Our family stayed close to home this summer, spending a few days in western Arkansas near a little town called Jasper, not far from the Buffalo River. Robin had found a reasonable cabin online where we could cook our own food and sleep all five of us.

The view was amazing and there was no television or computer, and we didn’t kill each other! We actually spent time watching hummingbirds on the porch and playing Scrabble, dominoes and “Apples to Apples.” We went swimming on the Buffalo River and jumped off cliffs ranging in heights from about 10’ to 30’. (I was “shamed” into jumping off the 30’ cliff by my kids who told me they all went before me!) I know I was the only 50 year old “kid” who jumped off that cliff that day! I could see lots of boulders under the water line nearby! I have to admit I didn’t linger long before the jump, because I knew the anticipation would only make it worse! I took the plunge – literally – and came up thankful to be alive!

It was a risk. I still don’t know how deep the water really was and after scraping my back when I hit bottom, I determined I was a “one time jumper” at that height. Taking risks are exciting – my heart was pumping loudly - and well – risky. We’ve heard “high risks often yield high rewards!” I remember reading about a survey once of retired persons who reflected on their lives and what they wished they could have changed. One of the top three answers was “I wish I would have taken more risks.” How are you with risk-taking? Not foolish risks, but risks that cause you to grow? Risks that take you “out of your comfort zone” into a brave, new world of life experience. Generally, the older we get; the less risks we take. That’s why in part we get bored with life – even the Christian life. We don’t trust God at any new levels. We’re content with sitting on the boat – when Jesus calls us to get out and walk on the water. I’d rather be on the water with Him than in the boat without Him! How about you?

In about forty days we’ll begin our Wednesday Night dinners and study. This fall will look somewhat different than last. We’ll still eat a great meal together between 5 – 6 pm. But we’ll be studying a book together called Simple Church. It’s an opportunity to “rethink” how we do church to be the most effective church we can be for God! It will be an exciting and challenging study and discussion. We’ll read 1 chapter a week and stay in table groups in our fellowship hall for discussion. Kirk and I will bring some video teaching and help facilitate discussion around the table. I hope you’ll begin to pray now about your involvement. We’ve laid the groundwork through Experiencing God last fall and The Truth Project in the spring. Books are $15 and will be available in the plaza.

I look forward to seeing you this week in worship!

Yours in Christ’s Love,
Mark