![]() The belted kingfisher is a common sight along the lakes of cottage country. This colourful bird is so typically Canadian, that it was even featured on the $5 bill at one time. As the name implies, kingfishers enjoy fishing. They fly South in the winter. And they always look as if they have just pulled their tuques off their heads and have a serious case of “bad-hair-day”. The scientific name of the kingfisher is alcyon, which is its Greek equivalent. According to Greek legend, the Mediterranean relative of the kingfisher, was granted the gift of calm weather for its nesting period. The story is told that the distraught queen Alcyone jumped into the sea in grief after her husband’s loss in a shipwreck. The gods took pity, turned both husband and wife into kingfishers and stilled the winds for two weeks around the time of the winter solstice each year, a time still known as the halcyon days. Kingfisher Crossing is intended to provide such a period of calmness, peace and untroubled tranquility, away from the storms, turbulences and stiff cross winds of life. It’s a place that wants to make room for the King of kings to cross paths with His fishers of men. It’s an opportunity for worn out fishers of men to rest, to let their hair down and to be re-energized as they spend time with their King walking and talking along the lakeshore. Jesus Himself invites all of us: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Mt.11:28-30 MSG) At another time Jesus said to His disciples: “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves.” (Mk.6:31-32 MSG) This shows us that Jesus is not a slave driver, merely intent on us performing tasks and producing results. He is interested first and foremost in a personal relationship with His people, something a lot of ministry leaders tend to forget. He really cares for them! As the Good Shepherd, Jesus shepherds His under-shepherds in the ways of Psalm 23 (expressed in The Voice like this): “1 The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. 2 He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; 3 He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.” It really is all about being made whole again by the Good Shepherd, about focusing on His name – on Himself, about allowing Him to care for us, and to provide rest and refreshment for us. Halcyon days at Kingfisher Crossing are wonderful opportunities. But no pause, no place, and no program can produce peace. Only the person of the Prince of Peace can! Enjoy the relationship with Him!
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It is all about Jesus. All that we are, have and do is about Him. That's the bottom line. Here you will get to read some of the ways Jesus has revealed Himself to us through His word, through the beautiful piece of creation He has entrusted to us, and through our life experiences.
We met in Germany at Bodenseehof, a Capernwray Bible School (http://www.torchbearers.org/centres/Bodenseehof_Germany) and ended up on staff there for several years. Since then we have worked in small and large churches, in lead and associate positions, but also as lay people in everyday jobs in Canada. We have studied, travelled and served in North and South America, Europe, Israel and Africa. We have ministered in international, multi-cultural, and non-denominational contexts. All that to say that God has given us a broad perspective while holding firmly to the foundational truths of the Bible. We have experienced challenges and richness in marriage and parenting (a girl and 3 boys). You may get to know our family through some of these posts. We laugh and we pray a lot together. Our oldest child is serving as a missionary in Malawi; the others are perched on the edge of the nest about to do back-flips into adulthood. They have all caught the travel bug. We are blessed to see the adventure of experiencing God unfolding in our children's lives. I hope your visits here are a place where you cross paths with the King. Sit with Him a while and listen for His word to you for this day. |
AuthorsWe are a pastoral couple named Stefan & Heidi König. We have many years of experience in various ministries, and are thankful that God has given us this property to use as a way to bless others who need a place to relax and reconnect with Him. Kingfisher Spiritual Direction
Direct your heart to Jesus and restore your soul. If you need to hear from God, to grow deeper with Him, consider spiritual direction. An ancient discipline of soul care, Heidi is trained to prayerfully lead you in this practice. Archives
January 2018
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