Do You Have the Right Forestry Plan?

There used to be a large overgrown and overcrowded Tree Farm inside the fence next to our house, but in October, these trees were removed along with the brush and vines growing among them. There was also plenty of wildlife in that wooded area because of so much underbrush and thick vines. Needless to say, we are so pleased to have the overgrown mess removed. It is clean and fresh looking; clear of debris, undergrowth, and it allows us to see the lake just as I did when I was growing up here.


As we look out our kitchen window, we are looking toward the east, and it is such a blessing to be able to see the sunrises every morning with their many colors. We can see the neighborhood - houses, yards, vehicles driving along the roads, birds, people walking - all much more clearly than before. The past view felt like we were hemmed in until about lunchtime when the sun was able to creep over the trees. Now the entire area has opened up, and we are able to receive God’s blessings much earlier in the morning.


Please understand that when I say we are well pleased with the removal of the trees, it doesn’t mean that I don’t like trees. But it’s just the opposite. Thank God for the shade and the beauty of trees, but these trees were not clean; they blocked the light; and they could not provide much beauty because of the undergrowth and overgrowth from the vines and bushes which ran the height of the trees. Some of the vines were 6-8” in diameter!


Recently I was reading an article from Our State Magazine entitled Where Lumber Ruled, Nature Reigns. As I read about the forests of western North Carolina, I couldn’t help but think about the recent removal of the trees next to our house. The article was talking about creating strong forests and how the removal of trees is critical in that respect since it allows the light to penetrate the trees which in turn will allow them to grow stronger. The foresters call this “managing the light”. Let me read some excerpts:


Forestry is about managing forests. “To manage a forest, you are managing the light” says Forestry student Robert Townsend. To get more light, you have to remove trees. Sometimes a few. Sometimes a lot. “If nature runs its course, trees fall and die. We can speed up that process. If something’s screwed up in the forest, we can turn it back to where it should be.” People tend to think forestry is all about saving trees , which, in many ways, it is. But he adds, “sometimes you have to cut trees in order to save others”.

The article went on to say that “in the forest, appearances can be deceiving, and, as a result, sometimes the best intentions can lead to bad forestry. For example, going into a stand of trees and pulling out all of the trunks at least 16 inches in diameter makes economic sense, since trees like oaks and poplars fetch more money when they reach that size. Other smaller trees are left, and it would seem like being selective would be a better move than mowing down every single tree. But often, the trees that remain aren’t the best trees. They’re gnarled, diseased, or a less desirable Species, and you can actually hurt the health of a forest by leaving them behind.


On the other hand, a lot of people find it painful to see trees come down or to watch a quiet, shaded spot in the woods turn into an open, stump-filled clearing. But with the right forestry plan, the forest will return stronger than before.



God showed me how managing a forest is similar to growing the body of Christ. So the title of my message this morning is Do You Have the Right Forestry Plan? Let’s take a look at what this says about the body of Christ and growing a strong body of Christ.

MARRIED TO CHRIST

Text: St. John 2:1-8  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

The fourth Gospel of John is attributed to John, the beloved disciple who was one in the inner circle of Jesus.  Each book shows Jesus in a different light.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s focus was Christ in human relationships.  John’s focus was primarily on the Deity of Jesus Christ, in that He was the only Begotten Son of God.  His Book is known as the Book of signs.  John said signs show us truth and proof of who Jesus is.  Although Jesus performed many other signs through ministry, John writes of seven in this book to show proof and that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and gives evidence that He is the only Begotten Son of God.