Early this year when I was on my walkabout in wine country I had mile after mile of quiet solitude to ponder and reflect. It was interesting as I walked through the hillside vineyards to see the thousands of individual plants that all have to be meticulously tended by the growers every year. It is a job done with the care, attention and intention that comes from pride and a sense of investment and ownership. I had a strong sense of where this time of the year played into th

Matthew 7:17 says Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but a diseased tree bears bad fruit. That makes sense. Jeremiah 17:8 tells us that The one who trusts in God is like a tree that is planted by the water, who puts his roots in that water. When hot days come he will remain green and when dry, thirsty drought days come he will continue to bear good fruit. He is a healthy tree. We know that when a tree's roots reach deep seeking water it draws in the moisture and nouris