I love the colors of fall. I'm amazed and dazzled every year by the incredible display of hues in creation. From bright yellows, to neon oranges, and rich reds, no artist ever painted with more vivid colors. As far as the beauty you can see in creation, I think I enjoy the fall more than the spring. There are even flowers blooming in the fall, adding to the brilliance! Over the past couple of weekends, I've ridden my motorcycle on short trips around North Georgia, and have been awed by the colors everywhere- God's ever-changing canvas on the mountains, hills, fields, and the sky. As the late songwriter Rich Mullins penned, "There's so much beauty around us, for just two eyes to see; but everywhere I go, I'm looking..."
I believe Heaven's beauty will truly be beyond our comprehension. I believe God's heavens and earth will be perfected and free from death, decay, and disruption. I can't say this for sure, but I believe the new earth will display all the colors of spring, summer and fall, altogether. Imagine for instance- a cherry blossom tree with its white flowers out, and its leaves fully orange, at the same time! In fact, all the flowering trees and plants, in full bloom and full fall color, set against the greens of evergreens, and the bluest skies ever seen- forever.
I'm just imagining, as I sit here and gaze out my front porch window...
"According to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." 2 Peter 3:13
Rob

Last weekend I got to participate in something that was a huge honor for me. Hebron hosted the funeral for Lance Cpl. Stephen Johnson, the soldier I talked about in my last blog. The Spirit Riders motorcycle group was invited to participate in the funeral procession, along with members of CMA and a group called the Patriot Guard Riders. These bikers are a group from across America that attend the funerals of fallen soldiers, to honor them with color guards, and to insure any protestors don't show up and get close enough to disturb and disrespect the family.
We rode at the beginning of the funeral procession to the cemetary, and provided flags at both the church and the cemetary. This was a great honor for all of us involved, and humbling to have been invited by the family to participate. Whatever anyone may feel about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our young men and women are there fighting terror for us and the people of those countries, so we won't have to fight them here in our own backyard. For that, we owe Stephen Johnson and all our armed forces a debt of gratitude.
Rob

This weekend I was the on-call pastor, taking emergency calls from our people in need. I got a call Saturday from a new family in our church, trying to reach a pastor for prayer. Their son was serving in Iraq with the Marines, and his company had been attacked by enemy insurgents. His Humvee had been blown up, and he had been blown out of the top of it. The family here had been told he was MIA- missing in action. They did not know where he was, and after 14+ hours had no clue what had happened to him. The company had been attacked near a water canal, and some thought he had been blown into the water, but there was no trace of him. I took their call, and went to their house, praying with the family and spending time with them. The worry, the not-knowing, all caused a lot of fear and stress. I tried to bring as much hope & comfort as I could.
Today, they got the word that their son had been found, and he was dead. I went back over there this evening, spending more time comforting and helping any way I could. They were grieved at the news of his death, but relieved to finally know what had happened. Their soldier son was a believer in Jesus, really living his faith, and the family took great comfort in that. The days and weeks to come will be difficult, but they know God knows and feels their hurt, and will be near to them in this time. They also know they will see their son again, as we all will see the Son, never to be saddened by separation again. That brings me great hope as well.
"We do not grieve as those who have no hope..."
Rob

October 1st was a day of real worship for me. I woke to a beautiful morning, and thanked my Father in Heaven for its quiet splendor. At church, the worship in our RockiTown kid's church was amazing- kids singing out loud with all their voice & heart, spontaneously standing, raising hands, closing their eyes, etc. We could feel the presence & pleasure of God in that room, both hours. I enjoyed an afternoon with Lisa, talking and swinging on the porch, as our girls were off with friends. It was satisfying, intimate fellowship and conversation. At the evening service, a group called "Praise in Motion" led us in worship through ballet set to praise music. It was captivating. Young women dancing their worship of God was a beautiful sight, and our hearts were caught up the moment. Women are so exploited in our society, yet this was their beauty as God intended it to be seen. On the way home, I saw a colorful sunset, painted across the sky as with brushstrokes, and I worshipped as I rode.
Worship is so much more than standing and singing some songs out of a book, or listening to someone else sing, "Amazing Grace." Real worship is our response to the presence of God, and flows freely from us when we open ourselves to experience Him. That is often out in His creation for me- and yet today it was with His people, in two different settings. It was an extraordinary day.
Rob