Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world

I’m not a fan of moving the clock forward an hour in the spring, getting used to a new schedule, and then turning it back an hour in the fall. But I did enjoy the hint of extra light this morning when I walked Scout Labradoodle, and for that I am grateful.

Then, when I brought Rebekah her morning coffee, I noticed how the light from the East filters through the turning leaves of the dogwood outside our bedroom window, and I felt moved by the powerful representation of new life, pouring over the horizon, spilling into our home, filling us both with the promise of another chapter in this great adventure, equipping us to be full, and strong, and loaded with the Jesus kind of light!

Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

GOD IS: Tuesday evening – talking with the “virtual” group of men’s ministry leaders I meet with by phone – we spent a few minutes sharing “God moments” from the previous week. One of the guys struggled to come up with an example, then simply described an event where he understood – rather than felt – that God was there. My friend’s answer was an important contribution, because it reminded us that faith is as much about acknowledging God as it is “experiencing” God. God is – with or without hold-hands-and-sing-kumbaya experiences – the fact of God doesn’t require a stylized spiritual “moment” to make it so. 

And this is my prayer – for all of us – as we engage another new day. May the profound fact that God is accompany us as a powerful, affirmative, inspirational truth. Then, as we experience all the beauty, and the challenge, and the wonder that this day brings, may we recognize God at work – both in us, and through us.

– DEREK

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God’s recreation of the new day