Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Saturday here in Ohio started out cold then stayed that way. The snow from Friday evening stayed around and then, as my host and I were driving to the park to set up for the day’s retreat, we had a nice lake-effect addition of the fluffy white stuff.

Somehow over thirty men made their way out to join us, and the rest of the day went off without a hitch.

It is an interesting phenomenon, speaking in public. I am a fairly quiet person by nature, and I do not have the kind of effervescent personality that lights up social gatherings in the way Rebekah does, or our daughter Naomi. But something happens when I have something important to share, especially when I have the opportunity to motivate or inspire others to – as the New Testament puts it – “take hold of the life that is truly life!”

So I played guitar a little bit, I shared from my heart, I set up discussion questions for breakout groups, and then I did it all a second time. Later, after lunch, I offered a short meditation when we served the bread and the wine at communion, and I was so moved that the moment brought me to tears.

This morning – Sunday – I will be teaching the combined adult Sunday school classes, and then I have been asked to share the message during worship.

I will write more deeply about all this when I return to North Carolina. Only for now, please pray that God’s good word of inspiration and encouragement and love will continue to define my time with these beautiful people, and that this community’s call to live a more intentional and invitational life of discipleship will yield fruit “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”

In love, and because love makes this possible – DEREK