Pirate Camp

This past week, a group of pirates arrived at Lake Hartwell for the 3rd annual Pirate Camp.  Two of my older grandchildren joined two additional pirates, that are the grandchildren of our good friends, Ed and Linda.  For three days we immersed them in everything pirate - from costumes, to treasure maps, to a hidden treasure chest and even a pirate ship with firing canyon to search for the treasure and fend off the evil Captain Hook.  This is a tradition that we hope will continue in some form as the other grandchildren come of age (4 and older).  Three days of our summer - but memories for a lifetime.

Build that wall

About 2500 years ago, there was a different wall in the news.  Nehemiah was serving as cup-bearer to the king of Persia, when he was sent to Jerusalem with the task of rebuilding the wall protecting the remaining Jews there.   While the task was daunting on its own, Nehemiah was continuously thwarted by the enemies of Judah.  Nehemiah had always been a man of prayer, praising God and asking him to provide for him.  But on this day, his prayer was different.  He prayed, "strengthen my hands.   Don't do it for me.  Give me the strength to do it."  God honored his prayer, and the wall was completed in 52 days. The enemies retreated when they recognized that the task could have only been completed by the power of God, but in this case, the power of God flowing through the hands of Nehemiah and the people he was leading.  I think God wants us all to play our part in the building of His kingdom here on earth.

For what shall we live?

This past weekend, I celebrated Memorial Day with my family at the lake.  We grilled out, did some boating, played games and enjoyed each other's company.  While I feel privileged to live in a country where I am free to do as I please, I feel completely unqualified to speak about the true meaning of Memorial Day, having never served in the armed forces.  Roger Brady IS qualified. He served in the armed forces for 40 years and wrote this moving article comparing our freedom to live in the United States with our responsibilities of living in the Kingdom of God.  I hope you are moved as he explores the question, "For what shall we live?"

Wisdom rules

David, from the Old Testament was a dynamic leader, but had a sordid past that included adultery and murder.  His son, Solomon, became king, and could have followed in his steps, but instead Solomon went on to inspire some of the greatest literature ever written which is found in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.  1st Chronicles reports Solomon's encounter with God which served as a spring-board for Solomon's life.  God appeared to Solomon one night and directed him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."  Solomon could have asked for fame, power or riches, but instead he responded, "Give me wisdom and knowledge".  God honored his prayer abundantly.  I may not be leading a nation, but I want to remember this simple prayer to help make me do a better job with the people I come in contact with every day.

Church Hunters

 

I have posted frequently about our church in Braselton, The Vine.  We love everything about it.  Our first exposure was to the worship services on Sunday mornings.  The sermon series are planned months in advance, and the music is done with excellence.  We got involved in a small group that meets during the week, and while the group has changed over the years, the relationships that get informed each season are enduring.  Caroline and I have each found a way to serve regularly, and we love the people we serve and serve with.   While I give full credit for everything good we have to God, I want to acknowledge our church's lead pastor, David Walters, for listening to God and leading me and the other members to God.  David has the unique gift of making me feel special, as if he is singling me out and ministering to me personally, but I have no doubt that most of the people in our congregation feel exactly the same way.  Thank you, David, for your faithfulness.   So, if you are looking for a church home in the Braselton area, we would love to see you.   We hope your search doesn't feel like this Church Hunters spoof featuring Jenny Jennings who I went to church with in south-Gwinnett 20 years ago (yes, she was a toddler then).  I have always believed that great comedy is the perfect blend of humor with truth.  I hope you have a great week.

Reunited

The father of one of our close high school friends died last week.  His funeral was in Columbus on Tuesday,  and Caroline and I attended.  I remember a time when I dreaded funerals - too much sadness, too much time and too much boredom.  I now look forward to funerals.  Seeing the sadness of the family hurts, but God always shows up -  sometimes quietly,  sometimes brashly, but always in His full majesty.  The hope that God gives to us of being reunited with those that have left this earth is one of the great things that He has done for me.  I want to celebrate that more.

Truth or Consequence

I wrote earlier this year about a book by A. W. Tozer called The Pursuit of God.  I enjoyed it and am now reading one of his earlier books, The Knowledge of the Holy.  Tozer will be revealing attributes of God throughout the book, but in Chapter 3, he talks about what an attribute is and what an attribute is not.  He defines it as "whatever God has in any way revealed to be true of Himself".  God can choose to reveal those truths to us through his creations, or He can reveal them directly to us through prayer and meditation.  Understanding that God is infinite, there are certainly truths that we will never know until we meet Him face to face.  But we should be assured, that God delights in our seeking to find these attributes on a daily basis, and He will only reveal them to us in His perfect timing.