This was the first prophetic vision I received, back on 21st December 2002. I dug it out the other day, and I think it still speaks to us now as much as it did then.
This vision was given to me when I asked the Lord why I felt like I was starving at our then current church. I was feeling increasingly frustrated that there was something very real and vital missing from us. The vision given was specifically for that church but I feel it has a wider application.
I saw a tree, most particularly the root structure, in profile. The soil was shallow and there was a large boulder, or mass of rock underneath. Most roots spread out widely into shallow soil. While the tree was alive, there was no depth to sustain the tree should there be a drought. Neither was there sufficient depth of soil to feed the tree properly.
At the same time I also saw a tap root, extending down through the heart of the rock. The root had the potential to grow and break up the rock, which was preventing a deep and healthy root system.
This vision is both a warning and a hope. The tree represents the Church, in particular the western Church. The warning is that the Church is reliant on shallow soil, and as a result it cannot grow further and it cannot withstand times of trial. We spread our roots widely through all the avenues of shallow faith and faint spiritual reality.
However, the hope is also with us. The tap root (perhaps representing Jesus) has already drilled through the rock (which represents all that which would prevent the growth of the Church). This Root is like a promise, a potential to us. If we direct our efforts through this Root, we can spread deeply and widely, and can begin to break up the rock. That may appear daunting, and will not be easy, but it is possible, the strength is there. We are all called to go deeper, with all the potential that lies there.
Both the warning and hope are held out to us. It requires a response.
The Age To Come 
May we choose the route of the root!
Blessings in the Lord Jesus Christ!
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I pray that we will break though that which would hinder growth, by the grace and strength of the Lord Jesus, to go ever deeper with Christ in order to help those with shallow roots find the depths their spirits long for.
Bless you Peter!
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Greetings. Indeed the tap root is like the Lord Jesus. He truly is the vine and we are the branches. If we abide in him he’ll make us to grow and be fruitful; regardless of the surrounding soil. We are in a dry and thirsty land where in-depth preaching sometimes can be hard to come by. (Amos 8:11 comes to mind.) Thanks for a great post and also for commenting yesterday. I’ll try to get by here more often.
have a great weekend in Christ.
timbob
P.S. I really like the phrase on your header. Such an accurate statement
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Amen Phil, blessings on you.
Deep in Christ – is the only place to go. The only foundation that will not be rocked. Blessings Susan.
Thanks for dropping by Timbob, I know it can be very hard to keep track of everybody! Blessings,
Peter – wow that was a lot of blessings, ahem.
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Blessings are good Peter! Thank you!
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I have felt this way for years, at the different churches I have been in. I have to follow my husband’s lead, and for some reason he is always leading us to shallow churches! The church we now attend is supposedly a spirit-filled church, but you would never know it by its fruit, or lack of it. I have been constantly surrounded by shallow Chrisitians for years, and it has had a toll on me. My husband was “burned” by the “prophetic movement” and now he steers clear of anything that seems to have a Chasmatic interest. Please keep me and my husband in your prayers! I am desperate for change in our lives!!
God bless,
Jen
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Hi Jen,
The thing is with the prophetic, well it’s like anything I guess, as soon as you get the genuine the conterfeit comes in. I have, well, strong opinions to those who would peddle the prophetic for a profit, or otherwise knowingly abuse this gift.
I will pray for you, and hope your husband will be able to see past the previous experience. Meanwhile, there is quite a good little community going on here!
Blessings,
Peter
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Thanks Peter, I am very glad I met you all! I would have to say it’s all thanks to good ol’ Cumby for finding ME and through him I found ya’ll!
God bless,
Jen
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