Two friends - one old, one brand new - join me on a journey through New York State just into Massachusetts. Together the three of us have come to relax and enjoy the Berkshire hills and so far it's spectacular. We have signed in to a Vacation Village time share just across from a winter ski hill resort and we are amazed at the simple beauty all around us. Rolling hills, green trees, blue skies, a black bear, guinea fowl, windmills, and curvy roads catch our eyes.
Taking nine hours to travel from Toronto to Hancock, on Friday we started getting (re)aquainted and settled in to a great place. A king size bed fills the room, but there is still space for a jacuzzi. Yeah - so relaxing. Saturday was a day for exploring, grocery shopping, and a train ride through the hills to catch a bit of history. The Berkshire Scenic Railway ride was 90 minutes in length and well worth the introduction to the area.
"Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing."
Psalm 65:8-13
Those were precious words I read for devotions this morning before hopping in faithful Winnie (my Cavalier) and driving to church. The three of us weren't sure what we were walking in to, besides a quaint wide-siding building with a large white steeple, as there were only three other cars in the parking lot. When the service started there were only 17 people attending the "Church at the Crossroads" in Stephentown, NY, but the Spirit of God was definitely there.
An elderly pastor spoke from his heart and shared God's Word in regards to the call Abram received... to "leave". We are all called to follow God and be blessed. The pastor mentioned that being blessed means: God keeps working on you until you get it right. A surrendered life isn't clinging to everything that is familiar, it is clinging to God alone. His words were so encouraging for me as I strive to prepare for God's work in Uganda, but also continue serving Him at the group home and live in Ontario.
This church was a down-to-earth church... filled with friendly people who PRAYED! God was there and I was blessed! "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11: 16)
Well, I'm back to the room to get ready for lunch. I needed this getaway to get right with God.
where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing."
Psalm 65:8-13
Those were precious words I read for devotions this morning before hopping in faithful Winnie (my Cavalier) and driving to church. The three of us weren't sure what we were walking in to, besides a quaint wide-siding building with a large white steeple, as there were only three other cars in the parking lot. When the service started there were only 17 people attending the "Church at the Crossroads" in Stephentown, NY, but the Spirit of God was definitely there.
An elderly pastor spoke from his heart and shared God's Word in regards to the call Abram received... to "leave". We are all called to follow God and be blessed. The pastor mentioned that being blessed means: God keeps working on you until you get it right. A surrendered life isn't clinging to everything that is familiar, it is clinging to God alone. His words were so encouraging for me as I strive to prepare for God's work in Uganda, but also continue serving Him at the group home and live in Ontario.
This church was a down-to-earth church... filled with friendly people who PRAYED! God was there and I was blessed! "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11: 16)
Well, I'm back to the room to get ready for lunch. I needed this getaway to get right with God.
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