#churchfamily | The Preacher's Pen

California Redwoods and Your Congregation

A few years ago I ran across a small article on the California Redwood trees that intrigued me. Here is one statement form the article:

“The huge redwood trees in California are considered the largest things on earth and the tallest trees in the world. Some of them are three hundred feet high and over 2,500 years old. One would think that trees so large would have a tremendous root system reaching down hundreds of feet into the earth. The redwoods actually have a very shallow system of roots, but they all intertwine. They are locked to each other. When the storms come or the winds blow, the redwoods stand. They are locked to each other, and they don’t stand alone, for all the trees support and protect each other.”

The church is like the redwood trees; or maybe, better still, the redwood trees are like the church. When the storms of life rage against us, we reach out to one another to help bear the burden of the storm. Like the intertwined roots of a redwood tree, our lives are connected by the Savior, Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we want to follow the pattern of the early church because they were the starting point to where we are as a family. When they met on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, they bonded instantly. They saw a need to assist one another as well as continuing in the apostles teaching (Acts 2:42-47).

The early church grew because of the continuation of the early church in the things the apostles taught them and I believe one of those things was the unity of the church. Jesus prayed for unity, because He wants everyone united, but also, because the bond of Christians is what helps us to achieve the peace that passes understanding.

Let us unite together to begin to change the world!

Just some thoughts,

The Reasons You Are Needed

Someone is struggling who needs you. They are struggling with problems that no one knows about, and they need you. You might be the one person to brighten their day, and you might not even know it.

There is someone who is lonely, and they need you. They need to hear your voice, shake your hand or get a hug. Maybe they lost a spouse, a child, or they believe that no one cares; they need you. You might be the person to lift their spirits, and you might not even know it.

You are needed, and you may not ever realize how much.

You are needed because you are their family.

You are needed because we are to encourage one another (Hebrews 3.13). You are needed because you are to help bear the burdens of others (Romans 15.1; Galatians 6.1). You are needed because you are needed to laugh and cry together (1 Corinthians 12.26).

You are needed to stir up one another to “love and good works.” (Hebrews 10.24)

You are needed on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Wednesdays evenings to encourage one another and to good works, you need to be with your spiritual family (Hebrews 10.25). It makes a difference.

You are needed; never forget it.

Hope to see you soon.

Just some thoughts,