Today began almost 72 hours of glorious rest. And while Sunday is kind of a workday, when you do what you love, it’s not as much work but a work of love. Today, I’m thankful for almost 72 hours of rest. Like you, and like our nation’s servicemen and women, I too need time to rest.

Back to my story. As we drove to Springfield, I again noticed the gloriousness of God’s good, green earth. The crops, the trees, brush — all of it — all the shades of green just fill the landscape all around.

This evening, I picked up the phone, called the man I felt led to reach; and praise God, he was receptive. He opened the proverbial door to let me share my dream, and listened even to my urgings for him to take this to the Lord. He was also receptive to prayer, for which I’m grateful. What this gentleman does with all this, well, he’s in my prayers.

Anywho... an hour or so later, after the doc put our eyes through the wringer, it was time for the tech to get us all fixed up. And Holy Moly Batman... the bill. Let's just put it this way: THANK GOODNESS for VSP insurance (and Danielle's HSA account).

ecause I just couldn’t get out of my own head about this issue, I didn’t hesitate. Without saying a word, I quietly walked down to the basement and dialed my pops. Dear old dad answered in his usual jovial way: “It’s Jason. What’s up? What are you two doing tonight?”

Now, I can’t speak for you, but I find these two subjects fascinating; I think because they both involve the unseen realm, and… what awaits humanity on the flip side of life as we know it—whether good or bad. I guess, really, what fascinates me the most—and captivates my attention most days—is the hope of heaven. The Apostle Peter wrote about that, saying:

While I totally appreciate the visual arts, the ones that audibly grab and reverberate throughout your very being are truly my thing. Better yet, smash the visual and the auditory together, and you will totally hold my attention. Enter the marching arts.

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 208 IDK..... That’s literally the title of this post right now. Gonna be super-honest; I’ve been sitting here in our family room, staring at a blinking cursor, and the cursor has been winning. Today’s been one of those days where the well feels completely dry. Honestly, it’s just been a weird one. It’s Friday, and normally my sermon is done by now — like completely ready to go for Sunday. But as of now? Nope. On top of that, I started working on

s I passed underneath its towering canopy, my sniffer caught the sweet scent from its thousands of yellow flowers, the smells of which have traveled on the winds, inviting the local honeybees to harvest its pollen. As I strolled beneath, two giant bees crossed my path, and that’s when I heard it: the roaring buzz of the swarm. Somewhere “up there” within the branches of the honeysuckle were countless critters feasting on pollen, adding to the cycle of nature that’s so badly n

Captivated, I dashed up the next flight of stairs and hurried into my office to catch a glimpse of the southern skies. While that view is somewhat obstructed by our town’s school, what I could see grabbed my imagination. I couldn't help but wonder: What else is out there to see?

Today, this oddball needed another Moriarty. Here’s the story. Y’all are gonna be shaking your heads and laughing at me in a moment....

By this afternoon, my spirit had calmed, thanks in part to listening ears (like my ever-patient and graceful wife), and other friends who gave their time to this frustrated pastor. And you know, thank God for them. No, truly; I am thankful for friends like them who listened, just so I could get the frustration off my chest. Although slightly out of context, the Apostle Paul’s words here perfectly fit my friends: