Yes, God Does Good Work!

     More than once I've heard my colleague, Pastor Michael TeKrony, when awed by something beautiful in creation, "God does good work!"

     I agree.  I agree wholeheartedly!

     One of the blessings of this summer, in addition to the new learnings I've received, has been the opportunity to see some of that good work in my home state of Wisconsin.  The Washington Island Forum was an enriching and stimulating professional experience.  And the setting was absolutely gorgeous--and oh-so-peaceful by the water!  Washington Island is located off the tip of Door County, Wisconsin--the thumb-like peninsula that juts out into the waters of Green Bay to the west and Lake Michigan to the east.  Washington Island is where those two large bodies of water meet.

     The only way to reach the island is by a ferry that carries both passengers and cars--like this one.  (And look at that deep blue water and bright blue, nearly cloudless sky--some of God's good work!

      On the island, Brenda and I stayed at the pleasant Cottage-on-the-Bay, and were treated graciously by our amiable hosts, Lew & Debbie Wuellner-Clarke.  And we had the special joy of having my sister Cindy and husband Jeff Schave share most of the time with us.  We have always been blessed by their company, and this time was no exception!  When I was not attending the Forum, we played games, ate (too much!), explored the island, and laughed and ate and sat by the campfire and ate.  And every evening God gave us a treat like this...

or like this...

or this...

To see those sunsets, we had to stroll 50 yards (unfortunately, we did have to fight off mosquitoes!) from the deck of the cottage to the shore--here's a view by day to give you some perspective...(That's my beloved enjoying the peaceful vista by the water.)

     Oh, and before going to the Island, we had the pleasure of visiting again, after several years, with our dear friends Pastor Nick & Judy Johannes at their lovely home on the Peshtigo River near Crivitz, WI. In addition to treating us to their warm hospitality and catching up with each others lives and ministries, they treated us to a pontoon ride on the river, where we had the joy of getting up close and personal with another of God's good pieces of work--this friendly loon:

 

     During our time on the Island, we also enjoyed seeing some of God's good work coupled with the good work of some of God's people.  The congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church on the Island has built, as a labor of love and in honor of the Scandinavian heritage of many islanders, a replica of a Norwegian stave church.  It's an inviting building in a beautiful setting, offered to the public as a site for weddings and special services as well as personal prayer and meditation.

 

 

     Well, I think you get the idea that God does good work--and some of that good work is certainly exhibited in the beauty of my home state of Wisconsin!

     And next time you're out in the beauty of creation, why not notice for yourself some of the good and beautiful work done by our loving and creative God!