The Fish Tank

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 John 15:5 is a familiar verse. Pastors have taught on this verse countless times. We all know the analogy that if we dwell in Him (the Vine), we will bear much fruit. I saw this verse a different way the other day. I thought I would share my thoughts with you. Christianity and the Church has gotten a bad rap. You can read about Church history and see that this is not a new concept. The Church pushes back on culture and sometimes does it in such a way that it turns people off to the faith. There is no question that this is true. Ask most non-parishioners and they will tell you that most church-goers are hypocrites and the reason they do not attend. I think I may know at least one reason why this holds true. We are trying to be the vine and not the branch. When Jesus came onto the scene, he turned this whole faith movement upsid...

Some days I wish I could move my family to a home in the middle of nowhere. I would love to live on acres and acres of land with no one around me but the people I love, and, let's be real, the people I can stand to live in the middle of nowhere with. People are hard. I am realizing that I was not meant for a lot of people. I am not their type and they aren't mine. I understand that I am not supposed to agree with everything everyone says or does. My personality was not created to mesh with every other personality on planet earth. But, here's the deal... I get caught up in the conundrum of the church. What am I supposed to do with the people there? What if some of them aren't my jam? What if they don't like me? What do I do with this? Doesn't the Bible tell me that I must love others? I mean, that is the second of the most important commandments Jesus spoke. Love God. Love others. (Luke 10:27). But, how do I love someone I don't like very much? Is i...

"Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity Should I be consulted by them at all?" Ezekiel 14:3 I like symbols. For the most part, they bring about good memories. I love a good pumpkin because it stirs in me the longing for cool crisp air, falling leaves, and the holiday season. Each year, my husband and I drag the boys out to the Christmas tree farm in honor of Clark Griswold and chop down our family Christmas tree. I also love to hang my flag outside my home proudly every chance I get. Symbols are useful tools. They evoke emotion and nostalgia. Sometimes symbols bring pain and hurt. The cross is an example of both. You cannot think of the cross without remembering pain. Nor, can you remember the cross and without experiencing such great hope. But, if I get too fixated on the cross, a symbol I hold so dear, I lose sight on the most important part of my faith story: Jesus. It'...