Mark 4:5-6 (NKJV) Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth;and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. Scorched and withered.... When I read those two words the pain I imagine can not equate with the reality of the pain one would feel of having a part of their body scorched. Nor can I fathom the pain of someone who is withering away from a torturous illness. Just as our flesh can become scorched and our bodies can wither away so can our spiritual lives if we allow the seeds of our faith to be planted upon stony ground. A plant, flowers and trees need firm roots buried deep within the richness of the earth's soil to grow strong. I too need strong roots buried deep with in the word of God to maintain my spiritual growth. Shallow roots of faith have no substance to cling to the promises of God. They hold on for a short time only to fall away ...