Great architecture.  That's a wonderful shot.

Hi Lola,

Wonderful analogy and beautiful photos....

Jo 

Lola,

Another great post...going through the 'metamorphosis' you describe creates a phenomenon that raises the church to the realm of supernatural...like pruned trees yield superior fruit...so the church produces 'wounded healers'! Thanks,   Fran

Lola, What a great post.  The church is beautiful, and the orchard is soon to come into its beauty.  Thanks for sharing your day with us.

great shot Mahalo

I don't think I would have ever been able to meld the two scenes together, but you have done it so eloquently!  Beautiful post!

Thank you Brian.  Sometimes, the camera gets it right...or perhaps I should say, I get lucky. :)  The church is unedited...the orchard has some tweeks with editing software by Picasa.

Lola. Those are some wonderful pictures. Your website is sure bright. Thanks,Keith..

Jo-Ann, Thanks for stopping to read and comment. 

Wow, the last paragraph is so true and so eloquently put.

Fran...What a profound insight..."wounded healers."  Thank you.

Audrey...the grace is mine.  Thanks for stopping by here to read and share a comment. :)

Jim & Maria, Thanks for your comment.  I was just drawn to both scenes.  Didn't really understand the "tie-in" until I started writing. Sometimes...that happens. :)

What beautiful photos and such a poignant point you make.  Thank you for sharing them with us.

Glad you like the pictures Jeffery!  Thanks for stopping by.

Keith...My website is "bloomin' brite! :)  Jason Sardi complained of "allergies" yesterday...

Thank you Missy.  Appreciate your stopping by to read and comment.

You are Welcome Christopher. 

Lola, the pruning analogy is apt.  Especially for rose growers because the pruning cut actually tells the plant where it should send up a bloom.  Good thoughts.

Lola that is a beautiful Church building, I can't imagine how much it would cost to build something like that today, or is any one would have the skill to do it today.

I love the brick on that church. And are those trees still alive? They look dead. If there's still life in there, that's another lesson. So many times, before God can breathe HIS life into us, our flesh has to be crucified. I've been through seasons when I didn't even know who I was anymore, after giving God permission to do whatever was necessary to bring about the change I needed, in order for me to grow. OUCH! It's painful, but necessary.

Wow! Capturing pictures as that.....is something I will focus on next. I love them Lola!  You sure know how to bring a picture full of story :)

Lola- Of course I like the pictures, but more than that I like the message.  As always you have a way with words....I think we have some of the same philosophies, we just express them differently.  The part about the agents, both old and new is so true....we need to be like both the church and the tree.....acceptance and strength, that is what will help us through......

Lola what a picture in contrasts...so symbolic......its interesting how  the story unfolds in the telling isn't it.....? Lovely...

Sometimes it is in our darkest days that we find clarity.  Stripping away the ugly..brings the beauty.  Oh what a lovely post Lola!

Wonderful photos and insightful observation. It's true. A lot of man hours go into perfecting fruit trees.

Lola~

I've bookmarked this post and hope that it gets featured. It is an example of why I subscribe to your BLOG. When you shared this..." I've lived here long enough to know that the process is not only necessary, but good.  To bear fruit, trees need tough love to strip away dead stuff which will hinder healthy growth.  It's not unlike the challenges of being  a real estate agent.  ..." I sighed and smiled... Thanks!

Hello Lola, Great photos and comments.  Taking the time to observe and photograph can really have an impact on attitudes and emotions can't it?  Music is another way to stop and reflect.

Thank you

Hello Lola, Great photos and comments.  Taking the time to observe and photograph can really have an impact on attitudes and emotions can't it?  Music is another way to stop and reflect.

Thank you

Lolla - Beautiful photos!!! Trees are one of the most beautiful live forms on the planet!!!! Thanks for sharing these trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!