When I was small, one of the greatest joys in life was walking around my Grandpa’s farm. There were so many cool things to see and do.

It was a special treat when my little sister and I would go out with our little pails and pick wild raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and the like. We’d bring our pickings to the farm house and Grandma would cook up a pie or two. Along the way, we would always indulge and eat as many of these berries as we could.

The one thing we couldn’t pick in Canada was wild grapes. When you get only three months of growing weather, grapes don’t have a very good chance of survival.

That was probably good, because where there are wild grapes growing, there is also Canada Moonseed or Virginia Creeper growing as well. They are highly toxic and deadly plants that look identical to wild grapes. People who eat of the moonseed vine will likely die from the toxins.

So, as I look back and remember eating the wild raspberries and strawberries and blueberries, I am kind of happy we didn’t get the chance to munch on the deadly fruit of the “look alike” grape vine.

Guess where that brings us? The analogy we see in Jesus’ words in John 15, “I am the true vine.” How often we hear these words and simply gloss over and rush by them. After all, we know it. We’ve heard it. We get it. Let’s get to the good stuff. Let’s get to what we need to do. We need to abide in Jesus. We need to obey Him and bear much fruit.

There are many deadly vines in our community, temptations that pull us away from the need to bear fruit for the true vine which is Jesus.

As Lake County is reborn in Christ and people take pride in the joy of living here, the true vine will flourish and the deadly “look alike” will perish.

That is why it is so important for our communities here in Lake County to reach out to folks who are lost, who are burdened with addictions, mental illness, homelessness, unemployment, hate and any other adversity.

By working together in a manner that is focused on the cross of Christ, there will be renewal … but it takes the effort of all to make that happen.

When you see someone who is struggling in any way, offer them some grapes from the true vine. Tell them about the Good News of Jesus, then step back and watch what happens!

Please join us at First Lutheran Church to hear more about the true vine this Sunday at 11 a.m. Bible study starts at 9:30 a.m., contemporary worship at 11 a.m. and lunch following the service.

All are welcome, so come as you are to learn more about the true vine.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572.