John 15 + some updates

Intro

So what's the first thing you think about when you hear "John 15."
For me two things come to mind:
1) Jesus is the true vine
2) Bearing fruit

I recall that As Christians we are created to bear fruit, and to do that we must "abide" in Jesus. And those that don't bear fruit are cut off.
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John 15

So while dozing off on the 405 on way from home, a sermon on K-Wave brought a new insight that I've never related to John 15 before.

"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." Jn 15:2

While on the surface it seems pretty straightforward the impact of this verse had never hit me until today. Especially the second part of the verse. "...while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Do you see it? We are created for the purpose of fruit bearing but how does the gardener get a plant to bear more fruit? He prunes it! The pastor talked about 3 different methods of pruning, but as I can see all methods of pruning involve chopping something off. Sometimes a church will lose members, or you will be thrust into a new situation that seems to be going badly. Our reaction is often to freak out and panic. "I must have sinned to be put in this situation." Or "I thought God was supposed to protect Christians from evil."

However sometimes, God knows the only way for you to bear more fruit is to prune you. Is to take something away or chop something off. Maybe he wants to work on your pride, or maybe He's going to grow your faith. My favorite example is that God prunes you so that you can experience God in even newer ways than before. If everything goes the same all the time, how can you expect to grow? So God sends you a curve ball to teach you something new and give you a brand new experience of Him.

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My Summer

For me this summer has been the hardest yet. It's funny if I look back each year since I became a Christian has been increasingly harder. But if I also look back I know I've grown a lot. And I wouldn't trade anything for the experiences that God has brought into my life.

This summer has been a summer of transitions. Living in the apartments, working 9 hours a day. Being tired and lonely. New roomates, new environments. Everything was scary and hard.

But after transitioning to moving home and commuting, my brother went to study abroad and I started visiting friends. It seemed like life would finally start to settle down to a new standard of normal.

This past Saturday was probably the best day of my summer. I got to hang out with alot of people the friday before, and was having a wonderful time with my parents. But that was only the calm before the storm. A bunch of things happened earlier this week. One of which was that I found out that I am probably going to be "Subject to Dismissal" this coming school year.

This past week has been the hardest, most in your face, trying times in my entire my life. My faith has never been more stretched. God placed me here, working 9 hours a day, with a 3 hour commute (altogether) and stretched paper thin. In no shape to stand up to my parents, no friends within distance, and no fellowship to look forward to. Life was hard. And Mon-Wed were filled with multiple ups and downs, sometimes during even during work, and alot of crying and prayer.

But I survived. Somehow due to God's strength. And many brothers who lent me their shoulders to cry on over the phone. I know I've grown a lot, but it's all due to God's grace. Forcing me to rely on Him, to stand up to my parents and be a voice of truth again and again. No one around to lean on, all I can do is depend on God. I've grown to trust Him. That He is leading me, to follow when He says go. And even though it looks like life is falling apart. I know that He is really pruning me. I would love to be "bearing fruit," leading people to Christ, having conversations, discipling, and serving. But instead now is my pruning time of hardship. Where God teaches me to hang on and trust that He knows what He is doing.

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Prayer Requests:
So here's the first list of public requests for me in a while. Some might seem a bit surprising but I would love to talk to you in person sometime if you have questions. =]

1) My parents. Pray that their faith would grow. The recent academic news has shattered any faith they had in me as well as in God. Home is hard, but getting better. My mom is physically stressed and I worry about her. All I can do is pray and ask God to take care of her. I hope that this time will be a lesson for them to grow closer in Him. My mom actually said she didn't believe God gives us trials or takes things away. I hope she will come to terms with Him and I still cling onto a vision of my whole family worshiping God together in my house.

2) School. Figuring out what I am going to do next year. While I am not actually that concerned, since school seems a ways away. Pray that I do get an opportunity to finish my degree, as well as faith to keep believing. Every so often it is easy to curse God and see all the hardships in my life but pray Mark 9:24, to help me believe that He is working through this trial.

3) Looking for a church. Pray that I will find a community probably here around Irvine, though I'm open to my home church, WHEC, or where ever God may be leading me. It feels strange not to have a church to be a part of. Somewhere to know I am supposed to be serving and people who are supposed to support me. Looking for a church has been a hard and long process. But also interesting as well. Pray that it will go smoothly and that I will be patient with God's transition.

4) ICA - I am more or less sure now that God is calling me to move away from the people that brought me up and taught me everything I know about God. I am thankful for the many memories and more importantly all the lessons and bringing me to know Jesus. I will never forget the impact ICA has had on my life. From running away from God to falling in love with Him. ICA will always have a special place in my heart, but for some reason God is calling me to move on. Pray that I will continue to trust as He leads me.

5) Faith. I think this is definitely the area God is growing in me. To trust that He is leading me somewhere. Sometimes it is easy to feel completely lost. I don't have a home, and no immediate support from people. It is easy to feel like I have no where to belong. But I trust that God is leading me. And I will follow. I have learned that to feel secure both parties must stay committed to each other. So as I follow God faithfully I am learning to trust that He is faithful as well.


Thanks Family,
You all mean a lot to me.

Let me know if you ever want to hang out after work.

Love,
Matt