Teresa and I just spent a couple of days in the mountains of Tennessee. Mountain City, TN, to be exact. I was there to lead a Bible study for the Pastor's Conference, and Teresa went with me to enjoy a brief weekend getaway.

I love the mountains! I could never get enough of them. They are so majestic, and they always lead me into a spirit of praise as I contemplate the greatness of God as I peer upon the sheer beauty of God's creation. Each season has its own beauty. The brilliant colors of fall; the multi-colored hues of green in early spring; the bursting colors of flowers in late spring and early summer; the gray of winter. There is splendor everywhere, awaiting the eye of the onlooker to enjoy.

Teresa and I were privileged to stay a couple of nights in the beautiful mountain home of Bill and Phylis Icenhour. They were such gracious hosts! I had met the Icenhour's a few years back when we took a youth group to Mountain City for a summer youth retreat. I also had the privilege of getting to know them a little better when I was given the opportunity to preach in a couple of Bible conferences in Mountain City. Bill and Phylis are such wonderful Christians. They opened their home to us, and treated us as family.

It amazes me how God does this! When He brings individuals into His faith family, He places a bond between them that nothing else can explain. Have you ever taken time to consider your church family that gathers for worship on Sundays? Have you ever considered how different everyone is - how we all come from different backgrounds, different economic levels, different educational experiences, even different races and ethnicities? Isn't it amazing how God does that? He makes us part of His forever faith family, and we have a bond that nothing else can explain. There would be nowhere else that that same Sunday morning crowd would meet - no other commonality that would bring us together. But the Spirit of God molds us into a family, and we become one in Him.

Bill and Phylis are so different from me and Teresa, yet, God placed a bond between us that made us, once again, marvel in His amazing grace. Bill and I took a ride on Saturday around their mountain property. We talked, listened to some good, Gospel music, and even a little bit of preaching while we rode. We talked and shared. And it was wonderful beyond words.

On Monday, I had the awesome privilege of leading Bible study for a group of preachers in Elizebethton, TN. Among those attending was Sam Icenhour, Bill's son. In conversation after the study, Sam shared with me that his dad had told him that he felt like we were old friends. I feel the same way.

So, I want to thank God for an amazing weekend. Teresa and I had some time for relaxation and a brief escape from the daily grind. I want to thank Bill and Phylis for making us part of their family. I want to thank Lonnie Denney for inviting me to share with the Pastor's Conference. And I want to thank God for allowing me to once again enjoy the majestice beauty of that small part of His creation. What a great and mighty God we serve!