Sing to God a brand-new song.
He’s made a world of wonders! – PSALM 98:1 [MSG]

This week, my family and I made our annual pilgrimage to Texas to visit Amanda’s family.

A visit to Texas in the summer means I learn to endure humidity. While the outside temperature would read: 93º, the “feels like” temperature, according to the local news, would be no less than 114º.

In Texas, I swat bugs of all sizes – some so large they threaten to carry away young children, others so small they’re referred to as “no-see-ums” (biting insects so tiny that they can’t be seen). Consequently, any little skin prickle or blade of grass that brushes against me, I have learned to attack with an angry paranoia.

Each year, I discover new ways “y’all” can be effectively utilized. I am reminded of oft-forgotten phrase of younger Texans: “Man, that’s awesome!” If anything is worthy of admiration or awe, it receives this highest accolade, as in: “See ‘at truck? The four-by-four with the gun rack? Man, that’s awesome!”

I eat from two major food groups: barbecue (that’s a type of food, not a tool used to prepare food) and not-barbecue. I am presently still paying the price for indulging in the former.

Texas is also a chance to change the scenery (not just the humidity). It gives my kids something new to talk about. This year, my father-in-law and I installed a zip line over the backyard pool.Man, that’s awesome!Last night, at dinner, I asked my kids about their favorite memory of being in Texas. Across the board, in completely unanimity, the answer was: the zip line.I can’t tell you how much joy that gave me. In all honesty, I did install the zip line in hopes that it would also sustain my weight. It didn’t. Not at all. After leaving the platform, with dreams of skimming over the water in a display of that he’s-still-got-it-athleticism, the wire sagged pitifully, and my legs flopped unceremoniously into the pool amid a torrent of laughter from my kids. Nevertheless, watching them enjoy what I worked to create made my trip.

I think the Bible paints a similar picture of God observing us – enjoying what has been thoroughly planned and meticulously designed. It gives God glory when we enjoy what He has created. We get to house-sit in God’s house. Every once in a while, and in spite of all the complaining about what I feel like I deserve (or don’t), perhaps I might take a page out of the young Texan’s handbook and say in simple gratitude to God, in view of the world He made: “Man, that’s awesome.”

I’m looking forward to being back at MV this Sunday. We’ll touch on a subject with which everyone, regardless of their familiarity with Jesus, can connect. Bring people you’ve been thinking about and praying for.

See you Sunday,

Jeff