Back by popular demand...?

As requested by Scott Schubert, I am writing a new blog.

It's such a beautiful day out today. I ought to go for a walk around the woods instead of staying in this office. I have been debating this very thing, actually, for some time. I say to myself, "Oh, you HAVE to go outside. It will be lovely and days like this are very rare this time of year." And the other side of it is that I have a sermon I have been trying to concentrate on for the past several hours. I quite enjoy working on this sermon (it is on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23), but maybe I could do with a break.

Come to think of it, a nice walk might really get me centered on the Lord and 'fix my gaze upon Him' all the better. Or just give me a bit of peace.

I am no stranger to finding comfort and rest in nature. I can recall several occasions (and a far many more are lost to the past and will never come to mind) when I have been greatly affected by the richness of God's character revealed in forests, lakes, oceans, skies, valleys, plains, etc. Perhaps that is why I enjoy living in the Northwest so much. There is no shortage of natural beauty in this blessed place.

I will refer to a time when I was struggling with trusting the Lord...which seems to be a common theme not only in my life, but in humanity. I was sat next to a very large lake outside of Leavenworth (here in Washington) mumbling whatever in prayer to Him. It was next to that lake that I found a certain peace; that in witnessing even just the vastness of a lake that was nothing compared to an ocean, I somehow understood that God is not only trustworthy, but also MIGHTY. So mighty, in fact, that the burdens which weighed on my shoulder at the time were hardly a weight to be noticed by Him. And yes, He could carry them perfectly well. Whatever pity party I may have been having at the time were silenced by His creation.

Good on Him.

I will end this note with something that has NOTHING to do with what I've just written: I started watching the Vicar of Dibley last night again and I have to tell you...it is still my favorite show of all time.

That's all for now - off to spend a few minutes outside!!!