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We were able, yesterday, to buy a house – officially.

Now for the fun that we have been anticipating!

OK, sometimes there are times of anxious anticipation.  What will need to be changed and fixed?  What do “we” want to change and fix?  How will our own fashions dictate the new fashion of our home?

This is the time where we create a new home together.  After almost two years of marriage, we will experience a larger project than where the cereal should be stored, or how many chairs should sit around the dining room table.

The next step!

What a joyous time this will be!

OK, there may be a few points of disagreement and perhaps a little bumpy ride, but we both are committed to working together to create this new home!  Is there a better way to live life?

There is much that looks the same.  The walls have not changed, the stove is still in place and the furnace is still running (for the middle of May, one would wish otherwise).

Packing boxes have taken over other parts of the house.  My wife had planned on packing three boxes a day.  I had planned on culling one bankers box a day.  High hopes – so far we are coming close.

Which means the house, alongside those areas with a lived in look, also has a move out look.  The exact date is yet to be determined.  This is preparation time. 

Waiting is not an easy task.  Perhaps the primary task of waiting is to be still while continuing daily activities.

There is no reason to doubt the current direction – but seconds pass, then minutes and then days.  And you are left with naked hope and a calling that is audible but the sender is unseen.  Sounds like a definition of faith.

Perhaps, as  one recent author has stated, we need to replace the word faith with trust.  When I lean into the future, I trust that I am protected and directed.  When I see an unexpected event sweep away “my” plans, I trust in God’s plans.  When I hear nagging voices harshly criticize my impossible adventure, I trust in God to fulfill what he has spoken.

And so today, I begin, reminded to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Well, that is an interesting topic 🙂

My father, a few years ago, read my blog regularly.  He was always intrigued that I could come up with so many different themes to explore.  I was too!

My mind kind of works that way.  Start a thread and it soon turns into a quilt. With all sorts of stitching here and there.  And a few imperfections along the way, but mostly a great mosaic of thoughts.

Yesterday I was culling my files.  I realized that I had written various comments during my studies, or upon reading an interesting article, or just something that popped into my head.

Somehow the files contained those type of personal thoughts.  Thoughts enough to keep me going for awhile.  An interchange with a seminary professor on the canon.  An archives brochure prepared for local churches.  Even a student newspaper I had edited while at seminary.

Enough to keep this blog going – and maybe another blog or two!!

I have been “culling” various files these past few days. 

Yesterday was my “worship” files. 

My musical ability made me a candidate for the front row of the worship wars in the late years of the past century.  I not only led worship teams as they were evolving in North America, but I taught on the whole subject area.

Three times I taught a seminary course, and at least as many, if not more, times helped to organize and teach worship courses for local churches.  The interaction and stimulation of these teaching experiences still shapes my life today.

Worship is a constant part of our lives.  We choose to worship in the morning.  And at noon.  And in the evening time. 

Corporately, our worship tends to focus most on a once a week service.  Small groups gather and coffee meetings host worship. 

Worship is merely a two way conversation with God.  In that conversation we are reminded that God is God and we are not.  Our expression of that understanding leads to singing, prayer, social action, love, joy, peace and so much more.  We work with the signs of baptism and communion to remind us of the awesome preparation God has done for us.  We pledge to serve as God’s kingdom on earth.  We enjoy God’s throne room and His living room.  We tell others of the God we worship.

At the core, then, worship is core.  Christian worship is the recognition that the way to God in worship is through Jesus Christ.  This is facilitated through the Spirit of God living in us and expressing worship through us.

What a great stream in which to live.  Living waters from God that refresh us and in our growth bring us back to the one who is to be worshipped.

OK, that was just a few files that I looked over.  Good stuff!!