Ireland

We are having an incredible time in Ireland. We’ve had the opportunity to stay at some amazing places and do a lot of different things.

The most adventurous was a boat trip to the Skellig Michael island pictured above. It may look like just a big rock in the ocean but it has a lot of history. Monks used to live in huts on top of the ridges which makes it one of the most impressive Christian sites in the world. It was an Irish monastery from about 600 AD to 1300 AD. It’s unbelievable to see what they built and how they lived on a steep rock island several miles offshore. Also, some of you might be interested to know that they filmed parts of the last 2 Star Wars movies on the island.

Julie and I were looking forward to the 2.5 hr. boat trip since we are, as they say - boat people. We left from the Portmagee Bay Marina which was a nice little harbor village just about 10 miles from Skellig Michael. You could see the island from the marina and it looked like an easy trip. Not so much - ha. As soon as we got out of the calm bay and into the Atlantic Ocean, it went from a pontoon boat lake cruise to a “Deadliest Catch” trip. 4-5 foot waves were hammering us as we were making our way out to the island. It was fun for a few minutes - until we started getting seasick. We made it through the rough seas and now have a good memory to laugh about.

The next day was Sunday and we found a Protestant Church in Killarney to attend. The church building was “only” about 200 years old but they have had a church on that site for about 1000 years. Time seems different over here in the Old World.

I wanted to share a stanza or two from the closing hymn of the service. It made me smile as we were singing it and reflect on our water adventure from the day before:

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, when the clouds unfold their wings of strife

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain, will your anchor drift or firm remain?

We have an anchor the keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

Do you feel “grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love?” The storms of life and currents of culture can make us feel ungrounded sometimes. God’s love and acceptance is unchanging even though our perception may not always align with that reality. The good news is that we are never outside of the Father’s love - even in the 5 foot swells of life.

Stay grounded,

Big E

Matt. 5:6