Because I had so much fun, I entered the juried art show again this year. Like last year, I submitted two landscape, astrophotography shots—new compositions from this summer and fall. This year I opted for traditional printing and framing, but with a slight twist.

Pastor Jason Bonnicksen continues the Revelation Bible study series at New Hope Lutheran Church, diving into Revelation 3 — the letters to the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Fast forward to today. I was out and about visiting shut-ins when a notification from the VA suddenly popped up on my phone: “Prescription package shipped.” Not only that, it was already out for delivery. Next thing I know, my phone buzzes with a FedEx notification showing a picture of a box sitting on my doorstep. I genuinely had no clue what it was.

In this study of Revelation 2, Pastor Jason Bonnicksen unpacks what Jesus had to say to the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira. We dig into the teaching of Balaam, the Nicolaitans, and the spirit of Jezebel — and draw the straight line from those ancient warnings to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and other false teaching movements operating in the church today.

Anywho… I’m incredibly grateful for today's little forced break. That, and a whole bunch of other things: square hamburger patties for tonight’s supper, getting cuddles from the mutts, hitting the 80s in October, the gal on the phone today from the Minneapolis VA who actually knows where Comfrey is (how?! I have no idea), and the ladies at church keeping in the Word by window-light, and so, so much more.

Anyways, IMHO, they all deserve gold stars, a raise, or both. Because truly, their service and level of care today was exceptional. And if I have to be honest, that’s consistently been my experience with the regional VA clinics. The big hospital centers? I dunno. But these smaller, outlier clinics out in the rural parts: these folks are flat-out getting the job done.

To Him, I give thanks. He is the ultimate source of in-spiration (literally, breathing life into us) for me, for you, and for us all. When we read the Word, He speaks to us, often in that “still small voice.” He is the One who breathed life into Adam, and I believe, into us all. And daily, He works within us to sanctify us and make us righteous in the likeness of Christ. How can we not give thanks to the Holy Spirit of God?

What happens when a church gets all the doctrine right but forgets to love? In this study of Revelation chapter 2, we dive into the first two letters Jesus wrote to the seven churches — Ephesus and Smyrna.

So that’s what I did. And you know what? There’s actually something nice about just making do with the gear you already own instead of trying to buy your way out of a minor inconvenience.

Looks like there’s gonna be a roundtrip vacation next summer to Cincinnati and the Tidewater Area to spoil three little kiddos, and perhaps their parents, too.

All in all, I’m incredibly thankful for those views. It means people are watching—including, as I recently learned, some folks who don’t even hold to the Christian faith but are curious enough to see what God’s final Word has to say.

Thanks for indulging me and my odd, de-evolved sense of humor. As you mathed it, today we hit Milestone #3. At least, I think it’s the third milestone. I don’t know how many I’ve chosen. Anyway, I think day number 300 is worth celebrating, don’t you?