Lord, do good to people who are good,
to people whose hearts are right.
But as for those people who turn to their own twisted ways—
may the Lord march them off with other evildoers! – Psalm 125:4-5
Yesterday was Sunday. Rebekah and I started the day, as is our tradition, in worship. We attended the Midland Reformed Church, where pastor Michael McGowan did an excellent job of addressing the distressing news surrounding the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.
It helped that Rev. McGowan was already planning to read from Psalm 125, and we were pleased to hear him emphasize the teaching that scripture is clear regarding the imperative – regardless of our political leanings – to focus our hearts and our intentions on following Jesus, to seek God’s way rather than following our own impulses.
It is always good to be in fellowship with followers of Jesus, and to turn our focus toward the Gospel of Peace and of Love and of Mercy and of Grace.
Dow Gardens:
In the afternoon Andrew and Alicia took us to Dow Gardens, featuring 110 acres of creative landscaping, a one-of-a-kind expansive children’s playground and an amazing series of elevated walkways through the canopy.
I have pasted in the few photos I took on my phone, but promise a more extensive series of images just as soon as I can download the collection from my Nikon.
Three children, plus adequate space to move and run, plus the shaded area under the canopy all adds together to produce a beautiful afternoon of literally reveling in God’s good creation.
Enjoy these photographs; then, as you are moved, make the decision to actively engage with the natural beauty found in your own town/region.
Believe me, it is harder to stay away from church once we remind ourselves how generous our Creator is with the joyful beauty that is the world around us.
Plus, and this is huge, appreciating creation helps keep things in perspective: our relationship to The Creator and our responsibility to seek guidance in terms of being – as the psalmist put it – “people whose hearts are right.” – DEREK
Peace, and more peace – DEREK
