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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

Catching Up – Fall is Here

George

The temperatures have cooled. It is refreshing and I love the fall season. We turned our heat on last week. Though I really enjoy fall, like everything else, it brings some trade-offs. Some good and others not so good. My front porch reading time is radically reduced. Leaves will need to be raked. No more outside painting. Workouts require more resolve and warm running gear. Tuesday evening talks with my neighbor friends on the porch must retreat to a warmer venue. The last lawn mowing of the year is close. The hot tub will feel really good. The front door will be closed most of the time. Bike riding gets really breezy. Heavy coats. Florida begins to sound really good.

Several things have been occupying my time. I have knocked off several of my house to-do tasks: re-caulking the tub, repairing the tub, sealing some leaks, repairing the commode, cleaning and painting some floor grates, trimming our neighbor’s tree.

I am helping Gary Smith set up a website for his business. Although it is still in progress, you can check it out at www.malco-cleans.com . We have have started attending a Life Group every other Sunday pm. It is good to get to know people better and share in a Bible study. There are still a number of tasks and projects on my list. I continue to appreciate the opportunity to develop relationships.

My favorite coffee venue is Main and Maple Coffee Shop in Nicholasville. I had an interesting experience there last Friday morning when several of us broke up a fight on the sidewalk outside. Three women and two men were going at it big time. Pretty ugly. You’d think it was too early for a fight. Two women ganged up on the other woman. They were doing some serious fighting. The two guys acted as if one was afraid and the other was proud of it. More noise that substance. Interesting way to start the day.

Last Sunday at First Alliance Church was a good experience. The sermon was on the parable of the prodigal son and was really a challenging message. We finished the class series on Listening to God led by Marilyn Elliott. She did an outstanding job. I will try to post some thoughts from those soon. 

Blogging continues to be difficult for me of late. I just probably just need to relax and not feel that I have to post something.

Catching the Wind

George

This past weekend, the speaker at the men’s retreat, was a catalyst for re-thinking some things I have come to understand in the course of my journey.

  •  As Christ followers, it is God’s desire that we be transformed. We are not re-made, but new creatures, born again, created in His likeness. 
  • We are, in fact, created anew, but, we are also in the process of being transformed each day. We are, each day, becoming what we already are.
  • Transformation is a process that works from the inside out. Transformation changes hearts and minds and our lives are reflect those changes on the outside.
  • Transformation is the work of God. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are transformed.
  • I cannot accomplish transformation by my own power working from the outside in. 
  • An authentic transformed life can only be discerned through an examination of one’s heart and motives. It is possible to have the appearance of transformation without inner transformation.
A nagging question in my mind (mostly because I am inclined to take charge) is how can I (see what I mean?) produce/facilitate this transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit. Another way to put it is: What must I do to be transformed?  Because of my rationalistic mind-set, my answer to those questions seems to always loop back to working from the outside in. i.e. I’ll establish a regimen of study, prayer, et al. Stop doing …. and so on. 
In a sermon Sunday, the speaker used a metaphor that produced a glimmer of light on the subject. The metaphor was that of sailing. As he encouraged us to toward personal revival, he called us to unfurl our sails so they will catch the wind of the Spirit and our lives will be propelled as the wind directs. YES! I thought for a moment. But then I thought, what does unfurling my sails look like in my life. What must I do to unfurl my sail? Be careful or I’ll be back in my “I’ll just get it done mode.”
I continue to ponder the question, “What is it that shapes me in such a way that I will catch the wind of the Spirit so that God directs and empowers my life?”

Monday Morning

George

The week is beginning with a beautiful day. Today is the date for Jerod and Blake tonsillectomies. We will be looking after Meredith and Grayson while Tanya and Dan attend to Jerod and Blake. It is Fall break for the schools here so we are hoping to we can do some thing special this week, at least with Meredith and Grayson.

The last few days have been rich with happenings. I enjoyed playing golf on Friday with Adam and Bubba. It was the first time I’ve played golf in a couple of years and my game proved it. However, it was a beautiful day and the course was really nice and I really appreciated the opportunity to be with Adam and Bubba. The Okolona church men’s retreat was Friday evening and Saturday and we went down early to play golf. 

Tim Woodruff spoke on the subject of the Holy Spirit. His presentation was challenging and was a catalyst for a lot of discussion among the us. A most rewarding part of the retreat, for me, were the conversations. It was really good to have meaningful exchanges with several old friends. 

Ann visited with the Gabehart’s while I was at the retreat. After returning to Louisville on Saturday we headed back to Wilmore. Sunday was full with church and class, lunch with the Crockett’s and a drive over to Berea for an arts and crafts show. We visited on the front porch with our neighbors for a while. I spotted some feral kittens that have been around the house and we were able to capture them. Meredith and I will take them to the animal shelter today.