Chasing Daylight

That's the title of a book we're using in Sunday School. The scriptural character whose story is woven throughout the book is Jonathan. I never knew much about Jonathan except that he was King Saul's son and David's best friend. (My youngest son's name is David Jonathan and he has a very good friend named Jonathan David -- apparently those name have gone nicely together for thousands of years.) I've read the story countless times, but never let it sink in...

The Israelites were (still) at odds with the Philistines. The Philistines held the high ground and Saul's army which included Jonathan was hiding out in the valley. It was night and Jonathan said to his armor bearer something like, hey, let's go after those Philistines, maybe God will protect us.He set up his own little test, (When we show ourselves, if the Philistines say, 'come on up,' then we'll know that God is going to deliver them into our hands. Sure enough that's what they said. But I think it was more like, "come on up here, you fools, and we'll show you a thing or two." The story has a remarkably good ending, you ought to go read it in I Sam. 14.

Today's lesson was comparing that story to one in Judges (Chapter 6) where Gideon is called to lead an army for God. Gideon wasn't as foolhardy forward thinking as Jonathan. In fact he was downright skeptical. Even though he saw the angel of the Lord and heard his voice, his response was...are you kidding? I can't do that. He listed all the reasons why he was too weak, small, inexperienced to to what God asked. 3 times God had to tell him, "Just go in the strength you have and I'll be with you." Three times! Then, if that weren't enough, Gideon wanted to lay out a fleece, just to be sure he was hearing God correctly. You remember the deal don't you? Let the fleece be soaking wet with dew and the ground all around it dry. And when that happened, he changed it up..."Wait, wait, wait.  I'll put out another fleece tonight and in the morning if the fleece is totally dry and the ground all around is wet with dew then I'll know I can trust you." (Lucky for Gideon, that verse about not testing the Lord your God wasn't written yet.)

I've gotten carried away -- I'll finish my thoughts on this tomorrow. For now, here's a picture of the beautiful daffodils growing on our back line overlooking the flats that lead to the creek. It's a great daffodil year!

A quick post to end another fabulous day -- G'night.

It was a lovely Easter Day and day after. Can't wait for tomorrow. No, what I really can't wait for is Saturday when we get to see our grandkids. But until then, we're enjoying a bit of time off, yard work, house work, catching up (or just barely keeping up) with my venue descriptions. Hey, it's harder than you think.

Sunday was wonderful -- a contata at church and communion. Then dinner here with good friends and our Davey-boy and Mel. A walk to the daffodil field -- and everyone carried out a bouquet. Hmmm, maybe I have a picture of that. Nope, no daffodils, but look at the pretty tulips.

And lest the other kids feel slighted, I have some pix of Adam and Alica too, from when we celebrated Adam's birthday belatedly.

April Fool's Day

It's an absolutely beautiful day in Pennsylvania; no foolin' -- warmer than it should be, sun shining, fabulous day. But I'm sad, maybe I'm pouting just a little bit, having a pity party. I need to get busy (busier?) and think on things that are honorable, pure, lovely, gracious, and worthy of praise.

I need to remember yesterday...

Yesterday I spent the day in Grove City with a friend and her daughter, and her daughter's two adorable 3-year-old twin boys -- wearing spiderman shirts, one red, one blue. I got to play at the playground, climbing and jumping and sliding (them), chasing and catching (me). It was just plain fun. But the highlight of my day was pushing them around in a double stroller -- compliments of the Outlet Mall. It fulfilled a secret desire of mine, getting to push a double stroller around, and it was every bit as much fun as I thought it would be. I could have used one of those when Nathan and Aaron were little guys. I had a nice big stroller with a booster seat on the back. You don't want to know how many times I dumped Nathan on the ground. I'd pick Aaron up out of the stroller and oops, boom, waaaaaaaa. Think see-saw. When the kid on the bottom decides to get off, bam, the kid on top comes down fast. None of that with a double stroller, something about stability versus counter balance.

Besides the fun of playing and pushing the stroller, we had a nice lunch out, and I did some shopping. A pretty good day all around. (Thanks Beth for sharing your grandkids!)

So I feel better now. "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say...REJOICE."  This weekend we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, the commemoration of an event that is crucial to my faith. If Christ didn't rise from the dead, my faith is in vain. But he did. He is risen. He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

Happy Resurrection Sunday. Draw near to the God who delights in drawing near to you. Happy Easter!