This blog is mostly about images. A photo captures a moment in time and lets us slow down long enough to see the rich texture of the life all around us. It's mostly for my own amusement, but if you stumbled here somehow, please enjoy.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1867

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Picking Nits

On one hand we are called to "be our brother's keeper," willingly and lovingly helping him along life's path.  On the other, Paul warns us against being consumed one of another if we "bite and devour." (Gal. 5:16).

Doesn't it go back just one verse to Gal. 5:15, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Side by side. Patient. Loving. Helpful.  Any "nit picking" done with the consent and full knowledge of the one being helped.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Wait For It!

I have to infer that the gentleman on the left is the storyteller.  I seem to have caught his friends at three distinct stages of grasping the humor of it all.  Mind you, it was all in Spanish so I was far behind the man in the center.  And I was rather focused on being surreptitious.

Lifelong friends, I fancy.

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly" (Prov. 18:24).

Note: feet left in place on behalf of Sydney Eisenmann Parkhe!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Population Density

What are your first thoughts when you see this image?  Sure glad I don't live there?  Charming European city; good to visit but better to leave?

What does God see?

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."  (2 Chr. 16:9).

The whole earth?

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas Shopping

Not sure why, but the first thought I had when reviewing this picture from a display at the Madrid bus/train station was "Black Friday!"

Too much has probably been said about the madness of it all so I'll forgo the indulgence here.  When it comes to gifts, though, I was very appreciative of the thoughts shared by a minister this past Sunday.  He said that some of the best gifts he received growing up were when his folks didn't ask for suggestions but just picked out something they thought he'd like.  "We got a lot of miles out of that toboggan," he summarized!

The main point being, we can trust God to give us what we need and then graciously thank Him.

Somewhere in this season of the year, the true meaning is waiting to be discovered afresh.

"For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16).

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Clear Channels

The Roman Aqueduct system is fascinating.  This one, feeding the Spanish city of Segovia, rises to three times this height as it reaches the middle of town.  While the architecture and engineering required of this first century construction project is staggering, I'm struck by its function.

Day after day, this silent structure provided clean, fresh water from the source to the need.  It had to be covered or regularly cleaned to provide a "clear channel."

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:"  (2 Thess. 3:1).