What's with the tree on the cover?!

I've never considered myself much of an artist.  This tree on the cover, is probably the only thing I ever felt confident enough to draw.  The last time I drew it was as a teenager.  When the thought hit me to see if I could draw it again, I was quite surprised it actually turned out!

 

Back in 2008 when I first sat down to consider this writing project, it all looked like the visual equivalent of a tree with intertwining branches weaving in and around each other. It took a while to figure out how to present these lessons in a way that didn't boggle the reader and still offer that sense of discovery and revelation as it came to me. This series is the result. The presentation isn't perfect, but I pray it encourages you down your own path into the depths of God's heart.

 

The tree on the cover represents the nature of the lessons in this series.  

 

There is additional symbolism in that Christ says we are the branches and He is the Vine.  A vine is not a tree, but branches of a tree are attached to a trunk the same way branches of a vine are attached to the main vine.  Cut off the branch and you cut off the source of life to that branch.  So it is as the Holy Spirit moves through us as we stay connected to Christ, that we have the power to be all that God longs for us to be.