Monday, August 07, 2006

It's Good to be a Heathen

I really like not being a regular church-goer. If the opportunity of a fun outing offers itself on a Sunday morning, I don't have to pass it up, and I don't have to justify to all my church friends why I missed church last week. It's also good to have friends and family who either aren't church-goers or who don't mind at all missing church in order to have fun with friends and family.

This Sunday afforded us the opportunity to take a canoe trip down the Caney Fork River with family and friends. (The friends are church-goers, but apparently they felt compelled to miss without guilt this day.) We put our canoes in at the Center Hill Dam and floated nine miles downstream to Betty's Island, stopping for lunch at Happy Hollow. We had our coolers strapped to a float that we pulled behind one of the canoes, so we were able to carry more than just a sandwich and bottle of water apiece. People who see us always comment on what a great idea it is, as if they couldn't have thought of it themselves.

Everyone we met out on the river was friendly and considerate. You know that commercial with the boaters waving to each other? Canoers and people fishing do the same thing, but we can chat because we don't have loud motors going. Actually we did see a couple of canoes with motors, but they weren't loud enough to keep us from exchanging pleasantries. And we saw some interesting things too. Before we saw the guy, we smelled his weed. He was sitting in a fishing boat not fishing--he said he'd already caught his limit. I guess he just hadn't smoked his limit yet.

Out in the river, away from the distractions of daily life, everyone is pretty much in the same boat, pun intended. Everyone speaks to each other as equals; no one is better than anyone else. You can be friendly with the guy who's getting high just as easily as you can with the game warden. The journey along the river and all that the journey brings is more important than reaching the getting out place.

We had a good time just floating along, laughing and talking, seeing wildflowers and cows, and stopping every now and then to put our feet in the cold water. If you think you'd have a good time enjoying God's outdoor church some Sunday morning, you can go with us next time.

10 comments:

Tony Arnold said...

I love being outdoors in God's natural church and have no qualms about missing an occasional Sunday service for the right reasons.

Have you ever considered that by not being a member of a church body, that you are depriving others of a great heart and mind? Your diligence in seeking the truth and your knowledge and research of scripture would be a great asset for any church body.

I am not chastising you, but complimenting you. God gave you a gift. Right now, only your blog "Church" gets the benefit. Well, unless you were holding court on the river, which doesn't seem to be your style.

I know that being a member of a church body can be messy, but being a disciple means sacrifice. :-)

Praying for your heathen soul, bless your heart. :-)

BTW, the guy with the weed may not have been getting high, he may have just been practicing an age-old comptemplative technique. Incense man, just incense!

Tony

JMG said...

Thanks for the compliment, Tony. One of these days I might get back into an organized church body if I can stay out of the politics of it.

Hey, Jesus preached from a boat from time to time, so maybe....
:-)

jettybetty said...

So who's the heathen?

Tony Arnold said...

JB are you asking if I or JMG is the heathen? :-)

Tony

Purgatory Penman said...

How lovely to contemplate God's wonderful creation! If only we all had the freedom to do that. The church body has room for everyone to minister to those less fortunate. That doesn't preclude the enjoyment of nature's church. However, there is so much work still to be done that every member of Christ's family has a place.

For a prospective from those who are the less fortunate, please access the blog www.purgatorypenman.blogspot.com. It will really give you something to think about.

JMG said...

I've been over to your blog, Penman, and I have a real respect for your situatation. I'm grateful that there are people who are led to bring "church" to where you are. It's great that no matter where we are we can experience God's love. I am praying that you get to experience that love in the outdoors very soon.

JMG said...

JB, I was referring to myself, since I'm the only one here who hasn't darkened the door of a church in I don't know when.

jettybetty said...

Hmmm...
I'm not sure that makes you a heathen??? IMHO at least...

jettybetty said...

I was just thinking--isn't BSF in a church??

JMG said...

You're right, JB. BSF is in a church, and it's set up just like church, except without all the "churchiness."

I'm off the hook; I'm not a heathen after all!

By the way, I'm really looking forward to studying Romans this year in BSF.