there were bobby pins in the altar on sunday night.

Pastor didn't really preach; he didn't have a chance for that. but he did share a word:

John 15:11 - "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (KJV)

in context, that verse is an example of Jesus telling us that He is the vine, we are the branches, and God is the gardener. we can't bear fruit unless we are attached to the Vine. those who don't bear fruit while on the Vine will be removed, and those that do will be cut back and pruned.

it hurts to be pruned, to be cut back. being broken down, having the excess taken away - this isn't easy. but it's necessary. Jesus says to take comfort in being pruned, in knowing that God is cutting us back, because He only wants us to be more fruitful.

we have to be pruned to grow, and we have to be broken to be blessed. as my friends once said, "i'm blessed to be broken/i'm glad just to know that/you cared enough to hurt me/when i had trouble learning".

sunday night we rejoiced and danced and laughed and praised and took joy in being broken, and realized that it is so we can share in the joy of the Lord. i'm very thankful that God chooses to break me, to cut me back, to take away the excess so that i can be more fruitful.