Letting go ...

Mid summer I purchased a pot of blooming zinnias. The ongoing pink pedals lasted a good three months, but lately the 28" stems had given in to the weight of the blooms and pounding wet weather. It was time to prune and pull.  As I was tending to the depleted plant, I cut off the last small blooms and put them in water to celebrate the plant's productive season.

Sometimes there are habits, customs, Church programs and the like, that flourish for a season and even though there is a wee bit of life left in them, the gardener knows it is time to celebrate the end and move on ... a healthy plant that needs to bloom now sits in the zinnia's spot in the sun.

Ponder this: Is there anything in our lives that needs to end,  so that something else can grow?

What are you thinking...?

What have you been pondering today? Besides planning my meals for today and worried about -will I make it back to the car before it pours buckets of water on my head...   I have been pondering the oncoming 2nd Reformation in the Church....the many crashing waves of cultural change hitting the institutional  Church ... the fist clinched grip of those holding onto the memories of "church" 40+ years ago ... and yet the deep spiritual hunger of the de-churched and non- churched. How will Christ reshape his Church as an instrument to reach hungry souls? This bird appears deep in thought, but is most likely as clueless as I am when it comes to seeing God's big picture! I just hope I can keep up with God's rapidly unfolding plan!

Where is the Joy?

Patmos is a Greek Island between Turkey and Greece. It is the place where the Apostle John was imprisoned and where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Jesus proclaims through the pen of John: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." And that is the basis for Christian Joy- a firm belief in God's presence in the past, present and future. No matter the circumstances, Christ's presence turns everything around! Sorrow, anxiety, perplexity, troubles ...they all stretch the soul for joy when Christ is present and sought after. Where is the joy? Look no further than following Jesus ... loving God ...loving another.

Things a Mother Said

My Mother used to say "Make your bed in the morning and everything else will fall into place." When it comes to making my bed, I am a slug, but she was right. Making my bed does help to put order in the beginning of my day. My Mother-in-law once advised me to do one thing a day that you don't want to do, and that would help launch your day in the right direction. {For some years I just combined the two and made my bed!}

But here is another piece of affirming truth: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  When ever I face a difficult task ... emotional {living with grief} or physical {walking across this rope bridge with alligators and hippos underneath} this is the truth I rely on ... repeating it in my head, calms my anxiety ...focuses my energy ...keeps me going. And yes I made my bed this morning.

Disney Animal Kingdom 2013

Patience

I waited for 20 minutes for this guy to turn toward the camera. He was at least 50 yards away but I managed to catch this close up. {Taken at Disney's Wild Kingdom}. Indeed sometimes you have to wait for people to open up about their lives, hopes and dreams... but the wait is worth it!

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Yesterday's photo was taken at Chautauqua, a retreat Center in south western NY state... now for today's location! Central Florida isn't the only place with countless food trucks ... where is this foodie heaven?

Here is another clue- recognize the gal on the left and you can guess the location!

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Can you guess the location of the following pictures?

Answer will come tomorrow.

Does God have a sense of humor?

Well YES! God has a terrific sense of humor! Just look at this guy!

Photo taken at Disney's Wild Kingdom

GOING FISHING

These are some beauties caught off the east coast of Florida... Jesus called us to go fishing... to bring people closer to God. Tomorrow I plan to do a little fishing in Howie of the Hills, FL at the Community Presbyterian Church. I will preach about the "Big Story" as found in James Choung's writings and from Galatians 5.

Have you gone fishing lately? ... Thrown your life out into the world ... allowing Jesus to shine through all our imperfections and weaknesses... so that others may be drawn to the love and grace of Christ? Sunday would be a good time for us to do a little fishing.

PHOTO BOMBED!

I can't wait to see these majestic giants in their natural habitat, when I travel to Africa next year! These two and their tall friend in the background, were photographed at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Yesterday's picture was taken in Cologne, Germany...now where was today's photo shot? Again it was 46 years ago....Clue: along a river in Europe! Name the country and river!

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Once again this photo was taken in 1968... but WHERE is the question?

THANK YOU!

Thanks for landing on my blog! In the days ahead I will attempt to help you think about life in a different way, maybe cause you to smile at life or reconnect to the God who loves you! Here is your roamingretiredreverend!

Did I mention giving you the opportunity to laugh at me!

Where in the world?

After taking a box filled with old slides to the camera store, I now have access to hundreds of old photos on a CD. So here goes the first in a series of "Where was the Roaming Retired Reverend?"