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- By: Jon Turk
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This week has been a wild and crazy week with lots of twists and turns leading to some thought provoking moments. At one point while talking with a friend about how both Lisa and I were feeling God's leading regarding certain aspects of our lives they asked a very direct and probing question, "If things don't work out with the plan you are currently pursuing are you going to continue down this path anyway?" My answer was rather sobering - "I'm not sure I have that much faith!" That answer prompted some serious contemplation over the next 24 hours. Thinking of the father whose son was possessed by a demon and the disciples could not cast it out. When the father asked Jesus to cast it out Jesus' response was "If you believe, all things are possible." The fathers response was mine that day, "I believe, help my unbelief." (See Matthew 9:14-25 for the story.) My problem is I want to have all my ducks in a row. I don't just want them in a row, I want to know where they are going and how they are going to get there! That is not faith, that is certainty and I struggle balancing faith with certainty.
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- By: Jon Turk
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Shortly after we moved into our house here in Texas Lisa found two concord grape vines on sale at our local Home Depot. We planted those and the next year bought four more, adding them to our "vinyard " in the back yard. Unfortunately neither of us knew anything about growing grapes! The first year they all took off sending out canes down the supporting wires we had strung along our back fence. The second year they produced a few grapes (almost enough for a single batch of jelly). The next year we got a lot of buds but not a single one matured into an edible grape. What we didn't know then is that in order for grape vines to produce grapes they need to be pruned - every year, all but 5 or 6 buds on each cane. Grape vines produce a lot of growth. First year growth is called a cane, older growth is called a cordon. It is only canes that produce grapes - too many cordons sap the energy from the vine, robbing it of its ability to produce grapes! If you want to produce grapes you have to get rid of the old cordons every year! Relying on what grew last year won't produce any fruit!
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- By: Jon Turk
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Last week I mentioned our dog Pogo and how he illustrates my often chaotic relationship with God. He is a pure bred (he was never registered but we have his pedigree papers) Australian Shepherd who came to live with us about 5 1/2 years ago when he was 1 year old. We adopted him from a family that had gotten him as a puppy for their (young adult) son. When their son joined the military they found themselves caring for a dog that unfortunately mom was allergic to - so the dog had to go! When we visited to assess the compatibility fit between him and our home we discovered that he was a very high strung, high octane animal, he had 3 speeds - off, full throttle, and warp speed. He could go from full off to bouncing off the walls in a half second.
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- By: Jon Turk
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The past two weeks I have attempted to begin the Sabbath by pausing to contemplate some aspect of my week reviewing how God has spoken to me in some quiet way as I start the day He has set aside to fellowship with us. This week was a busy week and as a result I had another appointment that left me rushing to get home before sunset that left me falling over the edge into Sabbath instead of ushering it in quietly. I have contemplated often how Lisa's and my dog Pogo illustrates my rushed relationship with God. I may explore that more in depth in another post at another time, but today is Valentines day so I want to explore that concept a little today.
Read more: [God] Loves You, and There is Nothing You Can Do About It
