checking in

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with a great friend last night. One of the many things I enjoy about my close friends is their ability to help me see things in life I hadn’t seen before. So often our interpretation of life’s events is arrogantly derived from our own perspective and interpretation of life as we see it. I’ve been struggling to understand a situation for a long time and I think I had a moment of clarity that has enabled me to put things in perspective. Sometimes we have to accept it when people decline our offers of help. Stubbornness, arrogance, immaturity and fear are not fruits of the spirit of God. Not everyone understands this perspective and when they don’t it can cause suffering. Hence the need to accept it when others decline our offers. The Apostle Paul states that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Where does accepting the declines of others fit into this? Well, if we embody the fruits of the spirit then we have to decline in a way that promotes this. In this way we can be ambassadors for Christ. Sounds great in theory but practice is another story.  Practicing the fruits of the spirit opens us to a life in which we can consistently be a blessing to others. We are in a daily spiritual battle with the devil and the practice of drawing closer to God through prayer and reading scriptures empowers us with the weapons to battle evil in our lives. It is a battle that is fought in the mind and body. ln my travels and interactions with others in life I often observe how people fight their battles and work to encourage the fruits of the spirit. I don’t always do a great job but I’m trying. God knows that I’m trying.

mountain air

As usual, I’m the first one up. I’m in Tucker County this weekend at a friends cabin and it is simply incredible up here. The mountain air is always refreshing! We arrived late Thursday evening and it feels like this is the first time we haven’t been off doing something. Appropriately no since no one is up! Started the day off yesterday with one of my favorite pasttime activities. Cooking breakfast for everyone. Made our way into Parsons, WV to check out the local proprietors and their offerings. Interesting to say the least. You know you’re in a country town when they sell canned corn in the bait section of a store where you can buy guns and plastic flowers.

Met a friend for lunch and then off to the Dry Fork of the Cheat River for some trout fishing. Caught a smallmouth bass, a trout got away and then landed a fat 17″ Rainbow. THAT was good eats last night! Shot guns for awhile and then Smores and fireworks! Today, we’re heading out for some canoeing and fishing.