Paddling Cross Timbers

Monday was a near perfect day for paddling. The temperature was about 70 degrees and there was no wind. The water was calm and like gliding over glass! I loaded up my 'yak and headed for Cross Timbers State Park and Toronto Lake, about 25 miles west of Iola. The Cross Timbers name comes from the geography of the area. The timberland of S.E. Kansas meets the beautiful Flint Hills. The Flint Hills are rolling hills with virtually no trees. Toronto Lake is a beautiful lake with an island on the south side of the lake. I paddled for a little over an hour in a wide circle around the island. There is nothing like a clear, calm day on the water to help clear one's mind and enjoy some of God's wonderful handiwork. I have inluded a couple of pictures. The land on the right is the island, and I enjoyed the lone, bare tree on a point of the island.

Writers Block

You might have noticed that I have not had a post in my weekly blog in several weeks. As I sat in the Country Bean coffee shop the last few weeks with a vanilla latte, I realized I had a severe case of writers block. I simply could not think of a thing to blog about. One might think that a pastor or a blogger would have the responsibility to impart great nuggets of wisdom and truth. But, being human, sometimes we are just empty, dry and out of gas! I had to admit to the Lord that "I've got nothing!" I am thankful that my salvation does not depend on my feelings, but on God's faithfulness. Why is it so hard for us to be open, honest, and transparent before the Lord? He already knows and we're not going to surprise Him! Maybe a verse that goes along with this topic is the one that says, "...my strength is made perfect in weakness". Only when we are honest with God about our weaknesses and failures can He begin to show His great strength through our lives. This has nothing to do with this post, but I have included a picture from my last paddling trip the other day.