One winter when I was in high school, we experienced a substantial snow storm. A couple of days later, we had an ice storm. This one-two punch of winter weather, left the hills around my small town knee-deep in snow, topped with a thick glaze of ice. So what did my friends and I decide to do? Go tobogganing! Why not? So with toboggans in hand, we struggled up (try walking up hill on ice and you will know what I mean by that word "struggle!") our hill of choice. Upon reaching the top, we quickly boarded our toboggans (four to each toboggan) and off we went (or better said, "off we FLEW!"). I do not know what speeds we reached that night (and yes, we did it at night!), all I know was we were MOVING FAST! And the sound of our toboggans zipping across the ice-glazed snow could be heard from quite a distance away!When I think back on that experience - I can't believe how courageous (or should I better say, FOOLISH) I was. Wearing no protection, with one wrong move on the toboggan - several of us could have been seriously hurt. But, then again - it sure was FUN!
Living in today's world here in 21st century America, reminds me of the toboggan riding we did that night some 35 years ago. Life moves FAST! Everyday comes and goes in a blaze of speed. This is why it is so important that we take the time to intentionally SLOW DOWN! How can we do so? Let me suggest you learn to practice the spiritual discipline of SILENCE AND SOLITUDE (for an insightful article by Don Whitney on this discipline, check out this link: http://www.spiritualdisciplines.org/silence.html).
Recently, my life as been moving at warp speed, so I have decided to "head for the hills" for a couple of what our church staff refers to as DAWGS (Days Away With God). In doing so, I will be practicing this discipline of Silence and Solitude. Therefore, I won't be posting any thoughts for the next few days. It's time for me to SLOOOOWWWW Down!
Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj
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