Superbly ~ September Begins

Three young boys are getting their school supplies together. They are excited and forlorn all at the same time. Summer-break or summer vacation (whatever it’s called) is over and the new school year is just beginning. The “new frontier” as it could be heralded here in cowboy land. What does this September hold in store that the previous many have not?

I remember those days, living in South Dakota ~ kind of the Little Outhouse on the Prairie thing going on.

This September, of 2010, has come in with a wonderful aura that exudes “Hey, chubby man, get outside and do something!” And with that thought, I have been trying to do just that. After being gone a big chunk of the summer and having someone else keep the yard cut, I have the opportunity to have my yard back and we (Melinda and me) have been putting the manicured look back to the estate here in Godfrey.

Today started out with a little extra sleep then off for a bike ride down toward Grafton. (Or up as the map may show it ~ but my inner compass says “down!”) Getting back from the ride, I commenced with a fun day of ‘lawnicuring’ and it looks so much better. Melinda finished planting around our fountain in the backyard by the patio. It is our little silence and solitude place. The trickle of the fountain and the birds sharing God’s laughter will be a wonderful solace in the mornings when we are fully waiting to hear what God is saying or laughing about.

Okay, so my thought bike just took another path ~
I am in the place, right now as well as for many moments if I need to continue here, where I am waiting on Holy Spirit to show me what messages need to be shared with the people of the congregation God has allowed us to be a part of. I am also waiting for the same thing for the Underground. The excitement is almost overwhelming as we see God’s handiwork moving into place ~ but the waiting is horrific! Hate is pretty close best word for what I feel about waiting. A friend of mine said last week, something to the effect of “God’s timing is usually just one step beyond our logic.” I love the truth in that! It doesn’t make the waiting any easier; however it does make it easier to trust God for the timing.

Well – that’s all for now. I have to finish some projects started earlier so I can rest well tonight. God bless!

P.S. ~ It’s almost Fall Ya’ll!

Enjoy the journey!

The start of a journal in the middle of the journey.

Tonight, I sit here with my thoughts buzzing around like a swarm of mosquitoes around a person sitting by their tent.  The sermon for tomorrow ~ the Underground Coffee Shop and the ministries of that venue ~ Outdoor Ventures ~ my kids and their lives ~ my grandbaby and wishing we were closer ~ loneliness  ~ excitement of seeing God working in the life of the body in Alton ~ and more.
I follow my friends on Face Book and pray for those that seem to be on a journey that leads to a hopeless end.  I see many that are encouraging as they share how being a Christ follower is affecting their lives.  I see friends on journeys of hope and friends on journeys of hopelessness ~ some have been under our ministry and discipleship and it hurts to see those that are on a slippery slope.  While we read and talk to those that are sharing and living Jesus to those around them, the others are a hurt.
I'm in a spot tonight where I'm not sure what I'm feeling and maybe this isn't a good place to start this journal.  I do not want to come across holier-than-thou or judgmental so I'll end this journal entry with these three thoughts:
1.   Enjoy some time with a friend over a cup of coffee and find out what their favorite ice cream topping is.
2.   The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Proverbs 27.12)
3.   This prayer ~ Heavenly Father, help me to see trouble coming long before it gets here.  Then grant me the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. ~ Amen