For the past year as we travel south on State Route 49 from my little town in northwest Ohio, we have been fascinated to watch a massive construction project. Horizon Wind Energy are in the midst of a $1 billion plan to build hundreds of wind turbines in Paulding and Van Wert counties.New roads have been built and tons of dirt moved. The site involves more than 5700 acres on both sides of the state highway.  The turbines will be either a 256-foot tower for a total height to the top of the blades of 398 feet, or a 328-foot tower for a total height of 476 feet. Each nacelle or the structure at the top of the turbine, weighs 85 tons. This project has been going on for years – the forming of the idea, researching the best sites, holding public meetings, arranging financing and that was before any dirt was moved.When we drove past the site last week we could tell foundations had been laid and a few of the central towers were being raised. We passes trucks delivering enormous white poles and … [Read more...]

I wrote a post last Thursday about the phrase I heard “Fun stories happen when you make choices you wouldn’t normally make.”  It reminded me of this story which is the quote of the week.I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal.I didn't know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places … [Read more...]

I almost missed God’s invitation last week. I am a planner. Not only do I set quarterly goals, but have five year and ten year dreams written down. I focus on doing. I am a “three” on the Enneagram – yes, I am driven by accomplishment. I thrill at checking off items on my endless to-do list.So I felt very threatened last week when listening to NPR radio story. I have learned when words or phrases echo in my soul and resonate in my heart to pay attention. God is inviting me to ponder something. So I listen carefully last week. I was not sure why the words resounded deep within me but I certainly knew they were not what I normally practiced.The NPR story was about a man names Todd Bieber who went for a walk after a winter storm in New York last December. Much to his surprise, he looked down and found a canister of film.He almost threw it back into the snow when he remembered something a friend once said to him. This is the line that reverberated in my spirit.“Fun stories happen when you … [Read more...]

Where are you?Where are you?When Adam and Eve hid after eating from the tree, God walked in the garden and gently called, “Where are you?” Genesis 3: 9Of course, God knew where they were hiding. He already knew what happened. He knew their sin. He knew just how they were feeling. He knew.Yet He called to them.He came to them.He sought them in the garden.Where are you?This question haunts my morning devotions. I hear God asking me the same thing.Where are you?With a deep sigh, I try to answer the question.  The process centers my thoughts to the present moment and helps me identify what I am feeling.Where are you?Sometimes I am alone and lonely.Sometime I am alone and at peace.Sometimes I am at a place where I feel safe.Sometimes I feel scared, hovering in the corner of an empty room.Sometimes no matter how hard I try or cry, I can’t find you, Lord.But You come searching for me, just like you did in the Eden’s garden.“Where are you?” God asks.I am here, Lord. Thank you for finding me. … [Read more...]