It’s one of those summer things – sure say it is a summer fling – me and the shore and so much more – and I will say that it is a blessing of being in a place where I can be fed and led and take a nap on the beach too…  I love that I had this summer opportunity to go to Ocean Grove – no idea what summer will be like next year – but this year I felt the blessing of the moments to take care of my needs to just be – one hour away – and see.

Of course I wanted to finish my little beach book about the life of Fanny Crosby – it took me all summer – “Fanny loved her times of precious silence. She could open her heart to the Lord so deeply”. I only read this book (and only got to read it) when I had quiet moments on the beach. Quiet moments to absorb short sections for a long time. Here I thought this summer I would get through 2 big philosophical books on the Rapture – and we do want to study that – but I didn’t even get to crack them open hardly – this little book drew me in. And Yes, the rapture and revelation, thus my excitement as I step into the reading and writing about the book of Daniel for those prophecies of end times – but honestly God needed me – indulged me – led me – to read this little book to learn about 1800’s Fanny Crosby – her mission – her plight – and oh how she turned poetry (which someone originally persuaded her was childish) into hymns and books and speaking engagements – and most importantly leading people to Christ – the down and out – the rough – the children of God who didn’t know they were. Fanny’s work of 90 years touched millions of lives – and still will. 

We should all take a moment to say “where is God leading us?” I have a sticker on my wall which says “prepare your hearts, the coming of the Lord is near.” – and that is true – and just this morning I also thought, hmmm that relates to the people we don’t know and need saving – just like Fanny Crosby visited in the slums and poorest regions of the city.  These people – all made in the image of God – they are the poor in hope, and thirsting for something they may not have even tasted – the Lord’s Grace and Mercy. Matthew 25:35-36 apply all these conditions to the soul and you serve the Lord too: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Hungry for the Lord and His Word, thirsty for Living Water, strange to the opening embrace of acceptance and repentance, lacking the clothes of dignity and righteousness which Jesus gives. Sin-sick, and in prison for chains of sin and death – chains which are broken but someone has to tell you to stand up and shake them off.
Fanny Crosby drew these people in with her mission work – and her encouragement – and her presence. 

I attended the last regular sunday service of the season at Ocean Grove yesterday morning – my first – and it was “Salvation Army Sunday” – with a great big brass band – the New York chapter – and I was so happy to listen and appreciate. I recorded videos but you can listen to it online now but wow to be in the near front row. The person in charge of the camp meeting spoke of how the band draws people in – which allows them to hear the word of the Lord – a heart changing and life changing word. That is what we are to do – draw people unto the Lord.

It was a thought provoking Sunday, plus a short nap on the beach – not swimming this time but a few souls were – the water will cool but is still good. No lifeguards and what a difference a week makes with people back to school etc. It was a good day for walking – and of course church services. I stepped to see what it looked like in the tabernacle next to the auditorium and that same awesome wood construction of late 1800s. I also took a screenshot of the ocean cam – where I could see myself – I realized that the camera post is on a delay of at least 30 seconds. And of course I indulged in the big cone of Key Lime Pie ice cream and talked to the same gentlemen who were at the register from my conversation last sunday about key lime pie ice cream too – and I told them I came back 2 sundays in a row – which was good they say because now the summer and this season flavor is almost done…

I also stepped close to an empty tent in front of a locked packed up camp for the summer – it was bare bones and the spirit and people had left the tent in my sensing of this space – it was like we the people need to bring that energy and life into the space – we do.

Unlike ice cream and beach naps, the work of the Lord is not seasonal – but how we work might be – people come and go – like Fanny’s time which was before all this big construction at the height of the revival movement on the east coast. They enjoyed their time at the shore but had to get back to their individual towns and cities and keep working for the Lord there.  I know that we are to enjoy these days – but also know that we (I certainly am) are gathering strength for days to come – places to go – people to meet. Let us keep inspiring, keep working, keep being the Salt and Light for which God calls us to be.

And live a little too…  Enjoy the enjoyment of life. (beach, sun, summer, flowers, fall, and ice cream and all.)

Amen