Last Thursday, my friend, Jon, and I traveled to Enchanted Rock near Llano for a day of hiking and climbing.  On our first hike we decided to crawl through a cave which follows the north side of the rock for about 1000 feet.  At around noon, we turned on our flashlights and began the journey, twisting and turning as we squeezed through serpentine passageways wet with water percolating down through cracks in the rock.  In some places the gaps between the sharp-edged boulders were so narrow that we had to take off our packs to pass through. Near the middle of the cave, we turned off our flashlights to get a feel for the deep darkness.  As many of you know, inside a cave there is no light at all.  Our eyes strained to adjust to the total lack of illumination, but we were completely unable to see anything.

As we sat quietly in the dark, I began to think about Acts 17:27: “God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”  One translation I like uses the word “grope” instead of “reach out,” an idea which makes a lot of sense in the middle of a cave.  Just as we would have been forced to grope through the darkness if our lights had suddenly stopped working, without God, the only thing we can do is feel our way blindly through life, searching for meaning we cannot hope to find.  God has given us a way out of our own dark cave, however, providing His Son to give us light and to take hold of our groping hands and guide us to His glory.

While Jon and I eventually made it out of the cave, in reality, millions still remain inside, waiting for someone to guide them out of darkness.  May God give us the strength and courage to shine the light and love of Christ in this dark world.

David Taylor

The Ladies’ class is asking for store-bought cookies for VBS!  You drop them in the box in the foyer.  Or, you may give your money to Lavona Macon or Mary Middleton for the purchase of Goldfish snacks and punch.

Due to Memorial Day, there will be no Prayer and Care tomorrow morning and the offices will be closed.

Former member, Paula Woods asked if we would write to her husband Woody or email him while he is stationed in the middle east.  He will be there until November.  Please keep the whole family in our prayers.  His address is:

SMSgt Zelmon L. Woods
4th EMXS/MXMW
APO, AE 09309
zelmon.woods@auab.centaf.af.mil

We need volunteers for VBS: June 11-14, 6:30-8:30 pm

STATISTICS FOR MAY 21, 2006