I Went Out to Water the Trees

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Mornings are special. At least to me.

When I am not off at work to pay the bills I relish mornings at home. CJ is usually curled up catlike at the end of her couch–barefooted under her pink blanket.

I go over, kiss her on her ears and cheek, imbibing her morning smells, then drink my cup of black coffee she has made for me on the coffee bar, then make my way to my library to read. If I’ve not let Lady, our Cavalier King Charles, out, I do that, too.

Then I place Lady in her chair beside me, and open whatever books I’m reading for the week. This week it’s Eggers’ A Heartbreaking Word of Staggering Genius and Watson’s book of short stories, There Is Happiness.

Watson’s fiction moves me deeply due to his love of nature, the ache inside his characters, and his grasp of human brokenness amidst life’s fractured beauty.

As I took a break from reading I stepped out to water the trees. Some does were grazing on acorns behind the house and a healthy buck was out front, looking at me and I was looking at him.

Yes, mornings are special. At least to me.

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

Scenes from the Blue Ridge

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Over recent days, some of my family and I went to western NC with friends. We worked on plans for Christ Covenant Church (3cs-canton.org). We took in some of sites–mountains, vistas, waterfalls, good meals, lots of laughs, and multiple meetings and times of prayer. I’m grateful for friends like we have, grateful for our church family, and for their prayerful support.

Below are some glimpses into some of our time over recent days:

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church website: http://www.3cs-canton.org

Pastoral Retreat in the Mountains

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It is still unfolding–a staff retreat with my fellow elder-pastor from Christ Covenant Church and our wives. We are in western NC. The weather is in the 50s and 60s; we have had some rainfall; and the waterfalls are indeed living up to their name.

We are praying and listening and speaking with one another about where the Lord would have us lead CCC and the biblical ways to shepherd well.

It is hard for me to overestimate how much this week means to me–to all of us. We’re away, if you will, in order to be present.

Between discussions, we have been able to take in some of God’s creation, too. Below are some pictures and video of our time thus far.

We love you, CCC (3cs-canton.org), and remain optimistic about our future roles in the greater plan God continues to reveal for Christ Covenant Church.