We're back in the USA after a 30 day sabbatical that included two weeks in Israel and Greece.  Of course there are signs everywhere in tourist areas like Jerusalem and Greece.  The signs in Israel were usually written in Arabic, Hebrew and English.  There are signs to sites, shops, restrooms, shops and shops.  There are many other signs as well but not the kind made in a sign shop or maintained by the road commission.  Rather, I am referring to the signs that God has left for those He loves.  The archeological evidence, the historical evidence, the Scriptural evidence and the witness of the Spirit is overwhelming that God has been in active pursuit of those made in His image for a very long time.  There is just as much evidence that the response to His pursuit has not been positive.  There are only about 15,000 followers of Christ in the Holy Land!  Can this be?  It is alarming but affirming.  The persecution that drove believers from the birth place of the church sowed the seeds that brought the gospel to the Gentiles.  We are the recipients of the efforts of so many martyrs and workers of the Church that it boggles the mind to think of all we will need to thank in Heaven.  Until then we thank the One who has left us all these signs...the primary one we will remember on Sunday evening--Communion...in remembrance of Him

John 15 has been a place of meditation for weeks.  I have read, pondered and thought about things that I never remember delighting in before.  Thinking about the Father Farmer placing us in union with Himself through Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit producing the fruit of God's character is too amazing for words!  Rejoicing that He removes all that robs us of real life in Him is the only rational response.  There is a dark side to this study however...one that I have not addressed in the pulpit.  The dark side is the impressive nature of fake fruit.  Have you seen some of that stuff at World Market and Hobby Lobby?  It almost makes my mouth water to look at it but it is plastic, fake, imitation fruit that a machine has squirted out by the hundreds.  People can make fruit with the appearance of life but it is not alive.  It does not produce more life.  It does not satisfy one's appetite or tickle the taste buds.  It is all for display, for show and for decoration.  I wonder about the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of Christ and our reflection of God's nature.  Is it real?  Is it fruit that remains?  Is there fruit in the tough seasons as well as the good ones?  The real fruit comes from the real vine.  It takes time, cultivation and cooperation.  It is not for show, display or decoration but for the pleasure of the Father and the good of His people.  Fake fruit may be impressive but it is not from that which is alive nor is it life-giving.  Let's see to it that we abide in the Vine and allow Him to produce the real thing.