Broken Hearted

I do not know what a broken heart feels like because I have never been in a relationship that caused my heart to be broken. But, I have seen people who have had their hearts broken. People who have planned on spending the rest of their life with a person and the other person felt otherwise. People who have had their hearts broken so badly that they thought they would never recover. Those people who have spent so much time thinking that if only he or she had loved me, things would be okay. Those who have been heartbroken know that gross feeling where part of you is missing and you would do anything to get it back.

The closet I have had to having my own heart broken was the phone call I got that dreadful October day 8 years ago that told me one of my favorite people in the whole world died, my grandfather. My heart broke in love for him, as I knew I would never see him again.

Today I was teaching about the crucifixion to my 8^th grade Bible class and I came across some information that made me step back. I learned that most who died in the terrible death of crucifixion died of suffocation or asphyxiation. My God Jesus did not die that way. Jesus died of a broken heart. My Lord’s heart ruptured on the cross. A heart that is a symbol of love and compassion was breaking. God’s

Exposed and broken heart reveals to me a God who passionately pursues His chosen with unbroken love from a broken heart. Some people will go to extremes to patch up shattered relationships. But nothing matches God’s pursuit of me one of his people.

Our 7^th grade Bible teacher was teaching Hosea today and like the prophet Hosea God continues to have a relationship with sinful and adulterous me. Most importantly, when I think of my own relationship with God, the full impact of this Hosea is experienced in identifying not just with Hosea but also with Gomer. I was created to not naturally desire God; I am fallen and full of sin. I am drawn toward willful independence and disobedience, and I don’t want God to be the sovereign Lord of our lives. In my fallenness and sinfulness (total depravity) I find it humanly impossible to make God Lord of my life. God always has to come to me first as my Savior and Redeemer, buying me back. The awe I live in is that God came to earth in Christ and on Calvary He is atoned and is atoning for MY sins and reconciling ME to himself. It is through the broken heart that I see, feel, and know God’s redeeming love.

We never really know how much a person loves us until we know how much they are willing to suffer for us. God loves me a whole lot because I am fallen, unlovely, and condemned. My only hope is God’s love and grace—through that broken heart. Jesus’ pure and perfect heart was broken so that my own heart may be clean. This clean heart wants to give you the love, honor, and praise you deserve.

Give me one pure and holy passion

Give me one magnificent obsession

Give me one glorious ambition for my life

To know and follow hard after You

Not a Whisper but a Song

The last 5 days of my life God has used music to touch my soul. Some of the songs I knew song I did not.

Saturday: Song 1: Only Grace By Matthew West

Saturday I had great aspirations to clean my house, rake the leaves, clean my car, and get some real stuff done. But, my body was full of body and stomach pains that changed my plans for the day. I spent most of the day moving from the couch to my bed. I laid on the couch listening to some music. I looked at the window to my right and saw the sun shinning in the window. The combination of the window and the sun made a huge cross. There I sat in my dire, gross, disgusting state in the light of the cross and hearing the words of the song Only grace.

There is no guilt here There is no shame 
No pointing fingers 
There is no blame 
What happened yesterday 
has disappeared 
The dirt has washed away 
And now it's clear

There's only grace 
There's only love 
There's only mercy 
And believe me it's enough 
Your sins are gone 
Without a trace 
There's nothing left now 
There's only grace

Sunday: Song Two: While I am Waiting

I slept in on Sunday and went to church with a friend. I was sitting in my car in the parking lot and I said a prayer before walking into church. I prayed God I need to hear you today. I need to know you are there. I walked into church sat down opened my Bible and read a passage I do not remember even where it was from all I remember is it telling me he was there. The music started playing and the first song we sang at church was MY song While I am Waiting. Followed by that song was strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. I needed that message and heard that message again. The last 8 months God has over and over again told me to wait. Not sure what I am waiting for but I know at the end of waiting on the Lord is always goodness, blessings, and joy.

Monday: Song Three: I do not even know what it is called.

This is the weirdest thing that happened to me. I was laying in bed like I always do before I go to bed I was praying. I prayed for the Lord to speak to me that night. I turned the TV to my favorite station 975: The Light Christian music. A station that plays all Christian music all the time. The song that was on I am almost positive was called Silence. I laid there listening to the lyrics and chorus and I started crying. It was almost as if God wanted me to turn the TV on and hear that exact song. The weirdest thing is I looked today for half an hour for the song online. I can not find it anywhere. The artist I thought who sang it sang no such song The words of that song were my life. The Lord saying sit in silence as you wait for me to answer what you are asking for. I am here even though the prayers feel like they are going up in vain. I have you in my hand even though it may not feel like it. The Lord was telling me that he was near I just needed to trust. Now I am praying to hear the song again. Maybe it was no song at all but God coming through the TV to speak to me.

Tuesday: Song 4: What Faith Can do by Kutless

This was a big day for the Pella Christian Eagle Volleyball Team. I heard this song before getting out of my car on Tuesday morning. The Eagle Volleyball team that I am the assistant coach for played the #8 rated team in the state that night. We the Eagles were not rated. We had 14 loses and the opponet has 3. We were the underdog. For those of you who were not at the game we did not just win we won quite handlely. God was good to the Eagles last night. These were some of the lyrics that I heard

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

And I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

When they decide to take that step

Out on the water

It’ll be alright

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

Overcome the odds

You don't have a chance

(That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It’ll tell you that you can!

There is more. I was emailing my mom after the game and told her that we get to play the number 1 team in the state next week at the state tournament. She heard the words of this song and said to me “We are not in Control” Trust God. So as the Eagles face Goliath next Thursday we trust that with God and faith we do have the power to move mountains.

Wednesday: Song 5: Your Hands: JJ Heller

In the joys of life I just had one of those days today. Lately there has been a couple things that I have wanted so badly in life and just feel like God keeps saying NO. As I keep striving to live in the will of God I still find it hard to trust. I have a great friend. Someone I can say is only in my life because it was the Lord who brought us together for such a time as this. She has had her world rocked to the core yet she is faithful, encouraging, and strong. She is weathering the storm. She sent me this song. A song I needed today. A comfort song on one of those days when life throws you junk.

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn't there

And I have asked a thousand ways

That You would take my pain away

That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand

How to walk this weary land

Make straight the paths that crookedly lie

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking

Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth

You healed the broken, lost, and hurt

I know You hate to see me cry

One day You will set all things right

Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking

Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave Your hands

Your hands

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

May these songs bless your life as the God who gave them to me blessed me through them.

At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.”A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake.After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire.After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloakand went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

We often look for God's voice to manifest itself in some large, flashy way, like a bolt of thunder. Like in this scripture passage, however, God's voice is often much quieter, a whisper even, and we need to be quiet as well to hear it.

The last 5 days God was not in the whisper but in song. Thank you God for music and speaking to me through it!

Once Upon a Princess

Stories are the language of our world...everyone connects with stories. They are the most natural and powerful way we have to communicate. Stories have the power to move and shape us, spark our imaginations and inspire us to hope, stir our hearts toward empathy and compassion, challenge the way we think and live.

Throughout history society has passed down values, traditions, and beliefs through story. As Christians we are part of a story. The story that is embodied in the Bible, the story of creation and the fall, God’s people to be the bearers of his purpose for humankind, and of the coming of the one in whom that purpose is to be fulfilled.

The Hebrew culture looked at the scriptures as stories to live by, carrying the scriptures in their minds and hearts, listening intently to experience the stories, allowing them to teach, shape, and unify their lives. The Bible is not just full of stories but also storytellers: Moses, David, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Stephen, and Paul to name a few. These people inspired and challenged people with true accounts of God’s activity and faithfulness in their lives. I am going to share a story of God’s activity in faithfulness in my life today.

Once upon a Princess!

Long ago, in a wonderful castle on a mountain of splendor, a beautiful princess was born. Her parents were the king and queen of the mountain and the entire green valley below.

The king and queen love the little princess even before she was born. On the day she came into the world, the royal couple gave their daughter a very special gift from God-the gift was called faith (through grace). While the princess was growing up she saw this gift modeled and lived out in the king and queen. The king and queen modeled prayer, grace, love, forgiveness, and what it means to be a follower of Christ. The princess through this modeling started to realize what this gift she received was all about. The king and the queen added to the gift by sending the princess to a Christian school. This Christian school taught her stories from the Bible, how to live as a woman of God, and put this gift into every area of life. This Christian school was full of teachers who modeled their faith and invested in her as a child who bears the image of God. Through the king and queen and Godly Christian teachers the princess was being prepared to be a queen of an even more glorious, blissful, perfect kingdom.

When the princess was finally grown, the princess called the king and the queen to her side. “I have something special to give to you,” said the princess.

Up, up, up the royal family went to a secret room in a tower of the castle. On an elegant table in the center of the room was the same gift given to the princess long ago...the faith (through grace).

God gave this gift of faith with grace to you on the day you were born, “ said the queen, “because he loves you so dearly.”

The princess says, “ yes I know and I have seen you and the king model it for your whole life. I feel it is now time for me to make this gift my own.”

And now, “continued the king, “ this is your gift of faith through grace with it comes great responsibility, love, and trust, and comfort. May you model and use it where you have been gifted.”

The princess stared in amazement. She had never received such a wonderful present.

But use wisdom, my daughter and give this gift to all the strangers and people you will meet. So the princess lived for a while with the king and queen until she left the community she loved and went to share the gift with others. In sharing the gift with others she learned a respect for those who were different than her. Along with the gift came many other gifts that the princess received like a heart of compassion, eyes for others, and a love to reach those who needed and desired the gift also.

The princess took comfort in the thought, for she knew God could be trusted, and she cherished the gift because it was all that she was. The princess had this precious gift shaped by teachers, adults, friends, and others in her life who continued to help this gift grow. All the people and experiences in her journey with the gift shaped her.

There was a time when the princess took the gift and hid it away. Times when she would try and forget about it and the goodness it brought. Times when she would fail miserably with the gift and wonder why she even deserved it at all. The gift kept reminding of her of a cross that allowed for her to receive the special gift.

The princess knew that the gift was special but she also knew that this gift would not make life a fairy tale all the time. The gift went with the princess everywhere she went. Although she loved living on the mountaintop she knew that there would be times in the valley. There would be times of mourning. There would be times of tears. There would be times of chaos. There would be times of frustration. There would be times of illness. The princess was reminded that in the valleys and the mountains the gift was always there. The princess trusted the gift would bring her goodness and blessing even when things were hard. She remembered a song a teacher sang to her when she was a very little girl. The song went like this.

Life can’t be all sunshine or the flowers would die.

Rivers would be deserts all barren and dry.

Life can’t be all sunshine or there would be less need to pray.

So I thank you for the valley I walk through today.

One day the princess got a job and she took the gift with her and shared it. The princess went to a school with young adolescence. The princess used her gift of faith and grace and combined it with her gift of teaching to reach students. She also took the gifts to her church youth group, and the girls on her volleyball team. The princess knew how precious this gift she received was and wanted to share it in word and in deed to all the people she would meet. The princess knew the power of the gift and wanted others to know the power that the gift could make in their lives as well.

When given the gift so long ago the princess did not know completely what the reward and outcome of this gift would be. She knew that one day this gift would bring her to a beautiful wedding. She was told that she would be the bride beautifully dressed for the bridegroom, who sacrificed for her to receive the gift. She was told she would be at a place where all the lords and ladies who have gone before the princess will have gathered for the celebration. At this place there will be streets of gold, dancing, singing, and worship. One day if the gift was used well the princess was hoping to hear from the giver of the gift well done, good and faithful servant.

The End

All it Takes is One!

Many of you may be Hawkeye fans or something else but it was hard not to love the Cyclones last week. They not only had one feat of greatness but two last week. For the first time in 75 meetings the Iowa State Cyclones volleyball team beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Just two days later the football team beat the Huskers as well.

This feat got me thinking about the idea of one. All it takes is one sometimes.

All it takes is one smile, hug, or word of encouragment to make a bad day good.

All it takes is one interception to change the outcome of a game.

All it takes is one game versus the Tigers to send your team to the MLB playoffs.

All it takes is one extra hour of sleep this weekend to me excited.

There are so many all it takes is one.

This week in my Bible class I am teaching of the idea of One. In a different way.

I am teaching the Passover to my students in relation to the Lord’s Supper. We went to Hebrews chapter 10, which is entitled Christ’s sacrifice Once for all. In verse 10 it states, “ And by that will we have been made holy though the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ one for all.” We are made holy through one sacrifice. Also just before that in chapter 9 verse 28 it says, “ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 7: 27 says, “ unlike the other high priests, he does no need to offer sacrifices day after day first for his own sins then for the sins of the people. He sacrifieced for their sins once for all when he offered himself. We do not need daily or yearly animal sacrifices like that of the Passover. We have the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.

All it takes is one atonement to save my life. When I was a young girl I was taught atonement to mean at-one-ment. To be “at one” means be at harmony in unity with something. The idea to be at one can achieve the state of at-oneness or reconciliation.

Jesus did not need 75 matches or 32 years to accomplish the feats the Cylones did last week.. It took him hours on a cross to cover seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, and decades worth of sins. All it took was one. All it takes is that one sacrifice for me to fall to my knees in depravity and humility. Out of that one event many years ago I daily take up my cross and follow him and sacrifice my life to Jesus.

All it takes is one. May we as followers of the One be reminded each day what an amazing and incredible feat that is.

Dreams Come True when you Let God Write!

As Christians we are part of a story. The story that is embodied in the Bible, the story of creation and the fall, of God’s election of a people to be the bearers of his purpose for humankind, and of the coming of the one in whom that purpose is to be fulfilled.

When I look at the story that God has written so far for me I cannot believe it. I have had many dreams for my life and so many are a realization.

As a little girl I dreamed of being a state champion. I remember watching my mom coach volleyball and sit on the bench and be part of state championship teams I dreamed that for myself. This dream came true.

I have always had a dream of one day attending Seminary and getting my masters. As women in the reformed tradition I never dreamed it possible. Now every year for 4 weeks I sit in Seminary classes. I am finished with 5 of my 20 quarters of learning. My dream is coming true.

As a child I dreamed of being a teacher. I would sit my stuffed animals up and read them books with my coffee mug full of water in my rocking chair. Now I sit on my stool or theater chair with my name on the back MISS BROUWER and drink real coffee and read to my students.

In this dream I dreamed of one day being teacher of the year. I am not and have not been teacher of the year but I am loved. Each morning I get greeted by my special needs students with a good morning Miss Brouwer, a high five, and on the good days a hug. I get random weird notes addressed to Dr. Doofinshmirtz from Perry the Platypus. I get random hugs from students in the hallway. I have lunch buddies in 7^th grade. I have girls who want to stay in from recess to talk and hang out with me. Last week Friday as we had our annual Recreation Day I felt famous as I signed the backs of children’s t-shirts for long periods of time.

As a child you would ask me where I would want to travel to if I had to pick one place and it would always be the same place- Where Jesus walked. On my application for the Amazing Race they asked me where is one place I would dream of going and my answer was the Holy Lands. This coming summer from June 5-20 I will be going to Israel. My dream in coming true.

I had a dream of owning my own home. I have for 5 years now. In fact I was reminded of the blessing of my house as I drove home yesterday and almost hit a beautiful buck in my driveway. In my car I began to sing As the Deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship thee. My house is a dream.

I had a dream of going to Hawaii and after much saving I made it.

God has written these dreams come true in my life. As I look at the goodness and the dreams that he has made come true I cannot wait to see the dreams that I have yet seen come true.

I still dream of writing a book with titles like Jesus was single too, my life as a middle school educator, or the Multiple personality coach: how to coach all types of athletes.

I still dream of going to the Netherlands and seeing the “motherland”.

I still dream of meeting prince charming and having him sweep me off my feet. Along with that I have a dream to have children or adopt really cute one’s from Korea.

I still dream of the Twins winning the World Series (again).

I still dream of running a marathon.

I dream of my family members and friends to find grace and love in Christ and take his gift of salvation.

I know in all the dreams I have dreamed that God was a part of them all. He wrote each and every part of those stories. On those days when I want to complain about my where I am, what I am doing, or whatever I need to remember that God wrote each and every moment of my life. That is good. Really Really Good.

God may I continue to live in your will and trust you with the pen as you continue to write my story.

Gratefully Red

Last month I went to Rob Bell in Des Moines. At one point he asked for some audience participation. We wrote on cards “ I know how you feel” and exchanged them ( I still have mine in a my daily planner to see it everyday) if we have gone through certain experiences. These experiences help us re-prioritize what is most important. In talking about these painful experiences, the audience started feeling vulnerable and emotionally-connected to one another. Rob explained that when you talk about suffering with others, the ground is holy all of a sudden. There is this bond that transcends and distance is bridged, what he referred to as an "art of solidarity."

I have this same feeling not of suffering when I see a Northwestern College t-shirt but of joy. When I see a Red Raider of the past, present, or future I have a sense of joy that says I know how you feel. I am a Fern girl and have done the ‘special’ snow angels. I have seen the boys in their boxers on Super Bowl Sunday performing the Great White North. I have been apart of many many pranks. I have driven all over country to support the football team. I have made late night Perkins and Wal-mart runs. I feel a sense of “I know how you feel.”

It is hard for me to think that just ten years ago I was a high school senior. The year was 1999. I was busy in high school playing volleyball, basketball, golf, and on chapel planning committee, spending time with friends, in the orchestra, speech, and more. I was exchanging senior pictures with friends and living the “good” life. Now as I look at the last ten years I see a multitude of God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life. Ten years ago at this time I would have not even thought about where I was going to going to go to college. Now 5 years after I graduated I see how great college was, what it taught me, and how I made the perfect decision on where to go.

Next week I head to my alma mater for my 5-year class reunion. I received a magnet in the mail that said Gratefully Red. I truly am gratefully red.

Here is what I learned from college.

I learned that you can be a follower of Christ and also be a fierce athletic competitor.

I learned what true and authentic community looks like. When you lose a grandparent there are friends there to build you up and comfort you. I found what true Christian community in worship, prayer, encouragement, and love.

I saw what deep unconditional, love looks like.

I learned how to have complete uninhibited fun with out any alcohol necessary.

I learned how to be a leader.

I learned to love Survivor.

I learned how to come out of my shell and be the social person I am today.

I learned to love culture and things that are different than what I am.

But most of all I learned what it means to be a follower of Christ. Northwestern put people in my life to teach me what grace looks like. They taught me what service looks like. The people I knew and met did not treat me like a dollar amount that paid tuition but a follower of Christ. They encouraged me to use my gifts to further his kingdom. I had professors who had a deep faith and love for what they did. They all knew my name. I had professors who came to my volleyball games as a Northwestern athletic supporter. I attended Chapels that challenged me and praise and worships that cut to the heart and soul of who I was and what I was doing.

When I wear my Northwestern sweatshirt or fly my flag I am proud of school I attended and what they have done for me.

So thank you Northwestern College for making me not only the teacher I am today but also the Disciple of Christ that I am today.

That is why I am Gratefully Red!

To All the Single Ladies

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."- Genesis 2:18

Many have told me that you can be happy as a single. You can serve God better as a single. Some people have said that you just need to be happy in your relationship with Jesus or your image comes from God and not from marriage. Be content. I have been content. I have ministered in ways my married friends can not. I have traveled to places that some would dream of. I have taken Seminary classes that most would be jealous of. There comes a time when those things are not enough. After a while like many single people you get sick of hearing and striving to do these things.

I read Genesis 2:18 and this went against everything those happily married people told me. If I am created as Eve than I am created for a purpose. That purpose is to satisfy the aloneness of my Adam. My job is to be a helper and fulfill the cultural mandate and ministry with my own Adam. As a women part of my purpose is to be married. God found a suitable mate for Adam and gave him Eve.

This may not be the way it happened but it is the way I would like to envision it. I see Adam in the most beautiful place ever, he is in Paradise. He is there all alone. Trust me I have been to places that I have thought of as paradise. Neither time I was alone but it would be hard to experience and enjoy alone. I guess I would like to picture Adam in the midst of this glorious and beautiful place we call Eden. Since at that point he was without sin he walked and talked with God. I see Adam saying God this is great but I am kind of lonely in this garden. So what does God do he sends Eve his way to complete him. I do not know how long after God created Adam he created Eve but it must have been long enough for Adam to sense a need for a mate.

So what does this mean for mean for me? For me it means that I can be alright with telling people that I want to get married and my dream job is to be a wife and mother and helper to my mate. A women once stated and I agree her that we have been doing this all wrong, “I have been looking for a man to fit with my career, rather than looking to help him succeed at his. My true ambitions had nothing to do with my job but all I have ever really wanted was to be a wife. Not just any wife but a Proverbs 31 wife.”

All the single ladies: We are suitable woman for someone! We are someone’s Eve. There is some wonderful man walking around this world loving, glorifying, and honoring God. This mans life might be perfect and close to paradise. Maybe someday this guy will be on a walk praying and talking to God like Adam was in the garden and telling God he is alone and in need of a companion. One day he will send Eve to complete him. Just like Adam in Genesis 2 God will awake man from his deep sleep of singleness and wake him to his Eve. May all of us as single ladies be given the patience and trust until God awakes our Adam from his deep sleep of singleness.

Unity Through Christ

Those of us who are united we are united through Christ.

Today I started my adventure of searching for unity in my town through denominations. Myself and my friend Cameron began our journey of church visiting/shopping. The first church we visited was First Baptist Church of Pella, Iowa. The adventure from the parking lot to the pew got us laughing, made us feel awkward, and a little lost. The church was very welcoming. We attended the 11 o’clock contemporary service which started with 25 people and ended with 40 people. The pastor was very friendly and knew the members of the church and called them by name, The only visible difference was the baptismal fount that we see in our church was replaced with a dunk tank.

The message was based on Luke 18 and Jesus and the Little Children. The disciples were hindering what Jesus wanted to do. The disciples wanted Jesus to use his time for more important things like spending time with them. How often in our own lives do we stray from what Jesus wants us to do because we are too busy or selfish to do what he wants us to do.

Another point from the message was this whole idea of Come. Jesus said let the little children come to me. This relates to the Greek word hapto. Hapto means touched but in the gospels it means to set on fire. During the encounter sof Jesus healing he is setting people on fire. In Jesus touch he is gripes the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts, minds, souls, and situations. We can not hapto ourselves. We can not rely on our own power or strength. All we can do is come to Jesus and allow him to start a fire in our lives.

One of the things that really struck me in light of Church unity is how kids receive the kingdom like a child. I heard a story this past fall of a four year old little boy who at the local McDonald’s was talking with a murderer who was wanted in Florida for killing two people. This little boy did not see him as a murderer but just a man because they did not know any better. Kids can play with other kids of different races, gender, social classes, and denominations because they did not know any better. The people of First Baptist did not know any better. They did not know who we were or where we were from they treated us as fellow followers of Christ. In fact on the top of the bulletin it said, “ In a Spirit of love and fellowship let us be appreciative of the uniqueness of each one present. Welcome fellow children of God! Welcome!” That is what it felt like a welcome from fellow followers. There may be minor differences of when and how we baptize but in the end we are searching for one goal to Abide in Him and produce good fruit.