Sunday, August 15, 2010

SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS 2010 #9 - The Vine

This beautiful vase of roses from our yard were so lovely and fragrant.


A shot showing the various stages of beauty; from the bud, just opening, and into full bloom.



A few days later, this is the sad state of affair that these lovely blooms are in. Ugly, drying up and dying. I wish I'd taken another picture of them as they were totally falling apart and disintegrating.



Once again, as God so often does, He spoke to me that this is just a physical example that we can see with our eyes of the spiritual example of what happens to us when we become disconnected with our God, no longer connected to our Lord and Savior. Cut off from the Holy Spirit.

" Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is dead wood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is -- when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples." John 15:4-8 The Message


I know it always makes me sad to see someone begin to break away from their close walk with God. It is usually a gradual thing but you can see it happening and slowly, little by little you'll see the drying up and then the dying of their joy, their hope, their faith. Soon they have no life whatsoever in them. Oh that we all realize we are nothing.....He is everything.....and we MUST maintain that connection with HIM.




Thank you Charlotte for this wonderful place to share here at Spiritual Sundays.

post signature

17 comments:

Mari said...

The roses are beautiful and a great example too.

Jocelyn said...

Thanks for a wonderful post. The roses are beautiful.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Nikki (Sarah) said...

what a great analogy

Whidbey Woman said...

Good illustration. I want to bloom where I am planted!

Anita Johnson said...

Perfect visual for "cut off". And sadly, we cut ourselves off from God's goodness so often. An excellent reminder!

Renee said...

Wonderful analogy here...Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this and your photos...

Kaye Swain - SandwichINK for the Sandwich Generation said...

Amen and AMEN! Thank you for such lovely encouragement and inspirational Bible verses! :)

retha said...

I thought I'll send you an e-mail during the day, my husband received a call to go see some or other "important" person. He is there now.
As soon as I know more and able to I will let you know what is happening.

some how this e-mail does not want to leave my pc.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

There are so many days that I feel I'm not blooming.Thank-you for this great analogy.
Blessings,
Ginger

Sohailah said...

Great analogy. beautiful. Thanks.

Charlotte said...

Your pictures are such a good visual image of what happens when we do not stay connected to the vine. Thank you for the illustration.
Blessings,
Charlotte

retha said...

I like it when the LORD speaks to me with thing I am busy with, like this flowers of your.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Your beautiful roses made a great analogy. Thank you for sharing this.
Cheryl

Susan Skitt said...

What beautiful pink flowers! And a great analogy of walking away from the Lord, it is usually gradual, and before a person knows it, they are dried up in their spirit. Praise God He is our living water. He refreshes and renews.


And thank you too for your prayers for my healing. The Lord is good.

Mountain Mama said...

Beautiful post Susan. We can all learn from it.

Debra said...

This post made me think of my dear departed grandmother. She would forbid us to bring her cut flowers as she so disliked seeing them die. She grew the most beautiful flowers you would ever want to see.

Blessings Susan, have a wonderful day!

Hootin Anni said...

Hi...I just clicked on your link at Sharon's 46th anniversary blog entry 'cause I read your comment you left for her...I read that you and your husband will celebrate your 52nd? How awesome is that!!?!! [my husband and I have been married 42 years....]

I just wanted to say that I think that is great!! You two are blessed.