Summertime
The school year is finished, and it’s hot now in Tucson. We had a surprisingly long and beautiful spring, which I took full advantage of. Though I didn’t finish the back patio project I started, I was able to install a drip system, trim the trees, plant some vines, and make a small garden using transplanted roses from my parents’ home. These are little things that make our home a little happier.
The work outdoors also seems to be good for my soul. In addition to the long spring, there were other surprises. Some were wonderful, and some were very sad. But working outdoors, quietly tending to God’s creation has helped my heart from getting root bound. I can’t explain why; perhaps you can.
Either way, let’s live by these words from Proverbs 19:21:
רַבּ֣וֹת מַחֲשָׁב֣וֹת בְּלֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וַעֲצַ֥ת יְ֝הוָ֗ה הִ֣יא תָקֽוּם
Many plans in the heart of man, but the decision of Yahweh is what will stand.
Now I am taking some time off. I am recharging, I think, but mostly I’m just trying to be content and open to whatever God has planned.
I’m working on increasing my pushup count to 40. (I can do a total of 26 now over the course of three sets.) I am playing my cello more, reading a few books outside my normal track, and focusing on my family.
Thanks for subscribing to my newsletter! As promised, here are some highlights from the blog since my last update.
- A visit to the OPC mission work in Yuma.
- My first video on the site was from a live performance of Young MacDonlad Band.
- I doing a little series of reflections on the Nicene Creed: 1, 2, 3
- Big updates on the reading page.
- And on the recommending page too. Is this too long or too short? What do you want to see here?
- A poem on meditation.
- Advice to parents how to know when their children are ready to receive the Lord’s Supper.
And don’t forget to check out my friend and fellow minister, Austin Britton, doing his singer-songwriter thing. Several years ago I played a few of these songs with him at some hip venues in San Diego County…and also in our tiny apartments. Good memories.
Make some music this summer,
Christopher Chelpka