How Could I Forget Such Majesty?

In my last post, I forgot to write about something really important and spectacular!  Geez!  Sometimes I wonder what is going on with my brain.  Do I need to purge some files to make room for new stuff, or is it simply old age forgetfulness?  Maybe some ginko biloba is in order.

Anyway, the spectacular thing I forgot to mention when I posted about the new season and the first boat ride on our lake was the EAGLE!  We have a number of bald eagles who nest on our lake and quite a few times a year we are blessed by a sighting. 

During the first summer boat ride, we saw a mature bald eagle in one of our favorite coves just as she was about to land near the top of a large tree.  Perched among the dense green leaves, there she was with her white head gleaming in the late afternoon sunlight.  After a few moments she gracefully took flight in ever widening circles above the treetops, the sun glinting off those brilliant white feathers on her head and tail. 

Each time I'm able to see one of these glorious birds I'm convinced that God is speaking to me in our own personal love language.  He knows how much I adore the rare beauty of these creatures and how it draws me close to Him in gratefulness and in awe of his creativity. 

To receive such gifts from our Creator - gifts that transcend normal everyday joys - gifts that erase (even if momentarily) worries, fears, doubts and pain - is to be loved beyond measure.  It is truly a Measure of Grace.

Be love and be blessed,

A Brand New Season

Recently, we enjoyed our "first" official boat ride of the summer on our lake.  There is nothing like that first summer cruise when you tour familiar places and the realization of nature's joy and magnificence hits you square in the heart!

We've been cruising this lake for over 20 years now, but each and every first "official" ride of summer it all looks brand new again!  The trees that not so long ago were bare of leaves are now lush and green and the pastures and lawns surrounding the lake are no longer brown and dormant.

There is a familiar, sweet floral scent wafting through the air.  I breathe deeply from my seat on the boat and start scanning to find the source.  There it is!  Oh, yes, a mimosa tree.  Why do I forget each year how wonderful is that fragrance and how short the time to enjoy it? 

It's going to be a spectacular season!  I don't mean the boating season, though it is sure to be lots of fun.  A new season of life has begun for me and my hopes are extraordinarily high.  God is calling me into new territories and a closer walk with Him. 

The season is brand new.  It is fresh.  It is exciting, challenging and difficult.  But, I look forward to it and to seeing how God will change the familiar and the dormant into something spectacular and memorable.

Be love and be blessed,

Change For Good

Some exciting things are happening at our church.  When someone says something "exciting" is happening, don't you think it must be something new?  I do.

New most often means "change".  People don't always like change.  I suppose I'm a bit odd because in most cases I love change.  Admittedly, I don't like all change.  I certainly wouldn't like changing my morning routine.  That cup of coffee in bed would not be easy to give up!

When changes happen at a church there will inevitably be some who are not exactly overjoyed about it.  We get so comfortable in our Sunday routine that it upsets us when something feels amiss.  Like when we arrive at worship and someone is sitting in "our" pew. 

Next Sunday we will receive our new pastor.  Some are probably not happy that the former one is gone.  Some may be glad for change, but fearful of what may happen as a result.  You know - as long as they don't change the way we do communion, or the time of worship, or the schedule for potluck dinners - as long as the church doesn't change the part "I" love, then I'm fine.

Oh, its so easy for us to forget that the church's most important function isn't to minister to us, to make us happy, to sing the hymns that we like best.  The church's most important mission is the great commission.  It is communicating the love and grace of Jesus Christ to those who have not experienced Him. 

Instead of being worried about whether our favorite part of our church life will change when the new guy arrives, we should spend thoughtful time in prayer asking for change to happen that will enable us to reach our potential in Christ and make a difference in His kingdom. 

With this coming change, I can feel God moving.  He is opening doors of opportunity for us to become more like Him by stepping out in faith and changing how we think, how we view others, how we respond to His call.

These are changes to be excited about!  I'm ready Lord.  I can hear you calling.  Lead and I will follow.

Be love and be blessed,