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“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46.10) is often cited and for a good reason. We need to let quiet and breaks from our routine bring space in our lives to be refreshed and to hear God speak again. We had a great time up in Boundary Waters country. Company, food, conversation, food, cards, food, skiing, did I mention food? was wonderful. It was really cold, (high was -3, and typical temps were -25 to -15) but it was beautiful! And there is something about being in the boreal forest of the north that makes the temps not nearly so cold. I’d take -20 up there over 0 in the city anytime. But then being the gimp I spent all my time by the woodstove anyway…
The picture is looking out from the sauna over the North Arm of Burntside Lake. The little ice wall is built from the ice cut from the hole made for people to dip into the lake from the sauna. At night (when we perform this crazed ritual) a kerosene lantern sits there, competing with the moon for providing illumination. The rectangular spot of snow in the right foreground is the “door” covering the hole, snow piled on top, to keep the ice from forming too thickly during the day. Remember, it’s 20 below zero.
If you look in the distance there is a little island 300 yards or so away. it is a white lump against the trees on the horizon towards the right. The teens got daring this year and multiple dips and snow angels in the snow to beat the sauna heat wasn’t enough, so they dashed all the way to the island and back wearing only their, well, you know…
Find a sabbath everyday. Don’t wait for the big trips. Let quiet break in for a short time everyday, and for a minute or two every hour.
j
Precarious Pastor 