Thoughts on a Gray Day

We had a lovely visit today at Redeemer Presbyterian in Manhattan.  The service was very liturgical, very familiar.  The pianist and vocalist were skilled beyond what we are used to hearing on anything other than a professional album, with preludes and offertories being beautiful Bach compositions.  Pastor Keller was at our location today, and taught an excellent sermon about the Light of Christ penetrating a dark world.  He pulled a couple passages out of Isaiah 60, and expounded on how Christ IS light, and only when we recognize that, are things illuminated enough that can we truly see truth, and live in grace and joy.  He didn't flinch about addressing hard issues, and calling the congregation to identify their sin, and repent of it.  The one thing that stood out, was the type of stories he used to illustrate a couple points, and the topics he chose to drive home as conviction...they are very closely tailored to NYC and some of the challenges that face us here.  He brought very relevant application of some abstract conceptual ideas about the nature of God and His interaction with us.  We are looking forward to next week.

Greg is coming down with a sinus infection, so instead of staying for coffee hour, we headed to the pharmacy and supermarket to stock up on vitamins / herbs / garlic etc. to beat this early.  He has quietly slept the afternoon away.  It's a very rainy, gray, foggy sort of NY day...the upside?  No static electricity to speak of!!

Here are some fun observations from our few days in NYC:

- The people and dogs don't match like 101 Dalmatians would lead you to believe ;)

- The rats in the subway are bigger than the ones back at the farm

- The subway is not very full on Sunday

- It rains and snows on the same day

- Random people don't converse...unless you meet them walking their dog, then they smile and say hi

- Families go for walks and scooter rides, and lots of Dad are out with their kids

- Italians make incredible muffins

- You can buy everything you need within 4 blocks of home