I am in the Cumberland Mountain Range this week. Our scenic cabin is in a place called Eden Ridge.

There isn’t much to do here, except rest, and pray, contemplate and study. At some point, we will have to make our way back down the mountain for a little more grocery shopping and probably stop at the country club attached to this retreat center for a swim in the pool.

Today I have spent several hours in prayer and study. I put together the outlines for all the Royal Ranger devotions and church sermons through the new year.

Tomorrow I will put together the outlines through June.

One of the hours I spent in prayer was at The World Missions Park by the visitors center.

During that hour of prayer, I had a really strong sense that our congregation is about to face some challenges in the near future. Specifically, I feel as though God is going to challenge us to new levels of spiritual health. This will involve us letting go of some unhealthy cycles we have allowed our personal lives and relationships to fall into.

I have the sense that ministry is going to get increasingly complex when I get back.

I am grateful to God for this period of calm before what I think will be a period of crazy.