River Water

For the next couple of days, I will be staying in the gateway to the West, St. Louis. The photo above was actually taken over two years ago on a similar trip for a conference out here. The water on the Mississippi is much higher right now. In fact, much of the area below the trees appeared to be underwater as we drove by yesterday.

It's kind of wild to look at a river, and think about the flow of the water. I live near the Monongahela River, and the water that flows past Morgantown goes into the Ohio. The Ohio River starts in Pittsburgh, and travels past where my best friend in the whole world, Willie grew up, and on down past where many people in my tribe lived, and goes past my dad's house in Parkersburg. And then, that water, travels around Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois as it makes its way to the Mississsippi, a little south of st louis.

All of that water is constantly traveling, and it stays it's course. That water that runs in Morgantown, eventually makes it's way near St. Louis. It's hard to imagine in a world of planes, trains, and automobiles that travel by water was once a fast and convenient way to travel.

There's a lot that can be learned from river water. It's pace is steady. It's goal is clear (even amid it's twists and turns). It has a power to carve through the landscape and leave an unforgettable mark on the land it covers, as well as the land that surrounds it. Maybe you can think of some other lessons too?

Regardless, may you be purposeful in your flow today as you impact the landscape around you, and may you have a positive impact at that!

Shavers Fork

This afternoon I took a drive to have some time in for reflection and
prayer. I drove to our family cabin near Elkins WV. This morning I
realized after cutting my grass last week it would probably be good to
cut the grass at the cabin too. It's all done now.
As I sat alongside the river and watched the flow, I could help but
think about the flow and rhythm of my own life. My family and my
people have always been river people. The river reminds us of the
power of God and his deliberate and constant work in our lives.
Sometimes our lives get out of rhythm, but God never does. Sometimes
our lives seem out of control, but just like the river, God always
accomplished His purposes.
As I sit here along the river I'm reminded of His infinite stability
and resoluteness of purpose.
Wherever you might be today, take time to reflect on God's perfect
stability and strength. There are many purposes God wants to carry out
in our world and lives, and He offers each one of us an opportunity to
join in that work. In His time. According to His purpose and plan.
May God achieve His purposes through you today!

In the flow or connexxion

In the flow, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Although it doesn't fully look like it, this is a picture of me snowboarding down a hill at one of my friend's house. I love snowboarding. It's like surfing on snow. I just like being in the flow with things in general.

Like today. Today has been such an amazing day. I had a full night of sleep. And when I woke up, I had some greating connection with the creator of the universe. Then, I got a bunch of paperwork done before it had the chance to pile up on me (it's so easy to procrastinate and get in trouble with that kind of stuff). Then, I went out to Chestnut Ridge with Brian, Megan, and Cameron, three people who I work with at WVU. We walked around the space, we caught up on life, we shared stories, we played basketball, and in the middle of all of this we were able to connect and talk about a lot of stuff happening among our community. It was fun, relaxed, refreshing, and topped off with a delicious meal at Ruby and Ketchy's, a local restaurant with scrumptious food.

After that, I went with cameron to Starbucks and had some great conversation/connecting times with a couple of students, and managed to also do a little planning for some future events for h2o and our canvas groups.

Cam and I left the coffee shop, and I arrived at home. I caught up on some emails, and had a few short chats on instant messenger with people. Then, I went to see a movie, Pan's Labyrinth. It was pretty interesting (don't want to give away anything).

So I ran down to the theater because I knew that if I wanted to see this movie, I couldn't do it later in the day. It would interrupt my flow.

I arrived a few minutes late, but stuck around and watched the beginning of the next showing of the movie. While I was waiting, I saw a guy who was in a French class I tried to get into and a guy who used to come by the waterhouse (our old ministry center). It was way cool being able to recognize and connect with them.

On my way back home I called my brother, and while I was talking to him (in the freezing cold), another friend drove by and offered me a ride in their warm car.

When I returned to the house I was able to get even more done, and connect with some more folks who I haven't seen/heard from in a while.

It was an amazing day, and I just love it when days like this happen. They are rewarding on so many levels. It's late, and I feel totally relaxed and refreshed.

I would love to hear about your experience with a day like this. I know we all have them from time to time, and they are SOOOOO good! Hope whenever you read this--you are having one of these days!!!