The following are actual signs seen along the road:

• At a Santa Fe gas station:  “We will sell gasoline to anyone in a glass container”
• In a New York Restaurant:  “Customers who consider our waitresses uncivil ought to see the manager”
• In a Florida maternity ward: “No children allowed”
• In a New York drugstore: “We dispense with accuracy”
• Loan Company office:  “Ask about our plans for owning your home”
• Medical building: “Mental Health Prevention Center”
• Convalescent Home:  “For the sick and tired of the Episcopal Church”
• Military Base:  “Restricted to unauthorized personnel”
• Appliance store:  “Don’t kill your wife.  Let our waking machine do the dirty work”
• Clothing store:  “Wonderful margins for men with 16 and 17 necks”

THESE TWO WORDS JUST DO NOT SEEM TO GO TOGETHER

-HOWEVER-

According to William Bjoraker these two words are connected.  The root word of each (Avodah) means to work or serve.  Interesting.  He goes on –

“Worship of the true God in Messiah Jesus through the Holy Spirit and in truth is hard work.  It demands expenditure of energy.  It requires focus and concentration of our faculties.”

Some think of their work almost as a punishment – a product of the Fall.  Only work that is drudgery can come under that way of thinking and even menial tasks can be an achievement.

Austen Burkhart added these findings:  “The Hebrew word, avodah, jointly means work, worship and service.  The various usages of this Hebrew word found first in Genesis 2:15 tell us that God’s original design and desire is that our work and our worship would be a seamless way of living.”

What a concept that our work can honor God and our worship can be work.

Joshua said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

As Bjoraker said, It (worship) demands expenditure of energy.  “Inner humbling, a surrender to self will, a repentance of sin and trust.  It requires cultivating the presence of God.  It ascribes to Him the supreme value of who He is and acknowledges His worthiness (worth-ship) in words, deeds, and posture.  Worship is hard work.”

But ahh, the fruit of this rhythm of living.  A day well spent asking the Lord of the Universe to govern your work days and worship day.  This is a life well used and one God is searching for.

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His.”

A prayer cottage nestled in the trees in Delafield beckons people to come away and pray – think – read – spend time in the quiet with no agenda – no interruptions – no expectations.  If you haven’t had that experience in your life for a very long time then find a time and call or email Broom Tree Ministries to reserve it for yourself.

Recalibrate your mind and heart.  Take a holy nap in the recliner or just build a fire and watch it for a few hours.  Winter is coming closer each day and then the prayer cottage gets very busy.  So this is an invitation to send Broom Tree Ministries an email to reserve your spot.

Jesus is a gentleman.  He will not invade your crowded life but He will meet with you and help you sort through the crowded life when you come.   Allow yourself time to be in His presence.

We had an inquiry today on the website from Rob who wanted to know if we could send him the price list and catalog of our brooms.

Dwayne couldn’t resist so here was his answer:

October sunshine and high temperatures – incredible weather for a golf outing so late in the year.  Thank you Lord!  30 golfers teed up to play Kettle Moraine Golf Club and vie for the trophies and prizes that awaited those who could win using all the pre-purchased “Mulligans’ and ‘Strings’ they could buy.  Prestwick Golf Group sent 8 of their players some who could crush long drives and follow up with precision putting.  Watching them I wondered if the sports casters and Golf Channel were lurking in the bushes with TV cameras.  The handicaps, however, were an asset to the more average golfer and evened the playing field.

The Par 3 18th hole was set up for the Hole in One contest.  The pin, strategically placed behind the sand trap on the right, guarded the hole.  I secretly thought that one of the ladies might just capture that prize and one of them came dangerously close.

Many thanks to all the sponsors and Kettle Moraine Golf Club for helping Broom Tree organize the outing with event holes, signage and efficiency.