The view of our Christian faith is enriched by figures of speech. The Apostle Paul mastered metaphor and similes. In Colossians 2.6-7 he wrote, "...just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him..." and again in Ephesians 3.17 when Paul prayed for believers (including us) that we would be "rooted and established in love." Being rooted and established in our faith is a beautiful picture, for a tree, when rooted and established, is strong, healthy and able to withstand the storm driven winds. A tree with deep roots is near nutrients and water. The Christian whose roots of faith are deep has found the secret of growing strong, healthy and able to withstand the storms of life. Each of us have the option where to sink our roots. But Psalm 1 reminds us that God wants us to sink our roots near the stream of God. The more we mediate on His Word and put it into practice, the deeper our roots will grow and the more stable we'll be as we encounter difficult times. The time to grow roots is before the storms come. If we're shallow in our faith, we'll get blown over when the storms come. But if we have taken time to daily nurture our relationship with God, then even when the storms come, we will remain strong, for our roots run deep and near dependence upon God is sure. Are you firmly rooted and established in the faith? Are you near the streams of God? If so, you will remain strong in the Lord and able to stand even when storms come. Isaiah 7.9 says, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." May you grow deep roots of faith, trusting in God's promises and standing in His grace. Blessings, Pastor Pete