September 15, 2011


Today's Photograph . . . . Yellowstone Pace Car (Michael T)  
Bible Study Verses
Romans 12:9-13
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (ESV)

Thoughts
On a recent family vacation to Yellowstone National Park we were able to enjoy the beauty and wonder of God's creation and the magnificence of His living creatures.  The children enjoyed looking out of the vehicle trying to spot a bison, a moose, a grizzly bear, a deer, or a monster elk.  Although we saw most of those animals, the bison was the most common sight, especially during the early evening hours in Hayden Valley.
It had been a long day of sight-seeing and it was time to head back to our lodge, situated just outside of the east entrance of the park.  The cars in front of us began to apply their brakes and came to a sudden stop. As we rounded the corner a long line of cars could be seen for a  mile.  However, the opposite lane was totally clear of traffic.  A half hour later we saw what was holding everybody up. A very large bison was fulfilling his dream of setting the pace as the Yellowstone pace car and beyond him was a herd of bison mingling in the road.
(Mike T)

Action Point
Aren't we sometimes like the bison? Have you ever been the "pace car" at church? Do you feel it is your obligation to monitor the growth or the spiritual direction of the church? Are you creating roadblocks or making sure things are moving slow?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, I would ask you to do what I told the big bison to do on that day.  "Get a move on big fella!" The same goes for us.  Sometimes we need to move on out of the way, so the leadership of the local church can continue to move forward as the Holy Spirit guides and directs them. It is our role to love and support those whom God has ordained.

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Although the animals in national parks seem to be tame, they are not.  They are wild animals who have grown accustomed to traffic and vehicles.  But, on foot a person is in danger if they approach wildlife too closely.  Stay back.  That is why God allowed us to invent zoom lenses.