I have been reading through Acts very reflectively recently. The thing that I am impressed with most is Paul’s faithfulness. He had it even with such heavy opposition. We as a society struggle with understanding what the persecuted nations REALLY are facing, because we face it intellectually, not physically and spiritually. Still, we serve the Lord, even unto death. Paul raised the bar high for us, and we need to follow God with the same passion as Paul did.

As I continue reading Scripture and spending quiet time with the Lord, my heart is full of gratitude for what I have now and what is coming up. Selah and Jubal, my grand kids, are true joys, and their faces always light up when Barbara and I come to visit them and when we enter any room. Our trip to the zoo is one that I will treasure from this summer. I am truly thankful for family, and I look forward to spending more time with them at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

With October half-way through, we do not have much more of 2016. I look forward to spending more time in the woods. I would like to play golf in the Harrisonburg and Lynchburg areas, while it is still pretty and warm enough. I also want to hike in the Upper Tract, West Virginia area.

Over these next months, I invite you to pray that I get the alone time and quiet time that I need with God, enjoy that time with Him without pressures, and spend as much time as possible with Barbara and my family. There is SO MUCH to be thankful for, and I truly am. May this update encourage you to serve God faithfully, to enjoy the time this fall/winter with family and friends, and to relish the rest that is associated with these breaks, as we head strong into 2017!