost melodious, soothing way. The subtitle of this book is Longing For More Of Jesus. Isn't that what all of us long for? I know I do!!!!.


I am currently in the 7th chapter, "More of ......His Fruit In My Service", and just had to share the following two paragraphs about "Abiding in the Vine Consistently" with you guys.


"The branches of a vine "abide" by just remaining connected to the vine. Permanently. Consistently. Day after day, week after week, year after year. They simply rest in their position, allowing the sap of the vine to flow freely through them. They exert no effort of their own. The fruit that is subsequently borne on the branch is actually produced by the life-giving sap within.


To abide in Christ means to remain connected to Him so completely that the "sap" of His Spirit flows through every part of your being, including your mind, will, and emotions as well as your words and deeds. The "fruit" that you then bear is actually produced by His Spirit in you through no conscious effort on your own. If you and I want to be fruitful, we do not concentrate on fruit-bearing, we concentrate on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ."


She has said it so well and so simply. I think we so muddle and complicate everything so much, in trying to "DO" for the Lord when all He truly wants us to do is ABIDE and CLING.



I AM CLINGING!!!!!!





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27 comments:

Randi Jo :) said...

YES YES YES!! I LOVE THIS! :) I recognize this as the Truth and it gets me at the core! Our ultimate & defining purpose is *not* to produce - it's to know Him and to be with Him!!!!! :) That should be our focus! :) Then our life will be useful to Him!

Thank you for sharing!!!!

groovyoldlady said...

Kinda makes me want to be "sappy"!

retha said...

Well said to the both of you!
"Sappy" I like it and say ditto.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

We are clinging too!! And praising Him for answered prayer with Joe's good report!!

Kathrine

Tina said...

Very good! Thanks for sharing.

Tammy said...

Susan, I think I will have to look into this book! Did you know that this is exactly what our pastor is speaking about this month? And we were even blessed to have the famous evangelist, Luis Palou speak at our church, adding to this subject.

Thank you so much for sharing on this book!

Carole Burant said...

Isn't it wonderful being able to read a book that touches us so deeply! Now I want to see Groovy being sappy! hehe Hope your day is going wonderfully my friend! xoxo

The Olson's: said...

The list of books I want to read keeps growing! This one seems to touch right where I'm at. Thank you for making us aware of it.
~ Leanne

Jean said...

SO WELL SAID!! And to think that He wants that intimate relationship with us so much more than we do. And He's the Lord of the Universe, yet He wants a relationship with ME!! I hope I never get over that.

Kathleen Grace said...

Thank you so much for this excerpt form this book! I must look for the book and read it myself now:>)

Anonymous said...

Making me pumped up here Susan! I sat on the couch at 2AM this morning trying to explain this to my dear daughter. I wish I would have had these words from the book. What truth!

If we are in Christ we will bear the fruit.

Thanks for sharing. I will be adding this book to my "need to read" list.

... said...

beautifully written and so true. it's also encouraging that we don't have to work as if it depended on us to bear fruit. we are just fruitful if we let His spirit dwell within us. thanks for sharing this.

Unknown said...

I'm adding this to my must read book list. Thank you for sharing this wonderful insightful information...

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Wow - boy she said it so beautifully. THAT is the life I want to reflect all around me - nothing of my effort, but His grace, mercy and love just pouring out by His power alone!

Mountain Mama said...

She sounds like a wonderful author. I like the 'clinging' idea. Sort of reminds me of a baby monkey, how it clings to the mother.

Nadine said...

Clinging...I love that.

Barbara said...

So clearly well said and so absolutely the truth. Even clinging takes effort but in abiding we just ARE. No self-effort on our part but just believing what He says is true.

Rita Loca said...

She is a true inspiration, I love her writings.

inspired said...

yes DiTTO ;o]

Unknown said...

You summed it all up so well in your last paragraph Susan. I got "Jesus" bumps! (known as goose bumps to most)

j said...

Susan, those paragraphs was SO worth sharing. I love the picture of the Vine. I don't want to be pruned!!! Great post - Jen

Maalie said...

>The fruit that is subsequently borne on the branch is actually produced by the life-giving sap within.

Penless, does the book explain where the "life-giving" sap originates? Personally, I think it is a metaphor too far.

Sharon said...

I am so glad that I stopped by today to read your beautiful post. It is what I needed today. I think that I stopped by because He wanted me too!!
Thanks so much for the post.
Have a nice day.
I too will add that book to my list.

Cjdusse said...

Hi lovely Susan I am back and will catch up this weekend. Just to say you have been on my heart.

Unknown said...

Hi Susan, stop over I have an award for you.

Myrna said...

I agree--Anne is a wonderful writer--and person. She definitely has a way with words and The Word.

Momma Roar said...

I'm clinging too - oh so much!