Faith Revolution

…stay alert.

I was hunting with my muzzelloader this afternoon.  It was starting to get dark as I was leaning against a tree, watching a bowl-shaped hollow below.  I had heard some noise about 100 yards in front of me that I thought was probably a deer that had come out to feed.  I watched intently for movement amongst the trees with my firearm at the ready. 

Did you ever sense that you were being watched?

I just happened to glance over my right shoulder and standing there, less than 20 yards away was a decent sized doe who was working her way to the food plot behind me.  She had snuck in behind me while I was intently watching for what I thought was a deer in front of me.  I stayed still and waited for her to continue on by.  She came withing ten yards of me, but by the time I could turn around without scaring her, it was too dark and she was out of range.

I wonder how often in life I have missed success because I was intently focused on something I thought would bring success.  I imagine that, more than once, success has walked right up to, and right by me because I wasn’t alert enough to perceive it. 

Needless to say, I am going to start keeping an eye on events around me even when I am focused on that which is in front of me.

Opportunities? They are all around us…There is power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant eye to discover it.          ~  Orison Swett Marden

On a personal note, here is the annual Cartwright Christmas tree:

I take no credit for it’s beauty.  God created it, the Hennings cared for it and Linda decorated it.  I just get to look at it.

We will be heading home on the day after Christmas to see the our families on the 26th.  We have no idea how long we are staying.  It all depends on Ben and Tink.  It also depends on how long Kim will be there.

Isn’t it terrible when your life is controlled by two animals?  No matter.  We haven’t seen our parents/grandparents since we moved so we are looking forward to going for however long, or short, we get to stay.

I had planned on getting home at least once per month to visit.  I don’t know if it the busyness of the holidays, starting a new ministry or a combination but the time has gone so quickly.  We really like it up here, though.  This afternoon, we went exploring as a family.  We started out in Erie, but ended up having supper in Conneaut, Ohio.  I have added a couple pictures of the recent snowstorm to flickr.  That snow is almost gone.  They tell me that I haven’t seen anything yet. 

I am really thankful that God chose Cambridge Springs to be the place for us to settle for a while.  My work here has been fun, but we are really just beginning.  Right now, I am developing an “institute”, if you will, called “Intentional Living:  Life on Purpose”  which will be a series of ongoing courses on life-application issues.  I am in the midst of adapting and writing cirriculum.  It will begin with a course called “Marriage by Design” which is as much a theology of relationships applied to marriage as anything.  The start date is January 27 and it will continue weekly until the end of April.  If you are in the area and are interested in the course, shoot an email to me @ faithrevolution@gmail.com.  Space is limited to 20 people, but it will be offered again.  There also may be a small donation recommended to cover the cost of material. 

In the future, also beginning in 2008, I plan on leading courses on other topics, such as finances, Bible Discovery (practical Bible study), Building intentional relationships, life calling, leadership and others.  I am hoping that others who have expertise in particular areas will join in and offer other courses in the areas of music, art and whatever else God may want.

So, if you are in the Cambridge Springs vicinity, come and check out the Alliance Church.  We are a group of people who want to “do church” God’s way:  loving God and loving each other; living together in this journey of life.  We’re not much of an institution.  We are just people.

If you aren’t in the Cambridge Springs area, come visit!  At least, pray for us.  You can be part of us, even from a distance!

May God bless you this holiday Christmas season!