New Year, New You!

Everyone is familiar with the good 'o New Year's Resolution - right?
The Common New Year's resolutions are to be better spouse, spend more time with family, to quit smoking, drinking, to manage finances wiser, excercise more. Certainly the most common New Years resolution is probably to lose weight, and eat better foods.
Great goals! 1 Timothy 4:8 wants us to keep exercise in its proper place, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
Reality Check: The vast majority of New Year's resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. Though this is not horrible, there is more we could be reaching for!
Now there are many Christians that make a New Year's resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible in a year or every day, and to get more involved in church. That's Great!
Unfortunately, these New Year's resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions. WHY? Probably because regardless of INTENTION there is no power in a New Year's resolution.
Resolving to start or stop doing something has no power, value or authority unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or a particular habit or activity.
Why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, To fall more and more in Love with Jesus or is it because you have been told that it is a good thing or the Christian thing to do?
Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it to honor yourself?
Philippians 4:13 tells us, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
John 15:5 declares, "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."
If God is the center of your New Years resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to HIM. New Year's resolutions are not bad, infact they are a good thing to aim for most of the time...But if it is only powered by YOU, It is likely to fail, WHY? Because we ALL FALL SHORT of God's intended glory!
If it is God's will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God's Word, we will not receive God's help in fulfilling the resolution.
So, what sort of New Year's resolution should a Christian make?
Here are some suggestions: (1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; (2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) Rely on God's strength to help you; (4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; (5) Don't become discouraged with occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further; (6) Don't become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."



Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Unwelcomed King

This is a time when the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke are re-visited. We have a sweet and serene picture in our head of a mother and her child cozily wrapped warm and tended to within a picturesque stable with several animals gazing adoringly on the new born child.

But in reality, was it really as wonderful as it is portrayed in a Kresh, picture or movie? Certainly not. It was dark, dank, and dirty. Mary and Joseph were alone, uncared for medically by midwives and without a room in the town.

Why would a King of such Magnitude, who orchestrates everything and orders the universe create an entrance into the world so desperate and crude?

Perhaps because that's the true state of our world regardless of how glorious we feel it is at times? Perhaps He was making a commentary on what we deem valuable? Perhaps He was showing that even if we wanted to give the Lord of Creation an entrance of splendor the best we could provide from our sinful state, in comparision to His True Majesty, would be no better than a dirty, filthy, unworthy, chaotic mess.

How true it is when we don't know Christ...Our world dark and disorderly, is unwelcoming of who Christ is... We go about our day, busy and flurried...We have no room for Him, we permit Him to play a small part in our world perhaps, but only give him the area in the back ground. Perhaps there is part of us that feel like we should remember the religious reason for the season...so we relegate Jesus to the back cave somewhere in the dark... we gave Him some room . It's the most we will do. Afterall, there is so much we have to tend to, so much work to do, visitors coming, places to go, things to make, prepare, buy and give....

They only time it really hits us, is like the shepherds, while tending to things, God in His mercy shines His glorious Light in our hearts and declares as if by angels Who He is! ... Humbled and even fearful we come to acknowledge that Jesus is not just a new King born, one of thousands, BUT THE KING of KINGS...

Then when it strikes our hearts we are in awe of who He is, with a realization that He Has come to us to save us from our dark and dank world and existance...To proclaim us as His own, to establish a hope and to restore man to Himself.

What Glorious news, what hope and redemption. Then we get it and like those shepherds, run through the town proclaiming all that they had seen and heard from the heavenly messengers...

I encourage you to truly consider what it is that Christ has done, why it was that He came, What it is we celebrate and to give Him room this Holiday (HOLY DAY) season...Not in the background somewhere, but in the best room of your heart!



Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Christmas Poem

We Celebrate His birth
Yet, pay Him little mind,
Happiness is thought to be found in gifts,
While true joy is hard to find.
Could it be we've been caught up in superficial things
and forgotten who is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings?
We see Him as a helpless child
In a small and distant manger
We proclaim to know Him,
Yet to many, He's but a stranger
Let us not forget the reason that He came,
Powerful Freedom and Forgiveness
Is that which He proclaims!

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Whewww! I did it!

Well, I did it...

Sang the National Anthem and God Bless America! - Acappella - no less! I had been invited by the New York State Chief of Staff, Fred DiFabio to sing the opening and closing song for their annual, 'Dropping of the Roses Ceremony' hosted at the Farmingdale AirPower Museum...It is a wonderful ceremony commemorating the infamous day of December 7th, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. Each year, several hundred people attend the ceremony, with several state and federal dignitaries which is coordinated by the Long Island Air Force Association, in conjunction with the Navy and various other military branches and personel. Special guests are the Long Island survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack...Roses, one for each year since that day, are blessed with waters that come from the area surrounding the USS Arizona in Hawaii...then they are flown by the Geico Skytypers in vintage WWII planes over the Statue of Liberty and dropped...

It was a very Somber moment, the introduction and then the formal Presentation of Colors, as the Navy, the Civil Air Patrol, the Airforce and the Vietnam Veterans (I'm sure there were others), marched forward in carrying the flags. It was so official, so somber, so perfectly coordinated...I didn't even feel like I should smile...

So, properly I stood, put my hand over my heart, (silently prayed) and there it was that first note...OOOOooooooSAY can you SEE....

Oh goodness I didn't start where I wanted to. The note was fine, but not the one I was practicing....ahhhhhh - will I hit all of them ok? Thoughts, and nerves ran almost wild as I simultaneously tried to keep my cool, not say - 'Oops wrong note, let me start again, do over please.' NOPE - I was committed - 'Forward Christian soldier....'

I resolved my self to focus on the back wall gazing past the flag..., above the heads of every one there, praying God you would cover and help me get to those high notes now...

I heard in my own voice a tremble and stress at them, but 'so I'm told' it couldn't be noticed...
So I finally finished, hitting every note, at least 'ok', and thankfully in the flurry of nerves and fear and raging thoughts and prayers didn't forget any of the words...That would have been worse - I think.

I was far more comfortable for the closing song 'God Bless America'. Everyone joined in and sang along...

It was a true honor and a blessing...a small way to give honor where honor is due, to be thankful for this great nation, for those who surrendered their lives that we might be able to walk and live in the freedoms we so abundantly enjoy...

Thank You Lord for the privalege!

You can watch some of the videos that were shown at the ceremony this year here...

http://www.joannafruhauf.com/apps/videos/

Raise the Banner was written, recorded and coordinated by me and shown at the ceremony.

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Tom Tom or Good O' Map

Tom Tom or Good O' Map?
Posted on August 9, 2008 at 5:11 PM delete edit comments (3)
Tom Tom or Road Map? There?s a question!
Each have their value, Knowing how to have both working together is the optimum package!
I was raised from a young girl how to read road maps, how to navigate, how to quickly decipher a problem and reroute. I like to see the big picture, know where I am, where I?m going, how I may get there and all this in relation to what is within the areas I?ll be going through. Having recently gotten a TomTom I can see how great it is to have, how in a pinch it gives you the 'turn here, turn now' directions that we all need some times not just on the road but in life as well, BUT I would not give up my map for the world! Personally I feel like a horse being led by a carrot!
This past vacation, we found the new toy fun and helpful, but not completely accurate. Pulling a trailer with propane tanks, we are not allowed on certain roads, bridges or tunnels. Well guess, what - - - the GPS system didn't indicate those needed routes (perhaps we didn't know how to input those parameters) Out came the road map and the primary course was based on that and our understanding of certain laws, do's and don'ts.
I got frustrated because regardless of how cool, how convient, how new the gadget, it didn't quite give me the big picture I was looking for. In addition I found there was a tendancy using it to completely rely on it and not think on my own. Simply follow, no questions asked. It started me thinking, what if I left it at home, how lost might I be, how insecure would I find myself?
There is a huge push to create a generation to become completely dependent on technology. How many of us use a calculator to do simple math? Check the computer for everyday things? To call 411 instead of searching through a phone book? Or call a neighbor instead of walking across the street? I sometimes wonder if we know anything anymore, or do we just know how to have the information fed to us for the moment we want it? Sad, but I find myself there. And wonder how many of us are intelligently ignorant or worse, incompetent?
The problem with all the cool gadgets and new gizmos of technology proves to be the attachment and ultimate dependance we have on them. We ascribe to them so much authority that we don't think for our selves anymore, we stop utilizing the phenomenal capability of our God given brains. We have fun with all the bells and whistles, and granted they are great to have, they boost our confidence and ego but in the exchange do we surrender up our critical thinking skills?
This applies to our biblical understanding and Christian walk as well. Church is an important part of the Christian walk. Sunday Services can be a wonderful time of gathering together with others and recognizing the common faith in celebration of what Christ did for us. Church as an organized group of people under the direction of leaders can be one of the most instrumental ways for us to grow spiritually. But if Sunday service is the only time we are learning about what the Bible has to say about living our lives the way Christ would desire us to, then we are going around with a 'gps' sized window on our dashboard. It may be showing a magnified view but only a small snippet of a bigger picture.
With 365 days in a year if all we are learning is 52 hours with a few verses each time, then we are not getting to see the bigger picture, biblically or spiritually. And i f that is what we rely on to get us through life, then we may not make it. I've seen people so dependent on what others have to say, on what a church thinks or tells them, that when 'bugs' are found, or it all together breaks down, they are lost because they haven't been taught how to read the map for them selves, they've only been told they need to follow when told.
As Christians we each need to know how to read the ?road map? so that should the 'gps' have a bug in it, be unreliable, or the 'connection is lost' whether on our end; the battery dies or from the other end, there's no 'satellite connection' to the gps, our ability to understand the road map is still viable and allows us to continue on our way to the intended destination, despite any modern marvels or mishaps.
It's not necessarily the church's fault people don't know what their bibles say, unless the church isn't preparing the people to use the 'road map' because they think they do enough, or because they don't want people to question. Generally we are individually at fault. It is the human condition to be lazy. When we find an easy way why learn it the old fashioned way. We have a cool gadget, why learn to read a road map. We get told what the Bible is about, why learn for ourselves.
We as Christians should have the big picture in mind, and to do that we need to KNOW our bibles, the parameters of the Christian faith, the parameters of sin, the need for ?u-turns? (repentance), when to detour off of a ?broad way? that may lead us to ?sin city? and find the straight, perhaps narrow road that leads to life and help.
Bells and whistles are fun. The newest coolest thing on the market may make us feel really good about how we are progressing, but we don't want to become so enamored with the sensory stimulations, emotions and feelings they may produce with in us. What we need is true direction. Are we still sensitive to the internal registers and compass that we need to have to navigate through life on a spiritual level. Do we know which way we are headed, is it North or South? With out a GPS system, could we determine that by looking at shadows around us or a real map, or have we lost that capacity. Do we depend so much on a 2x3" feed that we no longer know how to open up the basic road map for life and find our way through what it tells us.
If anyone tells you that road maps or hardcopy books are obsolete, or a fading thing of the past, they are delusional. Regardless of the technology and different cool new ways to express the path before us, doesn't change the fact that it is still an actual road with dirt, grime and grit that needs to be traversed by each person individually -


Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Pets & Death

Creation. It is so beautiful, Such a gift. So many diverse aspects. How wonderful this world that Christ has created for us, and yet so far less than when first prepared, so much degredation, so much destruction.

This week was a sad day in our house. Our precious and dear THEO, a shetland sheep dog, was struck and killed by a truck. In one brief moment our lives were disrupted and violently jolted out of order into a moment of pain, fear, destruction, confusion and death.

Images of what I saw, still repeat in my heart and head. Our dog fighting and kicking though dying, my daughter screaming and crying in the house, my oldest son carrying a broken and bloodied body, my other son crying standing there not sure what to do, neighbors faces sadddened, a truck driver confused and feeling horrible as he sat on the bumper of his truck crying as well...

Part of my business person kicked into control mode, yet shaken by the trama of the moment. What do I do, how do I remedy, what's first, what's next, calls to my husband, the vet, the police. What to do, what to do.

I found myself going back and forth between each person at the scene trying to help comfort them , touching, hugging & holding, as I knew they needed it more than I did. These were my kids. My comfort comes later...That driver, how guilty and horrible he must feel...My comfort comes later...my neighbors daughter crying because her dog was killed the same way, and she revisited the event in her heart...My comfort comes later...

Death has such a sting.... and this was only an animal, with no spirit, no eternity. Death always stinks, and is horrible, regardless of how expected it is... What a difference in that moment when there was still life in Theo to the moment when it was gone...I've seen death, or should I say the absence of life. I've been to enough funerals to know that, but to see something go from living to dead. That is horrible. That is so unexpected. So absolutely different.

Today I sit here thinking back and thanking the Lord for the time we had Theo, How precious a gift, as frustrating as some moments were. Yet my heart is saddened for my kids, this is more their loss than mine...I purposed not to get to attached to Theo and yet here the tears roll....

Strange not to have to watch where I'm walking, strange how familiar I got to hear his nails hitting the wood floors as he walked and paced the house, how empty the quietness, the lack of greeting as we reentered the house, the lack of barking at certain sounds and movements around the house... how strange those unfulfilled expectant noises are...

Today I can't help but wonder what Adam and Eve must have felt like to actually see the animal sacrificed for their sin (Gen 3:21) How they didn't know what death was, how they had no concept of that moment, that possiblity, that reality. How did they live the rest of their life out.

Though I wrote the novel about Adam and that very situation was played out in the opening chapters, it had not been personally experienced by me, and yet now I can more fully understand it...The pain, the trama, the horror.

This world of ours, as wonderful as it may be, has the reality of violence, death and destruction and that is all because of mankinds sinful nature and the continued pursuit of sin. There is only ONE remedy for all of it - Jesus....

I continue to look up and look to the Lord for the comfort of knowing that one day all of the compounded death, destruction and trama that this world, brings will one day be swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ as He returns.

To be able to one day embrace the hope of Glory, the promise of eternal life and the restoration of all things, requires my choice today and now....to surrender to a different Kingdom and Authority...while still living in this one....

Therein lies my Hope -

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

What do You think Jo?

Joanna, What do you think of ministries that do good works? I thought we are to walk by faith and not by works? What about the scripture that says that it is by faith we are saved...not from works , lest anyone should boast' Eph 2:8-9

Granted that is how we are to walk, to walk and live out our every day life in the faith of knowing that Jesus is our Savior and what he has done for us on the cross.

BUT that should radically alter our attitudes, actions, agendas. If you read the very next verse, Good works are part of our walk....'For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.' and then again in James 2:14- 26 says in essence that faith without the display of that in everyday life, is a lie or dead.

In other words, actions speak louder than words....If you just say you have faith in Jesus but do not display that be the manner in which you live, don't extend yourself to others to try to show them the love of Jesus and the mercy and forgiveness of God, through practical means, than essentially you are lying about your faith in Jesus. If you say something with your words, you better back it up with your actions even at your expense and sacrifice!

Now does that mean that everyone needs to get involved in a cause that is being promoted by a group, church or individual? NO. What you need to be is available to the Holy Spirit to minister to those in need around you. To extend the mercy, forgiveness and grace of God to those around you, when you see it, even your enemies.

I have a pet peeve here....I see too many people involved in ministries that are half way around the world sending money and going on short 'vacation trips'. to involved themselves. When the very same things are taking place in our own back yards....Or getting involved in causes that look to erradicate some evil from the face of the earth and yet Jesus is never mentioned or barely mentioned.

There are not enough good works, not enough money, not enough causes or rallies that can erradicate sin and destruction from the earth and create a utopia here on our terms - that's just secular or christianized humanism....take a good look around....it is getting worse....the bible is accurate, sin increases to more sin...not less, regardless of how much man may say we want it....man has a sinful nature and doesn't want it tobe better, they just don't want to pay the consequences... but that's not how it works....the Wages of Sin is DEATH, destruction, degredation....in many areas, on many terms....



Jesus Christ, is our hope, our Salvation, our Remedy - Unless that is brought to the foreground, nothing changes -

Only if HE is lifted up will men be drawn to Him and be changed.....

Jesus gave a great command and commission, 'Go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.....making disciples....' This was the order, with ever increasing circles of influence, start very locally, YOUR FAMILY, your neighbors, your friends, your community, town, school, county, country, then to the ends of the earth.....

I've known too many people running across the world but not doing what's necessary in their own homes or next door...escapism - feeling good about themselves while neglecting the more important matters. Read Screwtape letters by CS Lewis, it's one of the ploys Satan uses to keep us essentially ineffective.

I correct my kids when they want to go do yard work at a friends house, take care of your responsibilities at home first, then you have the liberty and freedom to move forward.....

NOW - I'm not saying going around the world is wrong...PAUL is a perfect example of being and long distance minister...But He took care of essentials close at home first....then moved out from that point.

So Go and allow the TRUTH of what Jesus has done to set you free from your sin and share that compassionately with others. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you what areas of ministry you are to be involved, how you can best support or be involved. based on your responsilibilities in your life.

Do not over commit yourself, Do not excuse yourself, Do not give to anyone out of compulsion or guilt or emotional ploys...Give when Christ tells you to...Ask questions, get financials. Be wise. Be honest.

Just because someone has a ferverent zeal for something doesn't me God has called you to it....I know - I started a ministry for unwed mothers years ago and assumed everyone I met or spoke to should be supporting it....I was immature.

Pray, and then Go - Unafraid and Unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!


Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

How do I celebrate Easter?

Recently I've gotten a bunch of emails about how I celebrate Good Friday and Easter...Well, having started out as a Catholic and then became Born Again and having been in several different styles of Churches, I've seen and been to just about every imaginable type of service...And I have those I prefer and those I, well let's just say, I'm not a fan of. I've been in very 'religious' settings and very 'free' services. The difference for me, is the focus. Is it merely on the physical aspects of the event, or do they incorporate and place their focus on the eternal Spiritual ramifications for all man kind.

I would have to ask you some questions:
Do you KNOW what was accomplished at the Cross beyond the physical realm - Do you Know what happened in the Spiritual Realm?
Do you understand the amount of wrath that Jesus took upon Himself to rescue you?
Do you recognize that the Cross today is not a morbid reality, where we try to conjure up feelings of loss and hopelessness?
Do we see the death of Christ, as powerful, or sad?
Do we focus on the physical aspects of its event 2000 years ago, or do we focus on the POWER of the Cross as it can ever affect our lives today, in body, Soul and the Spirit?
Are we seeking an emotional experience with goosebumps or are we grasping and comprehending the height and depths of the Power of what it actually accomplished in the Spirit?
Are we walking away from a service, perhaps with an experience or without, that radically transforms our life or not?
Do we recognize that it is the Power of the Cross that has set us FREE from the law of Sin and Death?
Do we understand that it is the Power of the Cross that has the ability to destroy the power of Satan in our life?
Do we have a grasp that it is the Power of the Cross that is necessary to eventually bring forgiveness to all of our sins, errors, frailties, insecurities, inferiorities, actions, attitudes and agendas that are self consumed?
Are we willing to not just feel bad about what Jesus did for us, but consider ourselves now dead to sin and decide to do everything as unto the Lord, and live for Christ?
Can we see that the Power of the Cross destroyed all the works of the Devil?
Will we walk in the understanding that the Power of the Cross has made full Atonement 2000 years ago, never needing to be repeated?
Do we realize that with Jesus Complete and Comprehensive Atonement we have been Ransomed, Purchased back from the clutches of an evil enemy?
Do we understand and live in the manner that that truth would expect that we are no longer our own, but are to live as dead men alive only by the power of His Resurrection each and every day, yoked to Him and doing and living only in a manner that would be pleasing to Him as a response to that unfathomable sacrifice for us?

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Rough week for the Famous

Wow! This week was rough for the fame and fortune set....

Farrah Faucet, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays, Ed McMann - Sad really. But a bit of a reality check for us I would think. There are so many scriptures that come to mind regarding their deaths.

Here are people that supposedly had money to burn. ( I still can't understand how any one of them could have been soooooooo broke.... To think I am more financially secure than Michael Jackson, wow! I don't believe it!) To think about the amount of fame, money and influence - lives of luxury, liberties and indulgences. Captives really to all those things. Held powerless under the curse of the law of sin and death, forever scratching and clawing at ways to escape the enivitable - death!

The rich and the poor, the famous and the obsure, all find their way to the grave and without hope unless they have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. I'm sure we will here from people seeking a moment of fame as they proclaim stories of leading these famous individuals to Christ right before their death...certainly the dead can't verify it or deny it so who knows but Christ Himself...(sorry that's the skeptic in me) - though I'd hope for it's truth, I don't trust in it.

Having become a country so fascinated with the famous, it seems if they come to Christ , Christains accept it without questions as if it validates our faith...Shame on us.

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Mark on the Forehead

While daily reading through portions of scripture I find my self this morning in Ezekiel 8 - 10. Strange to me how God lines things up sometimes...As I read about things that have been done in the name of God, wretched thing...historically, currently and personally...things God becomes upset with, I see a scene that is repeated by Jesus Christ as He thrashed, overturned and displaced people from His Holy Sanctuary because of their lack or respect for His reputation.... Aren't we all guilty of having done this from time to time... I certainly am...

What has particularly struck me this morning is how God sends and angel to go through the midst of his own people, and 'put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the bad things that are done within it' and then sends another angel to destroy anyone without the mark God has set.

Lord I desire your mark on my head. I desire to be numbered among your people. I desire to see your reputation upheld, preserved and reverenced with holy fear.

Oh Lord - forgive my heart. in those times I have brought things into your holy place, into our relationship and expected them to be sanctioned by you because of my frailties, my fears, my ambitions. Forgive me for seeking any thing other the courts of my God!
I tremble at your presence - and realize how fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of an angry God. Lord do not be angry, have mercy, forgive, redeem and reconcile... Show yourself strong and restore your people.
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

LOVE vs. LUST

Here's a joanna thought for you.

LOVE is the desire to benefit ANOTHER at the Expense of ONE's SELF.
LUST is the desire to benefit ONE's SELF at the Expense of ANOTHER.

LOVE is always a verb. It is always an action. Which then causes feelings to surface. Just like exercise releases endorphens within the body to make us feel good after we have exercised.

LOVE is NOT the same thing as infatuation. LOVE is not necessarily liking someone or something.

LOVE is NOT man pleasing, enabling or condoning for the sake of NOT upsetting the other individual - (just watch TV's Intervention)

LOVE is NOT without boundaries, accountability, responsibility and rules.

LOVE is NOT squashed by those, but instead bountiful because of the safety and security those provide.

LOVE is can be expressed in disagreements, disapprovals and rebukes.

LOVE does not avoid those to seek approval of men.

LUST is the Counterfeit of LOVE - and if you switch the word Love for lust in the above sentences and take out not, where you see it or insert it where it isn't with love, You'll see how lust-greed-selfish ambition operates.

I have so much to learn about TRUE LOVE.

Jesus was Loving when embraced the blind, demon possessed, crippled and lepers, When he in wisdom spoke from the hillside and imparted wisdom through parables and teachings, BUT HE was also LOVE when He thrashed out the Temple, rebuked the Pharisees and religious leaders, when He made harsh statements to His disciples, ignored people seeking Him and didn't save John the baptist from being beheaded.

LOVE is perfectly balanced Mercy and Judgment.

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Sexually Immoral?

Recently I've been asked on a few occasions about defining lines with regard to this subject. So Here I must rant a bit!

In the past several topics have come out of it.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fromsexual immorality. . . (v.19,20) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is inyou, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

It's really pretty simple. Sexual activity outside of or in addition to Marraige is not acceptable among God's people, among those who have 'said' that Jesus is their Savior, Master.

It is a statement that holds for my daughter of 13 or my grandmother of 80. And with those two situations, nearly everyone would agree. Noone things that young girls or boys should be sexually active. And not too many of us can or want to invision really old people being sexually active in nursing homes. So that seems to make sense, and yet, we turn a blind eye or wink at those who are sexually active outside of marriage in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifities etc.

Why the double standard? Why the Hypocricy? Why would we choose to bear false witness against the Holy Spirit like this?

Christians, even leaders, erroneously use the scripture, "Judge not" and yet neglect the very next few verses that command us to 'Know them by their fruit' (which requires discernment and judgement calls)

I've been asked if someone who is seeking a divorce can have a relationship with another person. I'm not condoning divorce, it is a horrible thing, but in those case where it has happened or is unavoidable, I don't have a problem with a person eventually getting remarried. BUT having a relationship with a person of the opposite sex before the divorce is final is flirting with adultery.

I've known of christians, who have actively sought affairs while still married, others who have engaged in sexual relationships with a separated -yet still legally married- person and justified it in their own understanding...I've been asked how far is the line pushable by singles...

EASY - If you're not Married to the specific individual - HANDS OFF! - if it gets covered by a Bathing suit - STAY AWAY!

Is Jesus our Lord? Our Master? or not....Let's be honest and stop playing games, regardless of the justifications, our ages Are we seeking to please the Lord, ourselves or others?

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Worldly or Godly Wisdom?

or to be more scriptural, Carnal Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom.

We as Christians need to recognize that there is a difference. That there is common wisdom, or common sense or as some may say natural law, understandings about our world that are common knowledge, applicable to everyone and can be easily understood by everyone. Unfortunately, there are people who don't even desire the basics in seeing wisdom...like a simple agricultural law of 'what you sow, you reap' back in abundance. These types of wisdom, if adhered to, would help people to live a bountiful healthy life. Many people though don't want to believe that the consequences they deal with have any thing to do with choices they have made, instead they want to blame someone else and often God himself - I'm talking about Christians!

As someone who teaches, and mentors others, I see this often.

Scripture tells us in James, that if we desire wisdom, and ask for it, God is willing to give it generously. But we need to be willing to adhere to it and be corrected by it, otherwise asking for it and receiving it is of no benefit to us.

Now that's just simple, common wisdom and sense, or worldly wisdom. What about Spiritual Wisdom. Is it different? Yes! It is something that God grants to those with ears to hear what the spirit is saying to them... and it is greater than the worldly wisdom because it has eternal ramifications.

Jesus used some comparisons and examples of Worldly wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom.
Matthew chapter 5:21-43 has several examples and comparisons between the two.

1 Corinthians 2 speaks alot about the difference of Worldly Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom. Verses 10-14 say, "God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Wehave not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

King David didn't seek the wisdom of God in one situation in particular...instead he operated in the worldly wisdom that worked for others...David desired to bring the most precious and holy Ark of the Covenant into the City of God. Previous to bringing it into the city the ark had been captured by an enemy army and held within their territories several months...After being cursed by God for keeping it the Philistines decided to send it back to the Jews...They had no idea how to handle it according to the designs and heart of God, so the simply made a brand new cart and got some beasts of burden to pull it and sent it away. Miraculously, the animals brought it back, unguided to the Israelites.

David sought out his counselors, his leaders, those incharge of 100's and 1000's to see what they would say to bringing the 'Presence of God, the Ark' to the city. They all thought it was a great idea, they presented it to the people and everyone was in agreement that to further the Kingdom of God they decided to use the WISDOM of the Philistines. They set it on a new cart and had it pulled by animals.

Within a few short steps. Uzzah DIED!

David was angry, distressed and confused with God and the situation. Why didn't this have the Blessing of God? Why did something so tragic take place? Why didn't God Bless this? Why didn't the same wisdom used by the Philistines/world work for the people of God?

Because God has mercy on those ignorant of His ways, But those of His own House he holds to a higher standard, to Spiritual truths! David had sought the counsel of men, the wisdom of the world and the approval of the masses, Not the counsel or approval of God.

Finally after much time had passed, David figured it out...He sought the scriptures, the Word of the Lord, and learned that for GOD's people there was a specific manner in approaching and handling the things and blessings of God...Once he followed through on handling the Things of God with Spiritual understanding and Wisdom, God Blessed!

This was not the first or the last time a situation is given in the scriptures comparing worldly/carnal wisdom with Godly/Spiritual wisdom... It is constantly repeated... and we today should learn from it...

Compare 1 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13 & 15
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Should I Tithe on the Overage of a Student Loan?

"I've gotten money from the school loan which more than paid my student tuition and books this semester. I have additional money from it and am curious if I am supposed to tithe off of this amount?"

I've gotten this question about 5 times. Tithing is always off of things that you have worked hard to secure. Crops in the field that were planted, earnings from wages, etc.

Tithes are different from Offerings, which could be given from a gift amount, grant etc.

But a student loan is neither! It is not YOUR money! This is money that, even though you may have some in your hand, is not yours. It is money you have to give back in full, and depending on how quickly, with a bunch of interest. The suggestion would be to bank that money and have it available for your first few payments...Even though the likelyhood is you'll use it for personal items, it is loan money.

When you buy a car and take out a loan, do you give to a charity any of that? What about when you borrow to purchase a house, a business etc....?

I would say the answer is 'No'. Remember what the scriptures say about giving it is always from what you have secured in your abilities and strength so that you don't think you secured it without the Lord...If someone is telling you that you should give, where are they coming from?

When you give here are a few attitude checks.

Deuteronomy 15:10
"You shall generously give to Him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because [Deut 14:29; Ps 41:1; Prov 22:9] for this thing theLORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all yourundertakings.


Matthew 6:2
"So when you give, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they [Matt 6:5, 16; 23:5]may be honored by men [Matt 6:5, 16; Luke 6:24] Truly I say to you,they have their reward in full.


Matthew 6:3
"But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,


2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give just as he has purposed in his heart, not [Deut 15:10;1 Chr 29:17; Rom 12:8; 2 Cor 8:12] grudgingly or under compulsion, for [Ex 25:2] God loves a cheerful giver.


Philemon 1:14
but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that yourgoodness would [2 Cor 9:7; 1 Pet 5:2] not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.

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Mentoring and Growth

Ever sit and watch the grass grow? Seems pretty pointless - but I would have to say as I've gotten older, even though I'm usually a busy person, there are those times when I quiet my busy self and just watch things...consider their growth.


I have been fortunate to mentor several women, some for years, some only months, and some it's more like giving some sisterly advise or instruction and then I get to watch how they grow.


This past weekend, while at a women's retreat for Three Village Church as the guest speaker, I was quite ill. Probably too sick to be there, butI pushed my self and was able to give two of the three messages I'd prepared. The last one, though I'm sure knowing myself, I could have pushed a bit harder, and made it through. Instead I chose to pass the baton to one of the women on their leadership team who I do believe is called to speak to women and minister.


In preparation for the retreat we had a few discussions on the phone and a meeting or two where it had even been expressed by her that she would love to speak and sees that happening in the future.


I could have continued to give the message I that I prepared, but it would have been from a selfish perspective. Instead, It was becoming obvious to me that the Lord wanted to use that opportunity for her to get up in front of her own fellowship and step out of the boat!


She took my notes, made them her own and did wonderfully! She burst through the ground and spoke! It was great growth to see, and I don't even know her all that well.


I am blessed to know that through pouring our lives into others, that God gets the glory,lives are changed and beauty is brought forth!


Another young woman I've mentored for about eight years has also grown beautifully! A gorgeous young woman of twenty five, Kim has moved away from here to start a life in PA as an Occupational Therapist. She has had a rough year and is entering the time of flourishing....With heartache after heartache last year and disappointment after disappointment, she has weathered through probably some of the toughests situations I've seen someone of her age have to contend with and all that practically alone!


She today is stronger than ever and has dynamic personality, perspective and potential! I have been blessed to sit and watch the flowers grow in her! I am blessed when she reminds me of things I've shared with her to encourage or equip her, Things that may not have made complete sense at the time, but suddenly, she gets it now...


It's amazing how much we impact each other, how we help to shape and mold each other in Christ.


I praise God, to be able to passionately share Christ with others, and pray that as I plant seeds, God will bring the increase, not just to them, but to me as well....


so I continue to grow.....

Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

Do we devalue the Old Testament?

"Regarding the Old Testament, I hear Christians say, 'O don't worry about that, we live according to the New Testament'... Why do so many seem to neglect it?"

I am puzzled by this as well, actually I get very irritated by it. It would be similar to meeting entering into a relationship, let's say when I first met my husband, and never ever desiring to know anything about him that took place in his life before that day! Does that make any sense?

If you start watching a movie half way through, do you really understand what's going on, you' catch on eventually, but there are significant aspects of the plot that you have missed and they hold keys to what you now view!

It's the same in Christ! Everything about the Old Testament speaks to us today!!! EVERYTHING! Even, Dueteronomy 25:4 "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing."

The Apostle Paul used that scripture in 1 Cor 9:9-10, "For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING " God is not concerned about oxen, is He? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops."

That is a seemingly meaningless verse to us today, but it was significant in Paul's letter. Think of the countless times, God is speaking directly to His own people, His instructions, His warnings, His encouragments! Add to that the numerous times Christ is alluded to, foreshadowed and spoken of in typological terms!

The text alone speaks value to us, in its entirety! Then when we understand the reasons behind the text, the revelations, the wisdom of various instructions, laws and boundaries, we realize that through Jesus Christ the Law of God is pure, holy and just. That it speaks of a great glory, a vast wealth of liberty and abundant life as we live it out!

Christians, mostly gentiles or ex-pagans, historically speaking, came into Christianity, unaware of the Jewish customs, various laws and festivals that had been long established from Abraham through to Moses. The gentiles were not put under the requirements of the Laws by the Jewish leaders of the Church during the days of the Apostles...

Of everything the Jews were required to fulfill and keep, the gentile believers in Jesus were permitted to keep it simple - Acts 15:20 "But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood." THAT's IT! The tem commandments were understood, and the gospel as preached regarding Jesus was a given, all else was graciously left off the backs of the new gentile believers.

Because they didn't have the foundation of understanding in the ways of God, the Jewish Believers didn't want to overburden them with things they didn't understand and weren't used to...these things didn't necessitate salvation.

BUT - that doesn't mean those things are worthless, or without merit or value. Dietary laws for the Jews, are incredibly healthy for humans to follow. Not following them leads to all kinds of health problems! The festivals all spoke of a national event and common past, but in addition they spoke of the future coming of the One God had proclaimed.

The more I love the Lord, the more I get a desire to fully understand the beginning of the story, the events leading up to my revelation of Christ. I desire to know more and more of what He ordained, said, did in the past that I might be able to see His faithfulness and character in new, refreshing and thrilling ways.


Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

TAXING Overlords.... A teaparty comparison

Last night I was watching several American Tea Parties around the country, with thousands of people rising up and fed up with the IRS, and our Government's leaders- It was exciting to see!

It got me thinking... How do a people end up over taxed, over burdened and ruled over by tyranical leaders that are greedy for themselves? People slowly, and steadily give over their freedoms and their rights by paying little attention to those who would seek to rule over them. Rather than keeping them in check they have been seduced and lulled into a state of sleep and inaction until it's too late....Ending up bankrupt and ruined by the very ones whose empty promises have led them to the brink of despair....

I am actually talking about our spiritual state.

We have a very real enemy, who would seek to steal, plunder, pillage and remove rights and abilities from us through continued oppression. But it starts out so subtely, as we start making poor decision, one leads to the next, and over the course of time, looking back we see we have veered so far off of the right path, that we in our own understanding can not find it again! We have become slaves of the very one we have chosen to submit to.

As this is happening in our own Country, people are rising up and taking stands against the oppressive bills and taxes that greedy leaders are hoping to impose for their own gain. Bills and laws placing incomprehensible burdens on people all with wonderful orations and seductive and flattering words intent on distraction.

The enemy of our soul, the author of such tactics, seeks to lure mankind into a place of complete submission through his seductive false promises of pleasure and peace. Oh that we would be wise and break the back of him that seeks to hold us captive to do his will and ultimately become prey for his minions....

Unfortunately, though mankind sometimes has the fortitude to break the back of unworthy and unjust leaders, they do not have the power in their own ability, strength or knowledge to break the hold of sin and death. That can only be accomplished as we surrender our lives to Jesus CHrist the only true and faithful One. As we do, our world may be overturned, but we come to understand that the principals of His Kingdom and rule are far superior to the best that Mankind has to offer. It may upset our own apple cart, it may cause us to change radically to follow Him, but in doing so, we are set free from an evil captor, and he becomes vanquished as Jesus delivers a death blow to the shackles that cripple us and grants us the true freedom and wealth only His Kingdom can provide.



Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com

New Christian? Here's a Bible for you, NO JOKE!

Are you a New Christian? or are You a Christian that is looking to get a good overview of the Bible in short order without having to go to seminary?

Ok for those of you who have been to the Bible Studies or small groups with me for any amount of time, you know I recommend this book.

THE GOLDEN CHILDREN'S BIBLE - isbn# 9780307165206

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't have an actual bible - Of course you should...BUT I find this bible to be an EXCELLENT tool!

Some of you are thinking that ridiculous - I know..I know - It's a children's bible - AAAHHHHH but the fact that it is a GOOD children's Bible is the point.

I have been recommending this bible to new believers, and even long time believers that want more of a cohesive understanding of the entire bible for at least 10 years... Infact when I re dedicated my life to the Lord in the 80's I ran for it and read it cover to cover to help refresh my understanding of things and give me the perspective I was looking for.

It has wonderful art work that helps to capture the imagination while reading the stories. It has stories that you won't find in most childrens bibles. It is written in the order of events, so you don't get bogged down and confused by the lack of chronological order of the actual scriptures...It has a clear and concise telling of the scriptural accounts from an overview perspective with references to the actual location of the story in the scriptures for deeper study...

I HIGHLY recommend this because in short order you get a chronological time frame and telling of the events of scripture. It helps you to more fully understand the order of events, people, places and things with out the ho-hum of geneologies and such that can bog a new believer down (not that they don't have value - there are some amazing things in those chronologies - but perhaps for another time!).

So if you are looking for something to give you a basic run down of the Bible in short order, to help you get aquainted with the who, what, where, why and how of events, and people THIS IS A MUST GET !
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com