Winter is coming. Trees need protection from the cold as a frozen trunk is susceptible to cracks that could eventually split the wood entirely. One way to protect your fruit from this blight is to paint the trunk white. Spiritually, we need to apply God’s forgiveness to our frosty hearts regularly. This requires self-examination and…
You must water purposefully. Never let the roots become dry. During a “hot, stressful season” or a drought, more watering is required than normal. Remember this rule of thumb: “The more you water, the more juicy fruit will be produced.” This principle seems simple, but yet we forget and fail to follow through. Spiritually, I…
Young trees need support. The solution is to drive a stake into the ground that anchors your tree. This stake will hold the young tree in place while the roots establish themselves. If you fail to support your tree, the tree will freely sway in the wind, and the strong winds will weaken the connection…
Juicy, sweet fruit is yummy. It’s attractive. It’s desirable. If you don’t protect your fruit from “undesirable elements,” soon pesky bugs will make their home in the branches of your tree — laying eggs and tunneling into your fruit. The infestation will result in misshapen and damaged fruit. As I pursue a fruitful life, I…
At first, it doesn’t seem to make sense. How could cutting back a fruit tree actually help it to grow stronger? Apparently, lopping off dormant and diseased buds and branches helps train the tree to be structurally sound. Those branches are competing for attention with the healthy parts of the tree and are literally sucking…
Are you familiar with the television show Extreme Makeover Home Edition? One year, our church garnered inspiration from the premise of this reality program to create a unique Christmas Outreach called “Extreme Makeover: Christmas Edition.” I signed up to help serve a family by decorating their home, purchasing presents for the children, and providing all…