Tree by the Water- Original Christian Writing and Bible Commentary

Welcome!

          Welcome to Tree by the Water! This site contains a collection of original Christian writing. It is Mike's sincere desire that these works be a source of inspiration and seeds from which personal spiritual growth may occur. Please explore the categories at left and in the drop down menu above right, read the works at your leisure, print freely what you like, and share what you find with your family and friends. This site is updated as frequently as new work is produced, so please come back often and see what has been added.

About the Name of the Site

      "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

          These verses from scripture describe a man completely reliant on the Lord and therefore completely provided for by Him, just as a tree by a stream is completely reliant upon the nourishment it receives from its waters. And like a tree with its roots deep into the soil beneath a stream bed, this scripture says that a man will survive times of personal drought; and not merely survive, but flourish- if he keeps his trust in the Lord, and better yet, makes the Lord his trust.
          The pages I have assembled here, and those that I yet hope to add, are the outworking of my journey toward the above stated goal. These pages document my growth closer to God as I continue to send my own roots out toward Him, tentatively seeking to make Him my sole Trust.
          It is interesting to note that in the verses following the above quotation in the book of Jeremiah man's heart is described as "more deceitful than all else" and "desperately sick". Recognition of this condition in my own heart causes me to take the words I have written on these pages with a 'grain of salt,' so to speak, and so should you, for, all things must be carefully weighed against His perfect standard and judged accordingly.
                                                                                                                                 Mike Spencer
                                                                                                                                 March 20, 2009