Blessed in Boseman

Well I didn't think that I would have internet access BUT I was wrong so I'm going to post to the blog and keep the faithful few up to date on how things are going on Sabbatical.

God is soooo good and I'm feeling very blessed.

Marla and I arrived safely home from Orlando on Monday evening and I left for Montana Tuesday at noon.I had a long drive to Rapid City, SD where I ate supper with Everett and Sandy Nordine. It was so good to see this dear couple--they are missed in our congregation. I spent the evening with the Nordines and joined Everett for an early morning Bible Study on Wednesday. A good challenge from Ephesians 3 was given reminding us that in the midst of our trials we have the strength of Christ. Paul's prayer beginning in verse 14 is a great encouragement as he prayed for the spiritual well-being of the Ephesians. There we are reminded that it is the power of Christ in us and not our power in which we live and bring glory to God. It is very good to realize that we aren't working "for" the Lord, but working "with" the Lord.

I left Rapid City at about 8:00 a.m. Mountain time and the Lord gave me such a wonderful day for traveling--blue sky and comfortable temps. As the terrain changed from the hills of Rapid City to the upper plateau of Eastern Wyoming I saw a vast expanse of open land dotted with cattle and pronghorns. As I neared Buffalo, Wyoming I could see the front range of the Rockies--I think they are technically called the Big Horn Mountains. These majestic snow covered peaks rose above the landscape claiming everyone's attention and testifying to the majesty of our Creator. What a study in contrasts to see those rugged mountains on one side and the grassy high plains on the other. I've never been through this region in late June but I was impressed with how green everything was. Creeks and Rivers that are normally dry beds all had water running through them.
As I crossed into Montana I entered the Crow Indian Reservation and from the interstate the poverty and chaos of life was visible. One shocking thing about traveling in the west for me is to see everything. What I mean is that there are so few trees that you see everything around people's homes--trash cans, old vehicles, toys in the yard. Generally the average home is modest in size, cluttered with stuff, and not well kept. Oh, there are palatial and magnificent homes nestled in the foothills and around major cities, but the average home is a testimony to the rugged and unforgiving land of the West. My memory had escaped me with regard to what sort of land Montana was west of Billings. The interstate follows the Yellowstone river so it is in a valley with farms and ranches with mountain ranges off in the distance to the north and south. The river was swollen and the mountain tops covered with snow. At Laurel the river heads south towards Yellowstone (I'm not sure whether that is the origin or destination of the river). As I headed west I went up but not immediately into the mountains. I arrived late afternoon, got supplies (Pepper spray to fend off the bears and food for me), fueled up the car and headed south out of Boseman about 12 miles to Mountain Top Retreat Center in the foothills of the Galatin Mountain Range.

I took a hike down the road and briefly on a mountain trail and despite the fact that I've been working out I was visibly winded--that thin air you know.

Today I read Psalm 118 where the Psalmist records, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." I spent some time reading the Word and in prayer. As I'm nearing the end of my Sabbatical time I find myself struggling with wanting to "do some more things" (i.e. read some more books, get stuff ready for the mission trip, organize my thoughts, etc.). I had to stop and say, "wait a minute." Let me slow down and ask the Lord just what He wants me to do here. Honestly, God is stirring in me a lot of things related to personal life and ministry and I feel like I need a day or two just to sort out what am I suppose to do with all that is going through my mind. So I'm praying that what God wants will be the focus of my remaining days. I want to rest and be refreshed and I want to return with some direction for myself and the ministry. In my heart I know I want to work "with" God on this.

After my time in the word and doing some other reading I headed out to the mountain trails and I found a great trail up to a mountain lake and then along a mountain stream. I decided to stop when the snow on the trail got deep enough that I was getting snow in my shoes with every step. Then I took another shorter trail to a wonderful cascading waterfall. As I was walking in the warm afternoon sun among the towering pine trees listening to the birds it was very peaceful, restful, and renewing. I thought--the God who made all of this and cares for all of his creatures indwells me, empowers me, has a plan for me--His Grace is truly Amazing.

I'm pretty tired (physically) so I'm headed off to do a bit of reading and then to bed.