“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” ~James 4:13-14 (ESV)
So it’s a Saturday morning, I’ve got a cup of Valhalla Java and I am pondering a great many things. One of these things had to do with mowing our somewhat large front yard and this yard of ours isn’t the prettiest. As a matter of fact, it has more moss than it does actual grass and in reality the dandelions are much more abound than I care for. My wife loves the flowers that bloom from them but as for me all I see is weeds and I come to this conclusion, “I’m starting the riding mower and slicing it all down”. My wife did ask for me to spare a small patch of white and purple flowery weeds… (heavy sigh) alrighty then.
Now for any of my brothers out there with a riding mower and a Biblical mind may understand is that you can do a great deal of thinking about God while leveling the lawn. On this morning, just as I am finishing my second cup of java and preparing to get my Snapper 30” running this thought pops into my head… “get over yourself.” Wha?? Where did that come from? Hmm, maybe I need to deal with this. Well let’s gas up and git-r-dun!!
As the engine is running and the grass/weed clippings are shooting out from under my 30” mowing deck another thought enters the dialogue, “God will still be on the throne when I’m in the grave.” Now I remember Pastor Ray Pritchard saying that one time and I’m kinda docking my thoughts in on that. “Okay LORD…where are we going with this?” “Well my son you’ve been taking yourself too seriously and you need to let it go.” HUH?! When did this happen?
Truth be told brothers (and sisters) I’m in a rough season. I feel as if I’ve been eeking out what little joy I have in Jesus in my little winepress (like Gideon) because I am waiting for the next calamity to befall me. I am on my guard way too much and it has taken me out of the character that God has intended me to be. I haven’t been taking on God’s grace like I should, oh no quite the opposite, I’ve been taking on God’s wrath like I’m living in the Old Testament. Instead of going forward…I’ve gone backward…just enough to have other folks notice it.
Even though The Epistle of James can be a rough read it has many Biblical truths in it. I ain’t nothing but a vapor but that doesn’t mean I gotta live like one. I just need to keep the perspective that God is on the throne no matter what my circumstance and keep going on. The lies that I have recently allowed to rule my thought pattern need to go. James is pretty clear, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17) OUCH!!! So what’s a boy to do?
In his book “Crazy Love” Francis Chan talked about being an extra in a movie and when you go see it all you’re concerned about is looking for that two-fifths of a second to see the back of your head. He ended that dialogue with his making those two-fifths being more about God then himself. To quote… “1st Corinthians 10:31 says. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” That is what each of our two-fifths of a second is about. So what does that mean for you? Frankly, you need to get yourself. It might sound harsh, but that seriously what it means.”
I’m grateful that I’ve got a mossy lawn to mow because it really has never been about making it beautiful, it’s been my way of reconnecting with God. I’m a repentative guy now? Very much so but there is much left to handle and I’m just gonna have to put my trust into what God’s plan is and stop being afraid of what the present situation will do to me. Considering all that God has brought me through who am I to doubt His ability to see this come to His good purpose. Bottom line, I need to get over myself because He’ll still be on the throne while I’m in the grave…in two-fifths of a second it’ll all change anyway. Amen?
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ.
Daily Quote: “When we face the holy God, “nice” isn’t what we will be concerned with, and it definitely isn’t what He will be thinking about. Any compliments you received on earth will be gone; all that will be left for you is truth. The church in Sardis had a great reputation, but it didn’t matter. Jesus said to them, “I know your deeds; you a have reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Rev 3:1). All that matters is the reality of who we are before God.” — Francis Chan
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God[a] is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ.
