Peace

The history of humanity is not one of peace! Students of ancient eras will agree that the one element that is consistently missing throughout mankind's march toward tomorrow is peace. Perhaps it is simply not a part of our collective nature to be "peaceful." My Savior spoke the words, "My peace I give to you, not as the world gives give I unto you." This is good, for there is little peace to be found in our world. I seek it daily, in moments of meditation, time spent with the piano, and in my relationships with people. Rarely, if ever, is it more than momentary, but I find it so deeply satisfying that I continue to try and attain that state of mind. Spirituality is one of the keys that can unlock the door of peace within each of us. Along with that is the need for true wholeness in ourselves. Body, mind, and spirit, coexisting as one is another key. Don't take this as an attempt to get you to embrace a philosophy or religion, it's not. This is just one writer's way of addressing the personal issue of peace in life. I know without a doubt when I have returned to the world from my moments of peace, everything changes to a degree. I believe that what Christ was leading us in the direction of was a greater understanding of ourselves in relation to all that surrounds us. That may be one of the arenas in which the master of deception works most diligently. Anything that is truly peaceful is an opposing force to the chaos and disruption that is part of our lives. No, we cannot escape the commotion, but we do have a choice to make as to how it impacts us. If you have ever been on a guided meditation you know that the primary focus is on that "place of peace" that only you know within yourself. Mine happens to be near the water, the sun is warm on my skin and the sand beneath me is warm as well. Close by the water is gently lapping at the shore, and sounds are felt as much as heard. In my mind's eye I can look on this place of peace as though from a distance and appreciate it for what it is to me. It is an opportunity to gently rest my head in the comfort of creation as I commune with the Creator and His Son by means of the Spirit He has given to dwell within me. For everyone it is probably different, but I claim this one and urge you to find one of your very own to enjoy when you slip away from a world that is anything but peaceful. God bless, Preacher.

Novel Indulgence!

I love wheels! Always have, from my earliest memories on I have been fascinated by them. Maybe it is because the circle is so perfect. This vehicle is an antique by today's standards. Built back in '60 or '61 with a four cylinder, aircooled engine and a new vision on ease of mobility. Forerunner of the van and the PPVs and SUVs, a hybrid! The cyber age is upon us, and I don't think the world has a clue as to what we'll be seeing by way of innovations during the next 40 years. I do know this, though, we are losing much of the importance of communication in our haste to do it better. I've been informed recently that the book is going to be obsolete. Already people are changing the manner in which they communicate with one another at an intimate level. Through the coming of age of the computer we have drawn away from one another, and away from our collective Creator. Perhaps a "new god" has appeared and turned our hearts and minds away from the true God. I think this is a part of what is happening across the globe. In the midst of the declining christian church we are struggling day by day to keep alive the "old" ways. This puts me in mind of many of my native friends. We can learn a lot from their culture. Right here in the midst of all the changes the 21st century brings with it we can find the means by which to keep alive the "true" paths to righteousness. God holds a crown for His followers which surpasses any and all worldly knowledge or wealth, even that which rolls on wheels. The crown is awarded to those who choose to follow Christ and believe. Now, why is it so hard for folks living in an age of cyberspace to grasp the truth of the unseen? Perhaps it is for lack of understanding. Or, perhaps it is because so many of the religious leaders of the past 50 years have fallen prey to worldly ways. Maybe our faith has become unfashionable. Or maybe we just have not been able to crack the nut of understanding which is afforded us through the new tools of communication. Thought for tonight....Christ did not set forth on His ministry journey following in another's footsteps. He blazed new trails! He opened hearts and changed lives by giving His own. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Super Sized Blessings!

 
My wife and our eldest grandson are pictured yesterday on the occasion of his 16th b'day. Interesting to see the changes over the years. For the first 5 years of his life this young man(now 6' 2" and innumerable pounds)was my wife's constant companion. I didn't have the pleasure of spending as much time with him as I would have liked until about 6 years ago. By age 10 he and Cheryl were about the same height. What a difference a few years can make! A super-sized blessing is what I would call him these days. My wife also qualifies for this title, as well as my soon to be 5 year old youngest grand daughter. Any one of these three individuals can spin my hours in any number of directions beyond my ability to control. I worry about so many folks in my life that sometimes I forget to worry about me, and that, too, is a blessing. There are some facets of our lives that remain unchanging, always. God's love is the first to come to mind. We never outgrow God's love, or our need for all that He provides. We get bigger, older, sometimes wiser, but God never changes. In the hearts and minds that accompany our journey through life there are other unchanging loves. I've learned that no matter how many children we have there is plenty of love to go around. No matter how many grands we are blessed with there is enough love to go around. When it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter how many we gather about us there is always plenty of love to spare for one more. Blessed is the man who when he starts counting his blessings from the smallest to the largest, the list grows and grows even while we are trying to add it all up. The list is longer today than it was yesterday, and it will have grown again before I waken in the morning. The choice is ours, though, of whether or not we are going to "super-size" those blessings. We make those choices in our relationships everyday. I give thanks that our Lord chose only one size for His blessing of our lives, and that was super! In Christ's Love, Preacher. 

A New Year Begins

 
I've been experiencing a form of writer's block. Not only have I found it difficult to get into the blog mode, but even writing to friends has slowed to a mere trickle since the start of the new year. Our snow and ice situation worsened this evening when my wife did a quick slide on to her backside during the latest round of "strange" weather. Our temperatures were hovering at the 26 degree mark and a light mist was coming down. Not ususally a problem, just strange that it wasn't snow, the weird part is how it freezes on pavement and leaves everything looking good, but slick as snot on a doorknob! Another very strange thing has happened with our weather, there has been no wind to speak of out here for a week. It's different, and unlike most of the years on the Great American Desert in the winter we aren't having mini-blizzards to make us totally miserable. The most interesting thing, though, is the people. Smiles seem to be far removed from day to day life and nobody is telling jokes like they usually do. It's becoming a strange winter. A little sunshine goes a long ways when things have been really gray for awhile. My prayers have been including a "ps" at the end of each with regard to my personal lack of brightness. All in all, though, life is far better than I deserve it being. I give thanks for that, and for my multitude of blessings shared each day with anyone who is willing to hear. God bless, Preacher. 

Last Thoughts For The Year

Although it is now 2006 I count this with the 2005 notes. The shots you see above were taken during the course of the latest winter storm to assail the Great American Desert. 80 miles south the wind hit 30 mph and the early morning snow became a blizzard. Hundreds of miles north the world ceased to exist within the confines of a world known only to those who survive on the prairies of Dakota. That's the way winter life is out here. Today the sun broke through in the late afternoon and I(should have been practicing at the church, but it was too cold in the sanctuary anyway)got caught up in the wonder of the ice and snow. The 35mm which I rarely use these days came out of my camera bag and I drove through town shooting postcard perfect(well, we won't know that until they are developed)pictures of our current winter wonderland. Just moments ago I was on the phone simultaneously with my youngest daughter and my wife. Did you know you can hold a cell phone and a land line phone up in such a way that the people you are talking to can talk to each other? It was good, and that is what I have to say about the year 2005! It was good! We are doing much better than I thought we would be doing, and we are breaking new ground every day in the service of our Lord. I can't list my prayers for the new year, they will have to come a little at a time, as does this online endeavor. I pray for our world most of all, and I wish to give the very best, as God has done for you and me. I wonder what the next chapter of my life is going to include, as I'm certain most of us do this time of year. The possibilities are as boundless as the sunshine that lit up our world today! The future is as bright as we are willing to believe it to be. May God guide your every waking moment. May your every day be a "wonderland" to explore with eyes made bright by the love to be found in Christ! May you come to find all that you desire in the year that is ahead of us. A simple prayer, offered by a simple soul seeking to share the love of God with all. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

 
The 21st century is a wonderful place in which to live! Anything is possible, even you, reading me! You are a wondrful creation of My Maker. He did everything that He could to make you the most perfect individal that you could possibly be!
Tonight I have stretched my fingers across the length and breadth of this world. Calls are still awaiting overseas, but that is not the why of me writing. I address you as an individual who has every choice available.......Embrace Christ as your Savior.....Do not hesitate...tonight is the night,,,,God loves you! Always has, and alway will and desires that you enter into an eternal relationship with Him. Talk to me cltl@brookings.net. In Christ's Love, Preacher. 

Couldn't Resist

 
This is one of those "out my office door" shots. I just had to give it a whirl to see how the pictures might look. There is no breeze to speak of and the gentle snowflakes are beautiful as they drift groundwards. It's about a quarter to two in the am real time. God bless, Preacher.