The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Friends, this is a repeat from many years ago regarding how these devotionals began. We have a number of new subscribers who have have not heard the story and have asked about the "Orange Moon Cafe" title. For those of you already familiar with this, thanks for your patience. Glen)
"Orange Moon Origins"
Over the years, we have received reports of orange moon sightings from people in many places. Perhaps the greatest of all came recently from our son Noah while executing a nighttime freefall parachute jump in the desert of Arizona, at an altitude of 11,000 feet. "It was so bright it looked like a sunrise" said Noah. It's going to be hard for anyone to top that scene, especially as viewed from such a thrilling vantage point.
Noah's account prompts me to write about the origin of the Orange Moon emphasis in our lives. It's been quite awhile since I've done so, and our newest readers may not be familiar with the story.
On Frances's birthday in 1988, we returned home from a celebration at her parents' house. The evening was clear and warm, which led me to step out to the back porch with my guitar. An absolutely beautiful orange moon awaited to greet me, rising through the trees. Also awaiting me was a piece of music and the words for a song for Frances. I worked on it while looking at the moon, and finished the song over the course of a day or so. She loved it, and orange moons became a personal remembrance of our bond with the Lord and with each other.
Several years later, we had an idea for opening a coffeeshop here in Mobile. "We'll call it the Orange Moon Cafe!" This sounded exciting, and we allowed our minds to venture down that road to the point we shared the possibility with some friends. One of them invited me to breakfast several days later, looked across the table, and very convincingly suggested I reconsider such a notion. "You have no business experience, Glen, and owning and operating such a place will distract you from the ministries God has given to you." My friend's words rang true and splashed the cold water of reality into my face. We wisely shelved the idea of an Orange Moon Cafe for five years, until…
…Until we decided to send out a daily email devotional, the one you currently read. It occurred to us that we could open an electronic version of our dream. We already used the Orange Moon as a logo for other pursuits, so it seemed appropriate to incorporate it into the theme of the devotional. We started sending out the messages to family and a few friends, not knowing it would develop into something beyond our plans and expectations. I cannot imagine what our lives would have been like without this blessing, and most importantly, without your fellowship and friendship. It is pure joy to write the messages, and a humbling blessing to know that people we love and respect read them. You greatly inspire, encourage, and challenge us in our walk with the Lord, and your responses to the messages often greatly illuminate us regarding the wonder of the Lord Jesus and His Truth.
When Noah returned from his time in the desert, we picked him up at the airport. On the way to his home, a beautiful half moon, an orange half moon, escorted us along the way. I don't recall ever seeing that before, and the scene greatly blessed and amazed us. As does your fellowship and friendship. We thank the Lord and we thank you for so many special years in the beauty of His light and His love. God bless you all.
Orange Moon
An orange moon rises through the trees tonight
as I think about our time together,
and the promise made so long ago
that we'd gladly share our lives forever.
And I guess we've kept our word,
for the seal is undisturbed.
What is the mystery of the tie that binds,
how burns the flame of love in winter?
And who are we to know with certainty
that a bitter chill can never enter?
Well, "the twain shall be as one"
is the promise that is written.
(And we dance unfettered through a world
that no one else can see,
my strings, your wind, a perfect blend,
a single melody.
And I'm amazed that I will always be yours,
and you'll be mine.)
The risen moon now casts its pale blue light
on silhouettes lost in each other.
And in silence we communicate so much more
than words could ever utter.
For we speak the silent prose,
the language only true love knows.
(And we dance unfettered through a world
that no one else can see,
my strings, your wind, a perfect blend,
a single melody.
And I'm amazed that I will always be yours,
and you'll be mine.)
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
(Ephesians 3:20-21)
Weekly Memory Verse
I will go in the strength of the Lord my God.
(Psalm 71:16).
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