Christian Living

Limestone Creek flows along the western edge of Mill Run Park. The Limestone is popular with local trout
fishermen, me included. As I slowly trod the various paths through the Mill Run woods I silently prayed again that the Holy
Spirit would speak and move through my soul with His supernatural guidance. He led me to a park bench in a shady area along
the creek where I "took a load off" so to speak.

Certainly, the scene was not quiet as I sat on the aforementioned bench. Birds were chirping,
insects were buzzing, and the rivulets and runs of Limestone Creek were babbling by on their predestined journey to meet with
Butternut Creek and then Chittenango Creek, through which they would flow into Oneida Lake. Through the chirping, bubbling,
babbling, and buzzing there was one sound that became conspicuous by its absence--the sound of MY HEAD!

While on that creek-side bench God blessed me with approximately ten minutes of serenity, peace and quiet like I have not experienced in recent memory--if
ever in my thus far 47 years of earthly life.

As I watched the water flow, I thought of all the times that my daughter and I have waded through it, turning over rocks
to hunt for crayfish. She's growing up, doing so faster than I would like. At this moment as I write I ache longingly, wishing we were
standing in that cool pristine water attempting to scoop out the crawdads as they scurry away in reverse. One day--far too
soon if the Lord tarries--she'll think that catching crayfish with old dad is just too uncool an activity to partake of. Just
recently I've begun to sense that day may already have dawned and its sunrise makes me sad.

Limestone Creek was made by, of, and for Jesus and His glory. Limestone Creek gives life to the crayfish, the three species
of trout that attack my Rooster Tail spinners, and the numerous other varieties of fish and critters that are born, live, and
die in the creek as human life moves hurriedly along topside on Terra Firma. Our Lord God knows every creature that inhabits that
stream's eddies, pools, and sloughs, as they are His creation and design. Lord, I thank you for the living water that is
Limestone Creek and for all of the bounty it offers. Your handiwork is magnificent!

As I sat on the bench, watching and listening to the water flow; I was reminded that Jesus Christ is our Living Water. Revelation
chapter 22--the final chapter of the last book of the Bible--is perhaps my favorite bit of scripture. The words of Jesus in
Revelation 22:17-21; the final five verses of the Bible, offer invitation, hope, and a stern warning:

¹⁷The Spirit and the bride say,
"Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift
of the water of life. ¹⁸I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything
to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. ¹⁹And if anyone takes words away from this book
of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this
book. ²⁰He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. ²¹The
grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

Limestone Creek to me represents Christ's water of life--the difference being that His water
is a river that flows deep and eternal. And while the creek is beautiful and peaceful, it is nothing like what we
believers will experience when we meet our Lord and Savior face to face. Though I wade in the idyllic Limestone, I drown in Christ's
river where I live eternally.

Yes, He is coming soon. Have you partaken of the living water?