Sunday, August 8, 2010

the most romantic spot in Kitsap county

I made this deal with myself to go "hiking" every day before school starts up again. Now hiking also includes other outdoor adventures (i.e. kayaking, rock-climbing, trail running, etc.) So for today's "hike", I drove to Anderson Landing Preserve.

Back when I was in college (and um...in shape) I used to run from my parents' house to Anderson Landing. It ends up being a good 4 mile run with all of the steep hills in the very middle of the run, when you have the most adrenaline. There's this one spot at the end of the L1 trail that overlooks the Hood Canal. It's my favorite view in Kitsap county. Recent landslides have opened up the view even more, dramatically framing the Olympics and Dabob Bay.


This morning our church finished up a series on the book of Ruth called "Summer Romance." So, it was only fitting to go on a date with Jesus. After I left the morning gathering at church, I went for a date with Jesus at Anderson Landing.

As usual, my car was the only one at the trailhead. Some mean, scary neighbor dogs were barking and growling at me so I waited in the car until their owner came out to take them home. Walking to my favorite spot, I was a little paranoid about vampires and werewolves... Good news: I did not get eaten.

Here is the beautiful view:

I like to sit at the bench and pray. Pray over my family. Pray over this community. Pray for God's love to always "feel" this real.

It's easy to recognize God's power when you look at scenery like this. He paints the mountains rising out of the water. He brings the tide back and forth to the shore. He builds the trees nice and tall, pointing to Him in the heavens. He writes His name in the clouds that roll in and roll out. The birds sing praise hymns that echo throughout the forest. Glory, glory, glory!

But He only makes us in His image.

That's what's so beautiful about this place. It always reminds me of the relentless way that Christ pursues His bride. I love reading praise poetry here. It's so romantic. Love you can reach out and touch!

Today was just such a beautiful day. Well, literally the weather was grey and ehh. But, after the sermon about Redemption in Ruth chapter 4. After the sweet moments alone with my Redeemer. After such a beautiful start, I got to be a part of a baptism service at the Silverdale Waterfront Park. 

I was blessed to baptize one of my student friends who traveled to Mazatlan with me this summer. And also given the opportunity to meet a new sister in Christ (Tiffany) and baptize her as well. As Tiffany announced to our church body before her baptism, "I'm getting baptized as my PDA with Jesus. I want to show the world how I love Him and want to follow Him." Bold and unashamed. That's our crazy faith.

And this was all before 2 o'clock.

Later, I got to rock climb with Megan Sheppard. Talk more about God's crazy love. And some of my stupid girl plans... Then I got to catch up with Amanda, the greatest friend on the planet. Later, heading back to church to hang out with the coolest 2-4th graders around. And after the night service got to have teriyaki and Vietnamese coffee with some small group friends. This is the life!

"So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build each other up." Rom 12

Beautiful romantic day. Thanks God!

1 comment:

  1. Pom PomAugust 9, 2010 at 5:56 AM

    Good for you, packing in the delight this summer. Your view IS especially romantic.

    ReplyDelete

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Ephesians 5

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!

Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you!”

Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

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