Hi gang,

Well, i guess it has been awhile since i checked in so instead of boring you with all the little things let me just talk about a recent trip to the USMA to watch one of my former students play rugby.  It was great! 

I was invited to attend with his parents and some of their and by extension and relation friends.  We were and are all members of HIS family and it was just fun to be surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses.

I had the pleasure of watching Army play Tulsa in football on that cold afternoon and then agonize as the Army rugby team lost a heartbreaker to Navy in the final seconds 37-35.  It was so much fun and the time I got to spend there reminds me of how valuable our youth are.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Clint's girlfriend Tyf and to see inside their hearts a little.  That is always a joy.

And meeting some really neat people as well: Amy and Curtis, Clyde and Nancy, Robert and Jane and of course Jay (Herman).  I pray you are all enjoying some rest and I look forward to seeing you at the Joel Rosenburg event.

With much love

Steve

Hello brothers and sisters!

What a glorious and gracious GOD we serve.  Yesterday was such a beautiful day down here in Dallas; I hope it was where you were.  I had the opportunity to play 36 holes of golf with a good friend of mine.  We, at least I know I am, are a little sore this morning.  I don't think I have played 36 holes in one day in oh say 15 years.  And another buddy has asked me to play 9 holes this afternoon.  Hello, Alleve my old friend.

Anyway, this note is just to stay in contact.  I am going to try to do a better job of maintaining this blog.  I will get into the habit but it may take me some work.  It will work better if I think someone is reading this so,,,,,,,, drop me a line sometime just to keep me encouraged if you wouldn't mind.  My email is stevewmorris@tx.rr.com  and my website is www.downsethike.net .

Last Wednesday night at our Bible study on Romans I had an insight and an epiphany, for me anyway so I thought I would share it.  Here goes: 

We as believers are often wild young stallions, untrained and unbroken, running everywhere but getting nowhere in a splash of action and frustration.  Then, by His grace, we have been brought into the corral or round pen for a touch of the Masters hand. We at first state our independence and displeasure at the training and the discipline and the confining nature of the new surroundings while at the same time enjoying the presence of this MAN.  And being in HIS presence excites us but it worries us that we may never be the same as we were before this time with HIM.  So we run, after all that is what we have always done.  And we run. And run.  But there HE is still standing there in the middle, gently talking to us; speaking directly to our hearts.  Amazed that somehow HE knows everything about us even how much we like to run to and away from things.  His patience is both comforting and disconcerting.  Now there is a rope around our neck.  Is He trying to take all the fun out of this running?  I'll show Him I run faster and wear Him down.  So I do.  But wait a minute, He is tiring, I am.  But my will is strong, I will pull against this rope and pull and pull.  What is that sound behind me? It seems to be a crack of thunder or is it my past baggage falling away, I don't know but it is unfamilar so again I run pulling hard against the rope.  He is still in the center, talking to me, smiling, laughing.  He begins to pull me closer with HIS rope all the while nodding and being so understanding.  So I give in, a little.  But I am still running.  Soon His goal is becoming clear:  He wants my will to align with HIS.  Doesn't he realize I am a fine-tuned running machine.  What is that He is saying,"Of course He does after all HE did create me".  Although those words are new to my ears they ring true and my heart races and doubts and exhalts all at the same time.  I better run.  And pull on that rope, it seems that HE wants me to "obey" HIM.  Yikes!  And to give up my will.  Somehow though this seems better and I think and feel a calm coming over me as I begin to yield.  Indeed, this MAN, I heard another refer to HIM as Jesus does know my heart and HE is drawing me closer and closer to Himself each moment.  I feel more and more peace.  I am standing now.  A quiet within my soul that I never thought existed.  Oh I can still run!  And I seem to be faster than ever, but now it is with a discipline and a purpose.  I think I am going to like this.  Now, I have become even more than a wild, uncontrolled bundle of energy.  I have a purpose and a Master who cares for me and about me.

Anyway, that is a start.  Any thoughts?

In HIS service,

steve