A New Beginning

Welcome to the newly refreshed, renewed, and reconstructed "A Branch in the Vine."

My thanks to my designer, tech specialist, and did I mention, my amazing son, Jeremy J Loyd. Well done, my precious one! You have kept me current, although more and more my inner self fights change.

So, dear friends, pray for me as I learn the inner and outer workings of this site.

Thank you for following "this branch" as I rest and abide in our Life-filled Vine. Let's continue to journey together as conduits of His pulsating Life as He produces fruit, more fruit, much fruit through us to the glory of our Father, the Vinedresser. Amen. 

I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing.

Resurrection and a Spring Facelift

My Redeemer lives!

Christ is risen...He is risen indeed! He's alive and so are we! And so we celebrate the LIFE that Jesus rose to, and we rose with Him...glorious mystery! In keeping with the New Life that is portrayed by so many new and blooming things, "A Branch in the Vine" is also preparing to bloom into new life. We are getting a "facelift" thanks to my dear, generous, designer son Jeremy J. Loyd of Sparkbox and the creator of my blog.

To make things easier on him and to give this "branch" time to learn new things, we are taking a break from posting for a short time.

So just in case you, my dear fellow branches, would like some devotional material for your days, I have a couple suggestions:

First, I would like to suggest my "spiritual fathers" series. Here are the links that will take you to stories and quotes from some giants of the faith who have been very important in my life. You too may find encouragement there for your souls.

bread-for-my-souls-journey/ J. Henri Nouwen

abide-in-christ-in-faith-filled-surrender/ Andrew Murray

a-modern-day-prophet/ A.W. Tozer

abbas-child/ Brennan Manning

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Next, at the risk of appearing self-serving, I want to invite you to read my book, The With-ness of our God: Relationship in Every Dimension,...not because I wrote it but because it reveals a God who is intimately and securely united with us in every possible way.

If you are struggling to feel connected to the Lord, though you may know in your head you belong to Him, please consider this little volume. In it you will receive manna for your heart, not just your head. You will find not only simple, practical instruction, but also meditation, stories for application, questions for journaling and just pondering...and more.

Or maybe you aren't struggling but just want to go deeper...this is for you too. You can dive into the deep or stay on the surface...your choice.

Springtime also brings occasions for gifts, such as Mothers' and Fathers' Day, weddings, birthdays.

And the book is very accessible and affordable.  You can purchase on online (see links). Locally, volumes can be purchased for a reasonable price at The Booksellers at Austen Landing and at BellHOP Cafe in Bellbrook.  And I've priced the ebook at the lowest allowed, $3.99.

So please take a look and consider walking with us on this journey into The With-ness of our God: Relationship in Every Dimension.

And thank you for your grace!

Publisher website: www.janloyd.com

And a link to my blog page that has lots of goodies in addition to endorsements, pdf files, etc concerning the book.

http://www.abranchinthevine.com/with-ness-of-our-god/

Abiding...Already and Moment by Moment

vine with many branches

It was almost 30 years ago now that I "discovered," as if for the first time, that I am a branch...a beloved one at that, but just a branch...in the Vine, the Father's true Vine, that is. And I love being a branch, because a branch doesn't have to be smart or strong.  All a branch has to do is what Jesus told His disciples just hours before His death on our behalf. And what is that something? Let's take a look as Jesus tenderly prepared His beloved disciples for the days ahead by following His walk through a vineyard on the way to Gethsemane.

Jesus to His disciples:

I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. ... Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, and neither will you if you are not connected to Me.

I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will accomplish nothing. ... If you abide in Me and My voice abides in you, anything you ask will come to pass for you. Your abundant growth and your faithfulness as My followers will bring glory to the Father.

I have loved you as the Father has loved Me. Abide in My love. Follow My example in obeying the Father’s commandments and receiving His love. If you obey My commandments, you will stay in My love. I want you to know the delight I experience, to find ultimate satisfaction, which is why I am telling you all of this. John 15:1-17 VOICE

Abide...Jesus seems to love that word. Abide to bear fruit, abide to live in His love, abide to do anything.

What does it mean to abide?

My spiritual father Andrew Murray starts us off with reflections on abiding (click on his name for more about abiding):

On my part abiding is nothing but the acceptance of my position, the consent to be kept there, the surrender of faith to the strong Vine still to hold the feeble branch.

Found in my file from years gone by is this quote from Discipleship Journal, titled "Life as a Branch":

Perhaps one of the most profound things I am learning about abiding is that it never takes you out of the moment you are in ... Abiding is not primarily about cloister and quiet. The invitation to abide is the invitation to draw spiritual sustenance directly from its Supernatural Source amid the dailiness of life! ... If we abide, fruit happens! We do our part,  but there is a life that flows up through the roots and branches that is beyond our ability to understand or produce! Abiding is and always will be a moment by moment thing!

A young friend of my children, Tess Augustine, wrote recently on facebook about contentment, an aspect of abiding:

One of the most important lessons I've learned is the JOY of being content. That's not the same as settling or giving up. That's not forfeiting dreams or "goals" because of your current circumstances. It's about being QUIET in the waiting. It's about learning to cheer others on, as they are blessed and able to do more, and help more. It's about being okay when someone's impact, abilities, talents and purpose instead of trying to do it all and be it all. It's not possible to do EVERYTHING well. It's about being joyful and loving to people and being okay when they may not return the feelings It's about humility. It's about being thankful THIS VERY SECOND and not losing your mind over what everyone else is doing, saying, or gaining. Being content is a much deeper and better feeling than any material gains or accolades one could possibly acquire in this life. Take a deep breath; be thankful for what you have now and what you've had in the past. Be hopeful for the future, but not consumed with desire and comparison. And, for the love, just. be. you.

And last, the way I say it:

Don't fight your TODAY life! Embrace it, hug it to your breast, live it (from your union with your Lord, of course), and be thankful.

Are you abiding today, dear friend? Have you discovered the freeing realization that you are just a branch? A beloved one, but just a branch, a conduit for the Life of the Vine ... and that's all you ever have to be!

And our Lord's promise is that you WILL produce much fruit! Praise His holy Name!

fruitful vine

Lenten Meditation: a Word of Abandonment

Abandoned!  Left on the “doorstep of Life”…but with no Rescuer in sight!

What happens next in the unfolding drama of the crucifixion of our Lord is incomprehensible!

It’s an abandonment so profoundly mysterious that it boggles the mind…but ravishes the believing heart! Let’s watch it unfold…

It is noon.

By this time, Jesus has already forgiven His executioners as they cruelly hammered Him to the Cross…as they, careless for His pain, roughly lifted and dropped His Cross into the ground…Father, forgive them.

By this time, He lovingly has received the confession and cry of a repentant thief with a word of hope…Today you will be with me in Paradise.

And by now, He has tenderly cared for His suffering mama by entrusting her to His beloved disciple and friend…Behold your son…behold your mother.

Three hours of agony are yet to come…as if enough suffering hasn’t already been Hiscup. This agony will be beyond understanding and description!  But this is the crux of theFather’s cup that Jesus has chosen to drink…and drink it He must…to the full!

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.
At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.
One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink.
But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” 
Matthew 27:45-49 NLT

Strangely silent, God the Father abandons Jesus, God’s Son…for three hours.

This is the same Father who validated Him at His baptism with the words:

This is my beloved Son in whom I’m well-pleased. Matthew 3:17 ESV

…the same Father who declared Him superior to Moses and Elijah at theTransfiguration:

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them;
and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” John 17:5 ESV

…and the same Abba who responded to Jesus’ prayer just days before His crucifixion:

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
…Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:27-32 ESV

But now nothing but darkness!  What kind of rift could be happening?

Whatever it is, it’s so mysteriously real that we hear the very human God-Man ask the question we all ask when we face the “unanswerables” of life…WHY?

Theologians* down through the centuries have basically scratched their theological heads, trying to understand and explain this mystery of mysteries.

But it’s the pages of Scripture that give us the answer to Jesus’ WHY?

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the LORD laid on him
the sins of us all.
Is 53:4-6 NLT

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2Cor5:21 ESV

God turned His back on His Son so He wouldn’t have to turn His back on us…

Because the wages of sin is death…spiritual as well as physical;
because death means separation…separation from God (spiritual death) as well asseparation of the soul from the body (physical death);
Jesus our Brother underwent spiritual death as well as physical death to be our sinless Sin-Bearer, our Perfect Substitute.

Jesus the God-Man was spiritually separated from a Holy God in order to take our place…and bring us to God.

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit… 1 Peter 3:18 NIV

And WHY?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us,
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1John 3:16

Prayer:

“We twist in anguish at Your cry …”My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  God forsaking God, this is a mystery beyond understanding.  A forsaking that was meant for us, but wretched alienation and blackness experienced by You.
Because of that tormented howl, the barrier that kept us from God tears in two.  And we who have insulted and mocked You, denied You and crucified You, we fall on our knees and whisper Good Friday truth: “Surely this man was the Son of God.”
Ann Voskamp, Trail to the Tree

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Something to Think About:

Have you ever been forsaken by someone you love?  Jesus understands…He was no stranger to abandonment.
He was abandoned by His nation, His people, His “so-called disciples, His brothers, Judas, Peter…and in reality, us as well.

He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care. Is 53:3 NLT

Have you ever felt abandoned by God?  Jesus was!  And this has been the experience of devout believers through the ages.  (See Dark Night of the Soul)
Of course, we will never experience it to the extent of the Son of God.  But we know that because He has gone through it before us, He understands and comes to our aid even when the Heavens may seem like brass…silent and dark.

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT

Have you asked the WHY? question…without getting a reply?  Read what our Mysterious God says:

The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. Deut 29:29

Bible Students:

Many Bible scholars consider Psalm 22, the psalm Jesus quoted here, a Messianic Psalm.
There are at least four points of comparison between Psalm 22 and Matthew 27.  See if you can find them.
Look especially at Ps 22:1,7,8,18 and Mt 27:35,39,43,46.

You may also like to read through the Gospel of John during this Lenten season.  As you do, make note of how intimately connected to and dependent on the Father, Jesus was.  This made the abandonment the Son experienced all the more painful…all for you and me!

* A Theological Word:

God forsaking God.  Who can understand that?
Martin Luther (quoted in Abiding Christ Church, Lenten study 2012)

The first three sayings were probably all spoken before noon.  This one, which is in every way central, was uttered about 3pm, after three hours of darkness and silence during which the Son of God bore the sin of the world.  In that work He had to be forsaken by God, and yet at the same time there was no splitting up of the Trinity.  All that is involved is inscrutable, but He gave Himself, He was made sin, He bore sins, and His soul was made an offering for sin.  His work was to bear sin.

Charles Ryrie,  Biblical Theology of the New Testament, p.69

Lenten Meditation: Eulogize your living loved one

eulogy  noun, plural eulogies.
1. a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honor of a deceased person.
2. high praise or commendation.

In our week’s Lenten meditation, we focus on the Lord’s care for His dear mom as His own death approaches.  How tender, how like a beloved son of a beloved mom! Caring for our treasured loved ones is at the heart of “family” in the purest sense of the word.

However, we often forget that true caring can be much deeper and more needed than merely physical care, as critical as that is.  There’s a caring that touches heart and soul…one that meeting physical needs approaches, but a caring that perhaps only loving words can reach.

We busily go through our lives, often thinking many kind thoughts and feeling loving, appreciative sentiments for our loved ones, but not stopping to put words and voice to them…nourishing the soul of ones we love.

Rather what do we traditionally do?  We wait until the person has passed away to express those words, words that deep down she may have been longing to hear.    We give those golden words to others in the form of a eulogy, either formally or informally delivered, at a funeral or memorial service.

I’ve been thinking a lot about death these days, especially since my dear mom has gone to her reward with Jesus in heaven just last November.  About eight years ago, several of my siblings had the wonderful brain-child to celebrate my mom’s 85th birthday with a big party/reunion.  This was a huge deal with music, singing, readings and fun!

As part of that, many of us wrote, in a sense, our eulogies to her, and my son Jeremy compiled them in a book with photos.  And as wonderful as the entire occasion was, the most important thing was that little volume of golden words.

I’m not sure my mom was able to take it all that day. But I do know something was received…she was honored with words of love, affection, and affirmation.  And she looked through that book while she was in the Manor House Senior Center, and who knows but many memories kicked in when she viewed not just words but alsophotos of loved ones.

So dear friends, don’t wait too long!  Don’t even wait till 85…life is a vapor!

I really believe that a big part of our grief over the loss of a loved one is really regret (which can eat us alive!).  Seize the opportunity to just simply say the beautiful, wonderful things you think and feel, even right then and there in the moment. You don’t need a big bash to do it! Don’t assume the person knows how you feel!We are all insecure enough to NOT KNOW!

You will be glad you did…but most of all, your loved one will be “cared for” in the depths of her soul!

For His honor and glory! Amen!

To see my “eulogy” for my mom’s 85, click here.

Take a look at the one another verses.

Lenten Meditation: Eulogize your living loved one

eulogy  noun, plural eulogies.1. a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honor of a deceased person. 2. high praise or commendation.

In our week's Lenten meditation, we focus on the Lord's care for His dear mom as His own death approaches.  How tender, how like a beloved son of a beloved mom! Caring for our treasured loved ones is at the heart of "family" in the purest sense of the word.

However, we often forget that true caring can be much deeper and more needed than merely physical care, as critical as that is.  There's a caring that touches heart and soul...one that meeting physical needs approaches, but a caring that perhaps only loving words can reach.

We busily go through our lives, often thinking many kind thoughts and feeling loving, appreciative sentiments for our loved ones, but not stopping to put words and voice to them...nourishing the soul of ones we love.

Rather what do we traditionally do?  We wait until the person has passed away to express those words, words that deep down she may have been longing to hear.    We give those golden words to others in the form of a eulogy, either formally or informally delivered, at a funeral or memorial service.

I've been thinking a lot about death these days, especially since my dear mom has gone to her reward with Jesus in heaven just last November.  About eight years ago, several of my siblings had the wonderful brain-child to celebrate my mom's 85th birthday with a big party/reunion.  This was a huge deal with music, singing, readings and fun!

As part of that, many of us wrote, in a sense, our eulogies to her, and my son Jeremy compiled them in a book with photos.  And as wonderful as the entire occasion was, the most important thing was that little volume of golden words.

I'm not sure my mom was able to take it all that day. But I do know something was received...she was honored with words of love, affection, and affirmation.  And she looked through that book while she was in the Manor House Senior Center, and who knows but many memories kicked in when she viewed not just words but also  photos of loved ones.

So dear friends, don't wait too long!  Don't even wait till 85...life is a vapor!

I really believe that a big part of our grief over the loss of a loved one is really regret (which can eat us alive!).  Seize the opportunity to just simply say the beautiful, wonderful things you think and feel, even right then and there in the moment. You don't need a big bash to do it! Don't assume the person knows how you feel!We are all insecure enough to NOT KNOW!

You will be glad you did...but most of all, your loved one will be "cared for" in the depths of her soul!

For His honor and glory! Amen!

To see my "eulogy" for my mom's 85, click here.

Take a look at the one another verses.

Lenten Meditation: Finding It Home

I wrote this a year ago, while my mom was still alive...now she is in glory, experiencing what she had anticipated all her life! Paradise, Heaven, the Pearly Gates, our Eternal Rest...mystery beyond measure!

The Bible gives us glimpses of this place of rest from earthly labors...streets of gold, myriads of angels, the throne of God, believing loved ones we have said "good by" to on this earth, and most of all, the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Lover of our souls!

My almost 91 year old mom is getting very close to that glorious place.  I think that all her life, she has kept heaven in view.  I remember as a child she would quote this verse to me:

...eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 DRA

She applied that precious verse to heaven, and she is certainly right.*  We humans cannot even imagine...but we will have our spiritual senses sharpened to take it all in.  Now we experience Him & His delights as in a shadow, don't we?  But then face to face!

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

I found a sweet book on Heaven in my search to find something my mom could take in with her now limited physical understanding.  It's by Anne Graham Lotz.  Perhaps you would like to take a look.

The older I get in the Lord, the more I realize what Jesus said is true, "Unless you become as a little child, you cannot enter [and might I add, "experience"] the kingdom of God."

As I woke up this morning, I recalled a song I have loved for years.  It has a hauntingly beautiful melody, so rich in imagery.  Here it is. Enjoy it in two ways.  The first is the song movingly sung by a male voice; the second, at the end of a sweet medley sung by Christine Wrytzen.  May you be blessed by both.

Finally Home

When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea, Unknown waves before you roll; At the end of doubt and peril is eternity, Though fear and conflict seize your soul.

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand-And finding it God's! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night, O how lonely death can be; At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light, For death is swallowed up in victory!

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand-And finding it God's! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2uZxlfFQm4']

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX4F1eatvmY']

*In the context of 2 Corinthians 2, this verse is more broadly applied to experiencing the Lord in ever increasing measure even while here on earth.  Of course in heaven, it will be full...hallelujah!

Another song shared just today by my devout cousin-in-law. Thank you, Marilyn!

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPLO3c1LrTU']

Loving and Being Loved

A few years ago on Valentines Day, I ran to Kroger to pick up a few needed items.  As I got out of my car in the parking lot and walked across the lot to enter the store, I saw a man leaving, carrying a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers!   For some reason, it moved me to tears. Here was a middle-aged, short, stocky guy...not handsome at all....not romantic looking or attractive in any way.  And yet, I realized he was incredibly blessed because he LOVES someone.

Maybe she's a wife, a sweetheart, a daughter, a mother...but he has SOMEONE to love.

And maybe she loves HIM in return!

Love is a gift...both sides of love -- loving and being loved.

If you love someone today...let him/her know!  If you are loved by someone today...be thankful!

Above all, dear friend, know that you are loved by your God...be thankful and let HIM know!

We love because He first loved us! 1 John 4:19

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

I love this poem.  I discovered in the form of a picture book when my kids were young.  Now I use it printed out with several Hershey Hugs and a real hug!  Give it a try!

Hugs by Ron Stopkoski

It's wondrous what a hug can do. A hug can cheer you when you're blue A hug can say, "I love you so," Or, "Gee, I hate to see you go."

A hug is, "Welcome back again," And, "Great to see you!  Where have you been?" A hug can soothe a small child's pain And bring a rainbow after rain.

The hug! There's just no doubt about it! We scarcely could survive with out it! A hug delights and warms and charms. It must be why God gave us arms.

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers, Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers. And chances are your favorite aunts Love them more than potted plants.

Kittens crave them. Puppies love them. Heads of state are not above them. A hug can break the language barrier And make your travels so much merrier.

No need to fret about your store of 'em; The more you give the more there's more of  'em. So stretch those arms without delay And GIVE SOMEONE A HUG TODAY!!!!

My Sticky Valentine...Loving Real, Loving Well

I am so honored to introduce you to my latest Guest Branch, my darling daughter, Elizabeth ... better known to all of us as Beth. Beth and Nate, her husband of ten-plus years, started out as good friends in high school. Years later, at just the right time, their real-life friendship blossomed into something more.

So in this post from her own blog, Beth describes a real-life romance, celebrating Valentines Day in a real-life way.

A profoundly real truth for us all!

Beth and Nate

My Sticky Valentine

Valentine’s Day has always been a sticky holiday for my husband and I. My decorating style may be romantic at times, but our style as a couple just doesn't jive with all the over the top drama associated with the holiday.  My date night of choice for example would be to go play a rousing game of billiards and flirt competitively with my husband over drinks rather than exchange sonnets professing our love.  There is just something that doesn't ring true in my heart if it has to be cloaked in too much pomp and circumstance.

We usually just play it safe though and go the humorous route, oh yeah, and chocolate...lots and lots of chocolate.  Honestly I would be hard pressed to find an occasion in life where Godiva would not be appropriate.

But last year I couldn't opt-out with humor.  Just a couple of months prior we had taken a large financial hit with our rental home, having to replace the entire AC unit as well as completing some other major repairs. While we were trying to regain our footing, we found out that we were expecting.  Being the efficient military couple, forced to travel light, we had gotten rid of all the paraphernalia required for a child under the age of 4.

It wasn't earth shattering and truly the latter one was a blessing but by Valentines day we were left feeling stressed and emotionally tired.

I set out to compose a valentine that was financially cheap, emotionally extravagant and honestly whimsical.

After composing the message, I printed it out on card stock folding it at the top twice, leaving 1/2in allowance between the folds, to fit a box of my husband's favorite chewing gum on the inside.

Then I left it on the seat of his car.

It's not perfect.  In fact I can't help thinking how my graphic designer brother might react to my type choice and spacing.  I guess its only fitting. My husband and I are not perfect either but in our imperfection, perfect for each other and isn't that what Valentines day is all about?

Visit Beth at her blog Rental Pretty

Rental Pretty

I'm not afraid to experiment with unconventional materials, snatch up and repurpose rejected items waiting for the landfill,and occasionally fail in the process.

It's all in the effort to transform this bland rental space from rental ready to RentalPretty.