at this point, I would consider my summer "officially over". I've just returned from a week of vacation and now its time to finish the preparations for the new semester to begin. Classes will begin in less than 2 weeks, so I've got my work cut out for me.
I returned today from the last bit of summer and as I look back, its been a very busy one. I can't help but thank God for all the blessings He gives. He certainly is gracious. This month started with "Kingdom Bound" in Darien Lake, NY. FLN does a splendid job of hosting this event and has a little something for everyone. My topic was "satisfaction" and I gave 3 choices that David seems to have made as evidenced in his writing of Psalm 63. In and of itself this was a great opportunity, but God gave some wonderful grace gifts on top of it. He allowed me to bring 3 friends along to share the experience. We went to Niagara Falls Sunday night (I spoke Monday afternoon), and saw the fireworks over the falls. What an incredible sight!! All that water. And it just keeps coming; there is no decrease of diminishing of the amount...it just keeps coming. What a great picture of God's lovingkindness and grace. My friends and I were also able to enjoy the park as well as the rest of the scheduled events for that day and the next. This included concerts by Matthew West and Casting Crowns (which we watched from the open field on a clear night!)
After Kingdom Bound I had scheduled a week away to regroup a bit before the semester begins. God was so gracious yet again giving a week of beautiful weather to enjoy along with the company of Christie and her family. They were so kind to allow me to just "be" and join in with their daily life. I'm grateful to God for the refreshment He gives through people, and my friendship with Christie is mutually encouraging and refreshing. What a gift we have.
While away I read a new book...there's a surprise! I had originally taken one I have read before but try to read at least yearly, Humility, by CJ Maheney, but Christie had just gotten several new books so I picked up one of them and started to read. It is "Practical Theology for Women" by Wendy Horger Alsup. Now, there's nothing different that women need to do when learning theology. She doesn't treat the topic as though her readers are weaker. Alsup actually takes a hard-lined practical look at how our beliefs about God really don't match up with what we say we believe about Him. This really leaves us with only 2 options: 1. We don't know about Him, or 2. We choose not to live as though He is for real. The beginning of the book speaks to the matter of faith and what that really looks like and then she dives into some of the content--who God is. If you get a chance, its a good read.
Well, that's a small wrap up from an overflowing heart of gratitude. I feel as though God is giving me new air to breathe. And I want to be sure to take a deep breath.
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