Memory Verse Monday: John 15:5

"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

There's a word from this week's memory verse that is really catching my attention. Any guesses what it might be?!?!? 

If you came up with, "nothing" then you would be correct.

This same word is found in John 5:19 "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself...."

We live in a world that wants to know, "What can you do?" More specifically, "What can you do for me?" And often times, what you can (or can't) do is in direct correlation to a measure of success (or failure).  

Who wants to be dependent? Weak? Insufficient? Incapable? When's the last time you witnessed someone signing up for those traits? 

Jesus did. He signed up for all of that and more... he signed up to be a nothing. 

I don't know what your day looks like but here's mine: Deadlines, I have them and they're today. Bills, it's that time of the month. Responsibilities, as a wife and nursing student and blah blah blah, I've got responsibilities alright. Grades, they could be better (so much better). Loved ones, frail and week across the country far from any help that I can offer. Husband, across the country period. My own ailments, insecurities, weaknesses.... just a typical Monday. Okay so I'm purposely only pointing out the negative and it could obviously be a lot worse, but you're getting my point... 

So instead of "I do..." or "I will..." or "I can...." today I am stripping myself of any independence, and agreeing with God when he says that I "can do nothing" (John 15:5) apart from Him. NOTHING.

Say it aloud with me, "NOTHING." 

You can do NOTHING apart from Him. No, I think that needs an exclamation point. You can do NOTHING apart from Him!  

 Let's pray together...

"Heavenly Father, I get it. Forgive me for trying to be independent. It's really silly if I think about it. I want to be like a Georgia Peach on a healthy organic tree... I want to ooze with your sweet goodness and love. Lord there's no way that I'm gonna even come close to that without you. Thank you for making the most of my day and making up for what I lack and then some. And Lord, it's tough for me, but I want to trust you with all my burdens, especially my loved ones across the globe. I love you! Because of Jesus I can pray! Amen.

#nothing Let's be it together.

God is love and EVERYTHING,

Vanessa

"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

Thoughts, Floods, & Promises

Do you ever think? Of course you do. 

I mean do you ever just think? How about for long stretches of time? Well, this thinking-thing is a hobby of mine and has been for as long as I can remember.

my best thinking face 

Sometimes to make this hobby more interesting I'll ask others,  "What are you thinking?"
I am and always will be completely mystified at anyone who responds with a simple "Nothing." 

Actually chances are good that I won't believe you if that's your answer.

Ryan (that's short for "my superhero husband") is well acquainted with this hobby of mine so he no longer ever says, "Nothing." when I ask, "What are you thinking?"

Here's an example from the other night:
Me:"What are you thinking?"
Ry: ________________________ (you can pretty much fill in the blank with whatever husbands say to make their wives blush).
Every once in a while Ry will throw a proverbial curve ball... the other night he asked,"Do you ever think about _______________?" (I actually can't remember exactly what he said)
Me:"No." My quick blunt answer was unsuspected.
Me: "Do you ever think about how we are going to decorate a nursery someday?" (No I'm not pregnant, no I don't know when we are going to have kids. Yes everyone I know and their dog are having kids and yes perhaps I frequent Pinterest so perhaps that's why I was thinking about such things...)
Ry: (equally as quick and blunt) "No."


Its night as I write this; I can't sleep. And I'm thinking about that conversation and Noah's Ark, because that's what I imagined I'd decorate a nursery with. Notice the past tense .... I've been reading about Noah in the Bible, and in this book called, Patriarchs and Prophets. Sure I've read it before but I'm just realizing, it's not the happy story one sees plastered in a nursery.

The other day the county that I live in had flood warnings, due to days and days of heavy HEAVY rain. Flood warnings aren't a pleasant thought either.

The good in Noah's story is the same good that is found in my story (and coincidentally your story) and that good is in God's promises.
They're so functional, those promises are, that I suppose they're worth plastering all over a nursery. God's promises are also something to fill your thoughts with.... 

Here's some verses worth thinking about:
Phillipians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Genesis 9:12-14 "And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,  I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.  Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” 

^{Deuteronomy 6:5-9 "}Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

It's time for my scattered thoughts to come to a close... but before they do, may I just remind you that God has a proverbial rainbow for you, no matter the storm you're facing... God and I promise you that!

God is love,

Vanessa 

The Perfect Hired Hand by Betty Rayl

The Perfect Hired Hand by Betty Rayl

The hardest working man around

Is one I thought could not be found.

When work needs done you'll find him there

With smiling face to do his share.

To fix the fire he'll pack in wood

Before you ever say he should.

He'll take the sheep back to the fold

Long before he's ever told.

He herds the cows, so big and mean

And if he's scared it's never seen.

When things break down, then you're in luck. 

With wrench in hand he'll fix your truck.

And he's the proudest guy alive

Whenever he's allowed to drive.

He'll feed the chickens, milk the cow,

If it needs done, just show him how.

And housework's not beneath his skill,

He'll fold the laundry with a will.

He'll grab the broom and sweep the floor,

Wash the dishes, and lots more.

Messy floors? Don't get up-tight.

The vacuum cleaner's his delight.

In doing chores, don't think he's slow.

He's atomic energy about to blow!

He's a "man of few words" as they say,

But his happy grin will cheer your day.

Doesn't smoke or chew, what can I say?

The hired man bathes every day!

When he gets spruced to go to town,

He's 'bout the best dressed guy around.

High stepping boots, new suit and tie,

The ladies think he's "quite the guy".

He does drink some, but still he's nice.

The bottle is his only vice.

This hired man's a dream come true,

And Ryan Dale is not quite two.

by proud Grand Betty Rayl, 1982

Here's the card that the poem was in...

That Ryan Dale is now 32 and my husband. My mother-in-law says it seems just like yesterday that Ryan was two...

I can't believe that my little nephew is already two... and I suppose before I know it he'll be 32... 

time flies...make the most of each day!!! 

Psalm 20:4 "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

Happy New Year and may God bless your time on this earth!!!!! 
Gods is love,
Vanessa

A Memory Verse a Week for the Weak: Jeremiah 2:13

"My people have committed two sins: 
They have forsaken me, the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." 
Jeremiah 2:13, NIV

via

I can't get enough of this verse!  

More later.

God is love,

Vanessa

13.1 in 1/13

Who wants to join me in running 13.1 in 1/13? 

I hope to run the Callaway Gardens Half Marathon on January 27, 2013 and I would love it if you joined me!!! 

Here is my training schedule:

Prior to doing this training program you should build up your running to the point where you feel comfortable running a 6 mile run. You should also be comfortable running a total of three days a week.

During the training program be sure to take at least one day off a week from exercising. You can cross train for 30-40 minutes two to three days a week, if you like.

Key to schedule:

• Easy: run at a an easy pace
• Tempo: run at a race tempo pace
• Long: run at least one-two minutes a mile slower than your intended race pace
• Rest / XT: rest or cross train

Here is a link to registration for the  Callaway Gardens Half Marathon

*I'm not a running expert or a doctor. I suggest consulting one prior to joining the training program or signing up for a half marathon.*

I gotta run... God bless!

God is love,

Vanessa

A Memory Verse a Week for the Weak: Ezekiel 36:26

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

God is love,

Vanessa

Mountaintop Shout Out: Divided

An excellent documentary for anyone who plays church! Take time to watch!



Official Divided the Movie (HD Version) from NCFIC on Vimeo.



God is love,
Vanessa