Passing The Time

Evenings grow chilly on the northern plains as I ponder the events and lives encountered this past week. One night in particular stands out in stark contrast to the world in which we live. The moon is nearing full so walking in the woods was easy once my eyes adjusted to the dark. Scents emanating from the surrounding trees and undergrowth soon pervaded my olfactory sense as I drank in deeply the night air. Small creatures could be heard scurrying about amidst the undergrowth as I made my way further into the timber. I don't suppose I was gone from the group for more than half an hour, but the time was undiscernable, other than being gauged by the slow rise of earth's evening monitor. The tendency for me to wander in thought further served my ability to forget time. Songs emanated from the distant studio whose lights could only but just be seen through the overhanging limbs still weighted with leaves soon to be shed. There are no trails through these trees, so I quickly lost any direction other than the light behind and the stars above. It was beautiful! Night's calm only broken by the distant sound of the drum as it was brought repeatedly to life with the rhythmic poundings of many people. Their voices chanting songs now centuries, or more, old. Soon my mental images conjurred up a fire surrounded by people much like myself. An urge to create just such a fire overcame me and I hurriedly returned, retiring to the far side of the home and driveways, to the firepit where I indulged my fantasy of flickering firelight. Soon there was a blaze established and others began to join the circle. Again, since I wear no watch when working on God's time, I have no idea how long we were there, but by the time the fire had begun to dwindle many thoughts were shared. Observations of out world and it's continuing difficulties, comments on the recent economic upheavals, and, of course, all of the accompanying accolades concerning the work we are doing. Our prayers go up and out at times such as this to those who are in need, and those who suffer. It seems no matter how good our lives are we seek constantly in prayer to uplift those who are not so fortunate. Today one of our circle sojourns across the prairie to bring solace and comfort to a family in regard to the recent loss of their mother, another is arriving in our 4th largest city to receive a national award, yet another prepares for an evening of sharing the "old songs" with brothers and sisters in Colorado. I prepare to provide inspirational uplifting to the Body of Christ here in Brookings at First Baptist through music and song. We will all return to the circle next week to share our experiences of this and other days that we are apart, and that is good. It has always been this way, will always be this way! For some the passing of time is a constant source of anxiety over all the human concerns of life, for others it is enough to know that we are doing all we can to relieve the cause of the anxieties. When you worship tomorrow take a moment to give thanks for the good in your life. Life in and of itself is cause for celebration. Celebrating life in Christ provides the strength to make the much needed difference in others lives, and after all, is that not why our Savior came? He came to make a difference in my life, and in yours! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Just to let everyone know, this is the official version of the Triumph pic posted on the HOG thing. The other was without spousal approval. God bless, Preacher. 

Worried About The Future? Don't Be! It's In Great Hands.

I just got done sending a reply to a lady who is very upset about the rulings in California about the pledge of allegiance. The story is probably everywhere by now. I don't give advice to people, but I do try to give them insight when it comes to their personal levels of emotional investment in issues. Kathy(pictured above)is one of several children belonging to a troup who do outreach ministry(christian-as in for Christ)all over the nation. It is young people like these that we need to look to when it comes to issues concerning how the government or the schools, or anyone else, for that matter, tries to legislate our religious freedoms. It cannot be done. One person going out and causing an uproar only serves to strengthen the cause of my Savior. As a columnist once put it, "Any publicity is good publicity." That is what folks accomplish when they bring these things into the courts. They actually provide fodder for more sermon material on Sunday mornings and strengthen more people's faith than they are capable of understanding. The harder you push, the harder you get pushed back. Letting God be God, and keeping my own levels of anger under restraint is not easy for me. I use the only tool that I know really works, prayer. In the end, there will be more positive ramifications to these sort of proceedings than we can imagine now. And even if the kids don't say it out loud, it is in their minds and their hearts. You may be able to legislate what can or cannot be said, but there is still no way you can possibly control the thoughts of young people. Thank God for that blessing. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

The fellow in the plane is certain where he is headed, so is the guy in the chute. Wouldn't each of us like to be just as certain of where we're headed? 

Longing For Freedom

More and more people every day are seeking freedom. I'm not always certain what freedom is for them so I have to ask. Mostly I get the regular answers one would expect out here on the Great American Desert. I suppose it's the same as everywhere else, but I can't be sure because I haven't been "everywhere else" lately. People seem to seek a variety of avenues that are healthy, but more often than not, we are persuing unhealthy freedoms at an alarming rate. Maybe that is why the mere mention of defining their idea of freedom frightens a lot of folks. The guys in these pics have found their freedom in the air, far above the earth. A lot of people I know find it on two wheels, and many more find it in simply getting away from the day to day work world. True freedom, though, is found in the spirit that resides within each one of us. That's a lesson I learned while in the midst of working at the SD state pen. People behind bars are sometimes more free than their brothers and sisters out here running around. They have that barrier which insulates them from the evils of the world as well as keeping them from being perpetrators of evil. For some with whom I've spent a good deal of time philosophizing, their freedom for life came when they were separated from the world, cut off, isolated. Many became 100% straight and sober for the first time in their adult life. (Now I know for certain that I've opened a can of worms that cannot be dealt with in this little space.) True freedom comes with wholeness. Wholeness comes as a result of being in harmony with the tripart nature of our being. Body, mind, and spirit, we don't do well on one or two, we need all three to live wholly, to live freely. If there is that sense of something missing in your life that you can't quite put your finger on, but oftimes refer to it as freedom it may be time to take inventory. Just a quick check before jumping, to make sure that where you're headed is where you will want to be when you arrive. Look first to your health, physical and mental. If the green light is on and you still aren't sure about your directions, check that spiritual side and see if it is fulfilling that part of your being's needs. Faith is foundational. Faith is as needed for us to be whole as water is necessary for our survival. God knows this, and when we get "inside" ourselves, we know it, too! Look before you leap to that freedom that you seek. Make certain that everything is working the way it should. These sky jocks would never jump without checking on their chutes, and in that there is a lesson to be sought, over and over. God bless, Preacher.

Gotta Learn To Be Quicker On The Draw

I wasn't quick enough today to capture the faces of the folks that made the somber outdoor atmosphere less oppressive, but the flowers held still quite nicely for me!
God bless, Preacher.

Change Is In The Air

Saturday was hot, dry, and windy, more the norm for early August that mid September, but this time of year we will take all the good days we can get. The rains have settled in once more in South Dakota. Neither the barometer or thermometer can tell up from down. The flowers know, though, and so do the birds, winter is rapidly approaching. Personally I am praying for one of those "lingering" seasons. There are years out here on the Great American Desert in which the snows and sub zero conditions hold off until well into January. The migration habits of the geese are one of the most telling signs, along with other birds, such as the tiny humming bird that was busily buzzing around the yellow flowers. I attempted to capture the tiny creature on the digital but I was far too slow. I think that's because it was a laid back Monday and without the sun present in the sky to keep me apprised of the passing of time I was in that "inbetween" stage. I'm sure passersby on highway 14 wondered what I was doing sitting alongside the road in the car. What I wanted was an opportunity to capture the sunshine and accompanying rays that I was certain were going to burst forth gloriously from their hiding places amidst the clouds. They never did. I suppose for some people, days like this are depressing. I know I had that inclination begin about midway through the day, but then I started searching for sunshine in places other than the sky. I found it! The glorious rays were found in the smiles of a grandchild, a blown kiss, a hand of friendship and the enjoyment of another's excitement over her impending wedding and the new home they are planning to purchase. Happiness is contagious(you wouldn't have guessed this by the faces of the folks at the supermarket or out on the road), but it is! It begins in our own hearts and spreads to all of those with whom we are able to share. Joy is a choice, one that each of us consciously makes. I know, it isn't all that easy to always be looking on the "bright side" of life, but I really like to try! Billy Graham wrote, "I am convinced that only Jesus can meet the deepest needs of our world and our hearts." Seeking happiness and joy? Seek first in faith, the rest will come. In Christ's Love, Preacher.