daily life as life goes on . . .

Our town has a unique privilege.

Just on the outskirts is a small dam, called the Motherwell dam.  I sometimes wonder if the name could spell the reason a walking trail around the dam is such a good idea.

Mothers have been known to tell kids to “go for a walk” when they get out of sorts (OK, not when they are toddlers, but sometimes when they are older).  There is a certain wellness that comes from exercise and free thinking. 

I noted that last night as I circled the dam.  You can go at a leisurely pace or a quick trot.  The walk is less than 30 minutes for me.   In that time I was able to clear my head somewhat.  Although situations may not change, our pictures that haunt our heads can change. 

I wonder if I need to walk more often with that thought front and center in my mind, “Since God is for us . . .”.   I have a feeling things would be much better and life, although still filled with disappointments as well as pleasures, would provide a nest for us that was joyful.

Great combination.  Visit my daughter and her family . . . and go to a car show with smoke!!

There really is a car in the middle of the smoke!  You chain down the car to a cement pad, water the pad down, and then let the tires smoke as  you spin the tires.  A bit smelly but rather fun to watch. 

As I stood there, I wondered how you could judge the contest.  After one of two cars the obvious began to appear.  The cars that could rev high and run fast, with exhaust that vented around the wheel wells put on a great show.  The rest . . . well, smoke is fun! 

And then there is the truck that I almost won as a giveaway.  Me, and 350 others.  Unfortunately only one winner . . . But I did get to stand in front of the truck with my daughter and her family.  Next best thing to winning.

Great day – wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Three weeks in a row I have sat down on Thursday evening with young adults.  We potluck together.  Tonight was taco night – I supplied the meats.  Others brought a fruit salad (which had pasta as part of the ingredients – marvelous).  Another brought taco shells.  Another brought dilly bars.  Another one or two brought themselves.

Around the table I ask questions.  One about favourite books.  And another about favourite Bible verses.  The rest of the evening is just conversation.  Around a quick game of UNO, or around the dishes, or even setting the table and sitting at table. 

I laughed so hard, as did others, that we were using our napkins as tissue.  I heard some doubts in life and some situations that require God and others.

I wish I could say that this is an answer table.  Where people come to hear and walk away with surety in their lives.  Well, I do trust God to provide.  At the same time we do plan on being together again next Thursday.  In some ways the promise of a future is not a bad thing. 

So, young adults!  6:00 at my house next Thursday.  It’s pasta night!!

I began today with a little thought from A.W. Tozer.  In his devotional thrust he mentions the need to think rightly.

Interestingly, his thoughts headed down a path I should have expected, but almost missed.  As a boomer I tend to be caught in rational thought.  As post-moderns many are caught in unfocused mystery.  Such extremes often leave us wanting to find the radical middle.

Perhaps the in between is thinking God’s thoughts.  Which starts with prayer.  Uninhibited expressions to God.  Unexpected promptings returned by God.  A sense that I will intentionally spend the time. 

• Spend time lavishly on praise. 
• Spend time lavishly on heart searching. 
• Spend time lavishly on meditation. 
• Spend time lavishly on focusing on Jesus. 
• Spend time lavishly on returning a heart that wanders too easily. 
• Spend time lavishly on God.