Home Bloghttp://thevineonline.comWed, 08 Sep 2010 10:54:22 GMTBlown Away!http://thevineonline.com/blown-awayTue, 13 Apr 2010 15:11:27 GMTRick HarrisA great friend passed something on to me yesterday that blew me away.  A.W.Tozar writes, "The Christian soon learns that if he would be victorious as a son of heaven among men on earth he must not follow the common pattern of mankind, but rather the contraty.  That he may be safe he puts himself in jeopardy; he loses his life to save it and is in daner of losing it if he attempts to perserve it.  He goes down to get up.  If he refuses to go down he is alread down but when he starts down he is on his way up.

He is strongest when he is weakest and weakest when he is strong.  Though poor he has the power to make other rich, but when he becomes rich his ability to enrich others vanishes.  He has most after he has given most away and has least when he possesses most.

He may be and often is highest when he feels lowest and most sinless when he is most conscious of sin...."

The article goes on and continues to emphasize the "frustration, confusion and dilemma" each Christian lives in.  There is a natural man inside of us which must be slain so that the God centered man may take over.  It is a daily battle we each must wage in order to "finish well."

]]>http://thevineonline.com/blown-awayEverything's "Fine"http://thevineonline.com/everythings-fineWed, 03 Mar 2010 16:31:32 GMTRick Harris"Fine" must be a broadly defined word.  I've talked with people dealing with the loss of a job and I ask, "How are things?", "Fine." Death of a loved one, "Fine." Rebellious child, "Fine." Sometimes it really ticks me off when I know things aren't fine and yet that is what I'm told.  However, I realize that "Fine" is a great defense mechanism which keeps people from digging any deeper than the surface. "Fine" also keeps us from being honest with one another, from helping one another and from dealing with the real issues that are at the core of our problems.

This Sunday we begin a series entitled, "Dig".  My desire and I know God's plan for this series is to get us to be honest, dig below the surface and deal with the real issues that are tearing up our homes, business' and even our country. 

]]>http://thevineonline.com/everythings-fineAre you stressed this new year?http://thevineonline.com/are-you-stressed-this-new-yearWed, 03 Feb 2010 16:16:48 GMTRick HarrisRecently I was at one of my son's basketball games.  The scene was intense as they opened up to a lead only to see the other team comeback in the second half.  I was on the top row of the gym and saw the opponent wide open on their end of the floor.  I stood up and yelled, Get Back!!!! OK the sentence wasn't that short but you get the picture.  I was so stressed watching this game that I couldn't stand it and the pressure top blew.

The next day I found this article in MyTown Monthly Magazine; Three Minute Relaxation Routine, it goes as follows: Concentrate on relaxing by using a cue word like "peace" or "love." While holding your breath tense up a group of muscles. And finally, as you release your breath relax your muscles.  Not sure if it will work but I will try it at the next basketball game.

]]>http://thevineonline.com/are-you-stressed-this-new-yearAre You Getting Fit?http://thevineonline.com/are-you-getting-fitMon, 25 Jan 2010 15:46:28 GMTRick HarrisIn light of our "Get Fit" series, someone sent me a great list to work on in 2010 it goes as follows:

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5.       Make time to pray.
6.       Play more games
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come..
38..    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Great thoughts as you drive ahead in 2010.

Rick

]]>http://thevineonline.com/are-you-getting-fitNew Year, New Beginninghttp://thevineonline.com/new-year-new-beginningTue, 12 Jan 2010 15:56:44 GMTRick HarrisIt is January 12th and needless to say my body is telling me that some things have changed.  My ankles are hurting from running and right now my stomach is growling from hunger, luckily it is lunch time in a bit.  A new year brings all sorts of resolution, desires, goals and dreams; unfortunately, many of those come with a price.  A price that we have neglected, avoided or just put off in the past. A price to high for the sacrifice required!  We are blessed that God did not look at us with our price tag of sin and say, the price it to high for the sacrifice required.  Give God praise today for what He has done, is doing and will do in 2010. 

]]>http://thevineonline.com/new-year-new-beginningThanksgivinghttp://thevineonline.com/thanksgivingMon, 23 Nov 2009 19:15:35 GMTRick HarrisFamily, friends, home, health, heat, etc.  I have always heard that when you feel down you should begin writing a list of all of the blessings you have in your life.  Truly the list is extensive.  Even after we list the large items, children, friends, home you could break each one of those down into several other items such as laughter, love, care, compassion, and the list goes on.  This week take some time, list your items, and then "Thank" the creator and the one who gives all blessings.

]]>http://thevineonline.com/thanksgivingCommon Unionhttp://thevineonline.com/common-unionWed, 18 Nov 2009 20:53:26 GMTRick HarrisAs I prepare our message for Sunday I am hit in the face by the idea of communion.  In our world where diversity rules our laws, school system and courts we all have a "Common Union." Our common union is that we all were/are sinners.  The Bible is clear that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard.  So whether you are red, yellow, black or white we are all sinners.  The Bible also give us hope of another common union and that is the union as the "redeemed."  Though we are all sinners we don't all have to remain that way.  God has offered the payment through Jesus Christ and His death yet it is on offer not a mandate.  You are left with the choice.  I would ask you to consider sharing the latter union rather than the former.  It is possible to have your sins forgiven regardless of how many, how horrific, how damaging they have been.  Join us this Sunday as we look deeper into the union.  

]]>http://thevineonline.com/common-unionWhat do football and the church have in common?http://thevineonline.com/what-do-football-and-church-have-in-commonSun, 11 Oct 2009 02:55:43 GMTRick HarrisI knew I would get your attention!  Seriously, "What do football and the church have in common?"  Well, I am watching the Florida/ LSU game and I seem to notice that each team has a coach/leader, a quarterback, and a group of dedicated teammates and an even larger group of committed fans.  Similiarly, the church has a coach/leader - Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22), a quarterback - the Pastor (I Timothy 3), a group of dedicated teammates - local church (Ephesians 1:23)and an even larger group of committed fans - our cloud of witness' (Hebrews 12:1). As I watch the game, I wonder, Whose committment is deeper?  To be continued...

]]>http://thevineonline.com/what-do-football-and-church-have-in-commonFear vs. Faithhttp://thevineonline.com/fear-vs-faithWed, 23 Sep 2009 18:01:52 GMTRick HarrisAs we continue in our "Fearless" series I am becoming aware of some of my own fears and failures.  For instance, I never have trouble trusting God that the sky will not fall in because I know He is holding it in place. I never fear waking up, taking a shower, getting dressed and heading to work; yet when I am at work I find that I fear "Man's approval", "a job well done", or "earning my keep."  As I head home I fear the bills that come in the mail box every day and the money needed to pay them.  How is it easier to trust what you can't see and fear what you do see?  One answer, SIN.  When there is faith there is trust and fear departs.  When I can trust God to meet my needs, provide all that I need and be bigger than anyone else in front of me, that is Faith.  Faith brings joy then peace then brings the ability to sleep soundly at night. Join us this Sunday for Week 3 of our Fearless Series, it just starting to get good! 

]]>http://thevineonline.com/fear-vs-faithEncouraged!http://thevineonline.com/encouragedMon, 14 Sep 2009 14:35:51 GMTRick HarrisAs many of you have heard; I hear the Sunday sermon many times in my mind before I ever stand up on Sunday to deliver the message.  Often, I have gone over it so much that I am numb to it's effect once I deliver it. Yesterday was very different.  It was as if I was sitting in a seat.  I felt the laughter of my childhood stories, and to be clear, Monica is not Laura.  I felt the fear in Gideon and the amazement of all 300 soldiers and the nation of Israel at large at God provided the victory.

Our Connection Group was great last night.  So many of us fear so many things that it paralyzes us in life.  I want to encourage you to read and memorize II Timothy 1:7 this week.  And if you are struggling with a "Spirit of Fear," I hope you would ask, "Where does it come from?"

You don't want to miss Sunday!

]]>http://thevineonline.com/encouragedWore slam out!http://thevineonline.com/wore-slam-outWed, 02 Sep 2009 15:03:00 GMTRick HarrisI can't tell you why or how but I am wore slam out.  My legs don't want to move, my head hurts, my brain is pulling its way up a long hill and I believe I hear it saying, "I think I can, I think I can."  And just when I get to my own pit party and am about to dance; I am reminded of those who have lost loved ones this week, the ones who have spent days at the hospital watching a loved one move from the physical to eternal. I'm reminded of  those who are looking for jobs and facing the onslaught of bills and creditors. I think of a world much larger than mine where kids don't eat or have shoes. Where malnutrition is a daily occurrence and where parent's die of AIDS leaving children to fend for themselves.  I think about places in our world where people are ruled by dictators out for their selfish gain.  Where tyrants rule and armies forcefully put down any resistance. Where "Free press" is anything but free and where the Bible has to be cut into pieces, tucked away and taken home to be read by candlelight for comfort and peace.

I am wore slam out, but I am so blessed!  To live in this country, to have religious freedom, healthy family and friends. To be able to read the Bible at Starbuck's (double blessing) without fear of persecution. To be able to worship freely on Sunday with the great people of The Vine.  I am so blessed! My guess is most of us are, we just choose to look at what we don't have instead of what we do.  Maybe the reason the glass is half full is because you spilt it during your own pity party.

Thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever!  

]]>http://thevineonline.com/wore-slam-outYou Won't Believe It!http://thevineonline.com/you-wont-believe-itWed, 26 Aug 2009 15:08:28 GMTRick HarrisEvery once and a while my shallow mind goes to the depths and discovers something incredible.  This week, that is exactly what has happened. I discovered something for the first time that I have never heard preached in my 41 years in church, taught in my 16 years of Christian Education or even brought out in any of my 500 podcast.  What is it?  You'll have to come to The Vine this Sunday at 10:00 am to hear.  Trust me it will blow you away!

]]>http://thevineonline.com/you-wont-believe-itDo you ever listen to the words?http://thevineonline.com/do-you-ever-listen-to-the-wordsTue, 18 Aug 2009 13:33:33 GMTRick HarrisI have spent a lot of years listening to music, 41 in fact.  My aspirations as a teenager was to either be a professional baseball player or a rock star.  I spent a lot of hours with headphones, the huge ones, on my head "banging my head."  As I got older and closer to God I realized that most of the music I was listening to wasn't helping me grow as a Christian but actually stalling my growth, much like weeds in a yard.  Now I love an electric guitar riff and the beat of drums so my struggle became with the words of the songs not the music behind them.

As I write this post I am listening to an old song called "Jesus Freak." Some of you will be familiar with this rocked out, hip hop, grunge story of John the Baptist but the words are what strike me.  I'm not sure if the descriptions given in this song of John the Baptist would be said of me.  My goal through music is to be inspired by words that dare me, challenge me, and push me closer to God not further away.

]]>http://thevineonline.com/do-you-ever-listen-to-the-wordsCelebrate!http://thevineonline.com/celebrateWed, 12 Aug 2009 17:47:11 GMTRick HarrisThis week marks the 2 year birthday in the life of The Vine. OK not really!  The True Vine has existed from the beginning and will continue forever. Yet the church known as The Vine, has met weekly now for two years.  I get excited when I think back to our beginnings at Lake Joy Primary School.  Prior to The Vine, I didn't know how to hook up a trailer, back up a trailer without getting in a bind, set up a sound board or "preach" on a weekly basis.  Regardless of what some may say about my preaching, I can now hook up a trailer, back it up and set up a sound system. I want to invite you to join us at The Vine this Sunday as we celebrate our 2 year birthday.  Worship will be followed by Dinner on the Grounds, games and even a birthday cake!  See you Sunday!

]]>http://thevineonline.com/celebrateEver had the air knocked out of you?http://thevineonline.com/ever-had-the-air-knocked-out-of-youMon, 27 Jul 2009 18:36:28 GMTRick HarrisHave you ever had the air knocked out of you? I hope not, but if you have you know that feeling of not having any air.  It seems scary, critical and even desperate as you gasp to get the air back to your lungs and resume normal breathing.  How about spiritually? Have you ever had your spiritual wind knocked out?  Some event, circumstance, situation that caused you to seem scared or even desperate.  I had a situation like that last week.  Though I won't go into particulars, it was scary, critical, and even desperate for a couple of days.  I felt literally sick on my stomach and didn't eat much for 2 or 3 days.  Yet, much like getting air back into the lungs God breathed into me and put the wind back into my spiritual lungs.  It was amazing. It reminded me of why we need to memorize scripture because in those moments it was Scripture that brought the message I needed to hear. Needless to say, I was blown away.

]]>http://thevineonline.com/ever-had-the-air-knocked-out-of-youUnderstanding the Big Plan!http://thevineonline.com/understanding-the-big-planTue, 21 Jul 2009 14:09:16 GMTRick HarrisI'm sure you have heard the saying, "Can't see the forest from the trees." Well, sometimes you can't see God's Big Plan because you are right in the middle of it. While Pastoring The Vine is a great calling it is also a great responsibility.  I have caught myself busy with scheduling meeting, making copies and even studying for next weeks sermon and not spending enough time focused on the Big Plan. As we have been doing this series called "Be Attitudes," I have been able to refocus on God's Big Plan.

I believe I can nutshell God's Big Plan this way: To Know God Intimately and Make Him known Publically!

]]>http://thevineonline.com/understanding-the-big-planWhere does Worship reside?http://thevineonline.com/where-does-worship-resideMon, 13 Jul 2009 17:55:51 GMTRick HarrisI love shows like Law and Order, CSI, Cold Case and Criminal Minds.  I love to watch the detectives go form murder to conviction in just 52 minutes.  One thing I realize as I watch those shows is that there are several ways for the good guys to find the bad guys.  DNA evidence, fingerprint analysis, hair fibers, social security numbers, passport numbers, credit card numbers and even IP address' are all used to locate, capture and convict the bad guys. As I read the Bible it occurs to me that there is only one place where true worship resides. One DNA, one fingerprint, one set of identifying marks, worship is found in your heart. Psalm 9:1 says, "I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."  Check your "Worship DNA" this week.  See you on Sunday!

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