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When doing work becomes pleasure makes life so much more enjoyable.

We have been looking for curriculum for our Family Bible School this coming fall.  We’ve checked on-line curriculum, gone to the mainstream publishers catalogues and even contemplated writing our own.

Then, one day, a couple mentioned a series of videos they were watching.  The young daughter and her dad had to have the videos pried out of their hands in order for us to preview them.

Now I know why.  I have completed three of the DVD’s and I’m sold on the series! 

The series is called, “What’s in the Bible?”.  Produced and narrated by Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales, there is that same sense of humor and candid approach.  The series uses puppets, and even has outtakes on the DVD! 

A take off on Sesame Street, and with all sorts of other references to our current society, the series has me laughing and thinking.  Some things were so easily put that now I have a new understanding that seven years of college/seminary didn’t give me.

Recommended for your viewing, if you have the opportunity! 

I’m putting away my snow shovels!

This is in faith believing that we will not have a great snow storm in the next while.  I say that, because yesterday I was driving in snow.  Not a lot, but it was still snow.

And, I am making sure that I know where my rakes and spring equipment are to be found. 

This is in faith believing that green will grow soon.  I’ve seen hints of the green when I brush snow and leaves off the lawn.  Not a lot, but enough to keep the faith!

This has been a longer winter than most.  Evidence is found in the halls and gathering places.  Our normal topic of conversation, the weather, has become abnormal in how much time it occupies.

And so, farewell to winter.  Hello spring!  In faith believing – and knowing that God has created the seasons, I hold that with conviction!!

In my reading I came across this statement in Henri Nouwen’s book, “The way of the heart.”  (p. 63-64)

The literal translation of the words “pray always” is “come to rest”. . . This rest, however, has little to do with the absence of conflict or pain. It is a rest in God in the midst of a very intense daily struggle.

Good thought to start the day. 

Rest and struggle?  How does that work?

Must be a God thing!!

As I look out the window this morning, the temperatures are still below zero.  Our spring this year has continued on the cold side.

But, the sun is shining.  There is a slight breeze and the next few days are forecasted to be warmer.

This week and next have been booked.  I will spend time in the car once again.  While a great place for quiet and solitude, there is still the constant attention  and vigilence that is needed.  I wonder how salespeople keep up the pace when traveling thousands of kilometers a week.

I will head to the office to prepare for coming activities.  In the midst of all that, I am going to try to practice a sense of solitude and silence.  Reading through a book by Henri Nouwen, he reminds me that silence is not always being without words, but in our words having an approach of silence. 

A sign of older age is the desire to have less clutter and more space.  I want to intentionally work through my house.  In three short months there will be the clutter of two homes molded into one.  Better to have less than to have so much that you despair of knowing what to do with it all.

And so, my week begins – with a few things in mind!  This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.