Living stones

One of the disciplines I explored in college — I know, for someone as undisciplined as I was, that’s a strange way to put it — but one of the disciplines I explored was geology.

I chose that field for my science credits because, in high school, I always did better with earth sciences than biology … that and because I thought it cool in the ’70s to say that I enjoyed studying rock.

But rocks have always fascinated me.

I love to look at the mica found in Tennessee waterways.

Feldspar, or field rock, adds beauty to any landscape … earthen tones springing through fields of green.

River rock brings a reminder that God’s Creation will still be molding and moving things long after we are gone from this world.

Outcroppings, such as the Blowing Rock in North Carolina and the weather worn and time-chiseled features of Grandfather Mountain, are another fascination for me. Again, they remind me that God's Creation is constantly being molded into things of beauty.

In Peter's first letter we are urged, "Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5) As "living stones," we are constantly being formed into the likeness of Christ, and are thus being used to build God's Kingdom.

Michael Card weaves it this way in song ("Living Stones"):

“Living stones, living stones

We are holy, living stones

Built upon the firm foundation

That is Jesus

And as we cling to that Rock

Who became a Stumbling Block

We remember we are living stones.”

"Come to him, a living stone ..."

Grace and peace ...

We need to see the world with ...

We have officially started the second year of Green Meadow's School of Hope.

A little more than a week ago, some Meadow folk gathered with former students and this year's new parents for a late Sunday afternoon meal.

I loved being with the young parents, but I really loved being with the babies and toddlers. As a former pastor of mine would say, holding a baby who has just been baptized, "This is the closest to heaven you will get on this earth."

I took a lot of pictures, one of which I posted on TheMeadow.org.

One of the things I enjoyed doing when my children were small was taking pictures as they discovered something new.

I took this photo when my son David appeared to have discovered rain puddles after a shower in Port Arthur, Texas.

Children always seem to see the world with fresh eyes.

Have you ever walked with a toddler the first time they venture outside? They stop and touch things we take for granted ... rocks, grass, bugs, leaves, you name it.

Walking from the porch to the driveway can take 30 minutes to an hour if you go at their pace.

They see the world with fresh eyes.

When we come to worship the living God, should we not come with fresh eyes?

When we move into mission, serving the least, the last and the lost, should we not come with fresh eyes?

When we journey into Creation, should we not see the world with fresh eyes?

If we truly believe in a God who "makes all things new," should we not come into all things with the expectation that each encounter will bring something new?

May we always greet his word, his presence in prayer, and those we serve in his name with "fresh eyes."

Grace and peace ...

Light in Seattle ...

I'm in the Seattle area for a corporate meeting, but my body still thinks I'm in Tennessee.

I enjoyed the extra sleep. I went to bed at what was the Eastern Time equivalent of midnight and awakened at the equivalent of 8:30 a.m. -- 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Since I didn't have to meet the others until 7:15 it gave me plenty of time to get ready and even spend some time in devotion. What a blessing.

I chose Matthew 5:13-16a to meditate upon. I was reminded that God has placed me in a somewhat unique position as a journalist. Even though my world is "small" (the Greater Metropolitan Maryville area), He sends people my way to affirm that when I do take the opportunity to write, His light shines through.

In response to His Word this morning, I prayed that He would quicken my spirit to the opportunities to be a light unto the world.

May my life never lose the salt that is the Holy Spirit working within me.

We spoke of Lectio Divina this past Sunday. If you would like an online experience, go to The Upper Room.

Grace and peace ... from Seattle.