Waxing Full

I guess it's no secret that I love a full moon.  So I also enjoy the moon when it's waxing full because of the anticipation. But I almost can't bear to look when it's waning.  Maybe it's the thought of loss that the word waning brings; the seemingly too distant reality of the return of fullness. 

Life can be like that in some ways.  But in others, such as our love for each other, we cannot accept this!  A Zion's Harp hymn captures it best:

Should your love and your affection
Threaten to decrease and wane,
O implore for God's correction
Till its strength it may regain.
(ZH #33)

Notice the action counseled at the mere threat of such waning!

Glory in the Cross Alone

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14). A friend of mine gave a conference talk recently on the topic of humility, closing with this verse. May our glory be the cross!

Anyone recognize the location where this image was taken?

Blindness = Sight Without Vision

This young man's personality is as high-wattage as his smile!  Love you, Nelson.

This canoe was made by hand by a craftsman who recently lost his sight.  I'm glad he had the ability to envision and then make reality this beautiful work before his sight was taken.

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision" -- Helen Keller

My Anchor Holds

Tho' the angry surges roll on my tempest-driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know, wildly though the winds may blow,
I've an anchor safe and sure, That can ever-more endure.

Mighty tides about me sweep, perils lurk within the deep,
Angry clouds o'er-shade the sky, and the tempest rises high;
Still I stand the tempest's shock, for my anchor grips the Rock.

And it holds, my anchor holds;
Blow your wildest then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail: by His grace I shall not fail
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

"My Anchor Holds", W.C. Martin

My first thought was that the anchor pictured isn't doing much good, displayed as it is along the shore with a backdrop of ships at anchor in a calm bay; sails struck and idling the summer away.  But then I noticed the rust and signs of great use.  How great the tales must be that accompany this now rusted and resting stay!  So we press on, knowing the anchor is sure when it grips the Rock.  No matter how mighty the tides or angry the surges, or deep the perils...I am peaceful, for I know...I've an anchor safe and sure.

Perfection?

Sorry, but the airshow pix might be a staple for awhile!  When you look at this picture, what do you think?  Are you amazed at the unbelievable formation flying of these four, no five, F-18 Blue Angels airplanes?  Frankly, I am.  As a private pilot with a mere 350 flying hours, I can't imagine getting this close to another plane; never mind at their speed and with the turns they do together.

What else do you see?  Maybe you noticed that the #4 plane is slightly out of formation; actually noticeably farther away from his flying comrades than the rest.  Do you think he's a slacker?  Maybe just not as good as the rest?  It's interesting to ponder how we react to slight differences -- do we overlook the incredible reality of how close they are to focus on the variances?  I confess to having some of those thoughts.

Then, it turns out that the #4 guy dropped out of the show the next day because of illness.  So maybe, just maybe, he was feeling a little off his game when this shot was taken and left just a little extra margin of error to protect his formation partners.  That changes the perspective, doesn't it?

Lord, help me to be quick to listen, slow to judge, and to be full of grace.

Upward!

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

OK, so these aren't eagles...and not really "angels" either...but their upward attitude reminded me of this verse.  And as I soak in the effects of a very blessed week in which waiting on the Lord was key, I'm thankful for the promise from God through the old prophet.

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
("Have Thine Own Way, Lord" -- Pollard/Stebbins)

A good friend of mine has a pottery hobby/business (www.muddybrookpotters.com) and was the creator of these lovely works of art.  I'm a bit envious of his opportunity to be frequently reminded of Isaiah 64:8, "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."

Praying to be "yielded and still".

Busy as a...

 

I've been wondering if, how or when I'd use this image.  It somehow seemed relevant as life has taken on a somewhat frenzied pace lately.  Not complaining, just learning to trust day by day.

They Dwell in Kings' Palaces Too

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. (Prov. 30:28)

I'm told tarantulas are harmless.  The kids in Mexico and on our mission trip seemed to think so.