30May 08
Abide in Me – Part 2
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It is with great joy that I report we have had 9 out of 10 grafted trees bud. Truly a miracle indeed. These sets of two individual pieces of wood, when unified together, will bring thousands of pounds of apples in the years to come. What a picture of marriage and of our union with Christ.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit…” John 15:5
While it is possible for the pieces of scion wood to bud prematurely apart from the rootstock, they will never bear fruit and will wither away shortly after budding.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:4
Earlier this year, dozens of branches were clipped off and stored in pieces 12 inches long inside our refrigerator until the time for grafting arrived. Only a handful were chosen to be grafted.
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
With warming temperatures, consistent moisture, and daily sunlight, 9 out of 10 unions are now bursting forth in radiant life.
“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” Eph. 5:29
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1Pet. 5:7
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:2-3
Every tree is different, grows at different speeds, and will only produce the fruit it was predestined to bear.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8
Through providing nourishment and caring for the apple trees, it is our desire that all 10 will bear much fruit in the years to come.
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope 
the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Great report! May the Lord bless you with much fruit.
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
Horray for the trees and AWESOME grafting Josh and Daniel!
I praise the Lord that each one in our family has found the true vine and is learning the joys of abiding in Christ. May we continue on in the faith of Jesus Christ wavering not. But continue to be steadfast in what we know to be true!
That’s a good success rate. It is good to see your trees being multiplied. Did you cut your scion wood from your own trees? Very appropriate references, by the way!
As it turned out, we were blessed to obtain scion wood from gracious people at two different orchards. This is providing several new varieties (Jonathan, Mother, Holstein, Spartan, & Ida Red).