Growing up, there was this tree in my back yard. It was bigger than most. In fact, it is now the largest Elm tree in the United States. Growing up in the shadow of this giant, I thought a good deal about how a tree grows to be this big. It takes time, of course - lots of it. But this tree had weathered hundreds of storms, even narrowly escaping a tornado a few years back.

I think we weather the storms of life like trees, and I hope to be like this tree in particular through the storms life sends my way. Rain comes. The wind blows. We will bend and sway under the pressure of the elements, and may even lose a few branches. Ultimately though, if we have the strength to weather them, the storms of life will make us stronger.

None of this growth or resilience is possible without a deep, healthy root system.

I believe the fruit of our lives - and our ability to weather life’s storms - all depends on what our root system is like. The work of the inner life, I think, is all about going all the way down to the deep, dark places that form the root systems of our lives. True change, real flourishing, will take the hard work of digging up old, bitter roots and doing the long, hard work of building a healthy foundation for your life.

That is why I’m here. My gifting and passion is to walk with you through a process of dealing with the roots of your life that are producing bad fruit, and help you grow and flourish in your life with God for the sake of others. If you are ready to engage this work in your life, I am glad you’re here. And I look forward to building deep roots together.