And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

So there is a lot going on at Maul-Hall (as per usual) but especially outside as we enjoy this spectacular spring weather.

The flowers, of course, have been blooming with such eloquence. And then Rebekah has been making good use of the mild temperatures to use the front porch – and sometimes even the sidewalk – as her repair and refinishing workshop.

Rebekah’s first project was the dining room table and the results were spectacular. She has also been working on an elegant drop-leaf that will take a lot more time. Then there is the current nest of small stacking tables along with a classic English tea-trolly, that have been commanding her attention for the past couple of weeks.

A lot of what she is doing is “learn-as-you-go” which leads to the inevitability of mistakes, re-do’s and recalibration. Then, when she has to actually take something apart, there is the realization that previous repairs – and even sometimes the original work – are very much sub-standard.

But she loves the process.

The idea of “process” resonates with where my men’s Bible-study group is right now. We are not scholars, we are not clergy, we are not loaded with doctoral degrees in systematic theology. But who we are is “Disciples in Process.”

What we bring to the table is our honest questions, earnest prayers and life experience – along with a desire to know God better though Jesus and to live out our faith in a way that means something. So we stumble along, we wrestle with the scriptures, and we struggle with doubt and discernment and “Lord help my unbelief.”

So sometimes we have to sand off the rough edges and reassemble and deal with where we have a screw loose. But in it all there is honesty, and desire, and humility, and love.

And, once in a while, we bloom like these flowers and we are luminous with God’s grace and light.

Regardless, we are grateful – DEREK