June 5-6, 2013 (Continued):
It was a gorgeous day in Edinburgh. We wandered around this city, in and out of cathedrals, breathing it all in. One of the churches hosted a Christian Heritage Center...thinly disguised outreach. As we spoke with the volunteers, one of them asked where we were going next. When we answered, "Orkney", he became more animated.
"There's a wonderful little church in Kirkwall, Kirkwall Baptist Church. If you are going to be there on the weekend, you must visit!" We tucked that away and continued on.
After walking down the Royal Mile (and I mean 'down'...what goes down must come up), we toured Holyrood Palace, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh, then stopped halfway up for fish and chips. Back at the hotel, the bed beckoned...jet lag was getting the best of me. I decided to check my email instead of napping. There in my inbox, I found a powerful email from my dear friend and prayer partner, Christine:
It was a gorgeous day in Edinburgh. We wandered around this city, in and out of cathedrals, breathing it all in. One of the churches hosted a Christian Heritage Center...thinly disguised outreach. As we spoke with the volunteers, one of them asked where we were going next. When we answered, "Orkney", he became more animated.
"There's a wonderful little church in Kirkwall, Kirkwall Baptist Church. If you are going to be there on the weekend, you must visit!" We tucked that away and continued on.
After walking down the Royal Mile (and I mean 'down'...what goes down must come up), we toured Holyrood Palace, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh, then stopped halfway up for fish and chips. Back at the hotel, the bed beckoned...jet lag was getting the best of me. I decided to check my email instead of napping. There in my inbox, I found a powerful email from my dear friend and prayer partner, Christine:
"I support you with what the Lord is bringing. I think you are safe to follow Henry's lead...Trust the Lord, just as Joshua trusted when he was told to cross the Jordan. Think of Henry as God spoke over Abraham in Genesis 18:19 - "I have chosen you to lead and guide and direct your children and your household...to bring about all I have promised for you..."
Then she shared Deuteronomy 32:47: "These are not idle words for you, these are your life!" "It's not about leaving," She wrote, "It's about His coming. It's about the establishing of His kingdom. That's our focus. That's our commission."
Then she shared Deuteronomy 32:47: "These are not idle words for you, these are your life!" "It's not about leaving," She wrote, "It's about His coming. It's about the establishing of His kingdom. That's our focus. That's our commission."
Until now, Christine had been quite concerned over this 'new direction' the Lord had given Henry. Now, after seeking wisdom in prayer, she sensed the Lord at work in our strange circumstances. I wasn't sure whether to take comfort in this - or panic!
| On Friday afternoon, June 7 we flew into Orkney. When we landed, the day was calm, but overcast. I couldn't help but think of my Grandmother...and all the stories she had shared about her grandfather and this island. I think she had always dreamed of visiting...I even wondered if, from her vantage point in heaven, she could know I was there. Of course the answers to these kinds of questions are beyond our reach. Still, I could not help but feel that something was coming full circle. I was filled with an awareness of great privilege. Thanking God for allowing me to be there. |
I am sorry to say that jet lag got the best of me on Saturday...Henry wandered about town while I slept the day away. Sunday morning, we thought we should check out the church we had heard so much about in Edinburgh.
We walked to the end of Victoria Street and settled into some seats inside the church. The people were warm and welcoming. Soon the young worship leader stood on the platform and began to speak:
"For some reason this morning, I feel like I am supposed to talk about what it's like to walk by faith, not sight. It's a little like wintertime, when the ponds begin to freeze and you want to go ice skating. Now there are some people who will always cling to the edge...never venturing out too far on the ice. Others will jump right out there. I just want you to know that, when you are walking in faith, the ice you are stepping out on is INFINITELY thick!"
"For some reason this morning, I feel like I am supposed to talk about what it's like to walk by faith, not sight. It's a little like wintertime, when the ponds begin to freeze and you want to go ice skating. Now there are some people who will always cling to the edge...never venturing out too far on the ice. Others will jump right out there. I just want you to know that, when you are walking in faith, the ice you are stepping out on is INFINITELY thick!"
Upon hearing this, I glanced over at Henry. We both knew the Lord had met us here! This would prove to be an interesting morning!
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