Christ in the Clouds

I was a litt le unsure how the weekend would go. W e drove the 4 hours to get to our destination early Saturday morning. We hadn't seen our son for almost a month.  He moved to Bloomington, Indiana in February and seemed to be doing pretty well. H e has a new job and lives with a friend in an apartment. It all seems too good, though. Along with that, I'm not sure how I am feeling. I've missed him so much ! But I'm not r eally sure how much he's missed us. Not sure how this time will go, seeing him after this little time apart.   But, when we ar rive, he is so happy to see us ! We walk around town and fi nd this beautiful botanical garden, right in the middle of the city.  We enjoy the walk and I take lots of pictures (I really am enjoying having a nice camera ! ). It turns out to be a really good day. The weather is a little coo l and rainy, but we enjoy seeing the sights... ...a nd just spending quality time togethe...

In our day, the term " watch " has lost much of its original power. Is there anything more passive than watching television? We live in a spectator nation. We watch movies, news, the markets, and sporting events. Watching has become an activity that puts us on the sidelines and not on the field of battle, an idea foreign to the original meaning of the word. At the time of the King James translators, "watch" emphasized the carefulness, attention, and vigilance in the way a soldier kept alert for any sign of enemy movement. Many Bible verses raise the flag of being watchful, along with prayer. God r eminds us to always be watching  and discerning. These are the last days before Christ's return and we are to look for the signs and be cautious.   Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 1 Thess...

The past few days have me once again writhi ng in  pain...not continuou s ly, but off and on. Enough , though, to keep me crunched down on the couch , not wanting to be productive in any way.  I have suffered these painful days eac h month for many, many years, now. I'm used to them...almost am sure they will always be a part of my life, even though I am guaranteed that this phase of my life will soo n p ass. Many wom en can relate to the suffering I speak a bout. I have been to numerous doc tors and none have been able to fully help me. There are some days I wonder what it is all about...          Why me?                    How much more will I have to endure?                                                         What am I to learn from this?  ...

Wow ! Is i t really T uesday, already? The last week seems like just a blurr to me ! Ever have weeks like that? I'm so thankful that we at least have been having some warmer (though windy ) weather the past several days, plus some rain here and there !   It's been a week o f long work hours, emotional ups and downs, extra time with friends , and shopping for a long- aw aited new camera . It's als o been a week of f eeling frustrated. Have you ever tried to tell someone how you were feeling and didn't really fe el like your were be in g heard or understood? I am so grateful to have Christian friends who are great listeners and know me well enough to give me support, helpful criticism , and yet let me feel understood.  I also felt encouraged by our pasto r, who gave a sermon on Sunday on the very subject that I was struggling with .  God's timing is amazing ! It's not easy to trust God's timing, though. I know my first reaction to not feel...