Friday, July 21, 2023

Summer 2023....a short break from the norm . . . rest a while!

 Everybody needs a break from the norm. Some are blessed and privileged to take weeks or months at a time while some of us take advantage of the short respites . . . a day trip or a weekend get away. Either way, breaks from the norm are needed for good mental and spiritual health as well as physical health. Many times the breaks are not just a time to rest and relax, but to restart or jump-start our failed or forgotten physical routines.

Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
(Mark 6:30-32)

The disciples had been sent out by Jesus to share the Good News and were weary. They had heard of John the Baptist's murder by Herod. They were tired, hurt and in need of rest. Jesus saw of their need to rest. It would come to be a short rest though, as the people followed them as they departed. They would again assist Jesus is ministering to those in need.

So take the time to rest . . . even if just a quiet evening on the porch! Take a short break from the norm . . . rest a while!

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Summer '23...It's been a while...

 Yes, it's been a while since I last entered a blog. God has been good providing some summer work. He is providing for our needs. 

Yet there are some folks close to us going through some things we do not quite understand. As we pray, like the farmer, we trust God with the process.

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man
scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.


Draft Day . . . what we see and what we do not see right now.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light aff...