Seeds die, falling from the fruit into the hand of the farmer who sows them back into the soil. Nourished in the hidden place, seeds awaken and shoot roots out into the soil. From there, stalks grow upward, out of the darkness and into the actual sunlight where they strengthen and mature. And bear fruit. Continue reading “Pursue Holiness: Patience and Faithfulness”

The vast majority of us have not grown up in an agricultural community. Unlike our Hebrew ancestors, we don’t have much experience walking through orchards full of fruit-laden branches, much less working long harvest days.  But for Jesus and His first century audience, the regular rhythms of sowing and reaping would have been shared experiences.Continue reading “Pursue Holiness: Love, Joy, Peace”

It feels a bit risky, word-lover that I am, to say that of all the words in the Bible ‘abide’ is my favorite. Yet, I find that the longer I dig into Scripture and seek more of the Spirit, the more I long for the abiding life! I want, as the Apostle John describes, toContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Remaining on the Vine”