Five months ago exactly, my blog went on hold. The plan was for it to be short, but then one thing led to another, and now we have just gotten it back online at a new location. "The best laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry." (Yes, I know it is often quoted differently, but that is the original). The detours of life are frequently treated merely as such: detours. What if we were able to see every single "detour" not as a detour, but rather as a part of the journey? What if we could recognize those things as what God sees them as: an excursion or expedition? Were there things that I learned during that "expedition"? Yes! None of them are things that matter for you to know, but the fact of the experience is important enough. I did not just spend the last few months "not writing posts"; I spent it studying and learning something--and not about blogging, writing, or even pastoral ministry. Yet it was something that matters for my personal sanctification, and I am thankful for it. When God takes us on an excursion from our normal day to day routine, it is not always connected to the original path that we were on in a way that we would expect. Yet, He never does so without purpose and intent; everything from His hand is grace, truth, and love--even the painful things. Every one of us is constantly in need of spiritual growth and greater maturity; but that growth that we experience is not always seen by others around us. So, if, now that the blog is back up and running, you are expecting a whole new direction, or maybe even a super-charged version of the previous blog, that is not going to happen (as far as I can tell). It is much more "back to the grindstone" and a return to normal (as much as we can find that in this world, which has so clearly lost its mind!). So then, read on. Seek to persevere in the faith. And, as always: pray for me, and I'll pray for you.