"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."
Jesus - John 15:5
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing."
Jesus - John 15:5
Late last week Ron and I visited Temecula, that town I remember as a child being way out in the middle of nowhere! Nobody wanted to go there, but today I understand it is second only to Disneyland in Southern California tourist attractions. And based on the traffic, I believe it. This old-fashioned country town has come to be known as the Temecula Valley Wine Country. Most everywhere you look there are expertly manicured vineyards, elegant wineries, hot air balloons, and championship golf courses, not to mention its historic old downtown, hopping with great restaurants.
All that makes for a fun place to spend a day or two, but the reason we were there is to be with family and friends. Our daughter lives there and our son was here along with friends from Colorado, and what a good time we had. There's nothing quite like relaxing, visiting and enjoying good food with those we love, and we had it all! One of the things we did was visit a winery where we sat around a picnic table in a park like setting right on the edge of a vineyard. Not only were vines with their branches all around us, but also we actually sat in a grape arbor with bunches of grapes hanging overhead. I think they were left there after the harvest to create ambiance. It worked, for it was an ideal setting for a cozy afternoon of conversation.
But what caught my attention the most was the grape vine. As we sat there sharing stories and talking about life, right in my line of vision was one of the biggest, strongest looking vines I've seen. it was rock solid! My photo doesn't do it justice, but ever since I haven't been able to get it out of my mind, for it reminds me of Jesus when He described Himself as the vine and those who know Him as the branches--those skinny little things that hold weighty bunches of grapes. It doesn't take much to understand His metaphor. Without the strength of the vine, the branches would accomplish nothing. Never would they bear such fruit.
If branches could talk, their only concern would be staying connected to the vine.
Praying you stay connected today!
Love and blessings,
Judy Rose Grubaugh
All that makes for a fun place to spend a day or two, but the reason we were there is to be with family and friends. Our daughter lives there and our son was here along with friends from Colorado, and what a good time we had. There's nothing quite like relaxing, visiting and enjoying good food with those we love, and we had it all! One of the things we did was visit a winery where we sat around a picnic table in a park like setting right on the edge of a vineyard. Not only were vines with their branches all around us, but also we actually sat in a grape arbor with bunches of grapes hanging overhead. I think they were left there after the harvest to create ambiance. It worked, for it was an ideal setting for a cozy afternoon of conversation.
But what caught my attention the most was the grape vine. As we sat there sharing stories and talking about life, right in my line of vision was one of the biggest, strongest looking vines I've seen. it was rock solid! My photo doesn't do it justice, but ever since I haven't been able to get it out of my mind, for it reminds me of Jesus when He described Himself as the vine and those who know Him as the branches--those skinny little things that hold weighty bunches of grapes. It doesn't take much to understand His metaphor. Without the strength of the vine, the branches would accomplish nothing. Never would they bear such fruit.
If branches could talk, their only concern would be staying connected to the vine.
Praying you stay connected today!
Love and blessings,
Judy Rose Grubaugh