September 24th, 2021
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope

Something began happening this week – leaves started falling in my yard. Not just the leaves, but plants that were bright and green back in spring are starting to look a bit tired and brown. Rose buds are wilting and dying with no more to take their place. All around, it is beginning to happen. The plants are dying, or at least that is what it looks like. They are preparing for winter.
But alongside that, I was doing something that seems crazy. I planted grass seed. It turns out the fall is actually the best time to plant grass. On the surface, it doesn’t make much sense. Spring is when things start growing. Spring is when the weather is warming up and the rain starts falling. Spring is when everything is beginning to come alive. If you are going to plant something, it seems like you should be planting it in the spring. And while you can do it then, the very best time to plant a whole host of things is actually NOT in the spring, but right now, in the fall, when everything is browning up, and getting ready to hunker down for winter.
I am paying attention to this because the same thing can be true in our spiritual lives. When we are struggling, in a season of uncertainty, unsure about our faith, or even suffering from some unexpected life event – our instinct is to pull back from new things and turn away from opportunity. But often, it is precisely in our most difficult seasons and in the midst of transition that we are the most receptive to something new being born. What this means is that it is exactly when we feel like pulling back or turning in that we need to plant seeds.
The same is true in the church. Right now, so many churches have entered a “long winter” of waiting. In the face of COVID and the delta variant, so many churches have pulled back, curbed spending, and are just trying to survive until spring. But here at The Gathering, I believe that right now is a time to open ourselves up to something new. It is time to plant seeds that will need time to germinate, take root, and grow.
It may seem counterintuitive – in your life, and in the church. But if you want new growth and green grass in the spring, you have to plant seeds in the fall.
Peace,
But alongside that, I was doing something that seems crazy. I planted grass seed. It turns out the fall is actually the best time to plant grass. On the surface, it doesn’t make much sense. Spring is when things start growing. Spring is when the weather is warming up and the rain starts falling. Spring is when everything is beginning to come alive. If you are going to plant something, it seems like you should be planting it in the spring. And while you can do it then, the very best time to plant a whole host of things is actually NOT in the spring, but right now, in the fall, when everything is browning up, and getting ready to hunker down for winter.
I am paying attention to this because the same thing can be true in our spiritual lives. When we are struggling, in a season of uncertainty, unsure about our faith, or even suffering from some unexpected life event – our instinct is to pull back from new things and turn away from opportunity. But often, it is precisely in our most difficult seasons and in the midst of transition that we are the most receptive to something new being born. What this means is that it is exactly when we feel like pulling back or turning in that we need to plant seeds.
The same is true in the church. Right now, so many churches have entered a “long winter” of waiting. In the face of COVID and the delta variant, so many churches have pulled back, curbed spending, and are just trying to survive until spring. But here at The Gathering, I believe that right now is a time to open ourselves up to something new. It is time to plant seeds that will need time to germinate, take root, and grow.
It may seem counterintuitive – in your life, and in the church. But if you want new growth and green grass in the spring, you have to plant seeds in the fall.
Peace,

P.S. I want to remind everyone that if you haven’t done it, take a second right now and download The Gathering app. Through the app, you can worship on Sundays, find and share previous sermons, read the Bible, find ways to serve, or see the weekly CoreGroup questions. The Gathering app is constantly changing and adding new content and resources that help you stay connected to God 7 days a week. So download it now!
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2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25Spring Forward in Faith // M-Note 3.29.25Visio Divina | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 26Everlasting Joy Sealed in Your Heart | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 27
April
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May
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2024
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