Friendly Mountains

I lived in Colorado and spent a great deal of time in the Rocky Mountains.....they were scary. Late one night while driving from Denver to Pagosa Springs in a blizzard, I nearly went over a cliff....that will do something to you! Another night I drove that road anxiously, only to look into the clear sky and literally see an enormous representation of God's face in the vast starry space.....no, I wasn't doing post-hippie drugs...

The Rockies are majestic, bold, and even brazen. Ah, but the Smokies ----they are friendly. They hug you and tell you about the security of God's loving presence.

Leaving the Cove, I drove to Maggie Valley, NC to visit with new friends - Anne and Bob. She and I met in Brockville, Ontario. Her brilliant son did the landscape architecture for the Garden of Hope. Isn't it fun to have both summer trips weave into the road trip tapestry?

They toured me around Lake Junaluska, the Methodist encampment, and allowed me to enjoy the peacefulness of this lakeside retreat. In the 1930s my Mom and Aunt Helen camp here for a church meeting....I walked into buildings which were here and housed them.

We get so caught up in change, tearing down to build structures which are already obsolete at dedication, and forgetting the contribution of the past, we fail to stop and connect our dots. What a shame.

Paul asked Timothy to share what was taught him and pass that along. We stand on the shoulders (and row in the boats) of those who came before.

I peered in the windows of the conference center and pictured generations of young Methodists hearing the gospel message and committing to a life of godliness and service. I must confess, Steve's message of inclusion and love was still flowing for I didn't have any desire to run around and post a reformed blessing anywhere ---- I was thankful for the Wesleys and for the moment let John Calvin rest awhile!