To thrive spiritually we need to learn from the trees. Each part of the tree, its roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and seeds, gives valuable insights into the Christian life. The roots, which are critical to the tree's health and invisible to the naked eye, refer to the need to develop the inner life of the Christian. The root system shared among neighboring trees highlights the importance of communal living among Christians. The trunk, which is mainly used for wood and has rings in it, points to the need for Christians to live sacrificially and to review their lives periodically. The branches instruct Christians to draw strength from Christ by abiding in him. The leaves call on Christians to be thankful and to seek rejuvenation of their souls when they enter a dry patch in their spiritual lives. The seed that falls to the ground and dies challenges Christians to stay put and wait on God in order to gain a foothold in their spiritual lives. This book will convince us to look at trees in a different light. We begin to appreciate trees, which we have taken for granted, for their silent wisdom. ""The Rooted Life crystallizes Mark Mah's commitment to rootedness in Christ the vine and we the branches (Jn. 15:4-5). Growing and bearing fruit in Christ and for Christ has been aptly located in a community context by the author. This is both refreshing and prophetic in days of assertive individualism and relativism. The twin emphases, on relationship in Christ and in community, is what every contemporary disciple needs to focus and work on for spiritual progress in fruit bearing."" --Ooi Chin Aik, President of Ministries for Asia Pacific Mark Mah graduated from Regent College in Vancouver. He teaches church history and spiritual formation at Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Being Human (2012), Garden of the Soul (2014), and Take Up Your Mat and Walk (2016).
