Linda and I spent part of a day in the company of Franco Fadda as he drove us through his native Tuscan countryside, visiting happy vineyards along the way. At one stop, near the graceful hilltop town of Montepluciano, we watched the vine dresser carefully pruning the ancient vines that would produce the vintage bearing that famous name.
The vine dresser worked carefully with a skill and wisdom that could have only been the result of years of understanding. These vines were the survivors after younger, less promising branches had been pruned and discarded. He anticipated the hanging fruit, could see the hidden parasite that would devastate and destroy. He would not permit the precious branches to bear the strain of the unnecessary and harmful.
Jesus knew the imagery of faith’s vineyard. Jesus knows that no unpruned branch can bear the strains of either too much trouble or an excess of success. He must prune His faithful, His chosen of lives too full of self and pride.
And what do the vines, the faithful elect, make of the vine keepers ruthless work? Faith learns to trust Him that wields the blade, to see the patient, divine wisdom of God’s love and mercy in the steady and relentless pruning hand of grace.
“May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Pastor Mark Anderson
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The Old Adam Lives! 
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