Good Time, Busy Time

Finally. Boy, it's been a long time. Sorry about that. It's been a busy time.

I picked up Jason at the Denver airport on August 2. We left the airport at 8:00 P.M. and headed for Orlando, two thousand miles. Jason hadn't slept for twenty for hours coming from England, and in spite of that, we drove and talked non-stop for another twenty four hours. We managed the two thousand miles in a day and a half.

The ASI Convention was very good, very spiritual. The music was exceptional. The highlight, as for as I am concerned, was my opportunity to bring two estranged brothers together to effect a reconciliation.

We lelt Orlando on a Sunday morning. We drove for 800 miles that day and for 1300 miles the next day. During the long day, we stopped at the factory that makes Zenair airplanes. Jason got some of his questions answered and asked the people there to take us up in a four-seater airplane. That was cool, even tho' it was 100 degrees F.

All the next week we worked non-stop at Eden Valley--Executive Committee meetings, personnel problems, loading a container for Africa, preaching twice etc.

Then, on Sunday morning, we took off at 3:00 A.M. for Wenatchee, WA. We travelled the 1270 miles in one day. Now, we are at Angie's having a blast. Julie and her boys are here, Angie's girls are all grown up. Vanessa and Brianna are lifeguards at the local pool. The boys and I climbed the mountain in athletic style--we practically ran all the way up and down. I was soaked. Our boys are boys. Our girls are beautiful, and I mean knockouts. Angie's adopted twins have been very affectionate and pleasant. All is good.

The messages at ASI were all good. Interestingly, the sermon I enjoyed the least left me with the only lasting impression. It had to do with the Beatitudes. The Preacher read something from the S.O.P which said that Jesus preached the Beatitudes in an effort to give the human race access to God. Just that idea inspired me to no end. I long to have greater access to God. Don't you? That means everything, John 17:3. But consider this: Jesus gives eight points, which if we follow, constitutes the key to the heart of God.

The eight keys are in a natural order. Number one: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Happy are they who feel their spiritual poverty. This is the first condition of salvation. Then, blessed are they who mourn that condition, for, number three, it will leave you meek, i.e. teachable. Once we recognize our terrible condition and become self-distrustful, then we begin to hunger and thirst for righteousness. With righteousness comes purity, mercy, and peacemaking, as opposed to trouble making. In reaching that high standard, then surely persecution will come and with persecution an intimate walk with God. I love it.

So says the Preacher to his Tribe.