One of my daughters told me the other evening that she didn't feel close to God anymore- she said she didn't think He was hearing her prayers, didn't think about her, didn't love her anymore. After we discussed all the Bible verses that talked about the "everlasting love of God", how "He is never far from any of us," how "His thoughts toward us number more than the sand on the seashore," etc., I asked her how long she had felt that way. She told me, "About a month, I guess." I told her, "Since the Bible says 'He is the same yesterday, today, and forever,' who do you think has moved maybe, you or Him?" She said, "Maybe I have,...I haven't been reading or praying much lately." I told her its easy for any of us to lose touch with our Father, and let all the noise, busyness, and cares of this life drown out His "still, small voice." He will not shout over the stuff that we often let cloud & crowd Him out, but He is always quietly calling to us- from His Word the Bible, in the words of others who love God, in music, in art, in nature's beauty, in the quiet of our own hearts- all if we stop and pay attention. Now more than ever, we need to "Learn To Be Still", like the old Don Henley song. I know I need that. In fact, God said that in His Word- "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Rob

I have always been a huge fan of the music of the late Rich Mullins, who was killed in an auto accident back in 1997. I recently began listening to his music again, after several years. His band, The Ragamuffins, carried on for 2 more albums following his death, and I have those collections as well. There was always something about Rich's music that took me to another place, lifted my head above the clouds, and helped me experience God in the world around me. I remember that I cried when I heard of his death- it was like I lost a close friend, his music had so connected with me. It still does.
I can't really explain it, but when I listen to Rich's music, or the music of Johnny Cash in his final years, I have this aching in my soul- I don't know if its a lingering sadness over their passing, or if their music brings out a longing in my heart for the home they sang so much about. They both sang songs of home, i.e. Heaven, and yearned for the peace of the Father's eternal presence. I think the older I get, the more I long for that "home in a country I've never seen" myself. I believe its a longing God puts deep inside all of His children, the knowledge that there is more than just the stuff of earth- there are the "winds of Heaven," as Rich so often sang about. And one day, I'll stand in those warm breezes of eternity, and maybe join Rich in a chorus of "Awesome God". Something to look forward to...
"If if sing, let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs. If I weep let it be as a man, who is longing for his home"- Rich Mullins, "If I Stand"

I spent Thursday night and Friday at my mom & dad's place, so my dad could help me work on my daughter's car. We spent most of the day under the front end, getting covered in dirt, grease and grime. We fixed what we needed to, and it probably saved me $300+ by doing it ourselves! We tinkered with his motorcycle some too, and just really enjoyed spending the day together, doing all that "guy stuff." As I headed for home that evening, I realized I needed to do one more thing. I called him on the cell phone, and told him how much I loved and appreciated him, and thanked him for everything. He replied, "I love you too, son, thanks for coming down." Unlike many I know, my parents are still together after all these years, still love each other, and I love them dearly. My mom is my greatest fan, and my dad is still my hero. I thank God for them both. I hope I never fail to tell them, for however many more years they have here.
Rob