Living Alive

Do you like vacations? I personally could take it or leave it. It’s good, but not so big a deal…

It’s good to get away & spend time with family. I am all in favor of that – and that’s what the duleys will be doing soon, this summer.

It makes me think about what “vacation” means. “Vacating” ? “Leaving”? “Getting away.” Is that really what we mean – or what we really need to do?

The Brit’s call it “holiday” – which is a word derived from 2 other words: “holy” and “day.”

Hey, I like holy days! So, maybe that’s more like it.

I think God intended us to have a “weekly vacation.” Now, that sounds more like it, all right!

Sabbath literally means to cease. Let’s cease or stop doing so much. Let’s relax (vacations some times can be anything but ceasing or relaxing).

If I were to make each Sunday more of a day of ceasing (no business, no work, no “heavy lifting” mentally, physically, or otherwise), then maybe I’d be well-rested, energized & more faithful to God, all year ’round.

Now that’s a good start for any summer vactaion.

May God bless you & yours with safe travels this season!

I was waiting for the service to begin. The room was still – surprisingly quiet for the hundred or so gathered. The hour had come. And the first chords of this song broke the silence.

I got chills.

I usually don’t. I love music, but rarely does it touch me like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRyKg5xMaXA&feature=channel

The moment I’m speaking of was a funeral at a funeral home. I’ve done many of these funerals, of course. But lately, many people have leaned away from “hymns” and traditional church music, to play this particular song.

And I love it.

I hope you’ll listen… and here’s why: the idea of connecting heaven & mountains is very Biblical.

Consider the majestic mountain beauty in the images of prophecy in Isaiah 25.

25:6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine– the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.
9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
10 The hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain…. (NIV)

On the other side of the mountain, we’ll experience rest & perpetual joy.

What are you doing for the 4th? I’m thinking of some things:

The flag. It reminds me of those who’ve served in our military and many who have given their lives, the ultimate sacrifice, to allow me to sit here in paradise & write these thoughts.

Sparklers. Hot dogs. Children’s smiles.

I think of the 4th of July with joy. And…gratitude?

Are you thankful this fourth? I know I am.

I like to think of it as another thanksgiving. I am thankful

for America. Neighbors. My family. My church.

For freedom:

To go where I please today (and where’s I’m led by faith – that’s freedom!)

To do as God pleases (without fear of persecution).

For the many, many persons who continue to make America free & filled with blessing.

Most of all, I am thankful I’m free to challenge my nation – where she’s wrong, where she’s too complacent,

To challenge us all

to bless God

not simply to ask God for more freedom.

Thank you, God!

>>>>PS:
Click here for some Christian resources for your family this 4th of July (from UMC.org)
http://www.gbod.org/ministries/family/articles.asp?item_id=16443