Abundant Life Church

I was doing my devotions today and thought I would pass on to you the entry from today’s date.

My Father is the gardener (John 15:1)

It is a comforting thought that trouble, in whatever form it comes to us , is a heavenly messenger that brings us something frmo God. Outwardly it may appear painful or even destructive, but inwardly its spiritual work produces blessings. Many of the richest blessings we have inherited are the fruit of sorrow or pain. We should never forget that redemption, the world’s greatest blessing, is the fruit of the world’s greatest sorrow. And whenever as time of deep pruning comes and the knife cuts deeply and the pain is severe, what an inexpressible comfort it is to know: "My Father is the gardener."

John Vincent, a Methodies Episcopal bishop of the late ninetheenth and early twentieth centuries and a leader of the Sunday school movement in America, once told of being in a large greenhouse where clusters of lucious grapes were hanging on each side. The owner of the greenhouse told him, "When the new gardener came here, he said he would not work with the vines unless he could cut them completely down to the stalk. I allowed him to do so, and we had no grapes for two years, but this is now the result."

There is rich symbolism in this account of the pruning process when applied to the Christian life. Pruning seems to be destroying the vine, and the gardener appears to be cutting everything away. Yet he sees the future and know that the final result will be the enrichment of the life of the vine, and the greater abundance of fruit.

September 19th  Streams in th Desert  by L.B. Cowman

I don’t have to tell you what time it is, because everyone knows it’s time to go back to school. When I ask student if their excited they almost always say NO! but they are a little nervous for all of the unknown that is ahead for this school year. Will I know anyone? Will my friends from last school year still be my friends? Will I like my teacher(s)? Will my teacher(s) like me? Will I have lunch with anyone I know? Will I have any classes with my friends? I wonder how much homework I will have every night? I wonder how many cute guys or girls I will see the first day? (lets be honest this is a huge question) Are my classes going to be too hard? What sport(s) should I try out for? Do I want to try out for the musical this year? I wonder how long it will take for me to memorize my locker combination? I wonder if I know anyone that rides my bus? . . .

If you have a student or are a student you have been dealing with these questions and probably will for the next few weeks as classes begin. In a student world these are BIG questions that need answers, and are things that are weighing heavy on their minds. Join with us as we pray for the students throughout our enitre community that God would give them Peace, that even if they don’t have all the answers that He will be with them. Also that God would protect all of the campus’, students, faculty & staff of the schools from the things the world has to offer. And believe that this is going to be the best year yet!

Be Blessed!

Matt

10. Enjoy the end of summer.  Be sure to complete everything on your to do list so you’ll be able to have plenty of great stories to tell once school begins.

9. Get in a routine. Kids are creatures of habit.  It is very important to "practice" going to bed on time and waking up on time before school begins. 

8. Take a trip to your school and visit you teacher(s). Getting a child familiar with there new surroundings will be very beneficial. 

7. Go over their school schedule. Talk to you child about what they can expect day to day while at school.

6. Go school shopping! Who doesn’t like shopping? This is a time of fun for all kids. A time for new clothes and school supplies that are sure to get them excited and in the mood for school! 

5. Get a haircut.  Why stop with new clothes? Throw in a haircut too.  Get a fresh start with a new look. 

4. Review what you child learned last school year. Go over old tests and worksheets.  This will get your child’s brain in learning mode.  It will help jog their memory so they won’t have to play catch-up while   trying to remember what they learned last year, but will be able to move forward with new material. 

3. Bring up positive experiences you had while in school and particularly in their grade. Avoid ALL negative stories and attitudes toward school… these will only lead to you child’s anxiety!!! 

2. Acquire a good attitude. Do everything within your power to help your child have a good outlook for the upcoming school year. 

1. Pray! Begin praying now with your child for their class, teacher, and friends. Prayer is a great comfort for fearful kids. Try praying with them every morning before they leave for school as well.  It boosts their confidence and helps them to remember that they are never alone!

contantly speeding up - "multiple tasking" - clutter - superficiality - inability to love - sunset fatigue

Can you relate to these statements?  These 6 statements are from John Ortberg’s book "The Life You’ve Always Wanted."  His chapter on "slowing" is really a pertinent one for all of us.  If we are to follow Jesus, we must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives-because, by definition, we can’t move faster than the one we are following.  So how do you cure this sickness of hurry?  We must realize that we cannot achieve this on our own we have to enter the life of training.  First, is called "slowing" this involves cultivating patience by deliberately choosing to place ourselves in position we we simply have to wait."  Things like declare a fast from honking or for a week your fast food slowly.  We will soon discover we can survive without hurry.

I learned this lesson the other week while on my way to pick my parents up at the airport.  I decided to make a stop at a store which put me behind in time to pick them up.  I knew that I needed to make up some time and so the foot got heavy which lead to my first speeding ticket ever.  My oldest daughter was with me and after the nice altercation with the Sheriff she congratulated me on not getting my first ticket until I was 38 years old.  I am still learning this practice of "slowing" how about you?  PJ

Vacation - n. a period of rest from work, study, etc. 

That is Webster’s definition of vacation and I like it.  I hope you have been able to vacate this summer and get a little rest with family and friends.  The Bible uses the word "sabbath" which literally means to quit what you are doing.  Now that is not a permanent quiting but a temporary time to stop doing work and enjoy life.  I am going on vacation in a few weeks with my family and I am looking forward to it!  We all know that life happens at frightening speeds and if we don’t take time to slow down or as John Ortberg says practice the art of slowing we will be no good for anyone or anything.  I pray you practice the art of slowing this summer and enjoy what is left.  What did you do on your vacation this summer or hope to do?  P.J.