Ramblings

Rambling - straggling or sprawling haphazardly; unplanned

 It’s peaceful to ramble once in a while.  It’s especially nice to be a straggler on a forest path among a thicket of pine trees with a thick layer of pine needles under your feet.  Time is wasted for a moment, and plans fly out the window.

 

Î My mother came from Tennessee for a week’s visit this month.  I think our daily activity made her head spin a bit.  Evening slowed down with cups of tea, a game, or getting to know the stories of Narnia.  The two of us spent some special time together Friday afternoon and ended up at an art gallery.  Then it was off to King Tut’s drive-in for hamburgers and onion rings.
 

Î We have been playing a lot of board games since Daniel moved back home.  He has introduced us to Monopoly Deal and Settlers of Catan, but our favorite has been 7 Wonders.  I consistently come in third place, but surprise of all surprises I finally won for the first time the other day. 

 

Î We’ve been listening to some John MacMurray lately.  He taught at Timberline when Daniel was there as a student.  Here’s something he said that’s thought provoking, “God is and has never been alone.  The very nature of God as a person is that He exists in relationship.  This truth is expressed in Jesus’ words that He and the Father are one.  God is in Him and He is in God.  They are united in mutual love and communion yet without the loss of personal distinctness.  Their relationship is a rich and unclouded fellowship that is so deep and true, so open and close and fired by sure pure love that Jesus says they are one.” 

 

Î On the Saturday returning to Tennessee, we stopped in for a cup of coffee in Wytheville.  There in the Shoppe was a lady working on her computer and wearing a Louisiana State shirt.  We talked about their game coming up that day with Florida and the state of LSU football in general.  When I told her I was from Tennessee she said, “I can’t believe you don’t hate me.”  I felt very much like Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well in that moment.

 

Î I’ve been reading The Wilderness World of John Muir lately.  There is far more reverence and Scriptural inferences than you might imagine from the man who founded the Sierra Club.  Reading these journal entries have inspired me to a fresh appreciation of the glorious autumn handiwork of God and wish I could spend time with my friend Wade birding in the backwoods of West Virginia.