Autumn is a time when most plants abandon life above ground in preparation for the hardships of the Winter. The branches of most trees and shrubs drop their leaves and go into a dormant state. Herbaceous plants die back to ground level. For them life simply continues below ground where the Winter frost cannot reach. They quite literally go back to their roots. In the Bible there is an old proverb that says: The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. (Proverbs 12: 12) Very few people enjoy living with insecurity - most of us want the safety a stronghold. It might be in a good job, underpinned with qualifications, skills and experience. Perhaps in family or a circle of close friends. Sometimes it's in self-protection - playing all our cards close to our chest and never making ourselves vulnerable. Strongholds are not necessarily evil, but they have one thing in common. Sooner or later, something or someone comes along an
Making sense of faith without denying the facts