Blog

The distinctive twang of banjos floated through the air as we entered through the doors and into the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival. We were immediately enveloped in the charged atmosphere as we searched through the packed auditorium for a few empty seats. While scanning the audience, acquaintances greeted us as if we were good friends, and some amiable strangers made room for us to squeeze into a corner where we could settle in and comfortably view the sights and sounds.

One day the Lord spoke to a man named Abram and called him to leave his country and relatives to travel to a land that He would show him. God promised that if Abram obeyed He would make a great nation out of his family, bless him, and make his name great. God also promised that through Abram's family God would bless all the earth.

Repentance is a huge theme of the book of Revelation. It tells us that people will be called over and over to repent of their sin, but that they will not do so.  Even after experiencing horrible things in God's judgment, they will refuse to turn to God. This will be a sign that the final judgment is very near. I have been disturbed about this as our church has been studying Revelation. How can people hear the truth over and over, experience the wrath of God and still not turn to Him?

It is very important to wear the correct clothing. The other day we had a rainy outside auction. The temperature was 50 degrees and it rained most of the time. There were old cars, engines and miscellaneous scrap metal all over the farm. We slogged through ankle deep mud from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM. I was so glad that I had dressed in layers with a rain poncho and rubber boots. Others were not as prepared for this weather and setting. One man lost his dress shoe when it stuck in the mire. Another fell when trying to wade through a thick spot. Numerous others ruined good tennis shoes. I was also surprised that many had not worn any kind of rain gear and were trying to cut holes in black plastic garbage bags to put on and keep somewhat dry. Yes, it is very important to have the right kind of clothes.

I have always loved pizza. Often on a Sunday night after church Grandma and Grandpa would order a large pie from Vinny's pizzeria. There was nothing like dragging a hot slice onto your plate, folding it over, and letting the olive oil run down your chin as you took your first cheesy bite. Since moving to Cedarville, I regularly catch a whiff of the tantalizing aroma of fresh pizza coming from our hometown pizzeria. I was reminded tonight that here in Cedarville, not only do we have good pizza, but we have something even better.

I did it again! I got lost. I have never been good at directions and, much to my chagrin, get turned around every time I go somewhere out of the ordinary.  Even just the suggestion of driving to a new place by myself causes my nerves to tingle. For this reason I have been very grateful for the GPS app on my phone. I have come to rely on it heavily and use it even for places that I have been to before to assure myself that I will get there without getting on any unintended rabbit trails.