guy trip

Last week my friends Bradley, Jim, Ronnie and I took a vacation through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Our trip included many stops at historical, natural and cultural areas of the south. We enjoyed museums and educational walks on Antietam, New Market, Appomatox Court House and Cedar Creek battlefields. Civil War re-enactors provided a very cool demonstration of a soldier's life during "the war". The small towns of Winchester, Lexington, Charlestown and Harpers Ferry were replete with old beautiful homes, notable cemeteries, charming shops and rich history. A highlight was a tour of VMI, Virginia Military Institute, complete with a Chapel service on Sunday morning and a place to "go". At Liberty University in Lynchburg there was a futile search for a memorial "something" supposedly for our church's founding pastor.

The Spring weather was in bloom and perfect for hiking... except for the day we attempted Monticello in pouring rain. I took hundreds of pictures of the beautiful rolling hills, mountains and farmland of the Shenandoah including this photo at Antietam. Fun driving adventures, theological conversations, political discussions, coincidental meetings, fierce card game competition and the relaxing hotel pool & spa made for a memorable trip with "the guys".

And we will always depend on priceline.com for the best deal, even if we have to book our lodging in the parking lot.

if there is any virtue

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9

Joy. Finding a way to be happy, even when things don't go your way. How do you do that!? Be happy, no matter what the circumstance or situation? Philippians 4:4-9 inspires the understanding of the joy that God desires for the believer. Joy comes from a deep intimate relationship to the Lord Jesus, surrendered to His Perfect Will, obedient to His Commands, complete in prayer and humble in thankgiving with a predisposition to meditate on whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good and praiseworthy.

Joy is found in Jesus always and only. Never can we really find joy on our own. Never in and of ourselves. Only in living out our faith in gentleness to others and concentrating on virtue can we find real joy.

to the measure

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV

done.

Game over. The Sabres eliminated from 2008 NHL playoffs after a disappointing season inconsistent with last year's President's Trophy team. They didn't have "it" this year. Whatever the "it" was, will be up for debate in the off-season... poor management? coaching? lack of on-ice leadership? injuries? defense? losing too many top players like Drury, Brier and Campbell?

As Buffalonian sports fans like to say: "there's always next year!!!"

joy

"Rejoice in the LORD always, I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4

Joy = Finding a way to be happy, even when things don't go your way

A virtue is something God does in us to change the world around us.

• God created joy and exemplifies it. God is love, Giver of joy.
• God instills joy in us as He shapes us to be more like Him. When we mess up, God is always willing to forgive us, no matter what the offense, and give us joy again.
• God uses the joy in us to influence and impact our families, friends, and neighbors. As others notice joy being lived out in our lives, we have more opportunities to tell them about Jesus. As they come to trust Jesus, they’ll influence others as well. When we forgive others and show real joy in our actions, we show others who God is and what He’s like.

© 2007 The reThink Group