Shelter, Strong Tower

Shelter...that's the word I have for today, which is merged into the last. Worship flowed during car ride to airport; delayed departure made way for a few final phone calls from my gate; heavy bags and a broken wheel upon retrieval, all was carried and I am not weighed down by my insufficiencies; reunion of friends met in October; international fellowship!; exhausted. Thinking about TIME: to pray, to rest, to talk, to listen, to retreat, to leave. This leaving is physical, but also emotional. Tomorrow I begin to lead a fellowship group dealing with such realities. Something I just read in the book Healing for Damaged Emotions I scanned on OM's shelf: The word happiness has its roots in the word happenings. Happiness depends on happenings, on what happens to us, externals that we can't control. Joy is the right word for what we Christians are to expect. For joy is an internal word which has to do with relationships, not circumstances, not happenings. Joy is the inner calm at the eye of the storm; feelings can be stormy, but there can also be an inner sense of righteousness to the will of God...Paul said it so well, 'But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption' (I Cor. 1:30)." Remember with me, friends, our God is able!

The German landscape is beautiful! Mountains with frosted trees, bubbling brooks, green pastures. I thoroughly enjoyed the bus ride from Frankfurt to Mosbach. My accommodations are called "Container 1". Bunk beds galore...hopefully, I'll stay warm tonight with temps below freezing! A few of us ventured into the town this afternoon - lovely homes, many with red roofs, churches, bakeries, and paths to walk. Oh, and we saw German ducks! Well, they look the same as the American ones, and the Canadian ones, according to a brother from Canada. It's good to be here. Thankful for your prayers for my travels. I'm longing to rest in the provision for what is to come. Gladness of heart comes from the Lord, who is our Strong Tower.