Total Seclusion

We spent this last week-end in total seclusion with our daughter and husband deep in the Ozark National Forest. Our son-in-law's cousin owns a cedar lodge and were were blessed to be able to spend the week-end there - free of charge but then there was a bit of work that needed to be done which was perfectly ok with us all. If you get a chance google Waterfall House in Deer, Arkansas.  Yep, it has a beautiful waterfall right next to the house that flows most of the time except in the dry season. It is so gorgeous, so secluded that there is no TV or cell phone service. We were able to hook up to the internet to use our phones. They do have Netflex,  etc, lots of DVD's, tons of board games - enough to keep a person busy if they don't feel like hiking the beautiful trails around there. The county road to the house is unpaved - actually a trail through the woods, accessible only by 4 wheel drive or truck or jeep. In order to even get there ( from Prairie Grove) it is a 2-1/2 hour drive, on mostly very curvy, hilly roads. After you drive that for awhile you have to cross a creek before you get to the home. It is difficult to describe such a beautiful place so here are a few pictures. 

                    

                                               

                               It was rainy as we drove to Deer on this road, which is miles of curves

                                              

                                                             there were even patches of fog

                     this is the county road to the house in the National Forest  -a few miles of this

the stream before you get to the house

the cedar log cabin - 

                                                        a relaxing patio space with fire pit

kitchen as seen from the living room

a warm, inviting fire - as the others did the manual work my job was to keep the fire going and tend to the slow cooker for supper! (well, someone has to do it - it gave me tme to snuggle in and read, too).

the Arkansas red cedar walls and ceiling

the fire in the evening from the loft area - we slept in the lower bedroom as I could not envision

 sleeping in the loft and having to come down that spiral staircase at night in the dark!!!

It was truly a special week-end - a beautiful place to spend some time, but I think a bit too secluded for me as the closest bigger town is 45 minutes away. 

Do you have the feeling of not being in control? We may be in that season season right now. We may need a dose of the serenity prayer. Peter discusses what it is to be submissive. He followed Jesus but wanted to keep his own agenda. There were times in his life when he had trouble surrendering to Jesus' plan. Jesus let Peter do it his own way until it didn't work anymore. Jesus allowed Peter to get to that place so he would submit to His will After the Resurrection Jesus appeared to Peter and finally Peter ununderstood what it meant to follow Jesus. Jesus will not meet us on us terms but will meet us on His terms. It is a life long process to always submit to Jesus. It is in our weakness that we find Jesus' strength. In I Peter 2:11 and following, Peter talks about religion and politics - things we tend to avoid talking about. The people that he was talking to at the time tended to have a feeing that they lost control. How we live today has an evangelistic effect on other people. Voluntarily submit to someone in authority. God ordained government and put it in place, as well as putting in place church and family. He did so to retain order. It is hard for us to submit to authority. We cannot agree to everything that is going on in this world today. We need to be free to choose. Learn to submit for the right reasons for His sake and for His will. Live as a servant of God. Fear God. Be conscious of God. we have to trust God for the outcome of our lives. Let God have control of your lives. Submit with the right heart, live as a free man but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil. Live as servants of God. Learn to submit at the right time. Love your church, your people - honor those in authority. A disrespectful attitude turns people form Christ. We are to be the best possible citizens as we can be, but ultimately we honor and obey Christ. We are called to be respectful, loving, kind people on the planet.