The Ups and Downs of a Fall !!

Recently, as I was contemplating my navel about the approach of Fall (or as we call it down under:autumn); I started to think about what I liked and will miss in Fall 2008. Things like slightly cooler (it is Florida!) weather (but I love summer); the end of hurricane season (but we need more rain); the leaves put on a color festival (but then they drop!); the growth of the garden slows (but the pruning begins!); the Rays made the World Series (great job, guys!); we wind the clocks back (but it still gets dark too early!); Halloween candy is everywhere (sadly I am not a dentist! Plus I really am not fond of how ghoulish it has all become) - you get my mindset, right?

As I wandered in the garden one evening, there was no breeze at all, only a beautiful stillness - it felt like the quiet after a long hot busy summer. Which is good, because in America, when the 'Holiday Season' kicks in, the pace becomes quite frantic and doesn't slow till New Year!

Feeling tired again? Let me offer you a bible verse that came to my mind and which is sage advice for this season: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10). For me this keeps the next two months in perspective.

As soon as Halloween is done (enjoy, but be careful), America will elect a new President. There are courageous decisions to be made to move this country to a better place, I pray daily that the person God needs to lead will emerge and that the whole country will unite to work for a better situation for all 300 million of its citizens that will bring back the joy!

Moving right along, the next things to come out are the cornucopias and the turkeys ready for Thanksgiving! There will be dinners in homes and all over the community, the desire is for everyone to have a Thanksgiving feast in thanks for God's provision - and God's provision is awesome indeed! If only we would share it more equitably and more often!

Now we need the running shoes, for the day after Thanksgiving is 'very-early- morning-get-up-and-stand-in-line-to-get-great-bargains-for-Christmas-gifts-day!"
They are promising great bargains this year, but please remember the true spirit of giving is not only the gift but the meaning of giving. It's a Christmas thaanng!

Speaking of Christmas, the very best part of Fall is that we start the season of Advent, the time to prepare our hearts to celebrate again the coming of the Christ-child. Starting with the lights in the garden, and ending with Christmas Eve candlelight services - this is truly a time to 'be still and listen for God.' Which leads me to tell you that as I contemplated the excitement I know I will feel as the season begins, the words of a beautiful Christmas carol came to mind:

"It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old

from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold

Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from heaven's all gracious King.

The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing."

Personally, I can't wait; and I hope you are the same.

Shalom

Pastor Greg