This is a picture of a Baobad tree. These magnificent trees are mostly found in Africa.  They are striking in person and their presences dominate the land scape.  Even though these trees look dead they are very much alive and are commonly known as "The Tree of Life".  These trees store large amounts of water and people can drink from them; believe it or not they take a grass straw and drink right out of the trunk.  This tree produces fruit and a large flower that are used for food.  The leaves themselves are high in vitamin C and Calcium and are eaten as a salad.  The tree itself can be used to make fabric for clothing, used for shelter, and often people live inside of these large trees.  So you see why this tree is called "The Tree of Life" even though it appears to be dead.  Most of us have something even more remarkable in our homes that have an appearance much like the Baobad tree, it is called the Bible.  The Bible is called "The living Word of God," because it provides shelter for those hurting, lost and lonely.  It clothes you with God's righteousness and provides food for those who are hungry, but most of all it gives streams of life giving water to those who are thirsty.  The Bible is the Word of life, because it contains the accounts of God revealing Himself to mankind and how He loved them so much that He continually reached out to them and finally with His own hands on the Cross.  Those who have ears to hear...God loves you and desires you.  At Grace Community we believe in the Bible and teach it; starting January 29, 2012 we will begin a 6 week study call, "40 Days in the Word" and we will be asking the questions: Why the Bible and Why God?  I challenge you to come give it a try, I know you will find the Bible to be "The Word of Life!"  See you Sunday.

Pastor Charlie                  Keep Walking in the Love of Jesus