Diana, I've expanded the meaning of the word "terroir." To my EFM group, I wrote about the Chesapeake Bay oysters with different tastes. Some are more salty than others. Did you know? Do you think that the saltiness of Christians varies from community to community? Ah! Great metaphor!
I’m catching up on reading and this post fills me with such joy. It is so clear to me that this is what operating within one’s gifts looks and feels like—the very terroir you speak of—God’s love translated through the lens of your love to us, your beloved readers. How thankful I am for these wise, beautiful, inspiring words, Diana.
I attended your Southern Lights Conference this year with my co-pastor (awesome!). We are two women leading a small but mighty house church community in San Francisco. I regularly reference you and use your Substack as a research tool to help me dig deeper and stay close to the roots of things (history, justice, story, the Word).
I’m not kidding when I say that you are a godsend. Your writing sings, the historical depth and biblical scholarship are first rate, and the poetry (and, this week, music!) and writing you’ve introduced me too are always surprising and soul encouraging. (I’m a lover of poetry and read many of the authors you do—so it’s saying a lot that I am regularly exposed to things I’ve never read before!) I just want you to know we need you, your impact is significant, and I’m thankful. If you’re ever in SF, please let me know. We’d love to be your guides to one of the most beautiful places on earth!!!
Thank you Diana, this is so rich . So much to reflect on. That God is our “ spiritual terroir “ ! Abide, nourish this space, embed ourselves in this soil and develop the flavours and aromas of Christ to share with others. Wonderful !
Interesting to be sure, but you left off discussion of the last part of John's scripture, "whatsoever you ask it will be done to you." I believe that his requires some DBB theological interpretation. Thanks in advance.
Today I attended my first gathering of Forest Church in the Rocky Mountains just West of Denver. And it was the foundation for reading this:
Terroir means that the characteristics of a habitation — geography, climate, geology — make their way into the wine, fruit, milk, cheese, vegetables, and herbs that grow in that particular location.
I think we must also absorb and reflect the culture of our community: be it our congregation, our town, our neighborhood. We must nurture and prune the Fruit of The Spirit - and perhaps transplant ourselves when necessary to grow and abide in God!
Terroir. It was a joy to read about it here today! I've written about wine, so the term is familiar. I also have a tiny vineyard in my backyard, trying to express the local terroir. Nobody knows for sure how these local characteristics of climate, soil, the quality of sunlight, and even the orientation of the vineyard to the sun end up in the bottle, but anyone who studies wine knows it happens.
Last year in mid-May we visited a wine cellar near Santa Barbara (!) that sources the fruit they buy from specific vineyards, then vinifies and bottles the batches from each vineyard separately without blending, so each wine from each vineyard can express the specific terroir of its origin. Their name is almost a paraphrase of the word: Story of Soil.
Since I just found you yesterday because of your reflection in Words of Grace, I just assumed you sent out your reflection on Saturday evening and Sunday, much like how the Chicago Tribune Sunday edition used to be available on Saturday. I thank the Holy Spirit for leading me to you.
I don't do well in Lectio Divinae when there's an expectation that your reflection and contribution should be one word or one brief phrase. Makes me feel boxed in. But I come away from today's musing with one phrase stuck in my craw: church discipline. I laughed out loud on encountering it here, recalling this week's image of vine, last week's image of sheep. And how the real translation requires getting your hands into deep rich soil, in humus, and smelling like sheep. We seem to do better allowing the Shepherd and Vinedresser keep control. Untutored pruners cause great grief in the Garden. Just ask my wife.
Diana, I've expanded the meaning of the word "terroir." To my EFM group, I wrote about the Chesapeake Bay oysters with different tastes. Some are more salty than others. Did you know? Do you think that the saltiness of Christians varies from community to community? Ah! Great metaphor!
I’m catching up on reading and this post fills me with such joy. It is so clear to me that this is what operating within one’s gifts looks and feels like—the very terroir you speak of—God’s love translated through the lens of your love to us, your beloved readers. How thankful I am for these wise, beautiful, inspiring words, Diana.
I attended your Southern Lights Conference this year with my co-pastor (awesome!). We are two women leading a small but mighty house church community in San Francisco. I regularly reference you and use your Substack as a research tool to help me dig deeper and stay close to the roots of things (history, justice, story, the Word).
I’m not kidding when I say that you are a godsend. Your writing sings, the historical depth and biblical scholarship are first rate, and the poetry (and, this week, music!) and writing you’ve introduced me too are always surprising and soul encouraging. (I’m a lover of poetry and read many of the authors you do—so it’s saying a lot that I am regularly exposed to things I’ve never read before!) I just want you to know we need you, your impact is significant, and I’m thankful. If you’re ever in SF, please let me know. We’d love to be your guides to one of the most beautiful places on earth!!!
Lots of hard lessons this week about farm life…glad you only murdered a tomato plant 😂
Thank you Diana, this is so rich . So much to reflect on. That God is our “ spiritual terroir “ ! Abide, nourish this space, embed ourselves in this soil and develop the flavours and aromas of Christ to share with others. Wonderful !
Interesting to be sure, but you left off discussion of the last part of John's scripture, "whatsoever you ask it will be done to you." I believe that his requires some DBB theological interpretation. Thanks in advance.
This one is very rich - so much to ponder! Thank you Diana. I hope you enjoy your tomatoes this year. 💚
Today I attended my first gathering of Forest Church in the Rocky Mountains just West of Denver. And it was the foundation for reading this:
Terroir means that the characteristics of a habitation — geography, climate, geology — make their way into the wine, fruit, milk, cheese, vegetables, and herbs that grow in that particular location.
I think we must also absorb and reflect the culture of our community: be it our congregation, our town, our neighborhood. We must nurture and prune the Fruit of The Spirit - and perhaps transplant ourselves when necessary to grow and abide in God!
Great reflection. Also, remember to plant lots of marigolds with the tomatoes as they keep the pesties away. I have done that for years.
https://www.tomatobible.com/marigolds-tomato-plants/
Incredible!!!! I learned so much. The depth of your writing helps my understanding. Thank you! And Bless you. Nancy Hey
Terroir. It was a joy to read about it here today! I've written about wine, so the term is familiar. I also have a tiny vineyard in my backyard, trying to express the local terroir. Nobody knows for sure how these local characteristics of climate, soil, the quality of sunlight, and even the orientation of the vineyard to the sun end up in the bottle, but anyone who studies wine knows it happens.
Last year in mid-May we visited a wine cellar near Santa Barbara (!) that sources the fruit they buy from specific vineyards, then vinifies and bottles the batches from each vineyard separately without blending, so each wine from each vineyard can express the specific terroir of its origin. Their name is almost a paraphrase of the word: Story of Soil.
Dang, that’s good…mmmmh mmmmh mmmmh~ you have the gift of making it “stick.”
Terroir - what a wonderful word showing how connected we are to each other. Thank you Diana!
Never have you failed to give me knowledge and insight. Today’s is exceptional. Terroir…..I love that word. Thank you for what you do
Since I just found you yesterday because of your reflection in Words of Grace, I just assumed you sent out your reflection on Saturday evening and Sunday, much like how the Chicago Tribune Sunday edition used to be available on Saturday. I thank the Holy Spirit for leading me to you.
I don't do well in Lectio Divinae when there's an expectation that your reflection and contribution should be one word or one brief phrase. Makes me feel boxed in. But I come away from today's musing with one phrase stuck in my craw: church discipline. I laughed out loud on encountering it here, recalling this week's image of vine, last week's image of sheep. And how the real translation requires getting your hands into deep rich soil, in humus, and smelling like sheep. We seem to do better allowing the Shepherd and Vinedresser keep control. Untutored pruners cause great grief in the Garden. Just ask my wife.
You had me at terroir. So astonishingly beautiful! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.