BST's Blog

Wow--what an amazing relay swimming race last night! Incredible! Did I mention I am a junkie?

I began blogging about 5 months ago. I was in the middle of some pretty difficult stuff at OC during that time and while things have gotten better relationally, the year seems to have held that same kind of feel. It's probably been the hardest year of my adult life and definitely the hardest year ever with regards to work, ministry, etc. I look back and wonder if it might have been the Lord pushing me towards blogging through the use of several influential voices. I wonder if He knew I'd need a place of safety (well, some days!) to sort out all the stuff going on around me. I wonder if he knew I would come to rely on this blog community for wisdom and strength on hard days. It's a cool thing. I am thankful for you all and for your encouragement on the journey. Thanks for allowing me to use this method to vent and to express things that might not always be pleasant to read. Thank you for giving me extra measures of grace along the way. I have to believe that, somehow, God is using these blogs to allow us to talk about the deeper things of life and to encourage each other. I am always amazed as I search the net and read other blogs of friends like Donny, Stephanie, Chris Lockhart, Clarissa, Mike, Greg, Ty and others. The things being discussed are deep truths, sometimes struggles, always inspirational. It's not because any of us proclaim ourselves to be writers or authors--well, except for Mike and GT. I think the reason all these blogs (and there are many more than what I have listed here) are so awesome is because we get a peek inside regular lives on a journey with the Lord. Hopefully, the hard questions we all ask will be softened as Jesus says, "Come learn of me!" "My yoke is easy, my burden is light." "Come find rest for your souls."

We are siblings on a journey. Some days it's easier to blog about creamed corn than it is the harder issues that seem to cover me like a prickly blanket. I think that's ok. Creamed corn is just as much a part of the journey. It's mundane and wonderful. It's family, it's fellowship. Without the creamed corn type of blogs, I'd go insane.

Yesterday I had one of my major meetings that I have been dreading this week. It went pretty well. There was much to process last night. Sheryl amazes me. I mean, she is really incredible. She loves me more than I deserve. Her empathy and words of wisdom and understanding were so soothing last night. She is a treasure.

I have a lot on my heart to write regarding the meeting yesterday, but again, not blog appropriate. So, back to creamed corn. But seriously.

Tonight we are talking about holiness during our Retreat to the Creek time. I look forward to what Tim has to say. Next week we finish out the summer as we have for years with Phil Keaggy, a very wonderful man of God and a freak on the guitar. I always enjoy talking with Phil. There's a quiet presence of the Lord in Him. He is one of those guys who is amazingly gifted and yet seems to breed calm in those around him. That seems to be such a rare quality. I love his story. I love his wife, Bernadette. I am so thankful for his ministry and love of OC. If you're near Nashville and can make it next Wednesday, please come. 7pm!

I have rambled some today. Hope that's ok. God is good. That is something unchanging and something that anchors us all. We can count on it.