Collecting Seashells

During our vacation we spent a day at the beach.  Our son, Seth (4 years old) decided this was his year to collect sea shells.  It quickly became a mission...perhaps even an obsession for him. He was determined to collect as many sea shells as possible. 

Last night, when we were washing his sea shells of sand, I had the chance to actually look at his collection. I was amazed by the colors and designs.  He found shells with colors I have never seen before--red, pink, a cool color of black and white--I was really impressed.  I said, "Seth, you found some beautiful shells."  He said, "Yeah, I know."  I think he was somewhat disappointed that I had just now seen what he saw two weeks ago at the beach.

I wonder if God is some times disappointed in what I miss. I don't mean a "He's mad at me" kind of disappointed, but rather a genuine heart-hurt, that I, his child, misses noticing the beautiful sea shells he scatters all through my life every day.

O, I know...I am just getting back from vacation and so perhaps I am more apt to see the sea shells of life, but isn't the goal for us to learn to see them every where and to help others do the same? 

I will be honest, God has brought me to a point of spiritual conviction about this since the start of 2012. I have been thinking on Philippians 4:4-13 just about every day and it starts with, "Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again rejoice."  One of the Bible verses my kids and I do every day is, "Give thanks in all circumstances" and "This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Over and over again the Bible highlights God's desire for us to take notice of the sea shells. There is reason to rejoice always in the Lord.  There is reason to give thanks in (not for) all circumstances.  This is the day the Lord has made (not yesterday or tomorrow). This day holds reason to rejoice.  When God sees his children taking note of the beautiful sea shells he scatters all around and about us through his presence every day, he loves it!  He loves it not just because we notice, but because when we notice...when we live a life of gratitude and joyful recognition of his goodness, then we become contagious; we make him appealing to others who desparetley need him.

So, sometime before the sun goes down today, I encourage you to look around and find a sea shell from God.  Pick it up.  Look it over. Notice all the details of its small beauty and then look up and say, "Wow!  God you made some beautiful sea shells in my life."  Then listen and be encouraged when he says, "Yeah, I know."  

"I Hate Camping But..."

This Friday night is the 5th annual LH men and kids camp out.  The first thing this event has taught me is that I hate camping.  I feel dirty the entire time, I feel like I sweat enough to fill a pool, I don't get any sleep, I usually come home with a few annoying bug bites and it seems like it takes longer to pack and unload than we actually get to be there...there...I said it...I hate camping.

So, "Why," you ask, "Will I be camping at the 5th annual LH camp out again this Friday?"

 Is is because I am the pastor and that is what I get paid to do?  No way.  Trust me...you don't pay me that much :-)

Is it because I so strongly believe in connecting with other brothers in Christ that I will camp this weekend?  No, I can meet with my brothers in Christ in the A/C of a home or at a favorite restaurant.

So, why then will I not only be camping this weekend, but be I excited about it?

The answer to that question is two names: Anna and Seth.  Last night at the dinner table they were asking me all about going camping.  They wanted to leave right then. I explained it was not until Friday. The smiled and laughed as they remembered the previous camp outs.  Their eyes got wide and big as they anticipated what this year's experience will be like.  And as they talked a mile a minute about it, I realized, I may hate camping but I love what this experience has done for our relationship each year.

So, Friday night when you are in your comfortable bed with the A?C keeping you cool, think about me.  I'll be sweating in discomfort in a little tent.  But before you laugh at me or take pity on me, know that I while I lay awake most of the night, I will be thanking God as I stare at a little girl and boy who mean more to me than life itself, but too often get my leftovers.  But I thank God that John Stanley and his team have set aside a weekend every year for us do what I hate.  Because the fun, the memories and the meaning my kids and I share at this event each year will far out last a little dirt, sweat and discomfort of a night in a tent. 

And now think about this...If I as an earthly Father with all my faults and failures will do what I hate because of my love for my kids, how much more must the heavenly Father love you?! Check out Luke 11:5-13.

So, I will see you there fellow campers!  If you need directions, have any questions or still want to get in on the fun, please contact John at 937-271-2829.