"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness"  (Colossians 2:6,7).

Bill Shibilo was a faithful man in the church we pastored in Massachusetts. He was a real blessing to us during our years there and went on to be with the Lord in July of 2000, shortly before we moved on. He had a steadfast walk with Christ. He also had an interesting hobby. He grew Japanese maples and was so pleased to share them with others. We had a fellowship meal with his widow and elder son and before leaving I dug out two of those tiny maples as a reminder of our good friendship with Bill.

They really need rain in New England and the soil was very dry so I had little trouble digging out the two little trees. As I did so the sandy soil just fell off the roots. I tried to pack some soil around them for the trip and we watered them as well. They look OK this morning and when we plant them later today in this rich Lancaster County soil I am confident they will thrive.

One of my favorite parables is that of the Sower taught by Jesus and recorded in all three synoptic gospels.  In this parable He contrasts the various types of soil that represents our lives and our response to the sown word. 

One type is the rocky soil in which the sown seed germinates but has "no root" (Matthew 13:6, 21).  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word such a newly germinated seed "falls away" (lit. "skandalizo" which means entrapped, tripped up or enticed to sin; apostatize).  We all need a good, solid, ever-growing root system that reaches deep into the soil for the nourishment and stability that God has provided.  This will render us faithful and fruitful.

Our daily verse tells us we are to be "rooted and built up in Him."  The word for root figuratively means to be stabilized.  In Christ we find life-giving soil and a sustaining foundation.  However we have the responsibility to implement the means of grace that God has ordained for our "rooting".  A solid root system is not a passive but an active pursuit and is essential to thriving spiritually.

Are you into God's Word daily (Acts 17:11)?  Are you reading good books, listening to godly music, etc. (Romans 12:1,2)?  Are you confessing your sin, keeping short accounts with God (1 John 1:9)?  Are you "putting aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12)?  Are you faithful to the local body of believers God has called you to regularly fellowship with (Hebrews 10:25)?  Keep growing in your faith, fellow believer.  Today God has a wonderful plan for your life and He wants you to thrive!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's note: After a week of being away the first thing I was anxious to do upon my arrival home was to walk through my flower gardens. I wanted to see which ones "thrived" and which ones needed some TLC in the heat and high humidity of the summer.  I tended to those plants this morning and hopefully they'll soon be thriving again.

"Lord, even as the water, sun, and nutrients from the soil make the plants flourish in the summer we are reminded that as we are faithful in reading Your Word and applying its Truths to our lives – we, too, will thrive spiritually.  Our roots will go deep into the fertile soil of faith and our tendrils of spiritual life will reach heavenward as we keep our hearts and eyes focused upon Jesus.  Thank You, Jesus, that You are the One who establishes our faith through Your redemptive work on the cross of Calvary."

Personal note: We returned safely from out trip to New England late yesterday afternoon and of course it's great to be home! I plan to make a separate webpage and share some photos and brief stories of some of our friends we've visited during our travels including several new friends we've met. Hopefully I can get this up tomorrow or Friday.

I always enjoy seeing lighthouses. This photo is of the Highland lighthouse on Cape Cod. One of my longtime favorite Christian songs is titled "The Lighthouse"

Here's more info about this lighthouse.