Mysterious Ways

"Hey, stop looking at me like I've got a crooked toe!"  Can you guess which of our children was overheard making this tongue-in-cheek comment recently?


This one goes in the category, "God works in mysterious ways".  We first saw these toes (both corrected by surgery but one needing it again) shortly after they made their entrance into the world.  We have the birth certificate to prove it.  The amazing part is that this same infant somehow lost the standard hospital identification wristband in the nursery.  But we had built-in proof that the toes matched the certificate and definitely belonged to our child!  One trip to Solomon avoided...  :)

Sweet Light

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.  Eccl. 11:7

Cindy put me on to this verse recently after a night of some tossing and turning.  The light of the morning sun often helps restore a clearer perspective!


Extra credit if you can guess the location...

Niagara Red

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. Psalm 147:18

Intersection

This shot reminded me of those graphs that plot two variables and often make the point that the intersection is the optimal point.  And that got me thinking of Ephesians 4:15, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ". 

Truth...in love.  How easy it is to come down on someone with a full load of "truth".  And how we appreciate it when someone approaches us in love and esteem.  I bet Paul had to work on this too, as do I.  Worth the effort.

First Quarter

Back to a favorite subject.  This moon is nearly at what's called the "first quarter".  Its loveliness is only diminished by the thought of what is yet to come as it waxes to fullness.  Life and eternity are like that, it seems.  I suppose you could say our first quarter is somewhere around age 20 if we get the full biblical "fourscore, by reason of health". So much beauty and so much potential at that stage.

Or maybe we only reach this "first quarter" at life's end, to be completed in fullness on that heavenly shore where, as the hymn-writer put it, "the half cannot be fancied".  I like that thought better since at age 45, I'd already be considered waning under the first analogy!

The Eyes Have It

I've been trying to decide whether and how to use this image which I snapped somewhat surreptitiously during a recent visit to Lancaster County, PA

I suppose I could comment on the juxtaposition of the Amish boys with an "Italian Restaurant" sign behind them, or the modern street bearing their 19th century conveyance.  But it strikes me that there's something hidden a little beneath the surface. Maybe it's in the eyes?

Maybe Next Sunday

Shot this one on the church bus in Magdalena, Mex.  I pray this little girl will someday climb aboard that bus rather than simply wave as it goes by.

Because You Obeyed

"In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore...because thou hast obeyed my voice." (Gen. 22:17-18)

Follow the Leader

When flying tight formations like this, it's imperative that each plane follows the leader.  Even in a deep dive.  But not into the ground.

Like the noble Bereans, we all must "search the scriptures".  Paul said, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." (I Cor. 11:1).

Single Focus

Back to the airshow theme!  I'm quite sure this guy didn't know I was taking his picture.  In fact I'm very sure he was intently focused on the job at hand -- "driving" an F/A-18 Hornet at high speed and with utter precision.

This guy's intensity reminds me of the Apostle Paul's singular focus and determination to know nothing save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (II Cor. 2:2).  Indeed, though he was talking about running a race, these verses from I Corinthinans 9 seem to apply as well:

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (I Cor. 9:24-27)