See HIM there....

I just got back from small group and I met the RISEN CHRIST there. "The Risen Christ" from "Living the Message" by Eugene Peterson from September 18 was shared.

What makes this so special is that I remembered the very first time I ever heard it. I felt tears come to my eyes because it seemed like such perfect timing to be hearing it again. I was able to reflect on a message that I have heard a few times over the past 5 years, but I remembered the first time and then realized in hearing it tonight how much hearing it that first time had and has changed my life. How this concept and message has become such a part of my every day daily life. And it reminded me how awesome GOD truly is.

I am going to share some from it and let Eugene Peterson's words speak for themselves:

In every visit, every meeting I attend, every appointment I keep, I have been anticipated. The Risen Christ got there ahead of me. The Risen Christ is in that room already. What is HE doing? What is HE saying? What is going on?...When I arrive and enter the room I am not so much wondering what I am going to do or say...as I am alert and observant for what the Risen Christ has been doing or saying that is making a gospel story out of this life...We are always coming in on something that is already going on. Sometimes we clarify a word or feeling, sometimes we identify an overlooked relationship, sometimes we help recover an essential piece of memory-but always we are dealing with what the Risen Christ has already set in motion, already brought into being.

I just sat in awe of how magnificent the RISEN CHRIST is and how much I have grown after hearing this particular message the first time and yet how every year I read it on September 18 have I been reminded of it...........but, mostly to have it STILL speak to me today.

Once again GOD's perfect timing. Makes me think about being home and getting settled. How I have almost done everything on my list that I wanted to do when I got back to the States. I am actually still waiting for three of my top five things to be honest. However, I am getting ready for one of those three to happen this weekend. I finally get to go up to the mountains, though it isn't for camping, it still is going up to be in the mountains. And just to add it is going to be a blast. For the other two, well they both require the same thing, well person................and, I am just reminded that it will all be in GOD's perfect timing. Praise Jesus for that!!