Happy Friday evening church family!

What a beautiful couple of days we’ve had! Spring is definitely marching in and the snowpack is retreating just as fast. The sap is running and soon the dead things uncovered by the snowmelt will show signs of life. This is a perfect time of year to celebrate the Resurrection! (Please join us in two weeks for Easter!)

Today Amy and I went out with Grandpa and another fellow to tap some maple trees at a property in Kelliher. We’re new to this game and Grandpa’s showing us the ropes. But I found some interesting spiritual lessons out there in the stand of sugar maples. There were some trees - tall and broad with many branches - that were hiding hollows and internal rot. No sap there. And yet there were trees weather-beaten, splitting, ragged-looking and the sap ran strong. It’s a good reminder that it’s not our outward appearance or activities that truly matter when it comes to things of God. What matters is what (and Who) is inside of you.

John 15 is one of my go-to chapters this past year. It is all about abiding in Jesus and being grafted into Him. It is only through that relationship and that abiding that we can bear much fruit. We are like the spile – tapped into God and directing fruit that originates in Him to benefit the world around us. It sure should sweeten us up as well!

-- In faith, Pastor Eric

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers. John 15:4-6a ESV