Intentional Encouragement

     Today is extremely hot in southeastern Virginia.  The heat index places the "feels like" temperature in triple digits.  I'm glad for an air-conditioned office.  Yesterday was pretty hot too, and we spent several hours of it at an amusement park.  We got a drink as soon as we arrived and by the time we went back home, I was wishing I had more.  The longer we went without quenching our thirst; the worse it got.      We have had an unusually large amount of rain lately.  It has kept our lawn green and our plants and bushes happy.  Usually by July, things are starting to look pretty parched around here and it only gets worse as the summer wears on.  The longer we go without adequate water; the more "thirsty" the ground gets.      Psalm 63:1 addresses this same concept, but from a spiritual perspective.   “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you...

Commonplace...expected...unimpressive...run of the mill...average. Astonishing...remarkable...stunning...amazing...awe-inspiring. Which set of adjectives describes your view of God?  Seriously; just for a couple of minutes, reflect on your perspective of God.  I read the statement that title's this post a week ago and it has, in some ways, haunted me for the past several days. I believe wholeheartedly in the God of the Bible.  I have had a relationship with him through His son, Jesus since I was 5 years of age.  I have studied for many years from a biblical and theological perspective about who God is and what He has done in the world.  I can dissect His attributes and describe His plan and purpose as revealed in the Bible.  Those are all very important things.  But have I reduced God to a topic of theological conversation, or do I allow the information and experience I have with God to magnify him in my thinking?  Have I become so accustome...