Poulsbo Community Church

October 2010    

On a recent walk in my neighborhood forest, I began to consider how walking through the woods can be much like our journey in God’s Word.  Although my family lives less than one-half mile from the Grand Forest, I’ve rarely taken the opportunity to experience this wonderful patch of God’s earth.  The thing is … we’ve lived this close to the Grand Forest for 11 years and I’ve only appreciated it as I drove by.

• Which is kind of like I did for many years of my faith journey.  God and His Holy Bible were near by but I only appreciated them in a pinch, when I needed something; otherwise, it was a drive-by appreciation.  Not that it is bad to appreciate God’s Word, but I believe He desires so much more of us than just a drive-by relationship.  In fact in Deuteronomy 11:18 God’s word instructs us to fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds and in Colossians 3:16 the Apostle Paul admonishes us to let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.  Doesn’t really support the drive-by approach, does it?

Last winter I initiated a deeper acquaintance with the Grand Forest by exploring the simple, straight route through the Forest … down a paved road that becomes a usually muddy gravel road that becomes a non-motorized trail and, after about twenty minutes of steady walking, the trail becomes a gravel road again which leads to a paved road and eventually returns you to a neighborhood.  It is a comfortable walk with a few sloped areas.  A nice jaunt even if, like me these days, you’re being guided by the insatiable curiosity of a Beagle nose leading the way! 

• This reminds me of the guided tour, or the straight path if you will, we are blessed to have through the teaching of our Pastors at PCC.  As we’re studying the book of Luke on Sunday mornings, we can see the path ahead and we are not distracted by the side trails.  The pace is adequate to meet the needs of every listener – not too lengthy of a text each week but always the substance to cause us to be encouraged or convicted as the Holy Spirit would prescribe.  I think it is like my forest walk – starts off paved, gets a little muddy, becomes a more-narrow focused path and then widens to bring us into the community of the first audience the Holy Scriptures were written for.  How blessed we are to be led by such faithful teachers of God’s Word. 

But I do love a side trail and there are many in the Grand Forest, wonderful trails up and down and through the woods with even the occasional bridge over a stream or a wooded wetland area.  [May I say there’s just something about a bridge over a wooded stream that makes me happy and makes me feel adventurous?  As I type this I am remembering the hollow, echo-ey sound of footsteps across the wooden bridge, one of my top ten favorite sounds, I think! Oh, yes, back to the main trail …]  There is always something new to discover – some wonderful evidence of God’s Creation.  And, not unlike the Beagle nose, my appetite is whetted for more.

• This walk through familiar and new territory is again like the opportunity to be in God’s Word – not because you “have to” but because you are better for it – having spent time with the familiar, then discovering something new and fresh, and, as you finish for today, already looking forward to your next opportunity to allow the Creator of the Universe to delight you.  I look forward to exploring the “rabbit trails” – the times when something sparks my interest as I am in God’s Word … What does “rebuke” mean?  What does it mean to “abide” in the Lord?  What’s the “therefore” there for?  Who is the “Us” in Genesis 1:26?  So many trails, so much delight!

I pray your every day has a forest walk through Scripture, at least figuratively, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures you will be able to declare … “I have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.”  1 John 4:16

Blessings, Colleen

Colleen Lacey, serving with Women’s Ministries, Poulsbo Community Church

PCC Women’s Ministry invites all the women of our fellowship to

Mug n’ Muffin

a time for fellowship & encouragement

• Invite a friend, your mom or sister, your neighbor!

• Bring a new mug to exchange!

• Come just as you are … you will be blessed!

Join us November 6^th, Saturday, 10 am to 12 noon, at the home of Beryl Cooke (call Beryl at 360.598.6718 or Colleen at 206.780.8209 for address and directions)