19, 20, 21...hut, hut, hike!

Until yesterday, we were on the beach, camping. Then Earl threatened to come and they closed the state park.

You should all come to family camp during week 6 at Calumet next summer. Jordan, giving his thoughts on Psalm 19 and Luke 19, covered the themes for the last two days:
Keeping the song alive (the song of all creation)
Keeping creation (i.e. finding your voice or else the stones will sing)

I love reading the Bible daily, because it reminds me that God is God (and I am not). It also brings up memories from the past. On my 2nd call, the youth initiated a contemporary worship time and called it Waymark after these verses from Psalm 19:
"The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy." I think of our stepping stones ministry the same way. Baptism, splash packs, VBS, Sunday School, 1st communion, camp, Confirmation, mission trips, graduation...each step is a reminder that you are a precious child of God and that you have a purpose for the kingdom. What stepping stones do we have for adults, as we continue to grow in our faith? How awesome will it be when 4 or 12 or 20 of us have read the entire Bible in 3 years?

The intent of the beginning of Psalm 20 can only be discovered by Scripture reading Scripture:
"[May] God answer you...put you out of harm's reach...send reinforcements...dispatch fresh supplies...exclaim over your offerings...celebrate your sacrifices...give you what your heart desires...accomplish your plans."

There is a big difference between accomplishing your plans and God accomplishing his plans through you. David was often described as a man after God's own heart. I read "Everything's going to work out" and know in my heart of hearts that things only work out because Romans 8:28 is true (God works all things together for good for those who love him, who are called according to his purpose). God is the primary actor here. History is his story. We're just blessed to be cast in it.

Today I read "Your strength, God, is the king's strength". Same song, next verse. Again, Paul's words come in handy (power is made perfect in weakness). God's work, our hands. God's strength, our weakness (vulnerability).

What could God do with our growing community of Faith if we let him have his way with us?

One year ago today, I learned about this church on the rock in Quincy, MA. My aunt lived in Boston for 20 years, but I had to pull out a map to find Quincy. Now our lives are here. Adi starts 1st grade on Wednesday.