Tagged: life out of death

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—      yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. Isaiah 11:1 The gnarly, knotted olive tree must have been at least 100 years old, planted by the grandfather of the two sons who built our house in the ancient walled city. Evidently, at one time, its main trunk was chopped off, leaving a stubby stump still joined at the base of the tree. From a side branch grew a now-thriving tree that towered over the wall and hung heavy with olives at harvest time. During our first spring in the house, strong, green shoots began to appear in abundance from the old stump. The principle was not lost on me. God brings… Read More

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.Zechariah 4:10 I lay there in the dark, alert and ready to leap out of bed at any given second. The sound of the rat running back and forth on the bedpost inches from my head had me frozen in place, immobilized and afraid to breathe. What on earth is he carrying in his mouth with such dedication? I wondered to myself.  Back and forth, back and forth.  Scratch, scramble, swoosh, slip, patter-patter-patter over my head. Again. And again.  He was very busy and paid me no mind whatsoever.  All of my senses, however, were completely trained upon his every move. I was trying very hard not to scream. Turning my… Read More