"For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit."(Jeremiah 17:8 NASB)
-GO
Just in these recent years, our third world country has caught up with the developed ones in terms of commercialism.
Strategic places are now planted with malls instead of trees. Sky-rise buildings and hotels are growing here and there.
In one of the tourist spots up north, which we call the summer capital of our country because of it's altitude and cooler temperatures, there was this issue between mall developers and one nature advocacy group, over earth-balling of centuries-old trees. The trees are practically like citizens. How on earth did this method come about? Trees are being moved to other locations, earth and all, to give way to change and progress.
This has lead me to think about the roots which has long been established and secure to the ground, and perhaps has extended to reach to where it can be watered. If it were a person, I would think I am supplied with everything I need, thriving and yielding fruits in season. But what is going to happen when you are earth-balled and transferred? Will I last the trauma of the transition and then adopt to my new settings? Will I ever bear fruits again?
But one thing is sure, wherever one is planted, one has to grow, thrive and bear fruit. One must live up to the purpose God has created him or her for. If so, to whom should we abide? Where comes our provisions?
The true nourishment comes from the Lord. Complete obedience and being rooted to the Word of God makes us grow like the tree of Jeremiah 17:8. Come storms, floods, droughts and other forces of nature, it will remain standing and will yield fruits in season.
The opposite goes to those who do not trust in God and depend on their own strength. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert and go to waste. (Jer 17:5-6)
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." (Jer. 17:7)
I had been planted and earth-balled many times. Pain comes with it and some re-adjustments. I know deeply why and I pray I will be rooted upon His promises and remain in Him so that I may grow, thrive, and bear fruits. My roots need to extend to where the soul-nourishment is, to where life is, to where eternity begins.
Happy to join the Lisa-Jo and the FMF community writing about ROOTS (November 2, 2012).
I may be late due to some constraints in connection but nevertheless heard.
-STOP
LINKS TO SOME EARTH-BALLING POSTS:
HI sister Lolita. First I just want to thank you for making that wonderful header for me. It is like that you can see what it's in my heart more than I know. Naiiyak talaga ako for your effort doing this for me.I really love it and thank you very much. Just don't know how can I repay you. If I can do something for you or in your ministry, just let me know.I am so blessed knowing you.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you like it, Joy. The only thing hampering me to date is not being able to go online much because our office has blocked so many things. Anyway, I am happy that I can do it on Weekends.
DeletePlease don't think that you owe me anything. I have been inspired in doing that for you. That alone is a gift, from God, from true friendship, from sisterhood. I am blessed to know you too.
I am happy because you are. Those were tears of joy. Your notepad is a voice a music to His ears and to ours too. So continue to shine for those who thirst for to know Him more.
Blessings from here, Joy.
I loved reading your post. It is like a hot water in a cold weather. It warms my heart and soul.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right. If we want to grow and be alive, we have to be connected to the source. ANd that is our living Father. Have a nice week end and God bless you more.
Lolita, I loved reading your FMF post. You are so right about the loss of trees in our society and what that is truly doing to our earth, but also our sense of stability. Like you said with so many people and things being "uprooted" it is a wonder that we have connections. I would recommend the book by Johnathan Wilson Hartgrove, The Wisdom of Stability, to you. It has spoken deeply to me about this topic.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSorry for that. I deleted the reply prior to this because I was answering to Pam below.
DeleteAnyway, thanks Faith for coming over. I will also look for the book Wisdom of Stability.
I was worried about what happened in the East Coast with Hurricane Sandy. My Mom and brother lives in NY. I am thankful to God that they are safe. Others who have suffered devastations needs our prayers and assistance. May God comfort them and restore them as best possible.
Lolita, this is filled with God's wisdom and so many nuggets like gold. He is shining through your heart and your "pen" here! One thing about blogging, it is never late but always on time in HIM! And I think of the urgent situation in NY right now... May God's fruit be seen restoring and rebuilding and embracing hearts broken and lost and feeling uprooted there...
ReplyDeleteYes, Pam, I echo your thoughts and prayers over NY and the other States affected. What happened over at LI where Diane is is so shocking. I am so happy to know they are fine if not for the gas shortage.
DeleteYes, we need to stand in the gap for America and other places in the path of storms and quakes. May He restore people and properties like new and may the spirit of sharing and caring ring out over the land..... to ease those who are suffering and in need.
Bless you for the intercessory section in your blog for the aftermath of Sandy, Pam. Prayers are heard like what happened in Diane's community.
Really like this, beautiful writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise.
DeleteI will visit you soon. I have problems with out connections. My broadband is so slow, it crawls practically when I type letters. It takes forever.
Oh my wise hearted sister, this post was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. A physcial move or a change coming into our life makes me happy to have my roots planted deep in the Father love. Though I may lose some brances and leaves during a storm, I can endure the storm due to my roots. Good post my friend...
ReplyDeleteYes, sis Betty. The storms in life can only do little leaf withers but not the soul. It is rooted and cleave to the True Vine.
DeleteThanks for the visit although I can reply so late.... only when connections permit, like a load to my prepaid broadband. It takes forever.
Oh, my Lolita! It is so good to sit at your blog and bask in your words of life. I love the new look to your blog. It's beautiful and peaceful. Aahhh....
ReplyDeleteI thank God for my roots. With not having family to be rooted in, I got rooted real quick in God's Word when I got saved. The strength of those roots has been my life.
Thank you for your beautiful words!
Lolita-
DeleteWhat a joy it is to read your postings! They flow and are filled to the brim with your Love for the Lord. I am honored to have this chance to know you and learn more about you as the words continue. You are a very special woman Lolita, never forget that!!
((hugs and love))martha
Thank you so much for your friendship, Martha. It is the same way here, I feel so honored and gifted to have you in my life.
DeleteDropping by again to say hello and thanking you fior visiting and lovely comment. Have a blessed week-end sis:)
ReplyDeleteIT is so true, Diane. There is no other way or place we can be rooted in, except for the one who will never change and will never let us go.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming.
Hi dear friend I miss you...
ReplyDeleteI will be in Cebu City Dec 4-6... if we canneet, it would be great.
leave a message on my blog comment box...
love
Lidia
Oh, great!
DeleteI reread this post and this time I got something entirely different from it. Thank You, LORD! Thank you, Lolita! It spoke right to my herat.
ReplyDeleteThank you, D.
DeleteHow awesome it will be for you and Lidia to meet! Oh my gosh! You must take pictures and blog about your meeting. I know it will be special because you know each other via The Spirit. I'm so excited for the two of you!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, that would be awesome.
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