February 2011 Edition

O.K., I get it. After the last snow event, which had about an inch of snowfall at night, looked pretty in the morning, not disrupting travel, or school and gone in the afternoon, I began to understand the North’s dislike of snow. They like that kind of snow. What they don’t like is the kind of snow we had earlier. We had five inches of snow followed by a coating of ice. This made travel barely possible and closed the schools for several days. Even the kids were bored. You could not play in snow, which was actually ice. After a couple of days, it was not even pretty. I must admit I have had enough of snow for one season. This is a radical admission from Mr. “Up Several Times at Night To See If It Is Snowing and Sticking!”

Ah, but now the temperatures are warming It is the time of year to prepare for Spring and new growth. This is done, of course, by pruning. Peggy is the artist with pruning shears. She knows which plants to cut back and just how much to cut them back to achieve the greatest amount of new growth. My job, every year, is to prune the crepe myrtles. I have gotten good at it. At least, I have not murdered the two nice ones we have at the head of the driveway entrance. This will come as a shock to some of you that are reading this, but I actually read several articles on pruning crepe myrtles! This from a, “Read the directions only as a last resort”, type of guy. The success of my efforts remains to be seen.

The Bible talks about pruning. I like the way Jesus used illustrations people could relate to in his stories. He used many agricultural illustrations to make His points because his audience was made up largely of people who grew their own food. Look what Jesus says in the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of John. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Pruning is interesting. Why would you cut a perfectly good branch that seems healthy? I understand cutting off parts that are dead and non-productive, but not cutting back something that seems o.k.

What is Jesus trying to say when he talks about pruning? He is not just talking about plants but about people. What does this pruning process look like in a person’s life?
Maybe I can illustrate it best from my own life experience. Let me explain:

Years ago, I began the ministry of Young Life here in Marietta/ Cobb County. For many years, the organization functioned well because of a dedicated team of staff and volunteer leaders. My ministry was successful in some areas, but there was a great deal of room for growth in other areas. In short, I needed pruning to prepare me for more fruitfulness. For a plant, the pruning process is not painful, but, many times, for humans, it is very painful. I was asked to resign from my position as Area Director because the anger issues that had never been adequately dealt with and were causing problems. For too many years, people enabled my behavior by covering for me and making excuses for me. God pruned me by removing me from Young Life. He set me aside for a year of unemployment to prepare me for my current ministry. I have been in my current position for almost twenty years now.

Please do not read into this and think that I am saying that I have it all together. I do not. I do, however, feel that I have grown from God’s pruning. He is constantly pruning us for greater growth, if we let Him. But we must “remain in the vine.” As Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches, if a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing”. Are you ready for greater growth and fruitfulness in your life? Then be open to God’s pruning. It may be painful, but it is worth it in the end.


MINISTRY NEWS:
Beginning March 1st, I will be adding a new role in my ministry. I will be the Helpline Responder for the Crime Victims Advocacy Council responsible for answering calls from victims of violent crime in the Metro Atlanta Area, who are seeking help with issues related to their circumstances. I then refer them to the proper resources. This group does as its name implies. It advocates for the victim of violent crime in the areas of legal, financial, mental health and day-to-day living issues. My good friend Mark Bullman, who is an attorney, is the Chairman of The Board of C.V.A.C. and recommended me for the position. It will not interfere with my current ministry but only serve to enhance it.

We are planning a four-day retreat for men to Fripp Island South Carolina at the end of March.

Don’t forget to sign up for the 1st Annual “Duck If It’s Buck, Plaid Pants Open” Golf Tournament to be held Friday May 6th at Marietta Country Club. We are look for corporate and individual tee and hole sponsors. Call Buck for details at 678-986-4814.