A root cellar is an amazing thing.  Our cellar maintains a constant temperature of 40 to 50 degrees year round – day and night, while holding a humidity level of approximately 95%.  For roots like potatoes, onions and carrots it’s just like being under ground – which it is. Apples stay fresh and even somewhat crisp well into the winter months. Canned goods keep best in consistent temperatures without sunlight making a root cellar the perfect natural place to store them.  Some might think that a well designed root cellar is an amazing innovative man made invention while in reality it is simply an adaptation of a natural cave.   The truth is, with all of mans technology natural ways of doing things are often superior.  A root cellar requires no outside energy source and is made with all natural materials.  If constructed properly a root cellar provides a spacious food storage unit that doesn’t require Freon, will never wear out and won’t end up taking precious space in a land-fill somewhere.  There is something rich and wholesome about living more organic and natural lives. More and more people are becoming increasingly fascinated and are being drawn back to the land and more sustainable lifestyles.  I am constantly meeting people who are developing small but highly productive garden plots in their suburban back yards.  Our church has a community garden where literally dozens of volunteers gather together and share in the work.  Last season they gave over 24,000 pounds of fresh produce to the poor as well as shared it among themselves. [See www.gardenofeedin.wordpress.com] I believe that there is a God given inner drive that draws the human spirit to nature.  When Paul wrote to the Romans he said this; “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and his divine nature – have been seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse [from knowing him].”  In other words, when we look at nature and the natural things around us we are being exposed to the nature of God.  Nature gives us a look at who God is and because of it Paul says, we are without excuse from knowing him.  I think that’s why so many of us love natural things.  In our heart of hearts we know that nature gives us a glimpse of who our creator is and a closer step towards authentic relationship with him.