We enjoy worshiping at Camp Geneva during the summer. What's not to love about Lake Michigan on a warm Sunday morning? Exactly. Nothing! Camp Geneva sits above the beautiful sandy beach only a few miles drive from our home. We enjoy the variety of pastors. We enjoy the relaxed service. We enjoy the 10:00 a.m. service time.
This morning there was nothing warm about Camp Geneva. Sure it's July, but it's also July in Michigan. The fact that last week was 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity meant nothing today to Michigan's Mother Nature.
This morning it was was cold. It was rainy. Today was not a beach day.
Nonetheless, today the ARC (the Sunday worship center) was filled with worshipers. In the row in front of us sat a family with small children. As the service began, I noticed one of the girls shivering. She looked to be about seven or eight years old. She had a fuzzy jacket with her and as she attempted to drape it over her body to warm herself, her movement attracted the attention of her Dad. He immediately leaned over and whispered to her. As she nodded a silent, "yes," he scooped her up into his broad arms and snuggled her into his lap. He gently wrapped his arms around her and engulfed her small frame with his largeness.
The moment was tender and beautiful. It was simply a father's reaction of love at seeing his child's distress.
God is exactly like that father. And I am his daughter. He sees me when I am in distress and whispers words of comfort and love. If I listen to his words, I can jump straight into his arms of strength and protection. I can be wrapped in his largeness. It's then that I am safe. I am loved. You are loved. We are his beloved.
Isaiah 41:10:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Clear Skies Ahead
Monday morning, I took the highway route in to work. The weather forecast for this day included a severe weather alert. The highway runs a straight north-south line splitting East from West and on Monday, the road split the weather line as well. To the East, dark rain clouds formed in an ominous sky. To the West, scattered clouds splattered across a visibly crisp, blue sky.
Lucky for me, my exit from the highway took me in a westerly direction. As I waited for traffic to clear at the exit ramp stop, I pondered the way the morning's weather parallels life.
Other days we travel under crisp, blue sky. Life shines happiness over our days. Love. Life. Success. We bask in the glory of the sun and good times.
It is easy to see God during the sunny days. His love is evident. But God is also present during the ominous weather. He is there. Watching. Protecting. Loving. Loving. Loving.
In the hard times, read Psalm 18:2:
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
In good times, read Psalm 95:1:
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation."
What's your weather forecast?
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Birds of a feather...
I went to the beach yesterday. Nothing compares with the joy of sitting on the sands of Lake Michigan, listening to the serene sound of rippling waves lapping the shore. It is relaxing. It is restful. It is sheer peacefulness in God's creation.
The beach I visit most often is a small township beach a few minutes from my home. For the most part, it is quiet, filled mostly with small families or singles. If excitement and crowds are desired, this beach most definitely does not fit the bill.
Yesterday, on a stretch of beach to the north of me, a large contingent of sea gulls congregated. They crowded around this area of beach, numbering fifty or more. Later, they seemed to decide a line dance was in order, as they formed a straight line just at the shore's edge.
Sea gulls have a bad reputation. They are often obnoxious. They most often are heard screeching at each other when food is an object of affection. Gulls cause annoying commotion any time a beach goer feeds them, and unfortunately, they also usually deposit unwanted "droppings" upon unsuspecting sunbathers. Amazingly enough, yesterday the gulls were well behaved. The were quiet. There was no loud screeching, no boisterous fighting. They simply gathered together in shared unity.
As is often the case, these gulls reminded me of life. Or, in this instance, the church. The church, like sea gulls, often has a bad reputation. Church-going Christians are often heard criticizing. Criticizing other Christians. Criticizing worship. Arguing over theology. Fighting over Bible context. Causing an annoying commotion. It's no wonder that folks are turned off by the church. I'm as guilty as the next Christian. And for that, I'm sorry.
For the sake of the church's future, we need to change. We need to quit the bickering. We need to take a lesson from yesterday's gulls. We need to gather in shared unity. We need to form a line of solidarity. Our goal? Serving our Lord, Jesus Christ with one heart and one mind.
Romans 15:5-7:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
The beach I visit most often is a small township beach a few minutes from my home. For the most part, it is quiet, filled mostly with small families or singles. If excitement and crowds are desired, this beach most definitely does not fit the bill.
Yesterday, on a stretch of beach to the north of me, a large contingent of sea gulls congregated. They crowded around this area of beach, numbering fifty or more. Later, they seemed to decide a line dance was in order, as they formed a straight line just at the shore's edge.
Sea gulls have a bad reputation. They are often obnoxious. They most often are heard screeching at each other when food is an object of affection. Gulls cause annoying commotion any time a beach goer feeds them, and unfortunately, they also usually deposit unwanted "droppings" upon unsuspecting sunbathers. Amazingly enough, yesterday the gulls were well behaved. The were quiet. There was no loud screeching, no boisterous fighting. They simply gathered together in shared unity.
As is often the case, these gulls reminded me of life. Or, in this instance, the church. The church, like sea gulls, often has a bad reputation. Church-going Christians are often heard criticizing. Criticizing other Christians. Criticizing worship. Arguing over theology. Fighting over Bible context. Causing an annoying commotion. It's no wonder that folks are turned off by the church. I'm as guilty as the next Christian. And for that, I'm sorry.
For the sake of the church's future, we need to change. We need to quit the bickering. We need to take a lesson from yesterday's gulls. We need to gather in shared unity. We need to form a line of solidarity. Our goal? Serving our Lord, Jesus Christ with one heart and one mind.
Romans 15:5-7:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)