New England travels

Adjusting to the reality of New England winter with its snow, cold wind and freezing temperatures as I travel about in the small faithful car that the Lord has entrusted to me. From Connecticut to Maine to visit my favorite farming family came first. We had a feast in a rustic cabin with no electricity or plumbing. Later that day shared on the theme of joy as a fruit of the Spirit. Then down to the northern Massachusetts coast to visit another close friend. We walked along the beach in a frigid wind, watching the waves break on the sand. People in wetsuits were surfing. Later received a tour of Rockport. Thankful to return to the land of my roots. Even though not a true Yankee because I was born elsewhere, I have lived most of my life in New England.

The Three Way Covenant

One wonders why pre marital counseling is not required for Christian couples. Are we still in the Middle Ages? What might we discuss? The perpetuating of the powerful romantic fantasy engendered by our society that says if we just find the right person, our lives will be perfect bliss. How about the reality that life is hard, even for authentic believers. John 16:33 Another topic could be the reality that men and womens primary needs are different. Men need respect, women need love. Ephesians 5:33. We tend to give what we need rather than what the other needs. The idea that God brings two people together who are very different to balance one another out. Each bri gs their own strengths into the marriage. The most important for believers in Jesus Christ is the truth that the covenant of marriage is not just the man and the woman but with God Himself who created and brought them together. Do we want to break covenant with the One who loves us more than anyone else ever could, proving that decisively on the cross through the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins and rebellion?

1800 miles

Or 2,900 kilometers. This is the distance that I just finished driving from Texas to Connecticut in two and a half days in a car that looks so bad a junkyard would reject it. I find it difficult to rid myself of a car that just keeps running well with no problems and good gas mileage, although it did receive a new battery and brakes recently My journey began in south Texas thru Arkansas, the entire width of Tennessee before heading north through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania before making an eastward pivot through New York state, and finally to the northeast corner of Connecticut. Some portions of the interstate highways are well maintained; others not so much. Roughly three of every five vehicles are semis or similar size huge trucks once one is outside metro areas. They clog up the roads. The most common were FedEx trucks. For me, it is an endurance contest. I hope not to do it again any time soon. My little car and I need a break.

Ruminating

Some stray thoughts from recent days follow. Ephesians 5:26 in a passage comparing Christ to a husband speaks of washing the church, or wife, with the water of the Word. In other words, a godly husband should minister the truth and love of the Bible to his wife. This reminds me of plants, which especially in warmer climates, need to be watered regularly. Also thinking about trust, which I believe is the foundation of any good relationship, whether with God, a spouse, a friend or anyone. The challenge with trusting is we will get hurt, sooner or later. This leads to the necessity of forgiveness which isn't primarily about the person who offended us, but about our spiritual and emotional health, and relationship with God. Oftentimes the offender doesn't care whether we forgive them or not. If we don't forgive we end up wearing invisible chains.

Vagabonding 2

Last Friday traveled from the Fort Worth, TX area to the College Station area. On the way had 2 hours of fellowship with our brother Steve, a humble man, who is pioneering a relational community to transition long term homeless people off the streets. Rare touching of hearts. Then spent the weekend with friends in a rural county. Had BBQ with my friend Mike, whom I had promised to be the first with whom I would eat BBQ after returning to Texas. He wants to minister to men recovering from addictions. Then on to my friends B&L with the most wonderful hospitality. He teaches adult Sunday school and she makes an excellent breakfast. They treated me to pork rib eye, the best I have ever had.

Vagabonding

On November 22nd, left the Christian conference and retreat center where I had been in Connecticut to return to Texas. There first day's journey brought me to Tennessee, the 2nd to the Arkansas Texas border and the final half day to north Texas. Traveling on interstate highways is very crowded. Enjoyed hospitality of B&V for 2 nights. Transferred over to C&C for Thanksgiving. They have a separate guest house. Blessed to be with my daughter's family. Sunday went to my old church for early prayer, Equipping hour and the regular service. Sat with my good friend, George, with whom I had lunch the Tuesday before. Monday attended a men's Bible study on Daniel 11, sold the RV and rested. Tuesday worked through a chapter on justification and adoption in Wayne Grudem's "Christian Beliefs" with George. Wednesday evening went to my old home group where they are studying a book titled "Trusting God," by Jerry Bridges, an excellent author. Friday had a blessed breakfast with James, clean bill of health from Dr. Andy, and an extraordinary meeting with Steve S. To use an expression from a fervent brother that I know, we touched hearts. Finally I arrived in south central Texas.

Fiasco

Recreational vehicles, or RV's, are popular in the US. RV parks, both in live in or to use,while traveling are common, especially in warmer areas. I owned one for 4 years. Unless you have money to literally burn, or plan to keep it for the rest of your life, never buy one. Why? They are not well constructed. They are costly to purchase and repair. Two different repairmen worked on mine.Both charged a high fee just to arrive with a minimum of another hour at the same fee. If you attempt to sell it retail, you will find that you resided in the unit, people aren't interested.If you attempt to wholesale, I found that dealerships have a great business model, for them. They want to make a used vehicle into a new vehicle by someone else paying for the repairs- insurance, warranty, owner. While this process is ongoing, the price they are willing to give goes down steadily. It's a no win situation. I would rather be homeless than buy an RV.