What once was . . .

About one month ago, I found myself on top of a mountain for a Sunday service. As I was hiking to the top of the mountain I notice the cabin below. I took a picture on the way back and thought about the men who built the trail. At the end of the trail there was a marker memorializing 3 men who died while building the trail. In the 30’s these men sacrificed their live to earn a meager existence building trails as part of the CCC. Below is a shack they used to store dynamite.

CCC Dynamite Shack Sign

CCC Dynamite Shack

In the 30’s, people in our country sacrificed to attend church. As I sat on the log listening to the message, I pondered the ~3 hour hike up the mountain. I thought about my normal Sunday morning routine and the ease at which I go to church.

How little we have to sacrifice in-order to worship. Take a lazy morning with a good breakfast. Rush to get ready, speed to church and walk in casually. Yet this morning, I was up at 5:30. Out the door by 6:00 and carpooling with Andrew by 6:30. Arrived at the mountain ~7:15 and started hiking 7:30. After a several thousand foot ascent up a few miles of trail, we arrived at the site of the service. It seemed like a long trip just for a church service.

I’ve always heard that if you want to find out what it was like 50 or sixty years ago, travel to a third world country. On several missions trips to Mexico I met believers who traveled ~8 hours one way to their fellowship, every Sunday. If that is anything like it was like in the 30’s in our country, how little we sacrifice.

I wonder in what ways I could sacrifice and become more mature in my travel to church.

Cold Water

Prov. 25:25
Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.

Imagine exhausting every part of your body. Working until you are bone tired, to the point of collapsing. Think of the relief even just a thought of a drink of cold, refreshing water brought to your body. Just imagining . . . dreaming, longing and then seeing the water. The extacy it brought. The fullfillment of expectation. Then wrapping your fingers around the cold glass, wet with condensation. Feeling the droplets run down a grimmy hand and arm. Raising the glass and finally, refreshment.

What a sweet thought and poiniant analogy to our own lives. Ever longed to talk to a distant friend. Then suddenly they call and setup a luncheon. The anticipation, the quesitons and the stories from lives long parted. Sharing any good news with a distant friend is just as cold water to a weary soul. It is refreshing, restoring, bringing new life to the hearer.

Just about now, I sure could use some good news.

Back again

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted, to say the least. Why, can’t think of any. I’ve had a multitude of reasons to post such as traveling to Reading, PA and Washington DC. Visiting a medical school and a friend graduating with a masters degree. Seeing the Enola Gay (plane that dropped the first atomic bomb) and a SR-71 Blackbird. Seeing the first Cray super computer and the Shuttle Orbiter that was used in testing. I guess all I can say is I’m back. Pictures to follow.