Articles and Poems

Ten Things Religious Pundits Need To Know About Gnosticism
by Jordan Stratford

The Vine
Jim Burklo

A Humbled God
Jim Burklo

I Entered Where I Did Not Know
St. John of the Cross

The Vine
by Jim Burklo
Musings by Jim Burklo 10-18-06
Reprinted with permission from the author.
For this and other Musings please visit
www.tcpc.blogs.com/musings

"I am", said God to Moses from the burning bush.
"Before Abraham was, I am", said Jesus.
"I am the vine," said Jesus.
"And you are the branches."

Gnarled and twisted,
My woody sinews holding you aloft,
You, my branches, spreading, budding leaves,
Giving shelter, sharing beauty.

I am the vine, you are the branches.
We are members of each other.
I need the nourishment you pass
From your leaves back down to my trunk
As much as you need the water and food
I pour into you, up from my roots.

Re-member me when you feel cut off
Graft yourselves back on to me
When you are lonely or afraid.
Re-member me so that together
We may thrive and serve.

I am the wine.
Take me and drink.
We are one, and this is the sign.
As the vine turns water into grapes
I turn water into wine.
Through me you will find
That you and I are divine.