It's always good to get away and take a break. To get refreshed and renewed and ready to go again. Liz and I love the beach. Have ever since we lived in Florida from 1971-1979. Our kids were young, we didn't have much money, and the beach was a place we could go to relax and have fun....cheap! We could even take the dogs and let them run. We had two beaches nearby...Shell Point and Alligator Point...not as nice as the beaches at Panama City....or Clearwater Beach where we go now...but it worked for us.

One thing I think that I particularly love about the beach...it that it reminds me that in vast universe that God has created....we are just one very small part of it. There is so much there that we know nothing about....and won't this side of Glory! But we can be reminded to enjoy the part of it we do have...and to take care of it. One evening...just at sunset...we took a walk on the beach. Most of the tourists were gone...just a few groups of young folks and families...and the peace...the beauty...the wideness of God's world really comes alive as you watch the sun drop below the horizon of the sea...and the sky turns alternately red, pink, orange....and finally begins to darken. It almost always makes me think of the words to "Taps"....

Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is near.
Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar, drawing near
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise for our days
Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky
As we go, this we know
God is near.

God is near...always. Something we need to remember. HE is there whether we realize it or not....ready to receive and help us...when we are ready for HIM.

Come experience God in worship this week as we sing, praise, hear his word, and partake of the Lord's Supper.

Hope to see you in the pews this Sunday......

Ed