Vine and Branches Stories Stories about Jesus https://www.vandbstories.com Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:01:00 +0000 Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com For Such a Time as This https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2025/06/19/for-such-a-time-as-this Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:49:52 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2025/06/19/for-such-a-time-as-this
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By Stacey Pinz

Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you, I’ve said for years, “I am not going to teach again.” Other than working with my three kids when they needed help with homework and working with kids at church, I’ve stayed true to that. However, as He often does, God had other plans for me this year.

For reasons I won’t go into here, I found myself job hunting at the start of the last school year. One day, a former colleague called and asked, “Hey, do you know anyone looking for an English teaching job?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Nope!”

However, the Lord began to work on my heart. Not long after, I felt a strong nudge to call her back and say, “Actually… I might be in a position to help out.” And just like that, I was going back into the classroom.

To skip ahead: what started as “helping out” turned into staying for the entire school year. Within just a few weeks, I realized something had shifted. I was building real relationships with students. I genuinely enjoyed teaching again. The truth is, I’ve always loved connecting with students, that’s the main reason I became a teacher in the first place. However, I was also reminded of the parts of teaching that don’t quite fit with my personality: the planning, the endless multitasking, and (gulp) the grading.

Still, when I reflect on this past school year, I can honestly say every day at work was a good day. Even on the hard days, when students were testing limits, when lessons flopped, or when everything felt like controlled chaos (as it often does in teaching), I never had a bad day. Not one.

Each day, there was a student (or two or three) who made me smile. I found joy in our conversations and in the small glimpses I got into their lives. Those moments, getting to know my students and building connections, became the unexpected blessings I hadn’t fully appreciated before, often buried under behavior challenges, lesson prep, and yes… all that grading.

When I look back, I think about the faces I saw every day and the stories I got to witness. I know, deep down, that I was exactly where I was meant to be, for such a time as this.

Is God nudging your heart in an unexpected direction? Don’t ignore the whisper. Trust Him. You never know how He might use your obedience to bless others, and you. If you need encouragement or prayer, I’d be honored to connect with you.

Esther 4:14 (NIV)
"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

]]> Stories Provide Hope in the Valleys https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/08/01/stories-provide-hope-in-the-valleys Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:44:24 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/08/01/stories-provide-hope-in-the-valleys
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By Stacey Pinz

The Bible makes it clear that throughout our faith journeys, there will be moments of hills and valleys:
     
     Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be
     made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the      
     rough places a plain. -Isaiah 40:4-5

     But the land into which you are about to cross to possess, a
     land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven.-
     Deuteronomy 11:11

     Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no
     evil, for you are with me. -Psalm 23:4

These are just a few of the many more verses that refer to mountaintops, which can represent moments of feeling close to God; as well as the valleys, which can symbolize distance from God, or difficult times like despair, defeat, or discouragement.

When we are walking through a valley, sometimes it is easy, at least for me anyway, to fall into a pit of self-pity and gloom. However, the Bible says in Psalm 121:1-2: "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

As this verse indicates, and many more like it throughout God's word, it is important to seek sources of hope, choose joy in the midst of struggle, and believe that the Lord will, indeed, provide help. His word says He will, so it will be.

Sometimes, however, it is important to take a moment to reflect on the circumstances and realize that the help may come in unexpected ways and from unexpected sources.

While I pray for God to fix my problems, to change my circumstances, to give me tools to move to the mountaintop, His timing is His timing, and the Bible also says it's perfect, so it, too, will be.

In the meantime, He still gives hope. You see, during this valley, I got to help share a beautiful story about an infant heart transplant. How can I possibly feel hopeless when I can clearly see God's miracles all over this story?

God gave a mother moments of special discernment to advocate for her infant son. God gave another mother comfort as he shaped the clouds for her. God joined two families together through a miracle of life, which also, tragically, showed the purpose of loss. But God put it all together; He truly is making all things beautiful.

He made this story beautiful, and there are so many more stories showing his ability to change an ugly situation into something beautiful. Even though I am still in a valley, stories like this give me hope. I am thankful that even though God has not "solved" my problems, when I have the opportunity to learn about His stories, my eyes look up to the hills and “He has given me hope.

God is always working, He is always putting the right pieces together, and He is always writing our stories. As a wise friend reminds me, He will use this to minister to someone someday; I guess that's why it is so important to share stories. Stories provide hope in the valleys.

]]> Guided by Love: Navigating Concerns without Being Critical https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/06/19/guided-by-love-navigating-concerns-without-being-critical Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:36:37 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/06/19/guided-by-love-navigating-concerns-without-being-critical
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By Stacey Pinz

In our daily interactions, it's natural to come across situations that may raise concerns or prompt us to wish to offer advice to others - sometimes even when they don't ask for it. When we do decide to offer that unsolicited advice, it's important to approach these moments with love and empathy rather than judgment. The Bible offers guidance on this subject, highlighting the significance of expressing care without condemning others.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)

This scripture emphasizes the principle of refraining from judgment. Instead, it encourages us to approach others with the same love and compassion that we desire for ourselves.

When we feel the need to address concerns with others, it's crucial to do so with love and a spirit of understanding. Here are a few tips to bring up concerns in a way that shows love and support rather than judgment or condemnation:

First, it is important to choose the right time and place. Approach the individual in a private and comfortable setting. Timing is crucial, ensuring that the person is receptive to the conversation.

Then, listen. Before offering advice or concerns, listen to the other person's perspective. This shows respect and understanding, allowing for a more open and honest dialogue.

Offer words of encouragement and support. Let the person know that your concern comes from a place of care and a desire to help, not an intent to criticize or condemn.

Make sure to show empathy. Put yourself in their shoes. Understand their situation, emotions, and challenges. Is there something going on in the person's life that might warrant a little bit of  extra kindness or handling with “kid gloves” as the expression goes? Empathy helps to communicate concerns in a non-threatening and supportive manner.

Finally, be light-hearted. Using humor can help ease tension and create a more relaxed atmosphere. For example, share a funny story related to the concern at hand. Suppose someone constantly forgets their keys; you might humorously recall a time when you did the same, turning it into a lighthearted and empathetic moment rather than a rebuke.

Remember, expressing concerns in a spirit of love and understanding can greatly impact the way it's received and can strengthen relationships rather than repel them. When given the choice, people generally do not prefer to spend time with those who are overly critical and judgemental. 

Expressing care without judgment aligns with the teachings of Christ, promoting unity, understanding, and compassion. It is important to remember  “So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” - Romans 2:3-4 (NIV)

Again, judgment and harsh criticism does not demonstrate the love of Jesus; it is the loving kindness demonstrated in a loving word, and a gentle and caring conversation that makes someone self reflect, which ultimately can lead to change. 

If we are the ones offering advice or feedback, it's also important for us to take a moment for self-reflection to determine whether we are voicing our concerns out of genuine love and care or if there are other underlying motivations at play.

]]> The Springtime Story: Planting A Seed of Jesus' Love https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/03/29/the-springtime-story-planting-a-seed-of-jesus-love Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/03/29/the-springtime-story-planting-a-seed-of-jesus-love
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By Stacey Pinz

If you are like me, you are thinking, Yay, spring is here! Spring is a magical time of year when flowers decide to stop being antisocial, trees get back to their green gossip, and our spirits lift as we start to be more social, too. We begin to see our neighbors again as garage doors open and kids begin to play together outdoors again. It's a season that whispers (or in the case of those April showers, loudly declares) renewal and fresh starts.

You might be wondering, "What do blooming daffodils and the story of Jesus have in common?" Well, strap in your garden boots because we're about to till through some enlightening soil together.

First off, let's talk about the ultimate comeback story and “ no, not your grandma claiming victory over this year's Easter egg hunt. I'm referring to Jesus Christ. His resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, symbolizing the ultimate renewal” defeating death and offering eternal life.

Jesus knew a thing or two about using nature to explain his messages. Parables were His go-to method for storytelling, often using agricultural metaphors to plant ideas (pun intended) about faith, love, and salvation. If Jesus were a modern-day blogger, He might have titled a post, "Mustard Seeds: Tiny but Mighty Just Like Your Faith."

Spring isn't just for Marie Kondo-ing your closet. It's a perfect time for spiritual renewal, too. As you declutter your home, consider what bad habits you have slipped into, beliefs or doubts you could tidy up. Letting go of spiritual baggage allows room for fresh faith to sprout, much like clearing weeds for new plants.

Now, for the art of sharing stories. Every Christian has a unique story-a personal encounter with grace that's as beautiful and varied as a wildflower meadow. Sharing your testimony isn't about crafting a blockbuster hit; it's about authenticity and the beauty of life's imperfections. Think of it as swapping tales around a campfire, except the moments of God show how He is with us always, sticking with us like that gooey marshmallow.

Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of Jesus celebrating (aside from the time he turned water into wine). Laughter can be a bridge, connecting hearts and opening doors to deeper conversations. So, as you share your story, people will see the joy of Jesus, and that will grow others' faith; a shared amen unites us.

As we embrace the renewal that spring offers, let's carry the message of Jesus in our stories. Whether you're sharing with a friend over coffee or posting your testimony online, remember, every story of faith is like a seed given the right conditions, it can bloom into something truly beautiful, and you never know how far it can reach or who needs to hear it.


]]> Talking Donkeys Can Teach Us Something https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/03/19/talking-donkeys-can-teach-us-something Tue, 19 Mar 2024 18:11:13 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/03/19/talking-donkeys-can-teach-us-something
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By Stacey Pinz

In the story of faith, Jesus Christ's strategy for spreading the Gospel might surprise some. It wasn't about deploying an army of angels with loudspeakers or writing messages in the stars (though, that would catch a lot of attention). Instead, His master plan involved something far closer to home and heart: people. Yes, the very same folks who can never seem to find their keys when they're running late (yep, that’s me). It’s in this beautiful human imperfection that Jesus saw the perfect messengers for His message of love, redemption, and hope.

However, let's not forget one of the most intriguing examples of divine communication, a talking donkey. In the book of Numbers (22:21-39), we read about Balaam and his very vocal animal companion. This isn’t just a quirky biblical tale to entertain Sunday school kids; it's an eye-opening illustration of God's creativity in getting His point across. If He can use a donkey to speak truths, imagine what He can do with us.

This miraculous strategy underscores an important point: People are His plan. We are not his Plan B; we are not the backup singers but the headline act in the ongoing story of salvation. Each of us, with our quirks, flaws, and occasional moments of brilliance, are called to be messengers of His Gospel. It's as if Jesus looks at our imperfect selves and says, "Yes, you. I can work with that."

It’s easy to think that spreading the Gospel requires monumental acts of faith, but Jesus often works through the small, seemingly insignificant moments of our lives. A kind word here, a gesture of love there, these are the threads that weave the fabric of His message through the intertwining moments of human experience.

What's truly beautiful about this plan is its inclusivity. You don't need to have your life perfectly together (spoiler alert: no one does) to be part of it. Jesus uses the full spectrum of humanity, fishermen, tax collectors, and yes, even the occasional talking donkey, to share His love and light with the world.

So, the next time you feel inadequate or wonder how you could possibly contribute to something as grand as the spread of the Gospel, remember the talking donkey. It's a humorous but powerful reminder that in God’s eyes, everyone has a role to play. Jesus doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called,  and sometimes, the most powerful messages come from the most unexpected messengers.

In embracing our role in Jesus's marketing plan, let's move forward with confidence, knowing that our unique voices, stories, and even our laughter can carry His message far and wide. After all, if God can use a donkey to get His point across, imagine what He can achieve with us.

Whether you are shy, dislike speaking in front of others, feel awkward, or you, yourself, feel a little like a donkey at times, share your story, it’s your message, His message, gifted to you!

]]> Discipline is a Choice https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/01/15/discipline-is-a-choice Mon, 15 Jan 2024 18:04:48 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2024/01/15/discipline-is-a-choice
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By Stacey Pinz

In the Power to Change: Mastering the Habits that Matter Most, Pastor Craig Groscel said, “Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now. . . The path to public success is paved in private discipline.”

The word discipline is strange because it is one of those words that has both a positive and a negative connotation, like when you are grounded or punished, you are being disciplined – this is that negative meaning, but when someone is referred to as a disciplined student, a disciplined athlete, or a disciplined musician, we all know it means that person practices a lot and puts a lot of time and energy into their studies, sport, or instrument; that’s that good type of discipline.

Both types of discipline will always be present in our lives, and Craig Groscel is saying that choosing the positive type of discipline will help us to have more opportunities to avoid the negative kinds of discipline.

I have always considered myself fairly disciplined. I am a goal-oriented person; I set goals, and then I create plans to accomplish those goals. I know that following those plans takes discipline. For example, when I was a student, I always strived to do the best I could on every assignment – even the small ones; I was one of those students who went after every single point; I know I annoyed my teachers (so later, when I became a teacher, I could empathize with those students). Additionally, in the area of self care, I have gone through various seasons of discipline where I strive to exercise daily, eat well, and get enough sleep (admittedly, sleep is an area where I have always struggled to be disciplined; I’m a bit of a night owl, which I typically regret in the morning).

It also takes discipline to grow in our relationship with Jesus. Specifically, the discipline of reading our Bible and praying are essential for growing in our faith and our relationship with Jesus. Spending time in the Word as well as spending time in prayer helps to foster a deeper connection with Jesus in several ways. First, we can better understand His Teachings. The Bible contains the teachings, parables, and life stories of Jesus. Reading allows us to understand His message, values, and the way He lived, which forms the basis for following His example and teachings in our own lives. Prayer is a means of communicating with God.

Through prayer, we can express our thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires to Jesus. It's an opportunity for open and honest dialogue with Him, fostering a sense of intimacy and connection. This also allows us to seek guidance when we are facing life's challenges, decisions, or dilemmas. In fact, turning to the Bible and prayer provide guidance and wisdom from the Lord. His teachings and the guidance of the Holy Spirit help us to make choices aligned with His will for our lives. The Bible outlines the virtues and qualities that Jesus exemplified – love, humility, compassion, and forgiveness; reading about these qualities and praying for them help us to cultivate a Christ-like character.

Regularly reading the Bible and praying will deepen our faith in Jesus. As we encounter His words and reflect on His presence in our lives through prayer, our belief in Him grows stronger. Additionally, through prayer, we entrust our concerns, fears, and hopes to Jesus. This act of trust strengthens our bond with Him as we rely on Him for support and guidance.

During difficult times, reading passages from the Bible and praying bring comfort, and many verses offer words of encouragement and reassurance in times of adversity. The Bible teaches that through faith in Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, individuals can experience transformation by aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with Christ's values and purpose. Prayer provides an opportunity to express gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice, love, and blessings in our lives, and this act of thankfulness deepens our appreciation for Him.

Participating in group Bible studies and prayer sessions with fellow believers enhances our sense of community and shared faith, and these communal experiences strengthen our relationship with Jesus as we worship and learn together.

Building a relationship with Jesus is an ongoing journey that requires discipline (there’s that word again) and a desire to draw closer to Him. Regularly reading the Bible and engaging in prayer are powerful tools in this spiritual journey, helping us to grow in our understanding of Jesus and our connection to Him.

I know the benefits of reading my Bible and praying, and while I have strived to be disciplined in these practices, sometimes I fall short, and sometimes I get distracted. You see, the thing about the positive kind of discipline is that even though it eventually leads to what we want and what we need, it is hard work.

Hebrews 12:11 says for the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

All of the disciplines that we have practiced up until now, and maybe for some of us we need to practice some disciplines more than others, but all of these disciplines have served the purpose of helping us to grow into who we want to be someday (and this is a never-ending process called sanctification), in addition to who we are today, like Craig Groscel says.

I am sure most people can agree that we are much different today than who we were 10 or 15 years ago because of our discipline, our growth, and our private practices.

The thing about discipline is that it never stops. Sure, parents and teachers are not necessarily the people who discipline us anymore, but life does. If we are disciplined people who practice healthy disciplines, the hope is that life will not need to discipline us so much because we have put into place practices that have helped us in our lives.

The work it takes to have the life that we dream of and the life that God plans for us has taken discipline to this point, and it will continue to take discipline.

It is important to keep discipline in all areas of life because losing balance in our practices can throw our progress off and cause us to stumble, which we will do at times. However, remember “Just because we fell one time doesn’t mean we can’t get up and let our light shine.”

Psalm 37:23-24 says “The LORD directs the steps of the Godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.”

God has wired me to be a disciplined person, in general; however, it still takes effort. I still need to pray that God will help me to continue to press into Him and feel magnetized to Him; I never want that to ever go away. I need God’s help to get through some of those grueling exercise videos, and I pray that He will guide me and teach me as I read and study His word, and that He will help me when I have nowhere else to turn and no one else to seek. During those difficult days, I am so thankful that I know, without a doubt, that my Father in Heaven is with me and guiding me no matter what storms I may be facing, and I am so grateful that when there are good days (and there are SO many good days for which to be thankful), I know from where that goodness comes!

I know I need to continue to stay disciplined in continuing to nurture that relationship with God because without that presence, life can feel isolating and overwhelming sometimes as we strive towards our own goals and plans, and sometimes the pressures of discipline can weigh heavily on us and make us feel anxious and lonely, but God has promised us that He is always with us, and he is holding us up and guiding us, if we are disciplined allowing him.

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NLT)

And “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

God’s word is full of messages like this – promises that no matter what the world throws at us, God is carrying us, and God is helping us to stay disciplined.

Discipline is hard. Life is hard, and we will experience pain that is outside of our control because that is part of living in this broken world. But the good thing is that we have hope in Jesus.

In Matthew 11:28 it says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We do not have to worry when we face challenges because we always have someone on our side.

Some pain that comes from the punishment kind of discipline of life is within our control: don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal, don’t break the law – you will be disciplined; you will be punished.

Remember, “Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now. . . The path to public success is paved in private discipline.”

Instead, put into practice a life of faith and gratitude. Tell the truth, be honest, be charitable when you can, and follow the laws. Serve others the way Jesus served, and seek His will first, and the rest WILL fall into place (this is a reminder for myself, too).

My hope and prayer for those reading this Blog is that you will be disciplined in the positive ways so that you do not have to live with the regret of negative discipline later.

Reference

Groeschel, C. (2023). Power to Change: Mastering the Habits that Matter Most. Zondervan Books.

]]> God, Please Send Help! https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/12/01/god-please-send-help Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/12/01/god-please-send-help
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By Stacey Pinz

Vine and Branches Stories has been a tremendous gift from the Lord, and it has been a huge opportunity for learning and growth in the 11 months since God put this seed of an idea into my head and my heart. I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of what I have learned throughout the past 11 months as we head into the second year. 

Firstly, being obedient to the Lord is full of “wow” moments. I could not believe how fast Vine and Branches Stories went from idea to fruition; God planted the seed in January, the app was up in April, and we began to share it in May of 2023. Wow!

To me, this timeline seems super fast, especially when one considers that before God gave this idea to me, I had absolutely NO idea how to do anything like what Vine and Branches Stories would require of me. God definitely directed my steps in allowing my learning to happen. He was with me throughout the entire process, and He is so good! 

Secondly, even though God placed this ministry on my heart, He doesn’t NEED me to do this. He does NOT need my help getting people to share stories. There are Christian story ministries all over the country which all have this fire; throughout the Bible, the Lord isn’t just making a kind suggestion that we share about all that He is doing or has done in our lives; He is telling us that it is our duty and responsibility to do so. I could list verse after verse here, but I will just put a link at the end of this blog instead. 

Although He doesn’t need me to do this ministry,  He gave this ministry to me as a gift because I prayed for a project for Him. I love serving at my church, and I love doing ministry together with my family and my church friends, but I prayed for God to use me for something different.  He gave Vine and Branches Stories to me and as a gift to share as a way for me to grow, to stretch, and to draw into a deeper relationship with Him as I learn to obey in a way that I have never experienced before. 

Let me use a metaphor to explain how this ministry has grown, has stretched, and has taught me to trust. It has been like walking into a completely dark room with only a tiny light to guide me. That tiny light does not light up the entire room; it does not show me what is in the room or what is around me, but it leads me and guides me, and when I am supposed to meet someone, it illuminates just that person and that person’s story. I am not allowed to flip on the light switch to see beyond what that light wants me to see; I just need to trust that tiny light and to know that it is for me—it is  guiding me to where I need to be (not necessarily where I always want to be). 

Thirdly, I have learned to have a whole new perspective regarding how the enemy will attack people who are working to be obedient. Do not get me wrong: throughout my life, I have felt the enemy’s darts before, but this has been like nothing I have experienced in the past, and I have had to really press into the Lord to help me to not fall into the ugly patterns of my prior self because that is the way Satan wants it to be. I am NOT that person anymore. That person is no longer part of my memory foam, and I have put on new clothes; I intend to wake up every single day and to pray that I dress myself in a garment of praise (“...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” – Isaiah 61:3)

If you are reading this, please cover your pastors and church leaders in prayer regularly; after this experience, I know that they must face some extremely challenging attacks, and we all must continuously fight against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12

Finally, even with God’s help,  beginning a ministry can feel a bit lonely at times. I felt this flame burning in my spirit to help people to share their stories because I know that these stories need to be shared, and I know that God gave us technology to use for such a time as this: we need to be using it for His glory. 

But I began to feel like I was a record on repeat saying the same thing over and over, and while many people agreed and supported me with their encouragement, it felt like no one else was catching this fire that God had given to me. These were the words to some of my prayers during those early days: “Why, Lord? This cannot be something you want me to do alone? It’s just too much! I don’t know how to do half of this stuff, and I don’t have time to do it all. You don’t want me to spend every waking minute on this and to neglect my marriage and my family, do you? I need some help. God, please send help! I cannot do this alone.” 

As it turns out, I have never been doing it alone, and as I type this, I truly see God’s faithfulness throughout this ministry journey. God did send help. He gave me Ann who graciously allows me to bounce ideas off of her, who brainstorms and prays about Vine and Branches Stories, and who listens as God gives her ideas for the ministry (she also interviews all of Vine and Branches Stories podcast guests, too). He has given me dozens of family members and dear friends who have prayed, whom have provided ideas, and whom have spoken words of encouragement over Vine and Branches Stories throughout the past year. He has provided Vine and Branches Stories with Amy who graciously volunteered to edit all of the written content. God sent me a young man named Isaac who became the Vine and Branches videographer intern. Isaac helped to get the first stories up on the app and website. 

God also helped me to connect with so many other story ministries that are spread all over the country. Every time I was led to another story ministry, I was energized to see that God had placed this same fire in other people’s hearts to help people to share the reason for their hope (check some of these ministries out here: LINK). Then, the founder of one of those story ministries, Todd from The 315 Project, said he would work with me and would mentor me as God was leading me with Vine and Branches Stories; thank you, Lord! 

At the exact time when Isaac was going off to college, God sent more help; He sent Greg. Greg has an interest and background in videography, and he has a desire to help people share their stories. Then, my friend, Aleah, and I had breakfast the other day, and she texted me shortly after our meeting saying that she would love to work with Vine and Branches Stories; God gave her a fire for this ministry, too. Wow! I am excited to pray with Aleah and to dream about the future of Vine and Branches Stories together. I see God’s help in all of these people. 

When we are in the day-to-day grind of trying to do things in our own strength, things can become overwhelming, frustrating, and downright lonely at times. Now, as I take a step back to look at the big picture, I see that when I allow God to have control, of course things will turn out as they should. Afterall, God’s handiwork is perfect; it’s perfect in His creation of the world and everything in the world; it’s perfect in the hope and goodness that He reveals through each of our stories, and it is even perfect when it comes to the creation of an app and website which helps people to share those stories.

I have been praying for a team because that’s what I thought I needed. I continuously said, God, please send help! However, now, as I reflect upon the past year, I can now see that He was telling me: “Stacey, I already have.” 

Thank you, Lord, for providing for my needs before I recognized that You had done so.  

Link to Bible Verses: LINK

]]> He Walks Through the Pain for Us -- Twice https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/11/04/he-walks-through-the-pain-for-us-twice Sat, 04 Nov 2023 18:03:58 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/11/04/he-walks-through-the-pain-for-us-twice
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By Stacey Pinz

Pain is an inevitable part of the human experience. Whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual, we all encounter moments of suffering that can leave us feeling lost, alone, and desperate. However, as we journey through life's trials and tribulations, there is a miraculous source of solace: God.

 In times of pain, we can find comfort in the unchanging nature of our Heavenly Father and the promise that He always goes before us into the storms of life.

One of the most reassuring attributes of God is His unchanging nature. While the people around us may change and the world is constantly shifting and evolving, our Heavenly Father remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) reminds us of this eternal truth: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." God's unchanging character means that we can rely on His love, faithfulness, and presence even when life's circumstances feel uncertain and painful.

I know that He has always been faithful, and He is always with us in our moments of pain. While we may feel lonely, that is a lie from Satan. 

I know that with God, we truly are NOT alone. He is with us, and He is comforting us through the storms; He has comforted us through each and every storm we have faced in the past as He surrounds us with His love, His mercy, and His grace. 

Often, He covers us with people who are encouraging and uplifting as well. Isn’t He so good? Along with the people He surrounds us with, He also gives us some promises in His Word: 

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." In times of pain, we can take refuge in the knowledge that God is with us, offering His strength and support.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV) - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." When we are brokenhearted and in pain, God draws near to us, providing comfort and healing.

Another verse that has really stood out for me when I am struggling is Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV): "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." 

Isn’t it really something to imagine that God has already walked through this same storm that we may be going through?

 Think about that:  whatever trials we may face, God has already prepared the way for us.Though it is so hard sometimes (trust me, I know it’s hard, and I need reminders all of the time), even in our moments of pain and distress, we can find relief and reassurance in knowing that God has already journeyed ahead of us. He has equipped us to face the challenges that lay ahead: He provides  the strength and guidance we need to navigate life's storms. 

And though he was there ahead of us, He is still right there beside us as well. So if you think about this, He walks through the pain more than once for us!

 Wow! I don’t know about you, but I would find it hard to walk through some of the storms I have faced more than one time if I didn’t have to; once was definitely enough, but God does it willingly and lovingly while cradling us when we cannot stand on our own. I believe these truths!

Unfortunately, pain is an inescapable part of our human existence, but in our moments of suffering, we are not alone. God's unchanging nature, His presence with the brokenhearted, His promise to go before us into life's storms, and His promise that He will never leave us alone as He surrounds us with people who pray for us, comfort us, and truly demonstrate the tangible goodness of God to remind us that we can find hope even in the darkest of times. 

As we turn to Him, we discover that God meets us in our pain; He offers His unchanging love and guidance. He is, He was, and He always will be good! 

Even in our pain, we can choose to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬‬:‭4‬-‭7 (NIV)‬.

While pain does not go away by believing and by rejoicing, with Christ Jesus, it becomes more bearable, and we have hope that there will be joy on the other side.

]]> Fighting Battles that Are Unseen https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/09/16/fighting-battles-that-are-unseen Sat, 16 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/09/16/fighting-battles-that-are-unseen
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By Stacey Pinz

I have a magnet on my refrigerator that I realize I have read most mornings for a few years which says, “Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about'' (Toby Mac, Speaklife). We got the magnet at a Toby Mac concert back in 2020, and it has been on our fridge ever since. 

This magnet is a reminder that in our faith journeys, we often encounter spiritual battles that leave us feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable, and they can manifest as doubt, fear, temptation, and even external challenges that seem insurmountable. However, rest assured, we are not alone in this struggle. God equips us with a powerful defense against spiritual warfare, providing us with His divine armor and the extraordinary weapon of prayer.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare is known as the unseen battle for our souls, waged by the forces of darkness led by Satan himself. It can manifest in various forms—internal struggles, external obstacles, or even attacks on our faith. The enemy's goal is to distract us from our relationship with God, leading us away from His love and grace.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12

The Armor of God: Our Divine Protection
Speaking from experience, these battles are challenging, heart wrenching, and at times, debilitating, but thankfully God has not left us defenseless. In fact, He has provided us with His armor, as outlined in Ephesians 6:13-18:
  1. Belt of Truth: Stand firm in God's truth. Embrace His Word as your guide and foundation.
  2. Breastplate of Righteousness: Guard your heart with righteousness, living a life in accordance with God's will.
  3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Be prepared to share the good news of Christ, bringing peace wherever you go.
  4. Shield of Faith: Trust in God's promises to deflect the fiery darts of doubt and fear.
  5. Helmet of Salvation: Protect your mind with the assurance of salvation through Christ.
  6. Sword of the Spirit (God's Word): Use Scripture as a weapon to counter the enemy's lies.
  7. Prayer and Supplication: Engage in constant communication with God through prayer, seeking His guidance, and strength.

The Distraction Tactic
Satan's primary strategy in spiritual warfare is distraction. He seeks to divert our focus away from God, and he does this through leading us into anxiety, despair, or worldly pursuits. When we are distracted, our faith wavers, and we become vulnerable to the enemy's attacks.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

When facing spiritual warfare, prayer is not just a defense; when we pray, we are like the most powerful offensive line on a football team (it is football season). Through prayer, we draw near to God, aligning ourselves with His will and tapping into His strength. When we are down, Satan will continue to kick us, so we must rely on His strength so we can get back up and stay in the fight. 

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. – Ephesians 6:18

Dear Lord,

We come before You, recognizing that we are in the midst of spiritual warfare. We acknowledge Your divine armor, and we put it on, trusting in Your protection. Fill us with Your truth, righteousness, and peace. Strengthen our faith as we wield the sword of Your Word. We lift our shields of faith to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy. Lord, when distraction seeks to pull us away from You, help us to remain steadfast. Empower us to pray without ceasing, to seek Your presence in the Word, and to lean on our community of believers.

We know that in You, we are never alone, and victory is assured. We thank You for Your love, grace, and unwavering support. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.


—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even though sometimes those distractions are powerful, and the battles are difficult, in the midst of spiritual warfare, we have the armor of God, the power of prayer, and a loving community of believers standing with us. Stay strong, for victory is ours through Christ. 
 
As Vine and Branches Stories is a mission to help people share stories, we would be amiss if we did not talk about the importance of sharing about God’s provision and protection during hardship. Sharing our personal journey of facing spiritual warfare and relying on the armor of God to deflect the fiery darts can be a powerful source of encouragement and hope for others. When we open up about our experiences, we illuminate the path for those grappling with similar battles, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles. Our story becomes a testament to the strength and protection that Jesus provides against the schemes of the enemy. It shows that even in the midst of adversity, through faith and prayer, we receive divine help and safeguarding. Ultimately, our testimony serves as a beacon of hope, assuring others that, in Christ, victory over spiritual warfare is not only attainable but an integral part of our journey of faith.

]]> Sixty Years in One Day https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/08/31/sixty-years-in-one-day Thu, 31 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/08/31/sixty-years-in-one-day
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By Stacey Pinz

Sometimes it feels like life is so hectic; I get to the end of the day, and it feels like I have lived sixty years in one day. Each separate phase of my day feels like another year as I move through the day, check off boxes, and push through the never-ending task list in my mind. 

But what if I stopped checking off boxes and started to look around?   …to appreciate what is going on around me more often? …to notice the amazing things that God is showing me and is doing in my life and the lives of those around me? How might that change the way I see my days? 

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a couple of young adults named Sophie and Max to talk about Jesus. Specifically, we talked about sharing Jesus and what Jesus has done in our lives. I was planning to talk with them about sharing goodness-of-God stories. Honestly, I did more listening than talking, and that was exactly what needed to happen; I learned so much from mostly listening. 

I learned about how Max had been inviting friends and acquaintances from the gym where he works and works out to a Wednesday night young adult worship service, and he has seen the group continue to grow as more and more people invite their friends. 

I learned about how Sophie had felt a need among several of her friends for connection, Bible study, and prayer, so she started a young adult women’s group, and she has been planning events and activities throughout the summer for building relationships and connections. In fact, later that afternoon, the group had plans to volunteer together at Feed My Starving Children. 

The two told stories about how they met and how they had seen God’s goodness surrounding them in so many ways as they continue to seek Him and to learn more about what He has for them in their lives as they continue to do worship –  life –worship –life (the lines between life and worship were blurred as they were talking, and that is how it’s supposed to be). 

Max shared a story about a connection with a stranger he had made as a result of a post he had made on social media. The connection was asking for prayer for healing, and after talking through some issues with the connection, Max prayed for both deliverance and healing for that social media connection. Some time later, Max received word from the connection that prayers had been answered, and both deliverance and healing had occurred. Wow! Thank you, Jesus!

I had set up this meeting to learn about the ministry at their church and to learn about how to share goodness-of-God stories, but I learned about so much more. I learned that at least for these two, there is no difference between being at church and being in the workplace or in the community: everyplace is an opportunity for worship, for connection with others, and for seeing Jesus. Of course—the church isn’t meant to stay in the church building.

I don’t know about you, but for me, sometimes life tends to become fragmented. Sometimes I put Jesus in certain contexts and places when, like Sophie and Max, I should be carrying Him with me everywhere. I should be seeing each situation  as an opportunity to see Him and His goodness as a new realization of worship.  As  Psalm 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; His  praise will always be on my lips.”

Sophie reflected upon a question that someone had recently asked her, “What do you do for fun?” and she was glowing when she said, “As cheesy as this answer is, we talk about Jesus.” She then looked around, reflecting while she said, “His goodness is so vast and so big, and it's everywhere; every day it is like living sixty years in one day!” What a great perspective!

Sophie and Max

Worshiping and Ministering: You Called My Name!

]]> Worth the Wait https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/07/15/worth-the-wait Sat, 15 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/07/15/worth-the-wait
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By Stacey Pinz

I remember when I was younger, I couldn’t wait for certain special occasions: Christmas, my birthday, the weekend (sometimes, I'm still excited about the weekend as an adult), and summer vacation to name a few. I still feel that I-can’t-wait excitement even as an adult, but now it looks different, and it’s not always about dates like it tended to be when I was younger.

Now, when I am waiting, the waiting is often about something bigger: an answer about a significant decision, a prayer for a family member or a friend or a direction when faced with a crossroad.

Right now, I am in a waiting period. I know, without a doubt, that the Lord wanted me to move forward and to start the Vine and Branches Stories ministry; therefore, I did. I researched, learned, studied, called, texted, emailed, and posted on social media (and much of this was way outside of my comfort zone). God was there the entire time emboldening, empowering, and energizing me to push forward.

Now that the Vine and Branches Stories app is developed, I have been blessed and have been inspired by the people who have boldly shared goodness-of-God stories: Stacy F. who made the decision to stop negotiating with God, and to obey Him; Milissa K. who while battling breast cancer placed her trust in God and was able to find joy and gratitude during her battle; Stephanie and Ford B. who walked through a marriage hardship, and with God, came out of it stronger together; Pastor Laurie H. who chose a life of love and obedience after a near-death experience; Joey F. who experienced a deep valley in his life, but as he reflected, saw God’s hand in all of the lessons he learned as well as the people who lifted him up through this storm; Cori M. who saw God’s hand of protection on a road trip that could have been tragic turn out to be a small hiccup; Amy K. who watched as God calmed the heart of a small child with one of his beautiful creations; and Krystal E. who felt God’s guidance as she has pressed into her faith throughout her life in making decisions about where to attend church with her family.

All of these stories, and more that will be coming soon, have continued to show me that God is devoted to all of us and sees all of our needs and desires – it’s as if we are His only singular children in those moments and that all of His love, energy, and affection is focused on us. But then He surrounds us with brothers and sisters to lift us up and to encourage us, too. When I learn each story, the depth of His love is all just too much for my human mind to comprehend.

He has infinite time for us, and He wants what is best for us: but sometimes…. that means that we wait.

I am not sure what will be the next steps for Vine and Branches Stories. I am so proud of the people who have continued to show their willingness to share stories, so I do know we will continue to share stories for God’s glory.

But as I wait, I pray for God to provide answers to a few questions: what is the best way to continue to get the word out about the app so that more and more people can continue to be impacted by the stories? How do we continue to tell more and more stories (which is the ultimate goal) with excellence and in the most impactful way? Lord, please continue to provide the resources. How do we compensate people for their time and energy?

Lord, please provide the means. Lord, help us to see the big picture that You see, and please help this ministry continue to grow to demonstrate that You have written all of our stories and are writing more of our stories: that they are worthy of being shared.

We are living out our God-given stories each day, and we must choose to see His goodness all around us: even when we are in a season of waiting.

Lord, please quiet the voices that tell me that because Vine and Branches Stories is not “exploding” or “taking off” – that it is not successful; quiet the voices that say that this is just another social media platform; quiet the voices that tell me that everyone is just too busy to care about sharing their stories or acknowledging that Vine and Branches Stories even exists, and quiet the voices that say that this was all just a dumb idea.

I know Vine and Branches Stories is from You and for You, and You are infinitely wise and loving, and You will continue to make a way for Vine and Branches Stories.

I still get that childhood I-can’t-wait-to-see-what-happens-next feeling when I think about the future of Vine and Branches Stories, but while I wait patiently (or try to wait patiently anyway), I will continue to press into what God is teaching me through His Word, through prayer, through those who continue to share stories, through those who continue to lift this ministry up in their prayers, and through those who continue to give obediently.

I am trusting that it will all be worth the wait.

]]> Produce Fruit https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/06/10/produce-fruit Sat, 10 Jun 2023 06:22:03 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/06/10/produce-fruit
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By Ann Swenson

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). What does it actually mean to produce fruit?

I pulled into the driveway as the dust rolled behind me from the dry dirt road and mixed with the smoke from the fires in Canada. Through the clouds I stared in disbelief at my two apple trees. What? Could it be possible that BOTH of my apple trees were flowering at the same time? I squinted to see if what I was seeing was true.
 
My family and I planted these two little trees a few years back, and over those years, I think it is safe to say that we’ve produced only about two dozen apples total. One year, one tree blossoms, and in the next year, the other tree blossoms. Some years, like last, neither blossomed...no apples. Why hadn’t they produced fruit?
 
I know it takes time. It seems to me that if you plant a tree, if you water it, and if you prune the branches when necessary--indeed, you’ve done everything right for the apples to start to grow. I’ve watched the bees in hope that they’re spreading pollen all over the leaves with their fuzzy little bodies.

Every year, I think that I must have done something wrong the year before to once again not get the bumper crop that I see at the annual autumn trip to the orchard. Until this year, never have I seen both trees blossom with so many tender white petals! Could it be that this is the year we have two trees drooping with the weight of fruit? I hope so!

God teaches us lessons to bless our lives in the least expected ways and places sometimes. A part of the mission of Vine and Branches Stories is that the stories shared will produce fruit in the same way that I hope that my apple trees will soon do.

God has that same hope for each of us as I do for those two apple trees; He wants us to produce fruit, and He explains this throughout the Bible.
 
As a response to misled missionaries who were trying to be hybrid Jews while also accepting Christ as their Messiah, the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians urgently trying to prune (no pun intended) the lies that certain laws of Moses needed to be upheld. Specifically, he encouraged the church at Galatia to let go of the things that will only enslave and instead to grow in the areas that would help to mature them into the likeness of Christ.

Specifically, Paul lists these nine fruits that should be nurtured and cultivated into our very beings; in chapter 5 Paul says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (v 22-25).

One of the ways we cultivate these fruits is to be filled with love for others. A few sentences before Paul lists the good fruit, he implores us to serve one another in love (13), and just a few sentences after that, he reminds us to bear each other’s burdens (6:2).
 
These parameters seem pretty straightforward, but so does growing apples. What does it look like to love each other and to have an abundance of patience and kindness? Water the tree, prune the tree…. and apples should grow, right? As I have witnessed with my own apple trees, even under the best circumstances, the fruit in some instances, won’t grow! It takes work, it takes study, and it takes investigation. It takes watching others and learning from their experiences, and it takes obedience to listen when God is nudging us towards something or away from something.
 
Not only do we have to have an understanding of what our expectations are, but we also have to nurture those attributes: to help them along. Reading and studying scripture not only lists out neatly the way we should behave and how our hearts should change, but it also gives us example after example of how to live that out.
 
That’s the part that takes time: we have to give ourselves some grace, and we have to keep working at it…the fruit will be ripe! We have to prune what we know doesn’t belong in our lives. We must water the fruit by remaining in joy in order to overflow that to others--to share that with others through our stories. Filling our watering cans with worship, prayer, and fellowship with others who are growing in the same orchard is what it takes.
 
So how does sharing our goodness-of-God story to others produce fruit? Sharing shows we are one with Jesus, and we have recognized His work in our lives. We knew that God orchestrated the goodness of what we are sharing with others, so we are able to lovingly share knowing that it could help someone else to see that God is actively working in our lives. Recognizing God’s goodness is fruit, but sharing will produce even more fruit.
 
He is our gardener, our pollinator, our pruner. Through Christ, we are growing to be loving, joyful, peace-filled, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and well-practiced in self-control. The stories we have to share about God as He moves in our lives will show these attributes of Christ, but they will also show how those fruits of the spirit are ours, too.

Now it’s our turn to be the busy honey bees. It’s time to pass on what it takes to help others to turn to the Master Gardener and to start their own orchard of spiritual fruit.
 
What fruit will our stories produce? Our story may bring someone to Jesus for the first time. It may remind someone that they are ready to return to Him. Our stories might spark joy, could give someone an idea for a ministry, or might help someone out of a jam (puns are fun). Our stories might ease the mind of someone with an anxious spirit or a scary diagnosis, or they might help someone reconsider bad choices and to admit that they need help; so much good (fruit) can come from sharing our stories.
 
How can one believe if no one ever told them about Jesus? This is our opportunity to live out the great commission and not only to tell people but to show people that Christ is the Lord of our lives.
 
Paul asks the Romans “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬). Paul is saying we need discipleship--people to share stories of the good news.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Together, we can cultivate Goodness-of-God stories. Our branches will be heavy with God’s blessings. They are there for the taking to anyone in need.

Which fruit (story) will you share when God next shows you His goodness?

]]> People Need People https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/05/28/people-need-people Sun, 28 May 2023 20:45:55 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/05/28/people-need-people
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By Stacey Pinz 

I have to be honest, I borrowed this title from my favorite music group, CAIN (I know, I know-I am always endorsing them, but they make such wonderful music, and I can't help it). They have a great song, which is included in this blog, with the same title. In all honesty, I think CAIN got the title from the Bible. In the Bible, verse after verse talks about the importance of loving others, serving others, being in a community with others, edifying others, and so on. The entire Bible is one big love story: the Father loving His children, and the Father teaching his children to love one another.

One particular verse about people needing people that stands out is Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way[,] you will fulfill the law of Christ.” If I am understanding this verse correctly, it is basically saying that if we help to carry each other’s burdens, we are acting more like Christ. I don’t know about you, but I definitely want to act more like Christ.

In order for this to happen, two conditions must be fulfilled. First, we have to willingly seek people to talk with and to fellowship with: to whom we will open up  and will allow them to carry our burdens. Secondly, we must be willing to reciprocate when those same people, or others in our circles, are carrying burdens. We have to be willing to be sharers sometimes, and we have to be willing to be listeners sometimes; we have to have balance.

We have to allow people into our pains, and we have to be willing to take on the burdens of others.

Some might think this: Well, I have too many issues all on my own  to take on other’s pains. But you see, that’s where God provides. He tells us in Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you[,] and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

From the very beginning, we were never meant to live our lives in isolation, and we were never meant to live through our pains alone (you will also hear this in the CAIN song: “Back in the beginning, there were two in the garden/No, we were never made to be alone”).

I am sure we have all been there; we have listened to a family member's or a friend’s hardships, and it breaks our hearts. It deeply grieves us; it burdens us. Fortunately, we do not have to carry that person’s burdens alone. We can turn around and can give those burdens directly to the Lord, and we will feel lightened when we do. We can have faith knowing that our family member's or friend’s burdens will be lightened, too.

Recently, I had a friend who was experiencing a burden talk with me about some hurts she was experiencing. After letting me in on her burden, she apologized and said she felt like she shouldn’t have done that, but the Holy Spirit led me to respond saying, “That’s why God gave us people. He knows we can’t carry these burdens alone, so He gives us one another.”

I assured her that I had already given this to the Lord, and it was not burdening me; I said that I hoped that she felt lighter, too. We hugged, and I truly hoped she did feel a sense of relief after releasing this burden.

We can give our burdens to the Lord, and we know He hears us, but He has also given us a community of people so that we can bring our burdens to one another, too. He created us for each other; God never meant for all of this independence that we all think we have to have all of the time.

God knows our darkest secrets and our deepest anxieties; I just had my knee replaced, and leading up to the surgery, dozens of people asked me if I was “scared.” My answer was always, “No, I’m not scared; I’m excited!”
However, admittedly, as the day drew near, I had a conversation with my mom about this question: “Why is everyone asking me if I’m scared? Should I be?” Of course, she said I was fine if I was not scared.

However, maybe I was a little worried about some things that I did not even realize, and God knew it because he knows our hearts, our worries, and our fears. While I didn’t feel scared, maybe I was a little anxious without even realizing it.

When I woke up from surgery, I was met with the familiar face of a friendly nurse whom I had talked with many times at church: Brenda. I was so thrilled that she was my nurse, and I believe her familiar and friendly face was a gift from God. I know all of the nurses would have been fantastic, but God wanted Brenda to be my recovery nurse. He planned it; if it’s good, it’s God.

You see, I was a bit of an emotional mess; the combination of pain medication, the new pain I felt, and the emotions of a new (albeit temporary) life of limitations caused me to be extra emotional. How can I keep doing work and keep being productive when I can’t walk?

Brenda was someone at church whom I had wanted to get to know more, but whenever we had served together, we were washing dishes and were cleaning up, so we had never had a lot of time to get beyond surface-level conversations. Because Brenda was my nurse, I could share with her about the Vine and Branches Stories project, and we could talk about the importance and the power of Goodness-of-God stories. She has stories; we all do.

God knew I needed Brenda as my recovery person. His gift allowed me to continue to work; I could continue to talk about that which brings me the greatest joy: Jesus and His goodness.

Truth be told, I probably would have talked anyway (God has made me bold lately), but with Brenda as my nurse, I could do this without worrying that my nurse would think I’m talking only because I’m a loony-bird hopped up on pain medication.

I could go on and on about the amazing people whom God has placed in my life. I become overwhelmed with emotion when I start to think about the loving people I have in my corner. The people who sacrifice for me. The people who pray for me. The people who lift me up with encouragement. The people who walk beside me in life as well as in this Vine and Branches Stories ministry. I am truly blessed, and I hope that if you are reading this, you know I love you, and I view you as a genuine gift from God.

Thank you, God, for Your goodness once again; I don’t deserve all that You give me, but You continue to provide all that I need.

]]> I Never Have to Leave https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/05/07/i-never-have-to-leave Sun, 07 May 2023 23:14:46 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/05/07/i-never-have-to-leave
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By Stacey Pinz

I hope you have had a powerful encounter with the Lord that you have never wanted to end. If you haven’t had such an occurrence, I pray that you will experience that sometime soon; it’s indescribable.

I had the opportunity to work with a small group of moms to help to plan and to organize the Spectrum High School Baccalaureate for the class of 2023. From the very beginning, it was clear that this was a team effort, and everyone really did work hard as a team from beginning until end.  The event turned out seamlessly. As our reflective texts to one another began after the evening ended, it was evident that all of the credit truly goes to God.

After all, He put the team together; we were the team who said yes to this commitment, and we committed because He nudged us. He led us to sign up for tasks that were within our giftings, and we worked well together.

Then, He brought a group of student leaders who also said yes to agreeing to pray, to lead music, and to speak words of encouragement over their classmates. God also nudged the loving adults who spoke truth over the lives of the senior class of 2023 to say yes when they were invited to speak.

Thank you, Lord, for Your goodness in all of these things.

The end result was a perfect night of worship, love, and an overflow of gratitude for all that the Lord is doing in the lives of these young students who have so much in life to embrace. I pray that the message of His love and encouragement would marinate in students’ hearts as they go into the world so that they can shine their lights in the midst of any darkness that they will face and that they would take the advice of one of the speakers and have faith in all circumstances.

The Lord definitely encouraged me through seeing the future leadership in that room, and as I sang the lyrics to "I Never Wanna Leave" in the Cody Carns song “Nothing Else," I found myself really thinking these words.

In that moment, God’s presence was surrounding the room in a powerful way. I knew He was wrapping His love around all of those seniors, their families, friends, teachers–everyone in the room; I wanted to stay in that safe place, and I wanted those seniors to stay in that safe place: “caught up in Your presence. . .”

I never wanted to leave. I really do think I could have stayed in that moment singing those words over and over for the rest of my life.

However, the music eventually ended, the evening was over;  it was time to clean up. The thing is, even though the music ended and as the crowd dispersed, God’s presence did not really leave. He did not stay in that room when we all went home, thankfully. We carried Him with us, so even though I had to go home because I could not stay in that church all night, I really did not have to leave God’s presence behind.

I pray that those seniors (and anyone else who needs to understand this) will realize that God did show up for this baccalaureate, and He shows up each and every day. He's always working and performing miracles, and often we don't even realize it. To quote another great song by Maverick City and Elevation Worship: "I've got miracles on miracles, a million little miracles....Count your miracles, one, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all."

When we acknowledge that events such as baccalaureate do not go so well by accident and that His hand is upon everything that holds excellence, we realize that He plays a role in all of the big things and all of the little things. Then, we realize that we can remain in the loving presence of the Father that was felt in that church on baccalaureate night, and instead of singing “I never wanna leave. . ." we can rejoice while we sing, “I never have to leave.”

]]> Perfectly Square Puzzle Pieces https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/04/19/perfectly-square-puzzle-pieces Wed, 19 Apr 2023 17:09:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/04/19/perfectly-square-puzzle-pieces
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By Stacey Pinz

I will admit that I have never been a fan of puzzles. I remember when I was a small child, I never understood the point of them: why would puzzle creators take a perfectly beautiful picture and then cut it all up to make it difficult for people to put back together?

I always tried to make myself find the same kind of joy in puzzles that others found: peace, relaxation, a sense of accomplishment, and stress relief; however, the more I tried, the more I realized that putting a puzzle together was not going to be something that brought me any kind of positive feelings. In fact, more often than not, I found the activity to be frustrating and way too time consuming.  

This disdain toward puzzles might be the result of a personality trait that I have which drives me to solve problems and to complete tasks as quickly as I can in order to move on to the next item on my seemingly never-shrinking, always-expanding task list. After all, I have things that I need to get done, so why would I waste my time with a puzzle?

Those were my sentiments about puzzles until God placed in front of me a puzzle with many pieces: a Vine and Branches Stories Project.  

After praying for direction from God in regard to where He wanted me to be, He gave me an idea to help people find a platform on which to share their Goodness-of-God stories.

At first, I thought this would be perfect because, like most people, I love stories; I love hearing stories, I love telling stories, and I love helping people to tell stories, but as I prayed more about this, I realized this puzzle had a little more to it.

God wants me to help people share their stories however they want to share them: whether it is through writing them, talking through their stories in an interview form (podcast), filming their stories (mini-documentary style), or using pictures to tell their stories. Okay, this puzzle is getting more complicated, God.  

Then, one night, God woke me up in the middle of the night with the idea to help people to share these stories using an app. Are you sure, God? That’s complicating things even more. . . God, you are aware that I don’t know how to make apps, right?

I knew I had to obey God and work to put this puzzle together, but where do I start? There are two halves to this enormous puzzle: the stories half and the app half.

I started by making some calls to amazing companies such as The Reel Hope Project (check them out if you aren’t familiar: https://www.thereelhopeproject.org/) to seek advice about what they did when they first felt their call from the Lord, and the answer was to do a business plan and make the ministry a 501c3, so I began to work on that.

After I got  the project established as a nonprofit business, and after I formed a business plan, I began to look at apps. I started big. I reached out to YouVersion and AngelStudios. I say this in sarcasm as tongue-in-cheek: can you believe that they did not respond to me?

So, I went with plan B; I reached out to an app developer that I found on Google. The app developer was helpful and provided me with some helpful insights and education which allowed me to envision this app; however, they presented me with the price tag, and I was not able to work with them. $13,000 was not going to fit into the budget. Then, I started to look at faith-based apps and investigated to see if I could find the name of the app developer anywhere on the app; in my doing that,  I found the name of one on a popular faith-based app.

I reached out, and I set up a conference call with the second app developer. I was able to learn even more. I also got some great advice about how to continue to move forward with this project, and this developer supported me by sending me links to fundraising websites. They provided me with ideas to use to raise funds for the app.

I was really hoping to work with this second app developer because the sales representative was so supportive and kind, and she had been extremely helpful. Alas:  the price tag of that app came back at an even higher cost: a whopping $60,000! Um, nope; not happening!

As a side note, I had recently picked up a part-time job teaching some English classes online, and until this puzzle was placed in my lap, I was calling the money earned from teaching my “vacation fund.” I now believe that God had and has other plans for the money earned from this job; ahem, this job will now be called the “Vines and Branches Stories app fund," but raising $60,000 or even $13,000 is going to require teaching a lot of classes.  

Admittedly, I began to feel a bit defeated, and naturally, I began to doubt myself; had I really heard God telling me to build an app, or was all of this just my own insane idea? Then, the lies started to flood my mind, and I knew I needed to take it to God in prayer and to dig into His Word for some confirmation.

While I prayed and studied, I decided to table the app part of the puzzle for now and to begin to learn about how to help people to share their stories.

I began by reaching out to the co-pastors of my church, New Life Church in Princeton, MN, to set up a meeting to let them know about this project that God had placed on my heart. Not only did I want to share this with them because I wanted this resource for our church, but I felt I needed their wisdom about how to proceed.

Schedules aligned, and we were able to set up a meeting just a couple of days after I texted to request it. The response was positive and supportive, and it has continued to be encouraging as they have followed up with reassuring messages and texts since that meeting. Isn’t it amazing how God uses the people in our lives to lift us up?

With their support, the next pieces of the puzzle involved my learning more about videography and my getting some momentum by talking to people about this God-inspired dream.

I began to incessantly research and to continuously look at websites to learn about videography; I was looking for stories that had already been captured via video. I knew that my church’s media person had a full schedule, and I did not want to place anything additional on his plate, and after researching more about this field, I began to truly understand the significance of his role. I sent an email to him to explain this project that God had given to me and to let him know that I had a lot of respect for his work, especially after all of the research I had recently been doing. I also wanted to let him know that I have expectations of producing excellence to represent well: whether it is to find  someone with which to partner who is skilled in videography or to learn how to do this skill myself.

Then, God tapped me on the shoulder–my son had visited his girlfriend’s church, and when I asked him the name of the church, he said Constance Free Church in Andover. We had a brief talk about the service and the message, and I did not think about it again; I mean, after all, I had an app to think about.

A week later, I had lunch with a coworker so that I could tell her about this project and could talk with her about the possibility of encouraging her to tell her story someday. She then informed me that her church places a lot of emphasis on the importance of sharing God stories. “Really?” I asked. My interest piqued: “Where do you go to church?”

Then, God tapped me on the other shoulder when my friend responded, “Constance Free Church in Andover.”

Okay, God, I got the message.

Upon looking at Constance Free’s website, I found excellence: story after story told of God’s goodness, His redeeming Grace through Jesus, and the power of God to change lives. These were  stories that demonstrated the essence of what God has done and how He has shown his goodness over and over again. The stories were told beautifully, and before I knew it, I realized I had been binge-watching God stories for hours. I don't think I could ever get tired of these stories!

The next day, I decided to reach out to Constance Free’s communications person to see if I could get in touch with the video/media department to have a conversation and to ask some questions about Constance Free’s process for capturing people’s God stories. I had done so much Internet research, but I had so many questions for a real person.

I sent an email and a prayer on a Friday afternoon, and to my surprise, I received a text message from Constance Free's media person the following Tuesday offering to talk with me to answer questions (I was seriously jumping for joy when I received that text message). We connected the next day, and I was able to learn invaluable information about his craft. He also offered to have me visit and to shadow him on a story project which I anticipate with eagerness as he is gifted.

Thank you, Lord, for making the puzzle pieces fit together.

Meanwhile, after sorting through the lies, I decided to give Google another shot at finding an app developer.  I searched “faith-based app developers,” and one of the first companies that popped up in my search was a company called SubSplash. Upon further investigation, SubSplash is a website/app development company that primarily works with churches, but I reached out to ask if they ever work with individuals who are working to start their own projects.

I was excited to hear the answer was yes. However, not only was the answer yes, but the answer also included a price tag that was much more affordable than the other app development companies to which I had previously spoken—coming in at $132 a month. What? Did I hear that right, just $132 a month? I can earn that teaching nine classes a month, and I am already teaching more than that now.

I spent a night in prayer about it, and I crunched some numbers. I then signed up the next day. Subsplash set up an onboarding call with me within that same week, and the past three weeks have been a whirlwind. Countless hours have been poured into creating blogs, podcasts (which are meant to be examples for others to see the various ways that they can share their stories), developing the website, and creating the app. I have spent time praying, studying, learning, researching, growing, and praying some more.

Until this point, I have been keeping the project quiet; I did not want to tell anyone about it until things were set: until the website was established and until the only thing left to do was to ask people to share their stories.

I should mention that my friend and cousin had a been a sounding board, a prayerful supporter, and someone I have talked to about this project since the beginning (and she also graciously volunteered to help with the podcasts if people want to share their stories using a podcast format).

I had recently had a conversation with her in which I asked, “When should we start telling people about this? I just don’t know when it is the right time.”

She responded, “I’m not sure. Maybe we will just know when it is time.”

God provides answers, and I am serious when I say that God gave me confirmation that the project was moving along the right path, and it was time to start sharing the very next day!

I had arrived at my connect group late one evening due to a conflict with one of my kids’ school activities, and when I walked in, the group was already in a conversation about how powerful it is to hear about people’s stories. They were talking about how we do not even know the impact we could have when we share our stories with others. Are you serious right now? I literally just typed those exact words on the Vines and Branches Stories website a few hours earlier that afternoon. My heart was beating out of my chest as I felt The Holy Spirit nudging me to share this project with my group, so out of obedience, I began to explain about this idea, this gift, that God had given to me. I encouraged my group to begin to pray about what God story they would share on the Vines and Branches Stories app which is coming soon.

That’s when it hit me: God gave me this complicated puzzle, but it had perfectly square pieces.

Since that connect group meeting, I have been busy sharing the Vine and Branches Stories website with everyone I know. People have been so supportive through positive words of affirmation, prayer, and genuine interest in the project. God is so good. I know that the Holy Spirit is working on people to share their Goodness-of-God stories.

But….what if no one wants to share their stories? You see how quickly the enemy attacks? I know this is a lie. I have seen God do too much with this project, and I know He is still putting the pieces together for this project.

Even though puzzles have never been my favorite hobby, God provided the perfect puzzle for me -- all of the pieces are square, and, actually, He is even putting it together for me. He has asked me to do some of the work (like sorting out the pieces), but when I think back to the work I have done, most of the work has involved praying. When I try to do things in my own strength, that is when I run into roadblocks. When I take a step back and pray, God has provided the way. With God’s help, puzzles aren’t so bad; in fact, they actually do provide peace and a sense of accomplishment after all.

As I write this blog, we are about two weeks away from launching the app; the Vines and Branches Stories app will be available for downloading. How? How did we get to this point? God gave me this dream in January, and it is April. How did God put all of this together in four months? I remind myself: Hello, God can do anything!

It’s all kind of a blur when I look back at it now. Throughout this process, for all of the doubts, insecurities, fears, and lies that the enemy tries to throw at me, God deflects. He has been so faithful over and over. I have seen His Goodness, and I have seen Him making a way for this to come to fruition; I am excited to see what God has in store for the Vines and Branches Stories project, and I pray that I will continue to be obedient to where God directs this project to go.

God's Goodness is walking around among us in the people He created and in the people He has placed in our lives; we just have to see them and to connect with them in order to hear their stories. The goal through all of this is that “Everyone will share the story of [God’s] wonderful goodness; they will sing the joy about [His] righteousness.” (Psalm 145:7).

]]> Songs of My Youth https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/03/21/songs-of-my-youth Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:10:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/03/21/songs-of-my-youth
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By Ann Swenson

On the way home from church last night, I asked my 8th grader, Will, all the normal youth group questions: "How was the message? What songs did you sing?"  After chatting a bit, he asked me what my favorite song was when I was in 8th grade.

This Gen X mom's mind went instantly to the last year of the 1980's when hair bands ruled and when winning a Metallica shirt at the county fair was the highlight of the summer.

I searched for the first song I could think of--one that embraced all of it, loud electric guitars and a youth chant that smelled of rebellion by a group called Skid Row.

Will asked if he could hear it, and I granted his request with the volume turned up even louder than my normal loud. My car filled with chaotic noise that reminded me of summer, best friends, and my awesome boom box with detachable speakers and a double cassette deck; don't forget the cool carnival t-shirt with Lady Justice on the front.

My kids sitting in the back seat were slightly appalled because they know one of my mom quotes is this: "[the songs are] not played on KTIS, I've never heard of them."

After the three minutes of torture were over for my kids (because obviously I had to screech along with Sebastian Bach), I giggled and then had an epiphany all at once.

I asked them if they wanted to hear my favorite song as a ninth grader. Reluctantly, they agreed to three more minutes of whatever unknown nonsense was about to assault their ear drums.

I searched "Friends" by Michael W. Smith, and a piano solo that sounded almost like a lullaby started to immediately play. The backseat roared with laughter, and all Will could say was, "What?"

We sat in our driveway, and I held them hostage until we got to the chorus: "and friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them. . ."

I turned to the kids and asked, "Do you know what happened to me between 8th and 9th grade that these two songs are so different? Jesus got a hold of my heart, and I grabbed on ....clinging for dear life."

I went on to explain that by having Jesus in our lives, we can count on our hearts to feel more like the second song with words like love, strength, peace, and joy; these things will fill our spirits with calm and beauty instead of loud, worldly chaos.

And isn't that the truth? I don't want my kids to (always) look through rose-colored glasses. They know that in life, there will be days that feel like heavy metal is blasting in our brains, and we feel like we can't find our way out of our own thoughts or cannot calm the noise that the world is throwing at us. We know as believers that not every day is a Garden of Eden existence.

However, in that moment in the car with my kids, the image of a life following God verses a soundtrack that uses words and phrases like "misfit," "problem-child," and "burned out," was shall I say, loud and clear.

A life spent pressing into the Word, being into church, actively praying, worshiping our Lord, being in-tuned, and listening to the Holy Spirit helps us to recognize when the channel needs to be changed.

Changing the station of life when the noise is unbearable will allow Jesus to enter in so that we feel hope, contentment, peace, and joy.

Being dialed in to the path Christ wants us to be on will veer us away from the messages that get screeched at us which are untruths and are not the teachings of the gospel. When the noise is quieted, we can focus on the right things. When chaos takes a back seat, maybe we'll have opportunities to notice those around us.    

Maybe we can chat with that person over a chai latte at the coffee shop "because a lifetime's not too long-to live as friends."

]]> God's Little Nuggets (Part 2) https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/02/21/god-s-little-nuggets-part-2 Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:02:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/02/21/god-s-little-nuggets-part-2
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By Stacey Pinz

I had taken some extra time to recharge last week. I caught up on my devotions, I caught up on my daily Bible reading plan, and I rested. This recharge had come just in time for our Sunday to serve in the kids' church. You see, without this break, I might have missed God's little nugget.

I was doing my normal kids'-church-leader thing:  walking around and talking to kids who were sitting alone, trying to engage them and getting them to visit with other kids when I saw this little guy in an orange Nike shirt named Noah sitting alone with a dazed half smile staring up at the video screen listening to the upbeat music and watching the dancing on the screen.

Like usual, I looked at his nametag, and with a friendly smile, I said, "Hi, Noah; how are you today?"

Noah replied with a huge smile that I will never forget:  "I'm doing great. I love it here, and I wish my dad would bring me here every single day!" This first grade boy (which I only know because I saw it on his nametag) had just made me, Stacey Pinz, someone who never usually has a lack of words to say around kids, speechless.

I saw it. He was content, joy-filled, wonder-struck, in awe, sitting there in the presence of his Father resting, stopping, and soaking it all in. While there was chaos and commotion all around him, he was content having stopped to savor his time in the presence of Jesus.

If I had not taken recharge time that previous week to listen and to rest, I am almost positive I would have missed this moment with Noah, and I would have viewed it as another interaction with another kid in kids' church; it  would not have stuck in my brain like it has. 

God is so good. He gives us exactly what we need when we need it, but we also have to be pressing into him and to be listening. When we let the commotion and the chaos of life interfere with our rest, our content, joy-filled, wonder-struck awe of the Lord suffers.

I never want to forget the faith of that little boy (God’s little nugget) with the orange Nike shirt, and I never want to forget the awe-inspiring love and joy of Jesus!

]]> God's Little Nuggets (Part 1) https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/02/20/god-s-little-nuggets-part-1 Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.vandbstories.com/blog/2023/02/20/god-s-little-nuggets-part-1
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By Stacey Pinz

God often uses the best little nuggets to bless us, but if we aren't in tune to them, we often simply pass them by without giving them a second thought.

Fortunately, I happened to be able to experience one of God's blessings as I recently had the opportunity to hear a young woman still in high school who gave a spoken word message about being still and about knowing that God is in control. Among the important messages that she conveyed in her monologue, and one of my big takeaways, was her emphasis on the importance of the "choice of investing time in getting to know the one who created me....to live in his teachings, and not just teach them to others because serving comes out of the overflow of time spent with God and not in substitute for it."

Wow! Truth, right!? How easy it is to fill our time with so many and positive obligations like serving at church, but sometimes we forget to leave time to stop and to fill ourselves with a kind of life-giving-caffeine-filled love that only our Father can provide. Thus,  our serving can become another "to-do" on our long list of things,and it can feel like another weekly obligation instead of an overflow of joy that results  from the time spent with God. God knew I needed to hear that.

I have been consumed with this Vine and Branches project that God has given to me. It's good; it's positive, but it has consumed me at the expense of being still, finding rest,  and stopping to refill with the fuel of my God's word.

I started to get behind in my daily devotions, in my daily Bible reading, and even in my prayers  by the time my head hit the pillow each night at 2:30AM or 3:30AM.  I barely had time to close my eyes before I was asleep. I was burning myself out as I tried to do God's work, but I was forgetting about God while I was doing it. God  knew I needed to hear that young woman's spoken message on that day, so He orchestrated that my son would have a basketball tournament on a Sunday in a city near a church that we normally do not attend.

My family visited that church on that Sunday so that God could have me hear this message. Message received, God: loud and clear.

That week, I took a break from the ministry God had called me to lead.  I stopped. I fed my soul with God's word. I caught up on my daily reading, my daily devotions, my sleep.

The week of rest allowed me to see God’s goodness all around me again, which He has been opening my eyes to over and over again, thus inspiring this project in the first place. God wants us to notice Him, to see the good that He gives us, and not just take it all for granted because He is worthy to be praised in everything. Psalm 86:12 says, “I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”

Notice that this verse does not have a clause that says, I will praise you and glorify you when I have time; it says forever and with all my heart. I believe that trying to live out God’s word allows us to see the good He has given us, which allows us to notice more.

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