I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
~ Jesus ~

Several days ago I mentioned that several projects are happening at the Red Dog Estate. This evening I have been preparing for the largest project: a new fence around the backyard. This requires tying up or trimming back the roses, grapevines, and other plants. While cutting back the grapevines, I thought about the passage above in a new light. As I pruned the vines, I tossed the branches on the lawn as I moved along the fence. When I came back 15 to 20 minutes later to pickup the piles, I noticed that the leaves were already wilted. It did not take long in the warm afternoon sun for the branches to lose their life apart from the vine. So it is with us. When we neglect our spiritual well being, it does not take long for the problems of this world to drag us down. In a crisis this happens very quick. It is during these times that we realize how vulnerable we are without God.