Circuit Rider

This past Sunday, we attended Jonesville UMC's annual fall festival. For those of you who are new or with short term memories, Jonesville UMC is one of the two congregations I preach at each week. We had a great time. 3 F's (fun/food/fellowship).

I learned an addictive Kentucky past time called "Corn Hole". The best way to describe it is a safer way to play horse shoes. Instead of horse shoes, you pitch bags filled w/corn into a hole cutout from a wooden box from 30'. It is not as easy as it sounds, especially with the slick wooden surface. The scoring system is a little tricky at first but not too bad once you get the knack.

We had a young praise band from Ohio come and lead us in worship. A daughter of a congregation member was the youth leader of the group. What a talented bunch! It was nice to be able to sit back and enjoy worship.

At the end of the evening, we had a tractor drawn hay ride. This was not your typical Okie hayride consisting of one swing around the pasture. Had I known I would not have been dangling off the side. As we slipped out on the highway, I scooted back and up on the hayride much more securely. This was a good 30-45 minute ride. Fun was had by all.

The moment that struck me the most is the one featured in the picture. Here at Asbury Theological Seminary we have a statue of Francis Asbury and paintings of John Wesley. In many of the portrayals, they are on horseback... Circuit Preachers or Circuit Riders. It felt odd to be up on that horse without an overcoat and bible in hand. I felt God was using the moment to show me the powerful heritage of my denomination. I pray that I may live up to God's calling upon my life as my family continues the pursuit of Jesus the Christ!

Strength & Honor