The grapevine of death?

I was reading the carton of my innocent smoothie when I came across this interesting fact - that grapevines strangle or suffocate all other plants around them. I wonder was Jesus aware of this when he spoke about being the vine and us his branches?
Adds a new aspect to the metaphor…?

Does God use the gifted?

I was contemplating what areas of service I would like to get involved in at church, trying to think what I would be best at or most gifted in, when this thought struck me.
As Christians, churches and societies we usually choose our leaders based on the potential they show, the obvious giftings they possess and [...]