Just now I am outside to catch this wonderful breeze and even though I’m in my backyard right now, I’m imagining I’m over back there – where I was last night – in Ocean Grove… 

I’m not sure where you in relation to the New Jersey shore, but I hope someday (or even today) you get to Ocean Grove, my favorite beach and favorite town for both an opportunity for Christian growth and relaxation and respite – AND a real plus in having beach time plus ice cream and organ concerts and fun… they have activities and Bible studies every day… SO much history in faithful people finding an opportunty for revival – 1800’s to present. It’s no secret that I am dreaming of a whole summer to make it my home base – swim and sing – to write and wonder – to socialize and have solo serenity…  (in the meantime I will just day trip there!!!  Here is the brochure for the summer:  https://www.oceangrove.org/2026  Ancored in Hope !!!! )

I arrived later, 430ish when parking opens up, the lifeguards are still on duty until 530. I sat, I swam, i just was – as in “Be Still” – be still aware – be still paused – be still wondering – be still thankful. And the majority of my emotion was thankfulness. Just thankful…

Still am…

I did leave the beach around six pm, because not only was I cooled off enough, there a patriotic concert at seven, and I wanted to get my ice cream, my Day’s ice cream, and eat in the park… not too far away from me was a gentleman practising his tuba… and this summertime band was the best end of 4th of July weekend treasure and treat… oh the music… oh the moment to be still… be still singing…

Whole photo link including music from the concert click here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/jvhj7yaW6S1WNDgq5

And listening to years and years of music gems at this concert and again now in recordings, it is interesting to think that we see times as changed and yet God is never changing – the big lighted sign in the auditorium is “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” – “SO BE YE HOLY”…  And that is the hope in a nutshell – that we learn – we learn to be better and do better – we grow – and we always try to do our best and be Godly in our compassion, strength, following His lead – and also remember to be in praise of Him.

If there is anything we can appreciate from America 250 – it is remembering that it is the people not the politics and not the pride or putdowns – it is that we are all a part of someting bigger – and then bigger than that – we have God – Mighty God – Who cares enough to allow us this time to feel good about our “home sweet home” and the role we can play in making it better. May we (I) always sing “God Bless America – land that I love – God bless America – my home sweet home”. Yeah…

AMEN

—-

And America the Beautiful:

O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw
Confirm thy soul in self-control
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!