A Walk in the Woods (Sorry, Bill Brison!)

I had an interesting assignment for class today. We were supposed to meet up with a classmate and spend 1 hour discussing how we've seen God active in our lives: guidance, answers to prayers, feeling connected during devotional time, etc.

I didn't know how to feel about the assignment at first because it struck me as sort of a strange thing to prescribe. I can't have special spiritual encounters with God on a deadline...that's sort of up to God, you know? But we decided since it is a GLORIOUS 80 degree day here in Berrien Center, MI, we would go for a walk at Love Creek Park since it's just a 5 minute walk from our house.

The fall colors are nearing their peak right now, and the paths through the woods were carpeted in golden yellow and royal crimson leaves: just gorgeous. There was a distinct smell of leaf mold lingering in the air that reminded me of being a kid and rolling in raked up leaves. I promise, I'm going to start bringing a camera with me everywhere I go, but we don't have anything pro-grade so even digital photos are going to fall short of properly conveying the beauty of life.

As we started talking, it felt like the perfect setting for talking about God...His goodness, His promises, His action in our lives. Both my friend and I felt God was clearly calling us into specific ministry. Derek--my friend--is going into children's ministry which is awesome. He's got such a big heart and I know he'll be perfect for youth ministry. He was lamenting that we are 10 years behind, as a church, in children's ministry, and that his vision is to start a youth camp up in the mountains of his native British Columbia, Canada. I hope with all my heart that he succeeds. Go Derek!

For my part, I feel drawn to Amazing Discoveries for a number of reasons. First and foremost, part of my conversion from atheism to Christianity was due to the ministry of Dr. Walter Veith whose lectures are available free of charge at their website. But more than this, they have active evangelistic outreaches and missionary work throughout the world and also host educational lecture series in British Columbia. I've dreamed of teaching, but do not want to give up on missionary work. Is God calling me somewhere I can do both? I'm excited by the possibilities!

David