Compline

​Every day some orders of Monks have Morning, Noon and Evening prayers.  In the Evening they call it Compline.  It is meant to be said or chanted right before going to bed, so that the last thing you do before lying down to sleep is pray to the Father.

For some time now, we have been doing morning prayers together and Compline in the evening.  As I drifted off to sleep last night, I did my own Compline.  I will attempt to recreate that after I explain my day.

As I told you in my last blog, we are at Appalachian Christian Camp in Unicoi, TN this week.  Every day is a new adventure.  We started on Wednesday and it is now Saturday...our last day of adventures.  After breakfast and morning prayers and devotionas, we head to a trail head somewhere and walk.  Yesterday was a tad different.

It has been absolutely perfect weather for hiking.  Yesterday was no exception, but it started out with rain.  We were supposed to do the zip line before leaving for our hike, but woke to rain, so  were afraid not only the zip line would be cancelled but the hike as well.

Thankfully, the rain stopped about 10, so Aaron, our camp manager, said that the zip line was still on!

Another explanation of the day goes back 10 years.  My grandson, Cal, who was about 12 at the time, wanted to ride the zip line but was scared.  I said I would go first and show him there was nothing for which he needed to be afraid!  I was 70 years old at the time.  I was terrified!  At that time, you had to climb straight up a telephone pole!  Now they have stairs and a much larger platform at the top.

Aaron told me after I did it ten years ago, that I had to come back in ten years to keep my record as the oldest person to do the zip line.  He arranged for it to happen!  Jason drove all the way from Knoxville to record it. He works for Community Television in Knoxville, and is going to air it! 

Three people at a time can go on this course, so Jason and John thomas went at the same time.  Tommy also went.  And of course I went.  Actually, I was the first to go.  Jason and Tommy were right behind me.  Once more, I was terrified, but I did it!  (Jason went twice so he could go with his brother.)

Back to Compline now.  Here is my own personal Compline for last night.

Lord, you have always given strength for the day, and though I am weak, today I believe.

Lord, you have always given joy for the day, and though I am not always joyful, today I believe.

Lord, you have always given wisdom for the day, and though I am not wise, today I believe.

Lord, you have always given challenges for the day and though I sometimes don't think I can face them, today I believe.

Lord, you have had a zip line waiting for me to soar through the air, and though I did not think I could do it, today I believe.

Yesterday was one of those days that you wish would never end.  We spent the day doing things we love with people we love.  We did a zip line, we hiked (some went 8 miles, some went 4), we ate together and we laughed and worshipped together!  What a day!  

Thank you to all those who made this day happen.

Aaron, Julie, Sandy and Audrey
Tommy, John thomas and Jason
Juan
Audrey
Kathryn
Tyler
Steve and Cindy, Zeke and Ki
Charlie and Jane,
Kayley and Ana
Lori and Scott

The Compline sometimes ends by saying, "I will lie down this night with Christ and He will lie down with me."  Yesterday was one of those days that just felt anointed from sunup till sundown and beyond. I felt the presence of my Lord like never before.  If nothing else, I am coming away from this retreat with a renewed zeal to let HIM be in charge of all my days.

Click here to watch me zip!