Ever try to get WATER from a ROCK?

Can't get water from a Rock - Right?

WRONG! - well spiritually speaking anyway 

In the story about the children of Israel walking through the wilderness, and getting so parched, so dry and so thirsty, they rushed on Moses and clamored for water....Threatening His very life....ready to stone him....(Ex 17:1-7)

How many times in my life I have run to the Lord, my Rock and My Redeemer, in a panic, overcome with anxiety for various reasons, hurting, hungry, thirsty, soul & spirit.

In my clamoring, I've knocked others down...I've threatened and was willing to take matters into my own hands.

Finally the Lord rebuked and corrected me...and YET even in His rebuke, even though He was angered by my actions, attitudes even agendas, He was merciful of my fragile and desperate state.

He strikes or commands the water to flow on my behalf that I might see that INDEED HE IS GOD...

Just a thought  - 

Then as Moses needed to do that another time, 38 Years later, The people were without water once again...Again they clamored against Moses threatening....After He cried out God told him this time to just speak to the Rock and it would give water....(Num 20:3-13)

He was so frustrated with the situation, He struck the Rock not just once but twice....

I find myself sometimes, even many years in the journey with the Lord, having grown and learned so much, yet there are times when the situations around me, fluster & frustrate me.

I find myself striking out at the Rock to procure the water I'm desperate for once again....

Anyone ever been there?

Anyone ever get so crazed by the waves that they rush on Jesus in full panic?

Been there done that....Will probably do it again (though I'd like to say I wouldn't - I'm flesh)

BUT - God is Good! - and even though that happens from time to time, even among the mature in Christ - God is faithful to present Himself Strong!

In the panic of the waves, Jesus rose up and rebuked the wind and then his disciples, but didn't give up on them...

In the frustration of striking the Rock, God still supplied the water and then dealt with Moses personally...

God is still good, even in our moments of being exacerbated...

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

Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil

n Genesis we find in the first few chapters an account of the two trees in the Garden of God.

One tree's fruit offers life and the other tree's fruit offers the knowledge of good and evil.

I have been asked often several questions about these trees...What were they? Was it an apple? Was the second tree deadly?  Why would God put the second tree there if it was going to cause them to die?  Why would a good God put a bad tree?  etc., etc., etc.,

Well First, I believe God is ALL Good! and everything He makes has the ability to produce good in our lives.  So I don't believe the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was bad, evil, wrong, a mistake or a malicious temp.

I stress with my kids all the time, some things come with age, maturity, responsibility, proven track records., etc.  I personally believe it was the same thing with that tree...I believe there was a restriction on it, for that time, season, duration and beginning...but that God would have eventually after their maturity in their world, responsibilities and learning from Him, would probably have been given the 'ok' to eat...

Much like we understand that sex outside of the marriage union is unacceptable in the eyes of God, and will not be blessed, but instead reap consequences, we also understand that within the confines, safety and determined boundaries of Marriage, it is undefiled.   I also wouldn't give my 14 year old the keys of the car, some things come with age and maturity and have predetermined boundaries to keep everyone safe.

But see that's the key...It's waiting and trusting God that HE KNOWS when things are best to be in our lives...not grasping for it ahead of time.  That can be with anything...

Someone asked me if the tree always represented sin...the answer is NO!  it represents anything that has a marked time, God's time, place, boundary.  Using sex again as an example...sex is not bad - sex was created by God, for pleasure, purpose and promise.  It is to be fully enjoyed within the confines of the boundaries HE has set and there ONLY! Outside of that umbrella, there is a problem, consequence, error and thereby sinful!  Certainly it does represent sin as well, blatant, known sin. 

Even Ministry that we are called to, if we are seeking it instead of GOD we have then pursued grasping a fruit outside the timing and approval of God....that fruit has become an idol and Satan then has open ground and a prepared heart to work with, as we are drawn away by OUR OWN LUST, he then plays with it and us, saying, "has God said you should not do this or that, be this or that, pursue this or that,"  He Puts the very thing that God may eventually want us to partake of in the future, before our face, has us examine it with our intellect, see that 'it is pleasurable to the eye, and good for food to make one wise', and then has us question God's timing, purpose, and goodness.

DON'T fall for it!

This is when we have to seek GOD out, allow him to be on the throne of our heart, Trust that His timing, His Truth, His Will for our lives are abundant towards us and then resist the devil's taunting and repent of our own pride/lust and idolatry of that thing.... over all, this tree is something we willingly partake of anytime we desire something due to our selfish pride, arrogance, and idolatry of self...we want to be on the throne of our own heart and we assume we have the ability, strength, maturity and right to that which we desire.

Satan is not the culprit, he simply gives voice to something we already have in our heart, and gives opportunity for us to justify our own error...

Eve was not the only one who dealt with this folks,  WE ALL DO - No one is exempt from this.  Consider the things you clamor for, the things that disappoint you and cause you to get frustrated or angry when you don't have them - your way - 

Remember our hearts are deceitful - we are very good at deceiving ourselves and justifying with 'good intentions' our idolatrous hearts....

Surrendering it all to Christ again, taking every thought captive to HIM is our only hope of walking in His will! 

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

Looking forward to daughters Graduation

Yes My daughter, last of the three is leaving middle school...

Headed towards the High School, with all those pressures....I know that the cute and sweet little girl will mature into a gorgeous young lady!

I thank God for her. She is wonderful...with a heart of compassion for others, and love for the Lord...I am grateful for her friends and the people in her life that have helped to undergird her as she grows body, soul and spirit!

It is exciting to see and know that she is taking another large step forward....Milestones for her and me.

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

God Keeps what's been entrusted to HIM!

It's amazing how wonderful having children are....Not that its without it's frustrations....

The last few weeks I've been earnestly in prayer for mine...I go through phases....can't honestly say that I pray as earnestly all the time....it ebbs and flows....

But the past few weeks, watching one son, try to help another young man through some rough times, and being there to help support his energies and sacrifices for him was an honor - and made me feel proud of his own willingness to make better choices in life than in the past....

My Oldest son had a pretty bad accident and his car is completely totalled...He's ok, and it wasn't at all his fault, but seeing him frustrated and learning how to handle the ordeal is good....

My daughter is graduating middle school and yep, she'll be headed to High School, with all of its pressures, academically, socially and spiritually.

With all of my children, I have come to understand that though my natural, carnal mind and soul might want to do everything for them, keep them in a bubble, isolate them, hover over them repeatedly - I can't -  

To react that way for me would be based completely out of fear and lack of controlling their personal choices....

In a sense it would be idolizing them and it would be a lack of faith and trust in God....

I decided a while ago, not to allow...that's right, Allow, give permission, surrender myself to, become a slave of the 'fear' of my children being hurt, spiritual, mentally, & physically (and in that order).  I have done what I know to do, and will continue to keep my boundaries, my prayers, my influence in their lives where I know God wants it....I must TRUST HIM, to keep what has been entrusted to him....

2 Timothy 1:12

For this reason I also suffer these things, but  I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until  that day.

As I remain faithful, my parental weaknesses are covered in His grace, God will prove Himself, when the time is right...and I will rejoice in the knowledge that God has redeemed according to HIS OWN PURPOSE...regardless of what my kids go through, face, endure, or are challenged or hurt by....

Praise God!

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

Old Message- Refreshed!

What a great time I had Sharing at Full Gospel...I have to thank Hannah Meringola for inviting me to share with the women there during their monthly meeting.    I was asked to share on a message I had delivered some time ago called "Knit together".  They had seen it posted previously.  

I was delighted to share it once again, but have to admit, was personally bored with it myself...isn't that funny?  Reason being, I had shared it at three other churches that it obviously struck a chord with, and have practiced it several times for each, so I was tired of hearing it myself LOL!

So i prayed, "God, You have GOT to make this new - I've heard it so many times I'm bored with it!"  Like anything when we have practiced things so often, and are able to present things, whether a message or a song, it can get old for us as the presenter... even if noone else has heard it yet!

So I prayed for a few weeks, and Praise God, the week before God showed up and breathed fresh life into it for me...I was now THRILLED to share it, because it was even FRESH to me!

God Gave me new ideas, different nuances, and elements to incorporate into an already solid message...

The Word of God is so rich and so deep, it truly is unfathomable!  as we continue to dive deeper into it, even the repeating of what we might consider old or redundant, we walk away refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated!

I LOVE when God does that!

FRUIT Couterfeits vs. Authentic

Ok we've heard it said - you're not suppose to judge, lest you be judged - but does that mean we are not to discern and scrutinize and make 'judgement calls' on things? NO - infact we are MANDATED to judge fruit - not to pour out wrath on people, but to know whether we can rely on them, should we eat their fruit or not, is it good for nourishing us, or will it make us sick?

Each time I share this message I am amazed that few people have considered the opposites and fewer still recognize or discern the counterfeits. 

We read in Galatians 5:22,23 about the fruit of the spirit, and often times we so glance over it we never really pay attention and look at it with any depth, we sigh and say, 'yeah that's what we should have...' and then go our merry way.

Here is a chart that looks at the Fruit according to Galatians, the Opposites and the counterfeits. WHY because we are pretty good at picking out the opposites but how often we find ourselves operating in the counterfeit, trying desperately to look the look and talk the talk, but don't have any tried and true gold to back it up. It looks decent enough because we have learned how to conjure up the near representation of it but we have not allowed the death of certain sins we hold dear in our life and so the true fruit has yet to be produced.

Some things may overlap or may not fit perfect, but, generally this is a pretty decent break down...

CAN YOU FIGURE OUT THE COUNTERFEITS?

Fruit of the Spirit              Opposite of that fruit                Counterfeit of that fruit         

LOVE                                      HATE                                         LUST

JOY                                         DEPRESSION                         HAPPINESS, HILARITY

PEACE                                   WAR                                          CONCESSION

PATIENCE                             SHORT TEMPERED              REMISSIVE

KINDNESS                            CRUELTY- MALICIOUS         FLATTERY

GOODNESS                          EVIL                                           SELF RIGHTEOUS, COURTEOUS

FAITHFULNESS                   UNRELIABLE                           WILLFUL, SELF RELIANT

GENTLENESS                      HARSH, STARK                       TIMID, COMPLACENT, SHY

SELF CONTROL                  INDULGENT                              PERFECTIONISM

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

Ez 16 - Are You Defined by Your Garbage or GOD?

How many of us struggle with our identity?

Ez 16 describes a women that has grownup in a rather grotesque environment - Her own Blood!

How many of us have made some pretty bad choices in life somewhere along the way...Christian or not!  How many of us continued in the shame and guilt of those choices?

Often I refer back to this scripture because starting in verse 6, here is a young woman that the Lord has taken notice of who is wallowing in her own blood! And she has grown up in it...What a horrible past this young lady has - despised, rejected, neglected unloved and YET God's tender mercy takes her, covers her, swears Himself to her, cleans her, washes her, places beautiful ornaments of His splendor and glory on Her and raises her up to a position of royalty!

A true Rags to riches Love story! Unfortunately, she gets a bit prideful and boastful as if she has secured these things in her self and she falls away from the one that Loved her, redeemed and glorified her... Just so you know eventually she is restored, not because of Her goodness but because Of HIS!!!!

I love sharing this message of Hope and Restoration!   I often get together with women who are needing this kind of encouragement.  I try to further show them the story of the 4 outrageous displays of mercy in Matthew 1. 

There were 4 women mentioned in the Lineage of Jesus Christ  - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba - all 4 of these women had sorted pasts! YET God in his love for them and their willingness to submit and walk in faith brought them into a place of receiving God's abundant love for them.... Tamar was refused, neglected and uncared for by her family members, Rahab was a prostitute and a pagan, Ruth was a descendant of Moab, which was a tribe started in incest and considered an enemy of God's people, and Bathsheba was raped, her husband killed and a child died - YET GOD intervened in their lives and re set their course to HIS coordinates! They found in the God of Israel - Hope, and life! -- They could have stayed in where they were and remained in their life of despair, but chose God regardless of the cost!

In doing so, He REDEFINED who they were and what fruit they would bring forth in their lives. If they had allowed their past, their families history to define them, they never would have changed!!!! Instead they believed the promises of God, not just in mental ascent, but in their walk day to day - in their submission to His kingdom, His authority and correction for their lives...

He inturn made them NEW, fully embraced and accepted into the promises that He pours out on those that obey Him out of their love and devotion to Him!

Phil 3:14 says that we are to forget those things which lie behind us and press forward into the high call of God which is found in Christ Jesus

Remember what 2 Cor 2:15 says - that is ANYONE is found IN Christ - [S]HE is a new Creation, all things have passed away, Behold all things become New!!!

I pray you will all find yourselves Hidden in Him - aside from that, we will never find out who we are.

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

Sand Castles or swimming

I've been around in a lot of Christian circles.  I've been in many different settings spiritually.  

Years ago in my earlier and eager excitement, I felt that my depth of spirituality was where everyone needed to be....I had no time for practical, everyday stuff, things that only ministered as deeply as the soul,  if it didn't reach into the depths of the spirit realm,  then I just assumed it wasn't where God was, and wasn't worth my time...

Boy did I have a lot to learn.  (and am still learning - forgive me Lord)

A few years ago my husband and I started camping with our kids on the beach for a week at a time on the south shore of Long Island.  It was a new thing for me...I am not a fan of the waters, especially the deep water....(there's stuff out there I don't want to know about or encounter) 

It wasn't until this last year, five years from our first venture, that I actually swam out past the breaks, may be 20 feet away from shore.   I've sat on the shore for years and played with my feet in the sand, and my chair comfortably right at the water line so my feet stay cool and refresh me in the blazing sun.  It took me years to get in past my knees...and I still don't like the deep...I know I won't go and be as daring as the boogie boarders or even the surfers like my son who go out there 100 yards or so....

But aren't there christians like that too...and shame on us for diminishing their worth, their resolve, their passion for Christ, just because they wont go, or can't go where we think they need to go or we think they need to go where we've been  if they want to encounter God.

God often reminds me that He is in the everyday stuff...that he can be met, by different people, different personality types in different ways....some meet God best in the practical details of life and understanding, putting all the facts together and seeing a beautiful puzzle put together of God's Grace for them.  Some meet God best in exhuberant moments, joyful elation and celebration in the presence of others that share the same zeal.  Some meet God best in the quiet times alone, carefully and peacefully sharing their heart with Him.   Others meet and experience God best as they are diligently doing for Him.  While Others experience God best emotionally moved perhaps as they are hearing  a convicting message that brings them to tears as they fall on their knees in utter abandon.

Each person is meeting God, where they are at, in their own way, in their own time, and in a way that God has wired them to receive from Him.  It is different for everyone...and we must be sensative to that, appreciate that and welcome that...not shun it or think its less than the way in which we receive from Him...

Just as everyone's mode of expression is different, so too is their mode of reception.

Granted, God calls each one of us to continue to pursue Him, more and more.  As a mentor and teacher I have to allow God room to do that in each person differently.  To challenge people when they need to be challenged, and be the cheerleader for someone when they need a cheerleader.  To swim in deep waters with those who are willing to spiritually, but also be willing to build sand castles or just wade in the waters with those who aren't ready yet to go further....

With the fruit of patience, long suffering, and love for others, I'll be willing to encourage, equip, engage, waiting, not pushing and sharing in their experience rather than resenting that they're not where my prideful mind thinks I am - (only to realize my religious pride put's me in shallower water than they may be)

Are You In HIS SHADOW?

What does being in His Shadow imply?

Many will say, thinking of Psalm 91, that's where we are protected, cared for.

So True, but how does it position us....To be in His Shadow, He is between us and the Father of Lights!  It means we are in close proximity  to His Presence.  

It's also where we gain revelation of who He is....If you are feeling dry in your walk with the Lord, then chances are you are not in His Shadow...not close enough to hear the whispers of His heart...

How many times when we are at more of a distance than before, we try to compensate for the distance with 'religious' or church life, with 'good works and intentions' with louder prayers.

In studying the Tabernacle - Ex 35:30 - God calls out Bezalel by name - endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability and knowledge to craft the furniture of the ark...His name means 'In God's shadow' - that's what it takes to build God's house....Be about God's business from the presence and proximity of being in His Shadow...

As he stayed in the Shadow of God, revelation and the Heart of God's plans and purposes were revealed to him so that he would be able to create the articles of the Tabernacle with the approval of God.

Without trying to create things according to his own understanding, walking in the shadow of Christ he was able to discern, and walk in the security of the master builder.

Are we walking close enough to be in his shadow?  There are plenty of things that would distract us, family, work, fun....but the neglect that we are all guilty of from time to time in our personal walk, is something that Christ would seek to have us pay attention to...to change and place him as our main priority...there by receiving the directions we need to more fully, more completely, more effectively, do all those things to which He has called us to each day....the masterful, the meaningful and the menial. 

A few steps to Start a Women's Ministry

Step 1: Gather other women of different ages that you consider faithful and diligent women of integrity. Find out what they feel about it. Set some time aside to pray about Titus 2 and following that according to the pressing needs of your community. Brain storm and discuss what things could look like should you have an event. Present the possibility to your Pastor and other pastoral leaders in the area. (You'll may be surprised who supports or discourages it)

Step 2: Gather women from a larger circle that will be willing to prepare, decorate, 'work' the event - think of it as a party. Get creative with additional activities, is there a local Christian drama team, dance team, christian comedian, speaker, worship leaders etc. What might the event look like with all the different pieces in play? Schedule the actual event

Step 3: Create a Theme, get a speaker whether local or distant, whether from your group or someone that can specifically speak to your group. (Gracious Vine has speakers and worship leaders available to you http://graciousvine.webs.com/application.htm )

Step 4: Figure out how much you'll need to charge to cover expenses.

Step 5: Set a launch date, get postcards, flyers, posters etc that will set a tone, establish credibility, excite and intrigue possible attendees. Send out, Hand out, and Speak about the upcoming event. (www.GraciousVine.com has several different media packages that can be purchased where we create the art work for you at http://graciousvine.webs.com/apps/webstore/ )

Step 6: Use Social media sites to create chatter about the event, interest, send out evites through emails and various other media outlets.

Step 7: Set back and wait for the responses. Don't despise small beginnings, build from them. Understand that even a large first response does not mean that people will return. From your first event seek to get women involved. Women that you could see would bring strength and vitality to the group.

Never confuse size with success. The two can be very different! Quanity and Quality are not synonymous! Eternal Impact is the Goal. It is what women need, what they will seek out, remember and return to!

Fulfill the Mandate!

Every Church Needs A Women's Ministry

Let's face it, Women need Women. 

Regardless of how much we'd like to find our satisfaction in our family, husbands, children or churches - Women need other women to bounce things off of them, learn balance from, and have some heart to heart conversation about life and how to live it.

Do you have a small church fellowship, and so a virtually non existent women's group? Do you have a church fellowship that feels a women's group is not necessary, not in keeping with the format, vision or strategy of the 'church model'? Baaa Humbug! Every Church needs a vibrant women's group! Women are wired to be relational, perhaps more than men. Women are nurturers! We need to have those relational connections that support and teach us through our changes from single young ladies, through adulthood, marriage, parenting, and eventually grandmothering! We need these things on more than practical, emotional and intellectual levels, we need them spiritually as well!

So do you have a women's group in your church and fellowship. If not, then perhaps you are being prompted to start one. If so it will be an exciting journey for you to undertake!
Challenging? YES.
Easy? NO -
Rewarding? ABSO-POSI-tutely!!!

I had long wanted to start a women's group that could meet the growing and pressing needs of women within a fellowship for times of encouragement, equipping and engaging. Aside from the yearly retreat there was nothing that spoke directly to women, their needs, there concerns and their issues. Nothing that encouraged their getting together to support each other when things got tough.

To me that was out of keeping with the mandates of scripture especially Titus chapter 2:3-5. I understand it didn't fit with the church model and strategy that was being set up and followed, but with woman after woman, and young lady after young lady coming to me personally or the church leadership sending them to me to mentor, instruct and support - the need was VERY real...whether anyone wanted to face up to it or not. These trends of 'relevance' don't seem to meet the need for the mentoring that young women need...and segregating groups by age, additionally divides and weakens the body of fellowship rather than strengthening it.

In a relatively young church, us 'older thans' can speak spirit and truth into the lives of younger women, either newly married, or single ladies. It is vital for their proper understanding of living in Christ appropriately as they grow and mature, spiritually, emotionally and familial. It is vital as they wrestle with dealing with husbands, growing family, careers and the various changes that they will and must inevitably face.

I started Gracious Vine Ministry with a core of 7 women that caught a vision with me to reach across the boundaries of church life. Each came from different backgrounds, ages, marital status and churches. Working from their strengths we started to place together a vision of what we saw was the best way to tackle, on a broad base, the issue of a lack of women's events and gatherings.

We immediately went to work on branding, incorporating and scheduling 6 events per year to bring women together from across church boundaries. Our first year had 5 events, one every other month starting in March, with an attended audience averaging 60 women.

Every response from the women was a word of encouragement for us as a team...We saw women crying, praying together, supporting each other, meeting up after years of offense, healing and forgiveness, and a renewed exhuberance for the things of God and His precious word. All these women came from different churches, some from the most demonstrative pentecostal, others from the most conservative baptists.

It was explosive in its ability to defy the 'powers that be' and bring unity to areas where church walls had hampered health and healing!

We continue to meet, we have had to find another location because of growth, and we have all types of activities now...we are continuing to cast vision for what is ahead and are continually amazed at the blessing of God upon it!

I encourage every women to get involved in a women's ministry, and if you don't have one within your fellowship, find one or start one. Fulfill the mandate of Titus 2 and follow Christ's words...you will be blessed by it!