[.ca] Secrets of the Vine: Breaking Through to Abundance (ISBN 1590524969)

From Amazon.com:
No one said it would be easy. In the first installment of his BreakThrough series, Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson urged Christians to find the abundant life through following a simple prayer. In Secrets of the Vine, his follow-up to the bestselling The Prayer of Jabez, the president of Walk thru the Bible Ministries explores compelling images from Bible verse John 15 in support of his message that asking for God's blessings may result in suffering and difficult circumstances. Through Jesus' symbolic portrayal of himself as the vine, the Father as vinedresser, and his followers as the branches, Wilkinson believes that Christians can better understand God's methods for ensuring personal fulfillment, and find a closer walk with him. Grapes need pruning--and so do Christians, Wilkinson writes. God's "pruning" is painful, but Wilkinson argues that this pruning away of "self" is necessary to gain desirable results. He notes, "Pruning will intensify as God's shears cut closer to the core of who you are." Wilkinson urges Christians not to confuse "pruning" with "discipline," and offers a helpful chart to distinguish between the two. He discusses four levels of fruit bearing, from "no fruit" to "much fruit," and the connection between God's pruning and an abundant harvest. Wilkinson's warm, personable writing style helps him come across as a confidant and mentor. Even though he admits, "I assure you that I possess no special knowledge in these matters," millions of readers seem to think he does. He lays down the challenge: "If you don't know and apply Jesus's vineyard teachings, you'll never experience the abundant life you long for. There is simply no other way." Christians aspiring to maturity in their spiritual lives will likely sit up and take notice. --Cindy Crosby

how the sharpest shears can bring the most joy:
With Chapter 15 of The Gospel of John as its basis, where Jesus speaks to His disciples about the True Vine and the branches, this marvel of a book uses the imagery of the vineyard to illustrate the spiritual truths of achieving a fruitful life for God. If anyone thinks this book might be about material abundance, it is not...far from it ! In fact, it shows how as part of the pruning process, one might have to let go of those possessions we "hold too tightly". When the Vinedresser gets out his sharp shears, it feels like tough love, but if we submit, it is a liberating love that brings us the joy of being closer to Him. Chapter 3, "The Best Good News (You Didn't Want to Hear)", outlines the steps of discipline, and Chapter 4, "Love by Degrees", talks about repentance, and much of the following chapters are on that daunting word, "pruning". "Pruning is how God answers your prayers that your life will please Him more and have a greater impact for eternity" (pg. 60). In Chapter 5, "A Country Awakening", there is a very useful chart that helps discern whether one is being disciplined or pruned; as often both can be painful, they are sometimes confused, but their purpose and consequence are quite different. In Chapter 6, "Flourishing Under the Shears", Dr. Wilkinson talks about how we have to submit to the tests of faith, and might have to give up things dear to you, in order to have personal transformation, and a bigger harvest for God. Chapter 8, "Living in the Presence", is exquisite, and gives the simple steps to the "promise and practice of abiding", an abiding that brings peace and happiness to every day, no matter what the circumstances. It is a well-made volume with nice quality paper, and nine line drawings of vineyard themes by Vicki Shuck that are lovely, and represent much more than vines and grapes. Small but very mighty, this book is one of the most important I have read ( I have underlined so many passages, it has almost as much of my ink as print); it has been a powerful blessing in my life, and if you are looking for a "breakthrough" book, this may well be it.

Reader from Israel:
Really an excellent book, insightful from only a point that the Holy Spirit can bring. It is to the Vine as the work by Keller/ Psalm 23 is to shepherding.

Pruned by the Word of God:
John 15:3 clearly says we are already cleansed by the Word! Cleansed and pruned come from the same Greek root word. So John 15:3 is basically saying you are pruned by the Word of God! To abide in Christ and Him in you, you have to stay in the Word and let him prune you by His Word. His Word is life and truth. Read John 15 with Psalms 1 for a better understanding and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to you. Hebrews 12 in context with 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Word is profitable in correcting us and instructing us. Stay in the Word abide in Christ.

Lessons To Be Learned:
Bruce did a wonderful job of expounding on Jesus teaching about the vine and the branches. His analogy of the four baskets--from "no fruit" to "much fruit" is enlightenng. And his insight into the difference between discipline and pruning shows that both processes are painful and how we can discern between the two. Something we can all benefit by knowing, because at some time in our lives, if we are truly in the vine will experience both. I have. It's encourageing to know that even during times of discipline the vinedresser--our loving Father--is caring for us in a tender, loving way, in order that we might bear fruit. If only we would choose to bend in the way that He chooses. And when He prunes us, even though it's painful, is for the purpose of expanding our fruitfulness. While reading this little gem, I was able to recognize that the pain I suffered a couple of years ago was a result of God's pruning in my life. It brought joy when I recognized the fruit that sprung forth as a result of that pruning. Now, all I have is the task of living in obedience and abiding in Him, waiting for the pruning shears to cut again, in order for more fruit to come forth. What could be better? But because I'm not perfect, at some time I'm sure the hand of disciple will touch me once again. Only after reading this book, now I know what to look for. I can discern why the pain is there, whether it be pruning or discipline. By applying the Prayer of Jabez and the principles in Secrets of The Vine my life has been enriched. But something that struck me as I read this book was how often I miss out on understanding a spiritual truth, because I didn't take the time to really study. I have a Strong's Concordance, so I have no excuse. Why do I, like so many others, leave it to someone else to do the footwork for me? Jesus gave the analogy of the vine and the branches for a reason. But how many of us have looked into what tending a vineyard is all about? If we had, we wouldn't need Bruce to show us. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." NIV How can we correctly handle the Word if we don't read it--study it? Each of us has a responsibility to study for ourselves. I want my life to be as enriched as Bruce's, because I took the time to find out for myself by thorough study. By Bruce's faithfulness, he is bearing "much fruit", and I am thankful that God is using him to help others have a better understanding of what scipture teaches, including myself. This comprehensive book can help your understanding of the vinedresser's work in your life. Do you desire to bear fruit and then more fruit? Do you want to learn what it means to abide in the vine? Are you suffering through painful circumstanes and wonder why? Then I highly recommend you read this book, along with careful personal study, and begin to bear the fruit you were destined to bear. The Lord Bless You until He Comes!

"Better than Jabez, but not quite "With Joseph...":
I will not attempt to replicate the troubling points in this work. I will say that most of the negative comments are overstated, and there is much to like in this book. Wilkinson notes with insight the disciplining ways of God, and while the author does take a few liberties with interpretation, his points are cogent and helpful to the suffering Christian. Without question, this book is more scripturally sound that the Jabez book. While this work is in the same genre, but not in the same class as "With Joseph in the University of Adversity", or "God Meant it for Good", it furnishes help to the hurting soul in time of need.