Today was a day of centering around worship and conversation.
We started the day at Maranatha Baptist Church.
Pastor Ashley gave an inspired sermon on truth. She included a quote from Fyodor Dostoevsky, “Above all, do not lie to yourself. The one who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and others. And having no respect, he ceases to love.” Yes may we give up the lies and raise up the truth, no matter how difficult that may be. In good Baptist fashion, we were there 2 hours and in good Plains fashion no one was in a hurry to leave.
Working up an appetite, it was time for another peanut butter ice cream. So good!
Then off to an interesting art site in southern Georgia. It is called Pasaquan. It is on the register for historic places and has won accolades for its uniqueness. This artist led an interesting life story and made his way back home to create this art community. It has touches of cultures and traditions from around the world, most distinctly an Indian vibe. Part of the exhibit was the Quieting World, where in a darkened room you were invited to sit and listen intently to the chorus of creation at sunrise from eight locations of wilderness. The sounds represent the natural world during a fragile moment of balance between light and darkness, hope and despair, renewal and disappearance. With listening to more than the human world it invites communion with the beauty and joy of each new day. I was greatly appreciative of the thoughtfulness of this place of centering. Here are a few images of the place:
A late afternoon lunch at a local diner of catfish and black eyed peas was a must.
And now to quiet the soul with a load of laundry and a short walk to the writing cabin to diving into:
Sunrise to sunset….moments of centering. Thanks be to God.
Johnson 2025 Sabbatical 
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