What Makes "Stony Ground" Stony?

Mark 4:3, 5-6; 14,16,17

"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow, (and it happened as he sowed) 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."

"The sower sows the word. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, IMMEDIATELY THEY STUMBLE".(Luke 8:13 states "in the time of TESTING fall away")

How is it that, after having received the word of God with gladness, one falls away? What has changed about that which has made one glad?

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'this man began to build and was not able to finish". (Luke 14:28-30)

"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple."(Luke 14:33)

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate ......HIS OWN LIFE, (they) cannot be my disciple".(Luke 14:26)

"And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be My disciple."(Luke 14:27) Jesus DIED on HIS cross.

People receive God's salvation because, by the Holy Spirit to our souls, we understand that it is right. Entering in is joyous; so is every victorious step of God's proving it in us! He writes that persecution arise FOR the word's sake, not against it. It may seem like it is against because each step requires a dieing to ourselves, as we see life, for what He knows is so. Stumbling will not prevail if we understand this as we approach salvation in Jesus Christ.