Welcom from the Resident Branch ~ If you'd like to know more about the site or the founder of Branches in the Vine Ministries, Lori Gracey, she has shared part of her personal testimony below.
In addition to hosting BranchesInTheVine.org, Lori is also founder of Strategies and Associates, a consulting firm in the Tulsa, OK area. Click on the link to Strategies for more information about Lori's corporate work.

 Standing on God's Word

God is certainly gracious and gives each of us a unique story to tell of his love. I believe he knew that as an adult, I would be pretty tenacious in my beliefs, which isn't bad depending on what you believe. I think if I'd been faced with the choice of salvation as an adult I might have been likely to dismiss it as emotional and not very rational or intellectual. (And how untrue is that?!)

 So, at the tender of age of four I asked Jesus into my heart. Honestly, I don't remember kneeling in front of my mother's chair and praying with her that particular day, but I do remember never not knowing that Christ is in my heart.

 My tenacious disposition has turned into a blessing in my Christian walk. The Lord gave me a hunger to know him and learn more about him from childhood, through the teen years, right into adulthood. To satisfy this appetite to know him more, the Bible became my treasure trove. In fact, it is the first book I remember reading. It continues to be the most significant factor in shaping who I am on a daily basis.

 Once, when I was quite young, I got my Bible and waited for my family to go into other rooms so that I would be alone. Then I set the Bible on the floor and stood on it. It was a full-size Bible and I was a very little girl, so I could just balance on it. And as I did, I sang: The B I B L E, yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the B I B L E. I remember thinking that I had to wait until I was all by myself since the song said I had to "stand alone" on God's Word.

As an adult, I'm still standing on the Word. In my professional life as a corporate business consultant, as an active member of my church, in my family and in my friendships, God's Word is foundational. My prayer is that it shapes my every thought and action.

 So I have to ask you, what are you standing on? Are your actions and beliefs consistent? I pray this site inspires you to stand alone on God's Word in every aspect of your life. If you do, you'll produce excellent fruit and yield new wine in the lives of those around you. I look forward to hearing from you.

 Blessings to you ~ Lori Gracey