As I cruised through the rolling hills, I stumbled upon a cute little stand overflowing with the freshest fruits and veggies. Intrigued, I just had to make a pit stop. And there he was, a wise old farmer proudly calling himself an “agriculturalist.” We struck up a conversation, and I left with a bag full of goodies and a heart full of inspiration.

He told stories of pushing through tough seasons of drought and endless rain, all the while navigating the financial challenge of keeping his family’s property. He said, “If you are willing to work this red clay, you will not go hungry.”

But one thing he said stuck with me: “Without a Root, There Can Be No Fruit.” Such a simple yet profound truth. It’s a reminder always to stay grounded and rooted in what truly matters.

It’s all about those strong roots producing sweet fruit. But if your roots aren’t healthy, your fruit will turn rotten in a heartbeat.

As we parted and I journeyed back down that winding road, the words “Fruit without root” lingered in my thoughts like a gentle whisper from above.

A solid foundation in our faith is similar to being firmly planted in the ground, providing us with nourishment and stability in the storms of life.

Just as a tree draws sustenance from its roots, so must we draw strength from our roots in God’s word and reflection, allowing it to shape and transform our hearts.

Through the power of God’s spirit and the truth of His word, we are called to speak life and bear fruit that stems from the depths of our grounded hearts.

In this life, whether our fruit is bountiful or lacking, it all springs forth from the strength of our roots in Him.

Without a Root, There Can Be No Fruit

Fruitful/Fruitless

Friends, let me tell you something that “cannot” be fabricated or passed along casually. It is “real fruit”—it requires roots that run deep.

Many times at church, you see all sorts of folks. Some are just there, ya know, showing up, while others are, like, really putting in the effort to grow their faith even when they leave.

If we don’t take the time to water those spiritual roots, our relationship with Jesus might end up not being as strong. We have to soak up His teachings and let those roots dig deep into His love, whether we’re at church, work, or anywhere else, and always hunger for more of Him.

Just like a tree needs strong roots to bear fruit, our faith is tested when life gets tough, and it shows how strong our foundation is. 

In those hard times, you need a rooted, fruit-bearing Christian—like when we’re sick, grieving, or facing challenges—to help pray you through, and of course, we find out who’s there for us when the storms hit. 

Stay rooted in Jesus, y’all! Someone may need you!

This here is your testimony, 

By Him, He’s the one that holds it all together,

(The Head) ya gotta connect with God, Colossians 1:17-23

The Supreme Ruler, King of kings, Lord of lords.

It’s not just about those cute crosses around your neck,

It’s about more than just belting out a tune in the choir,

More than the trendy dress you rock, Or if you snag a spot on the platform.

Unfortunately, some folks are like pesky weeds trying to strangle the truth.

But some folks are for the Savior, not the religion,

They got them roots!

Access all that the Father is, the fullness of the Godhead.

God desires the top spot in your life, above all else.

Your mindset and beliefs, they’re your roots, growin’ and developin’ when planted through your eyes and ears, settlin’ deep into your soul. This is where you decide how deep the roots will go and what beliefs you’ll nurture in your heart

Similar to a tree trunk, it represents your emotions and perceptions, while the branches symbolize your visions and goals. Spread your branches towards the sun, bearing fruit that reflects the beauty within you.

Just as the word agriculture in Hebrew means farming and husbandry: is the nurturing of plants, we must also cultivate our inner growth and spiritual well-being. Tending to our roots is essential to prevent the weeds of negativity from taking over.

In Romans 8, we learn that despite being born into sin, we are not defined by it. Jesus has made peace with God on our behalf, transforming us from enemies into beloved children. Like Adam and Eve, we were created in perfection but tempted by sin. Through Jesus, we can find redemption and live in His grace.

As a girl in my early teens, I found comfort in climbing a tree in my backyard, grounding myself in the balance between the sky and earth. Just as a tree needs strong roots to reach toward the heavens, we must also anchor ourselves in faith to grow and flourish.

I’m a Christian because I rest in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, finding forgiveness for my sins.

He did it all for me.

He washed me clean.

You gotta know (who) you’re putting your faith in.

No other gods should come before Him.

Don’t get it twisted.

Just like in the book of John, he said Jesus is the real deal, so much so that John said, “I’m not even worthy to touch his sandals.”

If you’re craving faith, it’s all about listening to the Word. Tune into Romans 10:17 which says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

🎵You can’t change the fruit without dealing with the root.

We often think things will magically change on their own, but a system or routine will keep producing the same results it was designed for. While this can be positive with good habits, with bad habits it can lead to negative outcomes because rotten fruit draws flies.

The quality of your roots will show in the fruit you bear.

Had a sweet conversation with another Gardner at Kentucky Dam State Park Sustainable Garden, what beautiful flowers they had this time of year.