Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
When we cook something new, we pay attention to the recipe. We are careful with the directions. And the next few times, we rely on what we did, recalling the recipe. Mistakes are more likely when we know what is what and rely on newbie knowledge.
Our journeys in life are like this. We spent time in Alaska meeting newbie Alaskans, under ten year resident Alaskans and long, long time Alaskans. Newbies are filled with enthusiasm for new experiences. The sparkle is there as eyes survey the beautiful views. The Middle Journey is filled with experience of Alaskan winter, rain, snow, being indoors and life. The need to travel mostly by water or expensive airplane journeys. And then the enthusiasm of long, long time Alaskans.
The views of the people who have lived the situations, the boredom, the communities and the problems and solutions. Tell us all something to learn and appreciate. What the long term Alaskans have found is Love and Joy and Steadfast Goodness.
How do we know this is true. The number of people who have returned to the Rain Forest and have loved the harshness of the physical environment to create communities drawing people to return and the next generation to go forth and return to have families.
We were in Hoonah, Alaska and found ourselves in a line of 3 cars through the commercial environment carefully placed to keep this active, clean and separate from Nature and from residential places. The Dock is new and set apart from the town - creating a place for the Dock to enjoy nature and make the commercial stand out to blend within pristine with pristine Creation of God.
And what we found is 3 cars is a traffic ham in Hoonah, Alaska. Having a population boom last month when 3 children are born and the population is now 763. And our guide is related to Hoonah by marriage and by blood. Be sure to wave, it's family! Our Guide in his 60s is the best representation of his island, his tribe, his family (pointing to his father's job that day) and what has drawn his journey to be long and full.
Joe remembers well when the community decided to put in a zipline just because one man in their community saw a zipline company in Utah on You Tube. Within a year. The idea was weighed and voted. No one counted on 14 feet of snow in Hoonah and 50 feet of snow on the mountain. The project costs doubled to hire local work to move the 50 feet of snow out of the way for the equipment moved to the island by contract. All the work and careful consideration were being snowed into looking very unprofitable. It was a time of disappointment. The project was now shrouded in disapproval. April came and snows cleared. All of the island came to see the completed project. Clear the views - higher than the Empire State Building. Being called to rise up and see and experience life in a new direction. All the island could see what was done and experience this together. Approval went to 100%.
Joe dealt with the facts. He didn't sugar coat the experience.
What I saw - Joe was appreciative of the process. Every day. Appreciate one person had a dream. Participate in the fact gathering. Preparing in expectation to be a voice to be heard. Loving himself enough to deal wisely with the pull and push of the wild winds and pressures in life. The determination to be present in a community situation of opinions. To be part of the decision made by all. Working hard in unbelievable conditions of 50 feet of snow, helicopters, cables and people doing work they were not totally trained to do while working with the Utah professionals. The town was angry - both the new jobs and the extra expense. Opinions went very strong. To endure and be present for the presentation. And then - in the years to come, the forgiveness of words spoken. The appreciation of human capacity in God to forgive and enjoy.
"There is Donna - wave, she's my cousin!" And of course, Joe is related to everyone on the 1,300 mile island.
Abba,
We open hands and hearts to pray Your Word.
Father God, we smile to remember Acts 20 Eutychus (You teach us) fell out of the window when Paul was too long winded. So we will keep this prayer short.
Ephesians 6
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord,
will tell you everything,
so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose,
that you may know how we are,
and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,
and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
The Blessing of Jesus and His Steadfast Love.
Amen Jesus Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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