Mark Beeson

Is The Storm Coming or Going?

 

Apparently, there's a big election scheduled on Tuesday.  

(Elections are on Tuesdays because, back in the day, most residents of rural America had to travel a significant distance to the county seat in order to vote. Monday was not considered reasonable since many people would need to begin travel on Sunday. This would, of course, have conflicted with Church services and Sunday worship, when "back in the day" Church services and Sunday worship mattered.)

How do you interpret the signs of the times?

Will this election mark the beginning of a big storm, or its ending?

Matthew 16:2-3  -  He (Jesus) replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."

Bullies and Bulls

 

 

Having recently photographed rutting bison fighting for dominance during their mating season, I've got a question. "Why are we surprised when kids bully other kids?"  

The Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America was adopted in Congress on July 4th, 1776 with the words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,"

But in recent years we've demanded our schools eliminate references to the "Creator" who endowed us with "certain unalienable rights," that include "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  

Forbidding instruction on "Intelligent Design" (as such lessons would require the admission of the existence of a "Supreme and Intelligent Designer") we've insisted every child in our schools learn a dumbed-down summation of evolutionary theory. Ask a kid to explain evolution and you'll get the same "sound-bite" answer: "Survival of the fittest. The strong eat the weak."

Kids who've never been taught to recognize the existence of their Creator have been carefully taught that the strong prey on the weak. They don't know their Creator, but they know a "pecking order" is observed throughout the Animal Kingdom.  They may not be unanimous in their convictions that their Creator endowed everyone with certain inalienable rights, but most kids have accepted their teacher's assurances regarding the ever-evolving-human-condition; "only the strong survive."

So when bullies brutalize and mean-girls gossip, when the "strong" taunt the "weak" and the "haves" care nothing for the "have-nots," should we be surprised?

What did we expect?

Our children aren't learning compassion, kindness and mercy from the mongrelized Darwinism we've force-fed American kids for decades. They won't know to "turn the other cheek," or "bear one another's burdens," or "love one another," or "deny themselves" if they don't know their Creator. They won't know the value of hard work or delayed gratification if they don't know their Creator. And without their Creator's instruction they'll live like the animals they've been told they are. Unaware of their Creator, they behave as if they're nothing more than rutting bison during mating season.

We've placed a higher value on teaching the next generation "only the strong survive," than on training people to live with a deep awareness that the "Creator" has stamped everyone with sacred worth, and endowed them with "certain unalienable rights," and "among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Jesus didn't say, "The strong should eat the weak."  His instruction was quite different and Paul mentioned Jesus' guidance when he said, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) 

I'm not saying things don't change; I'm saying we've not taught our children that no matter how much things change, their Creator has endowed everyone "with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." In this - our tragic failing - we've denied them knowledge of the soulish nature of their humanity, knowledge of the divine image they were given at their Creator's touch and awareness of the sacred worth of of every person they meet.

We're seeing the consequences of our failure played out in American society every single day. So, my question remains: "Why are we surprised when kids bully other kids?"  

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2 Thessalonians 3:8-10  -  We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

SandHill Cranes / Grus canadensis

 

The Sandhills are coming, thousands of them. 

Amazing.

Matthew 6:26  -  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

The Altar of the Chair of St. Peter

 

When I walked in the church I didn't know any of this. But here's what I discovered....and I took this picture to help me remember what I learned.

In the apse of St. Peter's Basilica is found the monument to the Chair of the Apostle Peter, a mature work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, made in the shape of a great bronze throne, supported by the statues of four Doctors of the Church, two from the West, St. Augustine and St. Ambrose, and two from the East, St. John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius.

Above the Chair of Peter is a window of Alabaster, divided into twelve sections as a tribute to the Twelve Apostles; a brilliant dove stands out against it, the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

As I'm reconnecting with the ancient Church, I'm more and more aware that I don't know what I'm looking at unless someone helps me. I see what I see, but I don't know what I'm seeing. I miss the symbolism.  I miss the nuanced meaning, the deeper veiled reality and the reasons behind the artistic expression unless someone teaches me. I don't know "what" represents "what" unless those who do know "what" share their knowledge.

So I wonder how many times I've missed out because I made a "surface" observation and failed to notice the layers of truth I could have apprehended if I'd cared enough to go deeper? What have I unnecessarily missed? 

I want to understand. I'm going to spend more time asking, "Why?"

Matthew 13:13  -  I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 

A Big Day in Aaron's Home Church

 

- Photo by Josh Hunter -

My son Aaron sent me some photos of Summit's baptism service. My nephew Isaac baptized scores of disciples, including his daughter Jada and Dwight Howard... yeah...Orlando Magic...that Dwight Howard.

- Photo by Josh Hunter -

We use swimming pools. Summit uses the Atlantic ocean. Either way, baptism day is always wonderful. Congratulations to all who professed their faith in Jesus and their eternal commitment to His Kingdom!

Acts 2:41a  -  Those who accepted his message were baptized.

 

In This Chapel....

 

 

This is a small chapel inside the first church in Rome. Pope Innocent III's verbal sanction to Franciscan Rule was given here. That story follows...
 

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As a gift from Emperor Constantine to Pope Melchiades in 311, the ancient and imposing palace had been the official residence of the Pope for nine hundred years by the time Francis arrived in 1209 at the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano.  It was located next to the equally splendid church, which Dante described as “beyond human achievement,” but Francis was not intimidated in the least.  He’d come to Rome to offer himself to the Pope as a humble messenger of the Church's teachings.

Omer Englebert’s biography, St. Francis of Assisi, reports Francis and his ragged companions were walking through the Lateran Palace one day when they chanced upon the Pope, then Innocent III.  Seizing the opportunity, Francis pressed the Pope to sanction their preaching but was rebuffed by the Pontiff, who mistook the wild-haired, smelly bunch for swineherds.

“Go find your pigs,” Innocent reportedly said to Francis.  “You can preach all the sermons you want to them.”  Ever obedient, Francis went out to the nearest pigsty, preached to the occupants, then presented himself again to the Pope.  Apparently, Innocent was so embarrassed he had treated Francis so badly that he told him he would grant him an audience – after he had cleaned himself up.

Whether that version of the story is true, or not, Francis was wedded to his understanding of The Rule that Jesus had written for his disciples. He adopted that Rule for his first few followers the year before in Assisi: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven”; “Take nothing for your journey”; and “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself.”  He based the written Rule he’d brought to Rome on those biblical directives of extreme poverty and humility.   Englebert suggests, “Their greatest joy shall be to mingle with victims of leprosy, beggars and other wretches,” was included in The Rule as well. 

Francis and his early followers, barefoot and in rags, prostrated themselves in front of the Pope, satined, bejeweled and gilded from head to miter, and Innocent questioned Francis. He was concerned about the harshness of Francis’ rules, but he blessed Francis and gave him permission to preach penance.  On bended knee, an ecstatic Francis pledged obedience and reverence to the Pope.

With that, the new Order of Friars Minor, as Francis named them, began. And the launch of the Order took place right here, in this small San Giovanni in Laterano chapel. The Franciscans were launched in this place, with no boundaries set for the range of their preaching. Every soul in the world was theirs for the saving.

In his joy, Francis preached to everyone and everything in sight. He believed all natural things to be the creations of God, and along the way he exhorted the flowers and vineyards and fields of grain to praise and serve the Lord. And, in probably the best-known-sermon of his life, he stopped to preach to the birds.

Legend has it that Francis exhorted his "brother birds" to love and praise the Lord. The birds didn't fly away and Francis told the attentive flock, "God made you noble among His creatures and gave you a home in the purity of the air." Legend has it the birds responded by stretching their necks and spreading their wings and welcoming his touches on their heads until he blessed them and gave them permission to fly away.

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It doesn't receive a lot of attention, and it's tucked away along the side of the church, but something amazing started in this little chapel. 

I thought you'd like to see it.

Mark 6:7-9  -  Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic."

 

Does Great Beauty Last?

 

The Ponte Vecchio's reputation as Florence's old "Butcher's Bridge" was changed when Cosimi De Medici put restrictions on the type of vendors who could sell their wares on the bridge. The butchers were replaced with gold merchants, and for the past 400 years the bridge over the Arno River has been home to a vast collection of jewelers specializing in expensive gold selections.

We were walking back to the hotel after crossing the "Golden Bridge," when I saw this artist doing his chalk art masterpiece on the road. I was stunned. Who would invest so much talent, time and effort in something the next rain will wash away?  

I thought about it a lot, and I realized we all do it. To one degree or another, we all try to enhance the moments of our lives. We strive for beauty. Although we know our lovely little sand castles will be washed away by the tide, we go to the beach and build them anyway. 

It's as if we all know the truth; a moment won't last forever, but it's impact might.

One hour doesn't last longer than 60 minutes, but the beautiful conversation that fills that hour can change your life. A worship service is over before you know it, but what happens during that service can change your eternity.

There's more in the moment than the moment.

So, we do our best with the minutes we're given, knowing we're adding value when we lift, and love, and beautify our world - even if the moments pass and the beauty fades. Eternity is relatively consequential; it emerges from the beautiful moments of life.

The beauty you offer lives on. Even if it seems your most picturesque moments won't survive the next rain, the impact of your stunning contribution will last forever. 

Count on it.

1 Peter 1:23-25  -  For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

Amber & Ryan Have Good News

 

Yesterday I walked into the woods with Ruby. Amber snapped some pictures with my camera and captured a sacred moment. I love this picture.

 

Amber's recent announcement took Sheila's birthday celebrations to a whole new level. She's pregnant and she finally put the news on Facebook so now we can tell our friends. 

So my friends, here's the good news; we're going to have another grandchild in May!

Proverbs 17:6  -  Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents.

Happy Birthday Sheila!

 

- Photo by Becky Hunter -

Today I celebrate the birthday of the greatest woman I've ever known. She's my best friend. She's my greatest help, strongest support, most faithful ally and finest example. She's the marvelous mother of my children and the beautiful grandmother of my grand-kids.  She's better than I deserve.

Happy Birthday Sheila.

Thanks for doing life with me. Whether we're walking through Florence or sharing breakfast at home, I'm honored to be with you.

You're the best.

Proverbs 5:17  -  Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose.

How To Shoot A Rattlesnake

 

 So, here's one way to photograph a rattlesnake.

 1. Find a rattlesnake. You must not skip this step. It is essential to your success.
 2. Put a Kenko extension tube between your 70-200 lens and your camera body. (This reduces your minimum focal distance and creates a razor-thin depth of field. It's not quite a macro lens, but it's close.) Of course, this means you've got to get really close to the snake.
 3. Lay on your stomach so your shot is eye-level with the snake.
 4. Put your objective lens about 12 inches from the snake.  Do this very carefully. Anti-venom is expensive.
 5. Get closer.
 6. Focus.
 7. Get lower.    
 8. Fire away.
 9. If unbitten, crawl away slowly. 
10. If bitten, crawl away slowly. (Two bites hurt worse than one and this is not the best time to increase your heart rate.) As long as you remain conscious move towards civilization. Scratch a note in the sand. Sign your name.
11. While you're able, look at your pictures. If satisfied, repeat steps 1 thru 10. (You can never have too many good rattlesnake pictures.)  If unsatisfied, repeat steps 1 thru 10. 

That's what I learned while shooting rattlesnakes with Wyman, though no one should blame him if I misunderstood. His instructions were superb; it's my understanding that's questionable.

Jeremiah 17:21a  -  This is God's Message. Be careful, if you care about your lives...

Reconnecting With The Ancient Church / Thomas in India

 

 

"We the faithful stand fast unto death." ~Hippolytus, Commentary on Daniel 2.19.4

One of the 12 statues inside the church of San Giovanni in Laterano depicts Thomas, the disciple who doubted the resurrection of Jesus and said he'd only believe if he could put his hands in the wounds Christ suffered. He's also the disciple who carried the Gospel to India.

Standing before his enormous statue, I thought back to the stories I'd heard about Thomas from our church planters in India.  According to their traditions, Thomas died of stab wounds in 72 A.D., after being attacked by the Brahman priests who feared that the Christian faith would eclipse Hinduism. 

The 3rd Century Roman, Hippolytus, certainly believed that to be true. He wrote, "And Thomas preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and Margians, and was thrust through in the four members of his body with pine spears at Calamene, the city of India, and was buried there." - Hippolytus, On the End of the World, Chapter 49.

What pierced me was the thought that our brothers and sisters in India face the exact same threat today. It's the upper cast Brahmans who fear the rise of Christianity - a faith that declares the "untouchable," touchable and the "unworthy," worthy.

I pray God helps us continue the important work Thomas began in India.

It matters.

John 20:25b-28  -  But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 

The Church of San Giovanni in Laterno

 

I would say we stumbled across this church by accident, but my mother often said, "There aren't accidents. There are 'God-addents.'" So, I'm assuming God wanted me to see this church, located near the Holy Stairs, which are daily ascended by pilgrims in their knees. It's the Church of San Giovanni in Laterno, built by Constantine about 318 A.D.. It functioned as Rome's most important church through medieval times, and I wasn't even planning to visit it...but God had other plans.

You're looking at the chair (the "cathedra") which reminds visitors this is the cathedral of Rome, and the pope himself is the bishop who sits here.  This is the Pope's chair, where he reigned for 1,000 years.

This is a seat of power, incredible power, and as such it's been attacked by the malevolent throughout the ages. It was assailed again in 1993 when Cosa Nostra terrorists attacked with bombs in an attempt to intimidate and silence the Church for criticizing their actions.

When I took this picture, inside the very first Christian church in the city of Rome, I sensed a deep understanding of why evil loathes the goodness of God and the kindness of God's people. Then I started to wonder, "How much does evil hate and fear the part of the Church everyone calls 'GCC?" 

I still wonder...

Psalm 109:1-5  -  My God, don't turn a deaf ear to my hallelujah prayer. Liars are pouring out invective on me; Their lying tongues are like a pack of dogs out to get me, barking their hate, nipping my heels—and for no reason! I loved them and now they slander me—yes, me!— and treat my prayer like a crime; They return my good with evil, they return my love with hate. 

This Is For You...

I've been asked about the little banner on the sidebar of my blog.  "WE'RE GONNA OPEN A CAN," November 4th & 5th at the AND Conference.

It'll launch more conversations than it finishes.
It'll start more discussion than it ends.
It'll ask more questions than it answers.
It'll prompt more progress than you'd imagine. 

My friend Jason MIller spoke of our reasons for launching the AND Conference. Check it out, and if you're interested in making your next season your best season, register.

 

Acts 10:13-15   -  Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

Definitely, Maybe.

I was moved as pilgrims from all over the world filled St. Peter's Square with worship. The bells of the Basilica di San Pietro rang across the Vatican. Congregants sang and the Pope offered his blessing. It was flat-out awesome.

Michelangelo was 71 when the Pope directed him to devise the cupola. (So much for the notion of early retirement.) He designed the church's dome with 430 feet between the floor of the cathedral and its top. Directly under the dome, under the altar, 23 feet under the marble floor, rest the bones of St. Peter. 

Really? Are they the bones of Peter?

Definitely, maybe.

The traditional site of his tomb was sealed when Old St. Peter's was built on it in A.D. 326. It remained sealed until 1940, when it was opened for archaeological study. And (you guessed it) bones were found, dating back to the 1st Century, of a robust man who died at an old age. His body was wrapped in expensive cloth. Various inscriptions and graffiti in the tomb indicate 2nd and 3rd Century visitors thought this was Peter's burial place.  

So, is it actually Peter's tomb?  

Definitely, maybe. 

Hey. Do you want to disagree with the Pope?

Galatians 2:7-8  -  (Paul)  "It was soon evident that God had entrusted me with the same message to the non-Jews as Peter had been preaching to the Jews. Recognizing that my calling had been given by God, James, Peter, and John—the pillars of the church—shook hands with me and Barnabas, assigning us to a ministry to the non-Jews, while they continued to be responsible for reaching out to the Jews." 

Thoughts In The Night

 

I didn't know what thoughts would come as I stared at the Basilica from the center of St. Peter's Square, but the night didn't dim my mood. The darkness gave contrast to the light, in more ways than one.

By the time I arrived, there weren't many pilgrims visiting the greatest church in Christendom. I suppose most people prefer seeing the Vatican in the light of day, but this night was special to me. I hadn't been here since I was 17 years old, so this was a rewarding glimpse of the church Emperor Constantine ordered built on the site of Peter's martyrdom. (Tradition says Peter was crucified upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die as his Master.) 

40 years ago I climbed up on the base of the 90' obelisk you see just left of center, to receive the Pope's blessing (along with tens-of-thousands gathered there). But what's 40 years to a monument erected in Egypt more than 2,000 years ago? That obelisk stood sentinel to the fall of Egypt. When Caligula moved the 300 tons of solid granite to Rome, it towered impassively over the slaughter of Christians at the ancient Roman Circus, and the torture of Protestants during the Inquisition. The obelisk, adorned with a cross at its top, now watches over the church to see what we'll do next.

As I re-connect with the ancient church, I'm sobered about our heritage. If our history teaches anything, it's this; the disquieting prospect of wielding power should give us pause. We've not always handled our authority well.

Matthew 16:19  - (Jesus)  "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

"Bach" Camp

From 1974-1977, Wyman lived here alone. Based in this tiny one-room cabin, he trapped and hunted in solitary retreat, but his trek away from civilization was more in keeping with the spirit of the ancient desert fathers than the bent of a recluse. Wyman's journey followed a path of hard work, severe discipline and astounding productivity. 

Immediately after college graduation, when classmates went off to more predictable career tracks, Wyman took to the wilderness. His first year at Batch Camp (shortened from "Bachelor" because a few months there persuaded him no married man could pursue life in such austere surroundings) Wyman sold 205 coyote pelts and 39 bobcats - enough to keep him going. He did it again the next year, and the next.

I know some people do what they do because that's what they can do. Wyman is a bit different. Wyman does what he does though he could do many other things. His choices along the way have cost him dearly and rewarded him handsomely. I had a college professor who said, "You pay your money and make your choice," implying the path you choose will cost you, so you better choose the path that leads to the destination you want.  That's what Wyman has done. Knowing there'd be a price to pay, he gave up other things to do the thing he loves. 

Nobody has great accomplishment without paying a great price.  Nobody.

Now Wyman is one of the greatest predator hunters and photographers alive. He's adjunct professor at Texas Tech University. He's a published author with about 20 books on his resume. He's a pilot. He's been recognized by the Texas legislature as the only official State Photographer of Texas. His images have appeared in Smithsonian, National Geographic Books, Natural History, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Audubon, Sports Afield, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life and many others. His brilliant wife is inquisitive, educated and determined. She runs the business: book publication, marketing, production and finance. Sylinda is gracious and strong (no real surprise when you consider the Meinzers made arctic wolves their current pet-of-choice).

This is the guy I've studied under for the last few days. 

I'm a better man for having done so.

Proverbs 2:11  -  Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

 

 

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake / Crotalus atrox

 

The sun was sinking in a blaze of color as I stretched out to push my camera closer to this denizen of Texas ranch country. My respect for this big fellow was increasing with the darkness. 

The way you look at something matters.

Whether you're soaring over at 10,000 feet, or flat on your belly and eyeball-to-eyeball, your perspective influences your appreciation. Admiration is amplified by proximity and time; each accelerates the other.  

I had enough of both with this guy.

He was most disagreeable.

Jeremiah 8:17  - "I'm dispatching poisonous snakes among you, snakes that can't be charmed, snakes that will bite you and kill you."  God's Decree!

Bobcat / Lynx rufus

 

In the early morning light, quietly moving in to make an easy meal of what was obviously a very distressed rabbit, this Bobcat paused long enough for me to capture a shot I'll cherish for years. 

Ecclesiastes 11:6  -  Go to work in the morning and stick to it until evening without watching the clock. You never know from moment to moment how your work will turn out in the end.

Content

 

Here's the first coyote I photographed with Wyman.  He came in, spotted us and left...but I'm content. 

Matthew 5:5  -  You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

 

Skilled People Are Always In Demand

 

Wyman Meinzer grew up in Texas and spent years in "The Big Empty" as a predator hunter. When he shifted gears and made his wildlife photography avocation his vocation, the world received a remarkable gift. We got a look, through Wyman's lens, at the beauty, majesty and abundance of Texas. With every shutter press he captures a moment, then he gives it to the rest of us. 

I was accepted in Wyman's very first "predator photo safari" group.  So, in addition to catching rattlesnakes, I'm learning to call coyotes and bobcats with one of the best predator callers alive. With any luck, I'll end up with some "predator" photos of my own.

Yesterday Wyman made a call for me and I've been practicing. If you haven't seen a coyote or bobcat around your house today, it's because I've called them all to Texas. 

Proverbs 22:29a  -  Observe people who are good at their work; skilled people are always in demand and admired.

Watch Your Step

 

 

I’m not sure what you were doing yesterday, but I was catching rattlesnakes on a ranch in Texas with Wyman Meinzer.  I’ll tell you more about Wyman, rattlesnakes and calling coyotes in “The Big Empty” as soon as get time, but right now I’ve got to stay focused.  I’ve got to watch where I step. (I knew I should have sprung for some “snake” boots…)

Proverbs 16:7  -  The road of right living bypasses evil; watch your step and save your life.

 

 

How To Spot Newcomers

I often suggest it would be a good thing for people to welcome newcomers (which can be done by giving them space, answering their questions rather than force-feeding your opinions, offering at least as many refreshments as you would for visitors to your home, cleaning up the place before they arrive, using both vowels and consonants when you speak, brushing your teeth and choosing to do what you can to help them experience God's love whether they'll date you or not). It's not that difficult to be nice, so I encourage it.

That's usually when someone says, "How will we know who the newcomers are?"
(Huh? You're only planning to be nice to the newcomers? C'mon, how about spreading the love around? But, that's another topic for another post...)

My answer is often a quick pantomime. I walk out the door and walk back in, mouth open and eyes up, staring in awe at the new and unfamiliar space I've entered. Eyes wide and gazing in wonder, I look the part of a newcomer, experiencing their awakening to new space, new relationships and new opportunity. The newcomer "look" is easier to spot than some suppose.

When I took this picture of people entering the lobby of the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone Park, I thought, "That's it. That's the easily recognized look of a newcomer."

So, if you want to welcome newcomers, I hope this picture will help you identify them. 

Job 8:9-10  -  We're newcomers at this, with a lot to learn, and not too long to learn it. So why not let the ancients teach you, tell you what's what, instruct you in what they knew from experience? 

Praying For The Poor Today, I Read This...

 

Isaiah 41:17-19

The poor and homeless are desperate for water, 

   their tongues parched and no water to be found.

But I'm there to be found, I'm there for them, 

   and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.

I'll open up rivers for them on the barren hills, 

   spout fountains in the valleys.

I'll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond, 

   the waterless waste into splashing creeks.

I'll plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland, 

   also acacia, myrtle, and olive.

I'll place the cypress in the desert, 

   with plenty of oaks and pines.

Everyone will see this. No one can miss it— 

   unavoidable, indisputable evidence

That I, God, personally did this. 

Sometimes You Get More Than You Asked For...

 

Our family went on a hike in the mountains. We trekked up and up, across Eagle Falls and along the ravine, all the way up the mountain to Eagle Lake. It was about as beautiful a place as I've seen, so I asked Aaron and Tracy if they'd stand in front of the lake while I took a picture. They obliged and now I've got a better picture of Aaron and Tracy than I have of Eagle Lake. 

I've got great kids. 
   I've built great memories with them.
      I asked God for both and received in abundance.
         Sometimes you get more than you asked for, and for that I thank God. 

1 Corinthians 2:9b  -  No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

Congratulations Are In Order

 

Sheila and I drove to Indianapolis to celebrate her niece's wedding last last. It was a beautiful service and, by all indications, Brittany married a fine fellow. I shot this during the service from way back, but even from that distance she looks very happy. Don't you think?

1 Corinthians 7:10  -  If you are married, stay married. This is the Master's command, not mine.

My Kids Call Her "Granny"

 

Back in 1976 one of my mother's dear friends became my mother-in-law. Three and a half decades later, she's still an inspiration.  She loves Jesus, her husband, her children and grandchildren. Since Ruby and Lydia have joined the family, her love now reaches to her great-grandchildren as well.

You may already know Sheila is a remarkable woman. But you may not know that she is, in so many ways, who she is because of her mother's influence. 

Thanks Granny.  

I'll be forever grateful.

Titus 2:7a  -  In all things show yourself to be an example...

Want Some Of My Sand?

 

It's never too soon to teach a child to share.  And it's never too late try .... though you might need to modify your methods if your kids are in their early 40's.

Hebrews 13:16  -  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.