March is a strange time.
Greetings from the Forest:
March is a strange time - there is great promise as spring comes with trees blooming and blessed yard work to do. March is the quintessential time for ‘March Madness’ a time where sports fans and those who loathe them all seem to get along in picking dark horses and Cinderella stories. March is a turning for me as my birthday falls in its twilight days and this year finds me more reflective than most.
We are having our relationship retreat this weekend and my reflections as I age are drawn toward those I love and serve amidst. I am increasingly impressed with the promises of the gospel compelling us to know and love each other actively. What does this ‘activism’ look like? How do we evaluate growth and maturity?
I planted several plants last week included in the list were two magnolias and a $20 sale tree that needed a home for its root bound life. I hope that tree thrives in the good lord’s soil. I enriched it with bone meal, prepared its irrigation and spoke in friendly terms to it as it went into its new home. Look at the relationships around you - do you love those you love in truth and redemption? I hope so this is the place of God’s grace towards us.
We are $20 trees sold for simply for the plot of ground we occupy - our sin discredits us from a premium place but God steps toward us and proclaims our cost to be infinite and plants us with all the means of grace to thrive into his home’s garden.
For what it is worth - I hope to see you all at the conference this weekend.
Reverend J. Kyle Parker
Cascade Presbyterian Church
Eugene Oregon
jkparker@cascadepca.org
(541) 343-5538