Do you feel it in the air? The coolness when the sun goes down out of sight. Even the longevity of daylight is dwindling and fading away ever so slightly every evening. From our back porch I watch as the sun keeps moving farther and farther south in the blue sky and keeps setting in a different place on that western horizon each setting of the sun. This is the season we dislike realizing summer is leaving and yet we look forward to the coming of the next season. So many of us love fall, I am one of those that enjoy fall and wished it would last more than a quick couple of months. Mary and I have commented on how our days are long, but the weeks fly by! I hope you all have had an opportunity to enjoy this summer! It has had less uncertainty and apprehension than last year, even though we are not back to normal. May we all pray for each other and keep thinking of others as we keep on “Keeping On.”

Question: With that in our thoughts, how have we kept moving forward? Who has been there in our “keeping on?” Our lives are full of questions, and we search and wait for answers that at times will never get a response. Are we “OK” with that? The choice is ours to make unlike the changing of the seasons for which we have no choice as they come and go as the world spins. There is still so much unrest in our country and the world, and the question arises again what is the answer, how do we “keep on?” Let me just say there is a light that helps us with our uncertainty and leads us through all afflictions. There is so much of it that is out of our control and yet we worry our heads off about it and what are we going to do!?!? I am reminded to not sweat the small stuff and pray for that which we cannot control and to be accepting either way. Do not fear for the Lord is with us always. We do not just feel the changing air of the seasons or the world, but the presence of the Holy Spirit working within us, helping us to accept things that seem to be out of control for the moment. It is like our Wisconsin weather; just stick around it will change in a minute. Beloved children of GOD let us not fear but be the difference that needs to occur each day. Let us show the world we are not in fear of the changing winds and will stand strong together no matter how hard the winds may blow and from whatever direction they come from. Pull out the prayer blankets of Christ and be prepared for the change that is unmistakably coming. Enjoy the little time we have of warm days left and be prepared for the coming of cool nights. (Let the warm campfires begin!) You are all in Mary and I’s prayers constantly, may we be in yours. Lord may we stay planted in fertile soil and stand on the stone that is rejected by the world. Always may we be in you and you in us. GOD is Good. Amen

Love and Laughter
Pastor Paul†