It is just shy of 9:30pm and the sky looks like this behind me:
I am sitting on the patio to the rear the house, enjoying a red Zinf and my evening meal, while sifting through some notes. I'm on a quest for the "perfect" message for the youth meeting I am teaching on Saturday. It's been a LONG time since I've taught like this- it feels good to do this sort of lesson planning.
A lot has been on my mind recently, but the following things have weighed most heavily in the last few weeks.
- During a spectacle of thunderstorm one May-Monday night, Cle and I shared some great memories and conversation with Sula. The question had been posed earlier in the evening, "So, what are you passionate about?" Some hours later, during our storm watching time, the answers to the question continued. I am asking you, this time, what are YOU passionate about? What do you plan to do about those passions? How will you realize dream-turned passions into reality?
- Another small nugget- praise. For about 45% of my college career, the Lord spoke to me about being a "Praise Warrior" and some how, during the last 10 months, I've nearly forgotten the entire lesson series. Just recently has the Lord so graciously been reminding me of the truth behind battles won through an attitude and lifestyle of praise. Psalm 103 has been my heart's song. Praise the Lord, oh my soul, praise the Lord. May all that is in me remember what He has done and who He is... May all creatures of Heaven and Earth give Him the praise He is due. May every centimeter and fiber within me be a Holy praise offering to the most high King.
**disclaimer: the following point is much different from the previous two.
- I really miss my precious friend and sister, Astiana. It's been 7 years, today actually, since she finished the race on this side of the Heavenlies. Missing her ebbs and ways. Some times, it comes like a high tide and washes me over more than one would expect after so many years. Other seasons, it's only a thought here and there. A memory provoked by a smell, a song, a sound, a Verse, or a photo. Recently, though, I've been missing her more than usual. I've had a number of dreams about her... I awake feeling as if we've actually been together. It is more than confusing to process. Typically, I'll take some minutes to let myself deal with the emotions and then I will pray for her family. It's been a long time since I have seen them, also- sheer distance is the perpetrator of this felony. This was just something that I needed to say.
