Ale for the Soul

As a take-off on this popular John Steinbeck novel, I wanted to reflect on my favorite time of the year.  For some strange reason, fall leading into winter, and winter itself, are my two favorite times of the year.  Due to the way I'm hard-wired, temperament and personality, this season is truly one of rest, re-grouping, and vision-casting.  By the time spring rolls around, I'm like a baby in the throes of labor waiting to burst forth full of life, wonder, and potential.  On days like today when a time of snowing leaves the roads iced over and impassable, I am left alone with nothing but my thoughts to reflect upon.  Then I look ahead to the future, equipped with a treasure chest full of invaluable life experiences, anxiously casting a vision with subsequent goals outlined to aid in the capture of what lies down the road.  Sometimes I ponder the lot of humanity as represented by the mass of people I observe and come in contact with on a daily basis.  I am saddened by the silent

                Good morning Toastmasters.  It is my pleasure to talk about the very subject of community with you.  Allow me to begin by giving the dictionary definition of the word.  There were many definitions given, but the three which follow are the most pertinent to this morning’s discussion.  They are: (1) A unified body of individuals or a group linked by a common policy.  (This may manifest itself in a body of believers called the church.)  (2) A people with common interests living in a particular area.  (Toastmasters is a great example of this as each of us has a desire to work on our public speaking and interpersonal skills.)  (3) A group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society.  (This definition is most reflective of certain ethnic groups; for example, Chinatown in Houston or Little Italy in San Francisco.) Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV states: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If

               Dr. Tony Campolo, standing before his Sociology Class, begins his lecture with the question, “How long have you lived?”  One bold student raises his hand and responds, “Twenty-two years.”  This drew a quick response from the professor, “I didn’t ask you how long you have existed as a breathing, functioning member of the human race.  I wanted you tell me how long you have been really alive.”  Continuing the lecture, Dr. Campolo gives the students insight as to his point.  He immediately relates a story concerning a field trip he and his sixth grade class made to the Empire State Building in New York.  On the observation deck he could see out on to the urban landscape.  At this exact moment, time stopped.  He states, “It was with a heightened awareness, a hyper-intensive consciousness, that I held that moment far too wonderful to describe.  In a mystical way, I stepped outside of myself at that moment and reflected upon myself experiencing it.”  “I do not know how long I

Since moving in to my new place of residence, I have finally been able to heave a big sigh of relief.  Whew!  Finally I am able to take my mental and emotional guard down and truly rest in who I am in God.  As the adjustment period winds down, I am finding an immense amount of peace leading to unspeakable joy.  Now I can see clearly the guiding hand and the footsteps of God Almighty as He has been leading me these previous seven months.  As the remnants of residual stress fade away, I am discovering a peace I haven't found or experienced in years.  The scales are falling from my eyes as the clarity of the situation reveals itself.  Similar to the opening of the curtain to the stage performance or a behind-the-scene glimpse of what God has really been performing on my behalf all this time, I simply gasp in utter joy and wonder at how dependent I am on Him.  Gratitude at the recognition of God's blessings bestowed on me are overwhelming.  I can't stop praising and worshiping

Yesterday I moved into a new place of residence, an apartment closer into town.  What a relief it is to finally find solace in a place of refuge from the storms of life.  Everyone needs a place to retreat to on a daily basis in order to mentally undress and to emotionally let their guard down.  I am no different in this regard.  An introvert by temperament and a private individual at heart, the last seven months living with a friend "temporarily" have been trying at best.  Long-term stress with no relief in sight can wear on a person, and can inflict detrimental consequences on a person's psychological and physical health, wholeness, and overall well-being.  Before God's blessing of this apartment came along, I was ready to throw in the towel.  I knew something had to break for me soon, and I was fearful my mental and emotional state would be the very things to succumb to the pressure of long-term unresolved stress.  However, when the rope snapped, figuratively speaki