September 18  -  The 62^nd Psalm begins with these words:  “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.  God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.”  How difficult is it for you to wait for God to respond to your prayers?

For me, I suppose it depends upon the prayer.  When I pray for others, with the knowledge that life is a process, I can just turn things over to God with the assurance that God knows what is best for them, and will make sure the best is what happens.  When I pray for things in my life, sometimes I can truly be patient, and sometimes I get anxious and have a more difficult time in the waiting.  It is then that I have to remind myself, that God knows what is best for me too.  So, it is then that I say, "okay, okay, into your   hands. . ."      

September 16  -  In the midst of the 118^th Psalm we hear these words:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  How can you rejoice in this day, and in the next one?

For me, there are certainly days filled with rejoicing, and others when I question whether I should have even gotten out of bed.  Yet, if I take these words seriously, if I rejoice in each day because God has brought it into being, then it helps to improve my view of things, especially knowing that God not only made the day but walks through it with me, no matter what happens.  Yes, indeed, joy can be found in every day.     

September 13  -  “Praise the Lord, all you nations!  Extol him, all you peoples!  For great is God's steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord!”  That is the entire text of Psalm 117.  How do you experience God’s steadfast love?

For me, that steadfastness, that faithfulness on God’s part is an amazing blessing.  While I try to live as God would have me do, I fail in ways small and great at times, yet always know that God will not abandon me, indeed God will continue to show me the pathway that leads to greater joy through living in God's ways.

Seeking New Directions

        Over these past years I have taken this website in a couple of different directions.  I began with somewhat general comments, settled on looking at the life of smaller churches, and then focused in on the arts especially as they can impact smaller churches.

        I have reached the point where I have written for a number of years about this latter theme, and feel that I have perhaps begun to reflect on things that I have written of in the past.  While I still feel that the arts in smaller churches are so important, and will continue to write about them from time to time, I am seeking a new diection now that may be broader in scope, but hopefully still helpful to those of you who visit this website.

        I am still discerning exactly where I am taking things, but value your visits and would welcome input as to themes that would be helpful to you.

        Thank you for visiting today.