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Message Tuesday, July 5, 2011 ![]() Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County, PA ![]() "The Blessing Of Pruning" "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 15:1,2). Last week Brooksyne and I visited Eaton Farms, a large commercial farm north of Reading Pennsylvania that grows trees, shrubs and perennials for the wholesale home, garden and landscape market. I know the owner, Don Eaton, through his association with "Convene", a Christian businessman's group I also associate with. The farm covers 200 acres and since we enjoy home gardening and landscaping we really were blessed to view his operation. Don and his wife, Kathy, along with five of their six adult children, work on the farm as well as his sister and her husband. Like many farms it is truly a family operation! After our visit in his office he had a golf cart brought up and told us to have a look around. It was a joy to ride through the vast property and observe all the plants and trees in their stages of development. ![]() He seeks to operate his business using godly principles. In fact the following verse included in his mission statement sums it up well, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23). We have a small Japanese weeping maple tree that got off to a bad start last year. I picked it out of a selection of plants that were being disposed of. I suppose I find joy in taking something that is intended for destruction and nursing it back to health, though a major contributing factor was that it was free. In addition I really wanted that type of tree! ![]() The daily Scriptures are the very words of our Lord Jesus. The typical interpretation is that Jesus is the vine (or in the case of a tree like the main trunk) and we are the branches of the vine (or tree). The Father cuts off branches that bear no fruit, which has been variously interpreted by Christians through the ages. Some see the branches as aspects in our life that are undesirable and that God "prunes" them to make us more fruitful. Today I consider the latter part of the daily text, "every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Are you bearing fruit today? All who follow Christ are called to bear fruit. In fact Jesus ended His teaching with this statement, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:8). All fruit-bearing Christians are subject to pruning (notice "every branch"). The purpose of the pruning is that we might be "even more fruitful." Scriptural fruitfulness is both the development of the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22,23 (Christ-like character traits) and effectiveness in ministry Colossians 1:6. The nature of this "pruning" is seen by many to be the trials that are an inevitable part of our earthly existence. I can't speak for you, but I 'm rather uncomfortable with the painful pruning experiences of life. Too often I'm willing to settle for the fruit I already have rather than focusing on being "more fruitful" which follows the pruning action. But I go back to that detail I pointed out earlier: "Every branch," Jesus said, "that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." May God give each of us an assurance that the pruning experience is evidence of His love. He is cultivating our spiritual life, making us more productive and effective in that which He has called us to do. Ultimately pruning is a blessing! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber ![]() Eaton Farms ![]() Don and Kathy Eaton ![]() We looked out from Don's office, which sits on a hill overlooking a part of the farm, to open greenhouses with a variety of colorful stock. It was a stunning view and this photo only captures a small part of it. ![]() We thought the irrigation provided a pretty scene, kind of like a water show, minus the music and fancy lights. ![]() The trees are planted in the ground in pots. This type of farming takes patience since many of the crops are not ready for harvest each year but may require several years of growth and attention before they are ready for harvest (ready to sell). There's a spiritual lesson here: See Galatians 6:9 ![]() I have always liked red trees but don't see this many of them all together in neat rows! ![]() The topiary require a lot of human attention. ![]() Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Today we considered songs on pruning and all we could recall was an old children's song that states, "He prunes back the branches when the branches get too high... but that didn't seem suitable for this message! However the consideration led to this song: "Bring The Rain" Video MercyMe This song in turn prompted another song as a tribute to two older saints that recently finished their journey on this side and went home to be with the Lord; Catherine Fry, 91, and Mary Dourte Martin, 97. These women were faithful to the very end and we are thankful for their faithful walk with Christ. "I Can Only Imagine" & "Finally Home" Video MercyMe Here are two websites related to Don Eaton's Farm: Eaton Farms Pennsylvania Pride On this site you can view growing tips by Don, including how to prune a Japanese Maple! Eaton Farms is located near beautiful Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County PA. This satellite photo gives you some idea of the size of the operation! "Convene" is an association of business owners who seeks to run their businesses in a Christ-like manner. Ron Hoover is a local chair and shares a video here. Ron has been a tremendous source of encouragement to our ministry! Permissions:
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