All the goings on in Iraq, have seemed very distant to me. That is probably due to my limited personal exposure to people who have died or been injured as a result of our presence in that area. But yesterday morning I got an email that one of my classmates from high school had been killed in service. Suddenly, everything changed and the events in that distance place touched me a way they had not before. For many of you, I am sure the war has been a personal thing for a long time.

This morning, my thoughts shifted gears to what I can do to make God more personal in those lives around me, and in my own life. What are the things that I can do so that God comes near to those who see Him as far away and untouchable? What will I do to bring to life these words from ‘Beautiful One’ by By the Tree from the album ‘Hold You High’:

You opened my eyes to Your wonders anew.
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on earth is as beautiful as You.