Last night I went for a late night hike around Timber-lee with a couple friends. After almost 3 miles, we found ourselves standing on the ice on Peters Lake, looking at deer tracks with the help of our headlamps. As we stood under the stars, listening to owls hooting in the distance, I was struck by the fact that...we were at work! For people who love the outdoors, camp ministry is the best! I think it's our love of the camp environment that gives us the ability to face the trying times that come our way from time to time. The morning "commute" starts by coming face to face with a couple wild turkeys outside my front door. A stressful day in the office can be followed by a sunset kayak trip.
I think it's a riot that all this started when I was "pressured" to go backpacking in the White Mountains, NH while I was in Bible school. Thanks, Ryan, for your persistence.
The Elim Mountain Club rocks!
During church this morning, we were singing "Your Grace is Enough" & everyone was really worshiping. Jen leaned over and whispered that Olivia was moving around quite a bit. At first we thought it was because of the volume of the music.
I started to tear up, though, when I thought of the account in Luke chapter 1, when an angel told Zechariah (v.15) that his son John (the Baptist) would "be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth." Later in verse 41, when Elizabeth visits Mary, "at the sound of Mary's voice, Elizabeth's child leaped within her."
Regardless of the reason for Olivia's movement, it's my prayer that she would enjoy a relationship with her Heavenly Father to its fullest, learn the contentment found only by residing in His grace, and never be ashamed to "leap" in His presence.
As I'm thinking of the title I just wrote, I realize it could set a negative tone. To the contrary, it's been a good night, finished with a 1 1/2 mile run under an incredibly bright full moon & a skyful of stars. Add to that the fact that it's January, I'm running at 11:30pm and it's a balmy 36 degrees...just a beautiful night to be outside. As I was finishing the last quarter mile, I slowed down a bit to watch the wispy cirrus clouds drift overhead, bright silver in color as they're back lit by the moon.
What a night!
"But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse." Romans 1:20 The Message
Last night I went for a late night hike around Timber-lee with a couple friends. After almost 3 miles, we found ourselves standing on the ice on Peters Lake, looking at deer tracks with the help of our headlamps. As we stood under the stars, listening to owls hooting in the distance, I was struck by the fact that...we were at work! For people who love the outdoors, camp ministry is the best! I think it's our love of the camp environment that gives us the ability to face the trying times that come our way from time to time. The morning "commute" starts by coming face to face with a couple wild turkeys outside my front door. A stressful day in the office can be followed by a sunset kayak trip.
