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I recently had another 'mountain top experience', literally.  I had been advised to visit George Mueller at his new home in Camarillo later in the day in the hopes that I could 'coincidentally' be there for dinner.  I thought I had arrived late enough, but George asked me if I exercise everyday and I lied and said "Oh yeah, of course!" George said, "Great, we have time before dinner.  I want to show you where I walk everyday."

 

 George led me out the front door, past the new flowers in the front yard whose planting he had supervised, walked caddy-corner across the back road and up an amazingly steep access road that led up past a water reservoir near the crest of the hills.  The scoutmaster in George would show me the best path up the hill and where it was best to rest.  He would point out features of the terrain, railroad tracks in the distance, the orchards that suddenly appeared below us.

 

 For a brief moment I was wondering if I would have the strength to carry George back to the facility in the event of an emergency, but the next minute I was wondering if George would be able to carry me back to the facility.  A day after turning 92, this spry old man is taking me on a half-mile hike straight up a hill to show me where the firefighters brought the flames to a halt.  As we walked, we talked… about his parents and about Bernice…. We talked about friends in faraway places and family plans for the holidays.  I thank God that when we got to the very top of that access road that George didn't decide to scale the wall and call me over the summit. We looked down on the roof of his new home, on the freeway far in the distance and a near panoramic view of Camarillo.

 

 At one point George looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You know, God could take me tonight.  It would be all right, but isn't this something!" as we stood there, catching our breath, and witnessing yet another beautiful sunset fade behind the California hills. This man loves life!  It suddenly occurs to me that George, impish smile and all, knows how to squeeze every bit of good out of each day and each encounter.  This man knows how to live life.  He truly is a blessing to everyone he meets.  As we descended the hill, George would continue to count his own blessings.  He giggled that at first, the care

takers at his retirement home didn't understand his wanting to leave and go for these daily walks. He couldn't understand why there were not more of the residents that wanted to join him.  As we returned and entered the dining room, George introduced me to each person by name, resident or staff, and knew a little something special to say about each of them. George could still probably find work as a social director on a cruise ship.

 

 As is often the case, when I left the home of this member, I felt I had been blessed far more than my visit had blessed him.  George and many of our members not only know, but are the epiphany of God's mercy and love.  Having seen the light of Christ in their own lives, they give the gift of their time, their possessions and themselves so that others may know the love and mysteries of God.

 

 I have the same 'mountain top experiences' when doing my hospital rounds and I find that Joyce Swenson and Dorothy Biddison have already been to visit our various members in the hospital.  Like the magi of our Epiphany stories, they bring their gifts to the Christ child in each of us.   We have many other 'silent servants' who quietly hear of a need and make sure that need is answered, and simply ask that no one know the immediate source.  They've become the light that shows us that God truly does provide.   The light breaks in and God's spirit bears fruit.

 

 It's important to have these 'mountain top experiences', but they require a little exertion of effort on our part.  I would hope that each Sunday's worship affords us the opportunity to be inspired by the Word of God and nourished in the fellowship of others.  We believe that the physical things we offer in our worship - monetary gifts, bread and wine - are transformed by God to be channels of divine grace and love.

 

 Scripture records a number of ‘mountain top’ encounters with God where we come away with new guidelines, a new way of looking at the world, a new perspective.  We see the bigger picture and are humbled by the vastness of creation, but reminded of the height, breadth and length of God's love for us. My friends, the Light of the world continues to shine brightly; the darkness has not overcome it.  Let your own light so shine!

FALLEN FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR WAYNE