One bright, sunny morning Jim made his way down the hallway of his beachfront cabin. As usual, he picked up his metal detector and made his way across the soft sand. His route varied each day as he skimmed the surface of the sandy beach looking for a new discovery. Each day he would happen upon different objects that brought joy and excitement to his very soul. It was the same beach he had traveled for many years, but it still held valuable secrets just below its surface.

I like to imagine the great word of God as being that vast beachfront, where no matter how many times we have skimmed the surface there is always a new and valuable secret to be found. It can be found in the same chapter or verse traveled over the week or day before. God is wonderful at bringing from the depths of His word to just below the surface a nugget for a new and rich discovery.

Like Jim making his daily trip across the soft sandy beach, we too can make our daily trip across the sweet, light-filled word of God with glorious expectation that God will provide for us joy and excitement for our soul.

Before you receive another newsletter, Lent will have begun. I want to invite each of you into a special time of scripture reading and reflection, into a time of prayer and meditation. God has something special in the workings of our ministry together. Allowing Him to speak through His Holy Spirit will help us decipher His true calling for our lives.

It continues to be my prayer that God enrich our lives as we seek His will in ministry and work to make a difference in the communities we serve together. May this Lenten season bring a renewed excitement for the proclamation of the Grace of God found in Jesus Christ!