I’ve been to Maui a few times, and one of her landmarks is the majestic Banyan tree in downtown Lahaina.  It’s over 100 years old and will live several hundred more.  It has more than 12 trunks, approximately 200 large limbs, encompasses more than 200 square feet and is over 60 feet tall.  It cries out “climb me, climb me” and, if it were in my back yard, I’d do just that! 

People congregate under the tree for shelter and shade, and birds flock to her branches.  It’s the local meeting place and a nice place to savor your morning coffee, people-watch, or enjoy the scenery. 
I love majestic trees.  Recently, I enjoyed the beautiful “old-stand” Redwoods up at Mt. Hermon Retreat Center.  But why?  What’s the lure?

For me, these trees are living examples of God’s truth.  If we stay connected to God as our source, and rely on Him, we too will grow strong and healthy, and we’ll prosper.  It’s about having deep tap roots into the source of water.  Psalm 1 captures this truth so well:  “Blessed are those who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night.  They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf  does not wither ---  whatever they do prospers.”  (Psalm 1-3)(NRSV).  There is nothing I want more than to experience success the way God defines success.  I need roots that continuously tap into the Word of God.   

Joshua learned this as a young man.  He became a prominent military leader under Moses after the exodus and during their sojourn in the desert.  When Moses handed off leadership to Joshua, whom God had appointed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land,  Moses commanded him to use God’s word as a template for his life:  “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:7-8)(KJV)  The result was “good success;” success the way God defines success!    

So what does all this have to do with you and me?  Plenty!  Moses’ admonition to Joshua applies equally to us.  We are to build our life upon God’s law --- Christ’s teachings; to do so, is to build our life upon rock:  failing to do so is tantamount to building a home upon sand.  Let me suggest three ways for you to grow spiritually - ways that are rock solid! 


Life Groups

First, let me invite you to join a Life Group.  They’re home fellowships.  You’ll feel welcome.  These are Christ-centered communities, meeting in homes, grounded in the study of scripture, where it is safe to be authentic, ask hard questions, and seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ that expresses itself outwardly in service to others.   We have more than 10 Life Groups sprinkled about Malibu, Pepperdine, Calabasas, etc.  If you’re interested, talk to me or Karen Mudgett, Pastor Greg or Kay Hughes, Tim Tally at 818-706-1280 or Farhad Fozounmayeh 818-370-0843, or Click Here.
      

The Lighthouse

Second, participate in our Lighthouse study on Sunday morning during the second service at 11:00 a.m. in the Teachers’ Lounge at Webster.  Our adult study recently finished an 8-week study entitled the “Parables of Jesus,” and now we’re studying Bill Hybels’ book, “Just Walk Across The Room,” about how to make relational (aka lifestyle) evangelism a natural part of our life.  You can intersect with this study at any point in the book.  Participating in Lighthouse studies is another way to grow deep tap roots. 

Wednesdays

Finally, I want to personally invite you to join us for prayer every Wednesday morning from 7:00 – 7:30 a.m. on the church patio to pray for our church and any special needs.  Prayer is not seasonal nor is it optional.  Paul encourages us to “Pray without ceasing.”  There’s no greater prayer chapel than God’s open-air platform with its beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean at sunrise.  And by the way, conversation afterwards on the ministry house patio, together with Noralea’s goodies, and coffee is a nice bonus.
These “streams of living water,” and so much more, at Malibu Pres exist because God loves you and cares about you.  Don’t be a stranger.  Grow tall and strong with deep tap roots.