Earthquake this morning
Yes, both of us felt it--Garry at Grace to You, me in our living room--but we are both fine. It brought this passage from Psalm 46 to mind:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

More Notes from Bible Reading
Compare Jeremiah 9:23-24 to 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Compare Jeremiah 17:7-8 to Psalm 1:1-3

Jeremiah 18:5-11: God's sovereignty+man's responsibility

John 16:13 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
The phrase which caught my eye, "he will not speak on his own authority," reminds me of what Jesus said about himself in John's gospel [5:19, 8:28; 12:49, 14:10] always making the point that what he said and what he did was always and only according to the Father's will and authority.

Reflection after
During the three week, 4500 mile
Road trip,
Casual glances in the side mirror reminded me
"Objects in mirror are closer than they appear";
My sister reminded me of my
Lack of depth perception;
What ways do I lack depth perception--
Other than the obvious--?
As I have done laundry, ironing, cleaning, paperwork, etc.
In the process of getting caught up after a three week, 4500 mile
Road trip,
Causal glances in another mirror reminded
"Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"
Spiritually speaking also.
And the lack of depth perception?
As I have done laundry, ironing, cleaning, paperwork, etc.
I have wondered,
What ways does my heart need
Laundering, ironing, cleaning, paperwork, etc., equivalents?
Cleanse me, Lord;
Bring me into alignment with your perfect will
For this day,
This week,
This month,
This year,
This life,
That whatever I do, wherever I look
You are the closest object, the mirror your word.

ACCEPTING CHANGES AND TRIALS [special guest post by Garry Knussman]

Shortly after arriving in Sioux Falls, SD, my sister-in-law asked me to speak at a chapel service the following Sunday afternoon. This post is based on the notes for that presentation.

+It is hard to be content and grateful as we age.

+Illustrations from "people we know" in past 18 months

--Three major things:
1. Man's dad died--many weeks of struggle; would not have expected this a year ago
2. Car rear-ended--long to resolve; third accident in five years
3. Fires near home--had to stay with friends

--Lesser things
1. Home repairs--plumbing, AC, etc.
2. New cell phone--old one didn't work
3. TV, Internet changes, challenges
4. Regular phone out 2x--no problem with it for years
5. Work deadline surprised, caused overtime

--Lessons
1. God remains sovereign, unchanging: James 4:15 [favorite]; Malachi 3:6a
2. Patience--Galatians 5:22 [fruits]
3. Perseverance--Luke 18:7
4. Contentment--Philippians 4:11-12, 19
5. Gratitude--1 Thessalonians 5:18

--Who are the "people we know"?
--Us! (That is, my wife and me.)

"Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"

Three weeks on the road and that is the one thing I managed to memorize. It's kind of catchy, almost a mantra for a passenger, lulling--until you realize that means the big rigs are closer than they appear, also. And they appear and they move ponderously around the car you are passengering in, slowly, deliberately, menacingly. And then, to your relief, they move on to terrorize another vehicle. Phew!

That's not all these three weeks on the road involved, weeks including nearly 4500 miles driven, but that's all I am inclined to write about this time.

Remember, "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" makes other objects which are not in that mirror harder to get a right perspective.

In my experience as one with little depth perception.

Seriously.

Now back to unpacking and looking at objects not in a mirror.