Much Grace is given and much Grace is received.
There is the time we spend at Bojangles-
Sharing Hope over a warm Bo-Berry biscuit-
Meeting new folks like Mr Cummings and Joe Jackson-
Two elderly black men who love Jesus-
Men who bring a whole different set of life experiences to the table.
Men who even with all they have been through-
Growing up in the South in the 40's and 50's-
Can sit at the table with a bunch of white guys-
Sharing breakfast and the Love of Jesus.
God extends much Grace at that table-
Through these men's Grace towards us.
Ah, and then there is the sheer beauty of a fall morning on the river-
The crystal blue sky-
The water rushing over the rocks-
Deer grazing as we ride the trail by the river.
Seeing the families as they are out with their children for a morning walk-
Even the dogs being walked seem to be smiling!
What is it about beauty that so captures us?
Is it some beckoning back to Eden-
Some longing for what we had so long ago-
A calling out from creation to the life of Jesus in us.
I met a young man on my ride this past Saturday-
An Artist-
I could not help but notice as he sat quietly at the Canal Headgate-
His baby daughter asleep at his side-
Todd Cass sat capturing the beauty of the Gatehouse-
Capturing splendor with charcoal and a pad.
The Artist was immersed in his work-
Clearly captivated by the beauty-
The beauty he was capturing on his pad.
I think that might be how it is with the beauty of God-
Maybe it's nature is such that we can't truly take hold of it-
Capture it for ourselves-
Until we are first captivated by it.
Job 37:14 and 22-24 Excerpts "Listen to this, Job-
Stop and consider God's wonders........
Out of the north He comes in golden splendor-
God comes in awesome majesty.
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power......
Therefore, men revere Him
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Spirit of the Living God-
Slow me down a bit today-
Open the eyes of my heart to see-
To see Your Golden Splendor-
To see Your Grace toward me in all the gifts of the beauty of Your Creation.
Amen
By the by- the young artist Tood Cass did some amazing work even in the short time I visited with him. If any of you out there have any need for an original drawing or painting or Carpentry work, I got the feeling he could use the support with a young baby and a wife in the military. I have his contact info if any of you are interested let me know!
