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    Pastor's Page - June 2018

    May 18, 2018

    “Root Growth”

    “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14–19(ESV)


    If you walk around in the neighbourhood of Grace Lutheran church these days you will hear the sounds of spring. Birds singing, squirrels chattering, bugs buzzing, runners hitting the sidewalk, and lawn-mowers tending to the growing grass!


    Part of the deal when we moved into the parsonage was that my family and I would take care of the grass on the church property, so I have been spending some time working on that, aerating the soil, raking up the debris that accumulates over the winter, watering, fertilizing, filling in holes and over-seeding…


    Every good gardener knows that it's the roots that matter most. The green part of the grass may be more visible, but it's what’s underneath the surface that counts. So the best way to grow healthy plants is by stimulating root growth.


    It’s similar with our faith. Everybody loves the visible fruits of ministry: healthy families and peace of mind, vibrant communities and a congregation that supports one another in Christian love. But it's the roots which are beneath the surface which grow these visible fruits.

    Each of us are invited to let our roots grow down into the rich and fertile soil of the Kingdom that Jesus has established. We are watered and fertilized and tended by the master gardener himself and instead of constantly pushing us to produce beautiful flowers or fruits, Jesus nurtures our roots.


    Savor the time he gives you this spring to grow in His Word. Make time to let him nourish your roots with times of Bible reading and study, and times of prayer. Listen for his voice while you exercise and take long walks in His beautiful growing world. In time, fruit may come by His spirit, but don’t worry about that too much. Let the roots grow first.


    In His Service, Pastor Curtis

     

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