coming apart
So I got a call from my friend, Pastor Dan Haifley, asking me if I would assist in the ordination of a young man in their church. I was thankful for the opportunity, and when it didn't work out for me to take Kristy and the kids, I decided to go early and take some time for reflection and solitude.
Camp Mack is located close to the church, and I had stayed there in the past. It is a beautiful lake setting, with cabins and trails and great facilities. It's also very quiet and peaceful this time of year.
I arrived late Friday evening, and after some rest and time of personal worship, I headed out for a walk. The air was crisp, but the sun was shining bright, and it made for the perfect mix. I walked around the grounds, thanking God for what He had made, emptying my mind and letting it wander.
I headed down a path toward an observation deck, and came upon standing water across the path. I started to turn around, then I thought, Why can't I just take off my shoes and socks and wade through? I'm not going to let a little water stop me!
Because the water was colder than I could have imagined, that's why. Because it completely threw off the balance of crisp air and warm sun, and sent shivers clear through my body.
The trip down the rest of the path, up the observation deck, to take the picture below, and get back to my shoes took four minutes, tops.
It was a beautiful day, though, and a beautiful setting. I couldn't remember seeing water so calm, so clearly reflective of the puffy clouds and blue sky.
I headed back to my cabin, and pulled a couch in the direct path of sunlight pouring through a window. With my Bible, a journal, and some reading in hand, I spent several glorious hours praying, reading, reflecting, napping in the sunlight, resting.
When Jesus was walking among us, He took several opportunities to spend time alone, away from His followers, the crowds, His life. I've been told that it's important to do, but I had never made this much time before, or come this far apart from my life.
It totally recharged me. This will not be the last time.
Camp Mack is located close to the church, and I had stayed there in the past. It is a beautiful lake setting, with cabins and trails and great facilities. It's also very quiet and peaceful this time of year.
I arrived late Friday evening, and after some rest and time of personal worship, I headed out for a walk. The air was crisp, but the sun was shining bright, and it made for the perfect mix. I walked around the grounds, thanking God for what He had made, emptying my mind and letting it wander.
I headed down a path toward an observation deck, and came upon standing water across the path. I started to turn around, then I thought, Why can't I just take off my shoes and socks and wade through? I'm not going to let a little water stop me!
Because the water was colder than I could have imagined, that's why. Because it completely threw off the balance of crisp air and warm sun, and sent shivers clear through my body.The trip down the rest of the path, up the observation deck, to take the picture below, and get back to my shoes took four minutes, tops.
It was a beautiful day, though, and a beautiful setting. I couldn't remember seeing water so calm, so clearly reflective of the puffy clouds and blue sky.
I headed back to my cabin, and pulled a couch in the direct path of sunlight pouring through a window. With my Bible, a journal, and some reading in hand, I spent several glorious hours praying, reading, reflecting, napping in the sunlight, resting.
When Jesus was walking among us, He took several opportunities to spend time alone, away from His followers, the crowds, His life. I've been told that it's important to do, but I had never made this much time before, or come this far apart from my life.It totally recharged me. This will not be the last time.
posted by pastor mike at 9:34 PM
1 Comments:
Had you heard that Cedar River Baptist Camp in Letts, Iowa, is going to be reopening? I was on a cleaning crew with other laid off or flexibly scheduled Northwest Independent Bible Baptist Church members out cleaning and fixing it up Wednesday through Friday. It is still a mess, but much less of a mess than it was, and it will keep getting better as more crews go through it.
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