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Some things in life just energize you. Like leading a choir.  Or moderating an all candidates forum.  Or hosting a dinner.  Or leading a hymn sing.  These are all things that I'm seeing in a new light. Yesterday I had the first practice with a youth choir at our local high school. Now, I can tend to be enthusiastic when I'm involved in something I love.  And boisterous.  And loud.  Which can get me into trouble.  At the same time, there is a sense in the group that this could be fun.  The response is enthusiasm as well.  I think we had that with the choir.  We tried one Christmas song.  Easy arrangement.  Then just threw in a different rhythm.  By then the noon hour practice time was done. Way too quickly. Next meeting?  Monday at noon.  Should be fun!

I've realized the benefit of fitness.  When you shovel snow four times in one day, either you are laid up for the next week or you are feeling quite well. I'm somewhere in between.  I do ride a stationery bike each day (for 20 minutes or so).  I do enjoy a bit of walking during the day (not as much as would be good for me).  And I am trying to eat following the regimen I had set up a few years ago:  select food, small portions and no snacks after eight. As I write this, I'm glad darkness is still upon the earth.  At least I'm not feeling guilty. I can't see whether I need to shovel the walk again!!

So, last night a Calgaryite warned me that snow was on the way.  My mother-in-law, in Belleville, Ontario, mentioned that what we get comes their way in a few days. I awoke to white on the ground.  It was not covering the ground around 1:00 in the morning.  Amazing how these things creep up (or is that fall down) on us. Outside to shovel the driveway earlier this morning.  Thankfully I had scooped up some leaves and checked my eavestroughs yesterday.  And had made sure my snow shovels were easily accessible.  Not really expecting the white flakes to fall.  But here they are.  Winter is come and the season of dormancy is upon us.  Out of this will grow the beauty of Spring.  I know of the days of Winter.  All of us have battled through periods in our lives.  Resurrection will come!  Thanks be to God!

A few months ago I began a sermon series on following hard after God.  My associate then had a four week series on listening to God - mostly on prophecy.  As I contemplated where to head next, the idea of friendship arose.  Of course, I'm in a whole "new normal".  Friendships I have had for years are now being reevaluated - both on my part and on the part of others.  For many years it was always - Jill and Ron.  Now it's - Ron.  Where Jill carried a friendship, I have had to decide whether to step up my involvement or trust God to provide others to do that.  Where I have been the primary initiator in the friendship, I have had to decide what is appropriate to continue. Which has brought me to the matter of the core of friendship.  I am finding that those I talk to - those who have suffered loss in different ways - are quick to point out that we have to start with God.  That we have to return to our first love - Jesus.  That's the foundation. So today, I'm going to try and explain that in my sermon.  Pray with and for me as the words flow and the ideas go out to others.