Time at Home

Just wanted to say that I've been enjoying some time with the family this week. Nothing really special, but good to just be around when they are here, visit when they feel like it, and eat a few meals together with my children during the summer when two teenagers are losing the concept of "family time." The down side to all of this is the crazy hours. Why is it that teenagers only decide to talk after midnight? I use to get up early in the morning, but lately I've been going to bed early in the morning. But I realize that I need to be flexible to visit with my children whenever they are ready and not just when I'm ready.

My reading in Job has reminded me of the Lord's greatness, His sovereignty, His transcendence, His omniscience, and omnipotence. Here is something to ponder--"Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him..." (Job 36:26). There is a very real sense in which God is totally other than we are--Transcendence and Holiness are two attributes which communicate this fact. But how often do we really ponder how "totally beyond us" the Almighty is. We tend to be rather flippant, rather cavalier in our approach to God. We believe we have a right to ask God "Why?" or to try and figure out what He is up to. Job experienced great tragedy in his life and his friends took the standard position that he was being punished by God. Job defended his innocence, but in doing so he crossed the line to question the Almighty's prerogative to do as He pleases. It's really difficult for us to accept that we are not in charge.

I'm off to a conference this week to hear R.C. Sproul, Alister Begg, and a host of other godly and gifted speakers. I'm not sure what sort of internet access I'll have so I don't know when the next blog will appear. Immediately after I return I'm off and will be out of internet range for some time. This may be my last blog for about two weeks.

I'm so grateful for the prayers and support of the Congregation. I'm excited about all that our short-term mission teams are experiencing--Abide, Melanie in Zambia, Brad, the gang headed to Haiti. Some really neat things to praise God for. I'm praying for them and our team to Hungary and Ukraine and for Joel as he heads off to Poland.

I'll write more when I get a chance.

Psalm 105:3-4.