It didn't take long for the crowds to grow. It took even less time for the lines of decision to be drawn. Word moves fast in Galilee. One highly visible healing, one public confrontation with the religious leaders, and suddenly people are coming from everywhere. Some are looking for the miracle worker, some are looking for hope, some just come looking to see if the rumors were true.

Long before the branches spread and the canopy rises, there's something happening in a tree's life underground as it grows from seed and sprouts through the earth. Quiet roots are growing that will lay the foundation for its future survival. If it doesn't grow its roots properly, then it may not survive that first storm that rages against it. Our Christian life is a lot like that. We need our roots to be strong and deep, foundational, if we're going to stand against the s

When she first started attending church, many people in her Sunday School class were part of the Host/Hostess Committee.