Faith Adventure

"She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her:  "You are the God who sees me,"  for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."  Genesis 16:13.

Have you read the magnificent history of the Patriarchs?  I'm sure many of you like myself had heard the story here and there throughout your childhood in Sunday school or children's church.  Maybe a portion had been read from the pulpit at one time or another.  I have to say reading and studying it all together in context over the past several weeks has been like reading a best seller, oh wait..my bad, the Bible is the number one best seller of all time :)  Well, you know what I mean, one of those books you can't put down, that you'll stay up all night to read.  I guess that's where things start to shift for some of us.  We'll stay up all night reading Twilight, John Grisham's new creation or maybe even a good work of Christian fiction by someone like Liz Curtis Higgs or Francine Rivers.  The Bible may be the number one best seller of all time but is it the number one "read" book of all time?  I doubt it.  We carry it to church but I'm confident the masses don't stay up all night reading it or dare I say even pick it up the rest of the week?  Don't get confused thinking I'm preaching at you trying to exonerate myself, I'm guilty too.  I've read all those books I listed!  I try to have a quiet time every day and lately I have been better at it than other times but we all have room for improvement.  More time..isn't that what we all dream of?  I have to admit, I've had alot of time on my hands lately.  Resigning my job in November of 2009  has left me with more time than I've had in the past 25 years.  Unemployment is sometimes a scary and uncertain place.  At the same time it's an adventure in faith.  I have to stop and give praise here.  God has not failed my family.  He has provided abundantly.  This study has come at the most appropriate time for me and where I am in my life right now.  "Leave and go" the Lord told Abraham.  "To a land that I will show you."  Abraham had no idea where he was going!  This is where I can relate.  I have no idea what God has in store for me, where I will work or when he will say "It's time, this is the place I have called you to."  but I'm learning from Abraham that I don't have to know, I just need to obey and have faith that he knows the plans he has for me.  Some days I feel like Hagar as she wandered in the desert alone and then God will speak to me through his word, assuring me that he will never leave me or forsake me, that he is my shepherd, I shall not want.  Like Hagar I can say that in an uncertain season of my life I have become certain of one thing..He is El Roi.  The God who sees me.  You want to know what else?  I have seen him.  I've seen his hand at work because I realize he sees me.  He sees and knows because he is Omniscient (knowing all things).  What about you?  Do you feel like God cares about you?  That he sees you?  That he knows you?  Let me assure you, he does and he does.  We can face uncertain days and continue on our faith adventure because he sees and knows. Praise God!

  

Finally Fall

To everything there is a season

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I absolutely LOOOVE fall! To say that it is my favorite season would be a gross understatement. I was born in the fall, maybe that's why I like it so much. Maybe it has to do with the milder temperatures, the brisk air, flavored coffees, full moons, harvest festivals, fires, pumpkins, spiced tea..speaking of spiced tea, one of my favorite memories of fall is sitting around my friend Nina's green 50's style table sipping her warm spiced tea, sharing conversation and friendship. Then there is the beautiful display of nature and the colors of fall as the leaves transform and take on a new shade of mahogany, gold, umber, orange and red. Sunday mornings are lovely as I drive to church and take in the majestic display of God's creation. It is a canvas all it's own. I can hardly wait to see it through the lens of my camera this season. Fall is the kick off for the holiday season with all the fabulous foods that revolve around Thanksgiving and Christmas and the soups, chilis, smores and hotdogs roasted over the open fire we will console oursleves with until the celebration time arrives. I have wonderful memories of fall camping with Blake and his cousins and friends at Wynne, carving pumpkins, making dream catchers, hiking. Reading ghost stories and sitting by the crackling fire mesmerized by the dancing flames. What do you love about fall? What are some of your favorite memories? Have you turned off the air and opened the windows like we have, snuggling under a down comforter with the crisp breeze floating through the rooms creating the perfect sleeping environment? Have you dressed your home with pumpkins, gourds, hay, and scarecrows? Are you attending a costume party or a special event at your church? Are you as excited about the fall season as I am? I pray that you will find the beauty in this fall season. That the Lord will bless your family with wonderful times together that will fill your own memory bank for the coming years. I pray that you will take the time to spend with your friends, those people that enhance your life. Maybe over a cup of coffee and dessert, or maybe under a quilt opening up and really sharing, maybe we'll find you hanging out around a fire with marshmallows and chocolate dripping from your fingers and a smile on your face. I hope so. I hope you really take it all in and experience it with joy. I can hardly stand the anticipation, Fall is finally here!