Tonight my wife arrives home.
With our summer plans this year, I started with a week away at a conference. My return was just after my wife had left to do fulfil a painting contract in Regina.
Our paths did not cross, but thankfully we have been able to talk to each other each day. Not quite as fulfilling as face-to-face conversation, but well worth it.
Today, we get back together.
I am thankful – and looking forward to tonight.
Today gives me an opportunity to be in the dirt.
We are having a rototiller revival!
That basically means anyone who has a rototiller can bring it by the church. Others (and they themselves, if they wish) will spend time tilling around trees and generally cleaning the grounds.
This is something well worth a bit of exercise and an opportunity to work alongside others. We’ll see who comes – I will be there to at least do some clean up if nothing else.
And so begins a new day!
First John is one of those books!
Let me just say that this is a book found in the Christian Scriptures. I’m learning that most people around me have not been brought up to recognize the books of the Bible – as I am somewhat ignorant of the Kuran or of the rabbinical books of the Jewish faith.
Probably my first real push into the book came in a time when I was travelling full time in a singing group. Each week we had a time of concentrated study together (we call these devotional times). Our leader had picked up a book that smelled new, with grapes on the front and published by “Benson”. Funny how certain details stick out.
Inside was a commentary on First John. Now, 40 years ago, most commentaries were dry reads. You had to really focus because the writing was academic and often unrelated to life.
This book/commentary was open and fun and storytelling. While I can’t remember much of the actual wording, I do remember that the thrust was to live together in harmony – both before God and before other people.
So, as I was looking for a sermon series, one of the reasons I turned to First John was that very theme. We are all surrounded by other people and God is always present. We are always going to have to work at working/playing/loving/living together.
Now, 40 years later, I’d like to go back and dig a little deeper. Perhaps something old and something new will make for a good combination!
Well, the last week or so went quickly. The trip to Ottawa was there – and then back. Conference business and services were packed in with a little time to see the Parliament Hill.
Today was a regroup day. I did laundry and mowed lawn and shopped. I talked to a friend, my daughter and my wife – all over the phone!
Tomorrow is back to work day.
And Sunday is our anniversary – one year of marriage!
Good to be back! Again and again!