Happy Dependence Day 2025
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Here at A Branch in the Vine, we are proclaiming our Declaration of Dependence! We are celebrating that every day is Dependence Day for those of us who "live from the life of Another."
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In the Meantime: Sunrises say "Glory" in Scripture and Song
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Reflections from Past Sunrises beginning August 2014
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.Psalm 19:1-6 NLT
sunrise 8-14
sunrise 8-14
...your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4 NIV
sunrise
sunrise
sunrise
sunrise -- low tide
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
sunrise
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 ESV
sunrise
sunrise
sunrise
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV
sunrise
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 NIV
sunrise
sunrise
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Romans 8:19-21 NIV
sunrise
sunrise
This "Branch" is going "Down the Shore" Again
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From my very first year of blogging and many years since, I’ve been blogging my journeys to my “happy place”…the Jersey Shore.
A portion of this blogpost is a trip into yesteryear —one of my early Jersey shore blogs, Aug 2016.
And actually in a couple days, we will again be on our way to that favorite place on earth for me. It’s not just the ocean that calls me. It’s my roots — the precious loved ones (family and friends) and memories of my growing up years. So off we go for another adventure…
Read MoreNever Too Young, Never Too Old
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You are never too young…
you are never too old…
… to be the expression of the life of God
in you and through you as you.
I have a precious granddaughter. Her name is Claire. Claire has been falling in love with God for years now. When she was about 4 years old, she asked me one day,
”Babci [my Polish name for G’ma], who told you about God.”
A Blessing for Aging ... Trusting and Flourishing
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Aging is hard. When we are young, aged people are often “invisible.” Life is so busy for parents of growing families, adults who are building careers, even middle aged people who are young enough to travel and serve. They all have “big, busy lives.”
As we get older, our lives can get smaller. Our capacity shrinks and much of our time, attention, and energies are absorbed by health issues. Life gets hard and can feel hopeless.
Read MoreTurning 78: Growing Old with the Ancient of Days
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For some reason, I’m feeling my age this year.
Up to this point, I hadn’t felt old… I have just felt “me” — a little slower, a little more forgetful, a little more “invisible” to those around me. But just an older “me.”
Maybe it’s been my multiple bouts of pneumonia OR maybe it’s my believing the enemy’s lie “you’re too old to ______” ( I’ll share my thoughts on that in a coming post).
Read More[FlashBack] Trinitarian Benediction -- Enjoying the Dance
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2 Corinthians 13:14 is one of the most glorious benedictions in Scripture. It is a blessing celebrating the fullness of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Read More[FlashBack] A Favorite Hymn: To Write the Love of God Above!
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Do you have a favorite forgotten hymn? I almost forgot this gem of a hymn until someone commented on an old post containing the song. And then this Sunday our choir at our church sang it and sent my heart soaring!
The hymn? -- "The Love of God."
The metaphor in the third stanza absorbs my mind and imagination:
Read More[New Post] My "Under Stress Mantra" Transforms My Every Day
/![[New Post] My "Under Stress Mantra" Transforms My Every Day](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/564e2a34e4b0ad118963f571/1748995195068-IRDHDYH8RZPUPT02C9FX/stones.jpg)
… In the midst of my first bout, I had already been scheduled at my church to share my journey with Jesus. My “Stones of Remembrance” (as I called it) was designed as an activity for ladies to think through and begin to journal their own journey with God.
I got the OK from my doc to do the meeting if I felt up to it. I did feel up to it. I was prepared. My only concern was would my voice and body and energy last. So as I sat with my Abba early in the day of the presentation, He gave me my mantra, which I live …
Read More[New Post] Mottos and Mantras: Words of Wisdom Over the Years
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This past winter, I spent almost three months hibernating in-between bouts of pneumonia. Lots of time to clean out my extras and get rid of many “unnessaries.”
In the course of it all, I pulled out an over-large storage container filled with my old notebook-journals. They date back from the 1970’s to the present. These gems and mundane thoughts are from years of recording into whatever notebook was at hand at the time.
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Mentoring at its Best: Attachment that Detaches
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Several years ago, I had an interesting conversation with a friend about mentoring. We marveled at how so many Christians we know, who have matured in the Lord through the help of a mentor, end up being rejected by that same mentor for not agreeing with them on minor points of doctrine or practice, or for moving on in a different direction in ministry, or for some other difference of opinion. How sad. But how common!
Well, there is good news! There is a gem of a spiritual father tucked away in the gospels, one of my heroes of the faith, John the Baptist! He shows us what a true mentor is like. John is not only a clear example of "letting go," but also a stellar model of attachment to his Lord Jesus Christ.
Read MoreCalled to Be Spiritual Fathers/Mothers
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If we are followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, siblings in the family of God, we are called to mature into “spiritual fatherhood/motherhood” in the family.
Is that a surprising thought? Let's think together about this idea of "spiritual parenting."
In his first letter, the fatherly, aged apostle John penned a tenderhearted passage on the growth stages in a believer's life.
Read MoreAbba's Little Girls: Mama-Sisters
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Motherhood is a Sisterhood...unrivaled by any other (except perhaps, Grandmother-hood). So if you are a mom, you are my beloved sister...
And sometimes we mama-sisters just need to be daughters...Abba's (Hebrew for Daddy) little girls.
So this Mothers' Day, let us hear these restful words of promise from our Abba:
Read MoreThe Emptying of Motherhood: Alone?
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It has been a lot of years since my nest emptied. But every year I can’t help but think of how it all began — so hard, but so intended. We knew the day would come, but how did it happen so soon? And did it have to hurt so much?
So every year I revisit my thoughts, my experiences, and how the Lord comforts and speaks in the entire process. Why not join me (again?) this year if you dare.
Read More"Eulogize" your Mom While She is Still Alive!
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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.
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.
Read MoreChrist's Ascension to the Father...Key to my Life on this Earth [a Bible Study with live link
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Years ago, I heard a sermon on the Ascension of Christ. To tell you the truth, I had never thought much of the Lord's Ascension. My focus had always been on the death, burial, and resurrection of my Lord...and the incredible benefits to me as His child and disciple. But lately I’ve been pondering anew the glory of it all and its vital importance to my own spiritual walk in this sin-cursed world.
Read MoreWHY WORRY? a guest post by a "Spontaneous Friend"
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I am honored and thrilled to introduce you to a dear friend, Birdie Anderson. Birdie and I met back in March of 2018 while walking on a wooded path in O’Fallon, Illinois. Our daughter Beth and son-in-law Nate had just made a military move there with Kaden (12 yo), Eli (7 yo), William (3 yo), and Claire (1yo).
So with William and Claire in a double stroller, off we would go to the beloved path. One of those days, Ms Birdie kindly stopped to chat with us at, what would become, our snack bench. We very quickly realized we were sisters in the Lord.
Read MoreResurrection Joy Continues...O Happy Day!
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I couldn’t resist posting this again since it is still Easter week.
It was Easter 2012 when I first wrote these joy-filled thoughts. My “then 5 y.o. grandson” Evan and “3 y.o. grandson Carter” are now 18 and 16. Evan surely would rather play this awesome song on his drums and Carter, while bouncing a basketball…
…but JOY, no matter what!
Read MoreHe is Alive ... Forever! And So Am I!
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He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.
Matthew 28:6 NLT
Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.
John 14:19 NLT
