Was thinking about a verse in Acts 17 today......
".....He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." (vs. 26)
I love Pensacola. It is home for me. Most of all, it is the "exact place" God has called me to live.
Today my son Michael and I had lunch together. We met at the Aegean in Gulf Breeze, as he is working over there. Driving home over the Pensacola Bay Bridge on a crystal clear day made me realize once again how deeply I love the city I am planted in. It is easy to become "blemish-focused". In doing so, we forget the things we love.
Here are a few of the things I love about Pensacola....
- I love driving back to Pensacola from Gulf Breeze in the late afternoon when the sun is setting (Picture at left). I visited Key West some years ago and they were supposed to have the best sunsets in the US. The sunset over the bay on a clear day here blows it away. My wife ALWAYS has to tell me to keep my eyes on the road when we cross it! :-)
- I love driving Scenic Highway on a clear day as well. A few years back I had an older gentleman who is wealthy and well-traveled make the comment that he has been to alot of places with beautiful drives and that Scenic Hwy is up there with the best of them.
- I love Joe Patti's Seafood. Being from Louisiana I have been around seafood pretty much my whole life. Joe Patti's is rightfully known as one of the best places to get fresh seafood in the US. I especially love the smell of the salt water coming off the bay when you open the door of your car to go in. Nothing like it!
- I love the Navy Base. My family has gone on countless picnics at Fort Barancas after going to the Naval Museum on a chilly spring afternoon. Its a totally peaceful, relaxing experience.
- I love our downtown. I especially love the whole 4th of July experience on the bayfront. Bayfront Parkway is another wonderful driving moment 99% of the rest of the US can never have.
- I love Perdido Key in the early spring. It is largely empty then and again, just beautiful and peaceful.....a great place to walk on the beach, reflect, pray, read a book.
- I love our fall seasons in Pensacola. The air is crisp and clean. I always want to go to a high school football game but never do. Maybe next year...!
- I love our church. Not a week goes by that I don't drive home thinking about how much I really do love our people. Deb and I are blessed to be your pastors.
I could go on but need to hit the hay. Hope you take the time to enjoy the life God has given you, to relish the little things.
Grace, PB
Hey Pastor Bobby -
Ain't it great to love your land. I'm the first to say that Saint Simons Island's beach here IN GA pales in comparison to the beautiful sand and water there in P'Cola - it was truly a great place to visit back in January - hoping t come back soon!
I share a similar admiration for the "promised land" where we call home - the beautiful oaks, marsh, wildlife, history - it's great that God lets us be in places we love, amen!?
For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinon
My Blog @ www.fredmckinnon.com
The Highest Praise Worship Podcast @ www.highestpraise.com/podcast
Posted by: Fred McKinnon | February 20, 2006 at 02:06 PM
I love Pensacola for all those reasons too, and as it's getting a littler warmer I really miss it...I was in Jacksonville this weekend at the beach, and though it was beautiful, it's NOT PENSACOLA! My very favorite driving view is across the Lillian bridge going into (or out of) Alabama, looking toward the gulf. That view, about sunset, or on a clear night is breathtaking, too.
Posted by: Betty Bryant | February 19, 2006 at 05:52 PM
Waaaaaaaaaah! I MISS PENSACOLA! I LOVE all the things you mentioned, Pastor Bobby. Thanks for taking me back for a few minutes. God bless you all and Happy Belated B-day!! : )
Posted by: Paula Segrest McCollough | February 18, 2006 at 08:30 PM
Ilove this... you love Pensacola... but you sure seem to be in my neck of the woodsa lot... Gulf Breeze. Lunch in Gulf Breeze... driving back from Gulf Breeze. Admit it Buddy... Gulf Breeze IS the promised land. :-)
Posted by: Robert Pooley | February 17, 2006 at 10:28 PM
I truly miss my home. Pensacola will always be home in my heart and everything you mentioned, I miss it all. Just last night, I wanted so bad to sit in quiet peace at Perdido Key. The hustle and bustle of Orlando is so fast-paced. Pensacola is definitely a wonderful place to live and enjoy life
Posted by: Leah Flaton | February 17, 2006 at 03:16 PM
We were just talking about different places to live--last night at aftermath. For us, Pensacola means good friends, good memories and so many new opportunities.
Posted by: becca | February 17, 2006 at 11:29 AM
We live off Scenic Hwy down near Olive Rd and Winding Lane Exit. If you are ever down that far, please drop by and see us. I love the sunsets and recall a saying, "God grant enough clouds to make a beautiful sunset" which to me means just enough of trials to make our life turn out lovely in his sight with His help! Hope you are having a wonderful day for Jesus and yourself. we really should look for the lovely in everything and especially to see Jesus in others as He said if you do it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me.
Thanks for this blog as we are reminded to stop and smell the roses and see the beauty God has so richly given us. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and sometimes we must look deep inside a person to see their true beauty but that is an idea for a different blog. I suppose. You will never run out of ideas. I liked the article about your blog that was in the PNJ. Sent it to my friend in Pennsylvania. Thanks for being our wonderful inspiring young at heart pastor!!!
Posted by: DEbbie | February 17, 2006 at 10:49 AM
We live off Scenic Hwy down near Olive Rd and Winding Lane Exit. If you are ever down that far, please drop by and see us. I love the sunsets and recall a saying, "God grant enough clouds to make a beautiful sunset" which to me means just enough of trials to make our life turn out lovely in his sight with His help! Hope you are having a wonderful day for Jesus and yourself. we really should look for the lovely in everything and especially to see Jesus in others as He said if you do it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me.
Thanks for this blog as we are reminded to stop and smell the roses and see the beauty God has so richly given us. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and sometimes we must look deep inside a person to see their true beauty but that is an idea for a different blog. I suppose. You will never run out of ideas. I liked the article about your blog that was in the PNJ. Sent it to my friend in Pennsylvania. Thanks for being our wonderful inspiring young at heart pastor!!!
Posted by: DEbbie | February 17, 2006 at 10:48 AM
i love driving under graffiti bridge and knowing it's a landmark and not an eyesore. i also love 4th of july in front of the gulf power building and knowing if i go to our tiny little starbucks i'll see at least 8 people i know. i really like it here! :-) great blog topic PB!!
Posted by: amanda b. | February 17, 2006 at 09:45 AM