we, as the body, the leaders, pastors, church planters & anyone else who fits in this category MUST discontinue immediately this contest of “whose is bigger”!!! even more important, those like myself who are in the process of building something must not get caught up in measuring ourselves against others wondering why we aren’t as big!!

I know the metaphor may be a little crass, but it’s really time out for the foolishness… and here is why!

“I am the vine, you are the branches…” remember this scripture? ok, follow me please. there is another scripture that says, “…you shall know my sons & daughters by thier fruit…” (paraphrasing). you still with me?

people, when someone confess Christ as thier Lord, they are not fruit! they are another branch added to the vine! a branch like you, who now becomes responsible for producing it’s OWN fruit!!

so what are we really measuring? what are the fruit then?

I believe, the fruit we MUST produce occur at your job when you get a pink slip, when the gossip crowd gathers around your desk, when “that” lady wears “that” outfit or skirt, when “that” man flirts with you, when you can’t pay a bill, when you feel your life is worthless, when your relationship is hanging by a thread… HOW YOU RESPOND IN THE FACE OF THESE AND OTHER SITUATIONS ARE FRUIT!

the only fruit, no I don’t think so! how you treat your wife, kids, family that’s fruit. how you give if you give, that’s fruit.

all I’m saying, there’s so much more I want to say, is that this not a pissing contest, nor is it a “stand around the boys lockeroom with a ruler” contest either!

we’ve got to get it together, & that definitely includes me!!!