The following are taken from the Lakeside Chautauqua 2023 Faith Walk Devotional, which features 21 meditations based on “thin places” in Lakeside, accompanied by scripture verses, reflection questions and photos. Copies are available for free at the Lakefront and Hoover Community Worship Services, at the Administration Office and hotel desks.
Grateful for God’s love
Thin Place: Perry Park
“Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all you mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27 NIV)
As I sit on a parch bench at the far end of Parry Park, as I often do, and observe the activities of the birds as they tend to their just hatched flock, I am reminded that if God, the Maker, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, cares for the birds of the air, how much more does he care for his children. Attempts to understand this from a human perspective are difficult.
As I dwell on this premise, I stand in awe. The depth of this love is unfathomable and was demonstrated through His sacrificial death on the cross. His willingness to submit to this agonizing demise is incomprehensible and should cause us to bow down and revere His name.
Submission to His majesty further requires us to: Think about His love, think about His goodness, think about His grace that’s brought us through. For as high as the heaven above, so great is the measure of our Father’s love, great is the measure of our Father’s love.
My heart is warmed and filled with gratitude as I think about God’s love. I ask you to think about this as well as you frequent your thin places in Lakeside.
Reflection: Do you take time to reflect on the majority of God’s creation and the depth of God’s love for all of us? For you?
Herb Bradford
A place to ponder
Thin Place: Rock by the water near the East Second Street Gate
“So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why does the bush not burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.'” (Exodus 3:3-5)
Before the last rip-rap rock was added near this spot, and while my body still was limber enough to do it, I regularly climbed down onto a very large rock which hung over the water. It was my burning bush, my “thin place.” It was where I meditated in the soft colors and sweet air of springtime, more often in the summer’s sunshine and warmth. Amidst the flaming colors of autumn, occasionally in the winter’s cold, and even, at times, in rain or storm. More than once I took down with me a brown paper lunch bag with all the food I needed, I hunk of bread and a bottle of grape juice to share a meal with God. I’ve no idea what Liam, the young man in this photo, is thinking, dreaming or pondering, but I do know that he is in a “thin place.” He is on holy ground. And it is good!
As you visit this area near the East Second Street gate, ponder the holiness of this place, the solidity and support of the rock beneath you, our God who is the solid rock on which you stand. The constant motion of water, like the water through which you were baptized into Christ’s Body the Church, stretching our before you, whether it is riled or still. The Spirit’s moving in your life, felt or not felt, seen or unseen, let your mind wander in wonder and awe.
Prayer: God Almighty who rules the wind and the waves; Tender God who holds the most delicate flower or butterfly; Creator God so vast as the water before me and beyond me; Emmanuel so intimate as to dwell within me, be present right here, right now. I am yours, made to bear your holy image, and you are mine to worship and adore. Thanks and Amen.
Reflection: Where do you go to ponder, to find inner peace and strength for the journey?
Rev. Ruth C. Shannon
The Lord is our rock
Thin Place: Rock Ledges
I love walking along the path by the lake and pondering the rock ledges. Although, they are just rocks stacked on each other, they are amazing! I wonder, “Who made these? How long have they been there? What keeps them from falling over?” As I consider these questions, I am reminded of many Godly lessons.
Rock ledges start with a strong foundation rock. I recall Bible verses about building a strong foundation to withstand trials and temptations. As I gaze at the base of the rock ledge, Matthew 7:24-27 reminds me to be intentional about remaining near to Jesus, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (NIV)
After the foundation rock, individual rocks give the structure its unique appearance. When you look at the rocks, they are similar yet different. It is up to the Creator how the rock ledge will be formed. Maybe I should allow my Creator to mold me into what He desires.
Singular rocks are ok but when they are combined in a rock ledge, they form a masterpiece! The passage in I Corinthians 12:7-17 talks about the many parts that make up the whole body. This inspires an introvert like me that connections with others are important and should be cultivated. Oh, what beauty arises when we work and “do life” together!
In the Bible, often rocks were piled up as a memorial to some event that God wanted the Israelites to remember. I think God knows that we need tangible reminders of His unfailing love for us. He is our rock!
Reflection: How can I draw close to God today? Where do I think God wants to use my unique gifts to serve Him?
Ann Gall
The leaves at Lakeside
Thin Place: Bench near the Old Bell
I plopped down on the bench across from a full blooming tree, a short distance fromthe Steele Memorial Bandstand. This beautiful day felt like a gift after a windy, rainymorning. “Thank you, Lord.” I whispered. I surveyed the area. My eyes followed thesidewalk where I discovered a dried-up leaf, half deteriorated, damp and seeminglystuck in place on the concrete.
In seven weeks, I would turn 70. What did the Lord say about becoming 70?
“The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eightyyears, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”(Ps. 90:10)
The majority of the leaves held tight to the branches during the windy downpour but,this leaf failed to have the strength to hold on.
There it lay alone, fastened to the ground. The gentle wind that cooled the afternoononly made the leaf flitter. It refused to move out of the place it had landed. Myconversation with God was sincere. I wondered, would I be like the used up, dried, oldleaf? Or would I fight to use every breath He gives me to spread His story?
Presently, I am 72. I’ve returned to that bench two more times. I looked at the walkwayto see if there were any stuck leaves. There haven’t been.
Reflection: While at Lakeside, why not take a few minutes to thank God for the yearsHe has given you and ask Him for direction on how to use the ones which remain?
Margaret Hurst
