Herding Cats

We sometimes use the phrase "like herding cats" in leadership when talking about the difficulty of getting a diverse and/or independent group of individuals to act as one.  Something in this photo makes me think that even though they are intently looking at the leader at the moment, as soon as she turns her back they'd like to scatter throughout the city!  The guy in red is giving himself away.  :)

Then again, the lady in front looks like she's in charge and likely is giving them a compelling reason to unify around the common purpose of staying together; no doubt a balanced mix of the benefits of doing so and the consequences otherwise.

Brownstone

They say a man's house is his castle.  A place to shut the door on the world and retreat to the comfort of hearth and home.  I guess I'm always a little amazed when I observe that dynamic play out over and over again in the midst of a city of millions.  We all need that place to belong, to retreat from the cares of life and relax with our loved ones or the solace of solitude.  A common urge whether home is castle or cottage.  Funny how we even talk about going "back home" to the hotel or temporary lodging while traveling.

Otto

So, I'm a little embarrassed that I was 40' above my assigned altitude in this picture (even though ATC doesn't holler until you miss it by 300').  Still it's kind of a cool shot, don't you think?  And this is all you get to look at when flying on instruments in the clouds (which I wasn't when this image was taken).

In life, too, it's important to know which are the important "gauges".  Focus on them and ignore the rest--especially in time of trouble.  Here it's the six in the very middle.  Bonus points if you can name all six.

Any guesses who Otto might be?

Crown of Glory

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. (Prov. 16:31).

Obelisk

"And they said...let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name..." (Gen. 11:4)

"Let us make us a name." Significance. Independence. Self-sufficiency. All valued highly in this world. All certain to bring the confusion of Babel when man's purposes are confounded by his ambition, over-reaching and wretched pride.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

 

 It's a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there!  Seriously, there's a tremendous sense of intrigue as you walk past this place, either by the north entrance along Pennsylvania or this more distant, yet somewhat grander, view from the south.  Gone are the days of Lincoln where the public had easy access to the "People's House".  Now we mill about outside the fence, jockeying for the best spot to frame our companions with this magnificent backdrop, wondering how long it would take for the U.S.S.S. to pounce should some witless lad attempt to scale the barrier.

I guess I liked the somewhat human scale the house takes in this image--appropriately subservient to the even grander canvas of God's sky.

Hardy Mums

There's something especially nice about Chrysanthemums.  Blooming as they do after much else has turned brown or otherwise succumbed to the early frost, they afford us a longing grip on summer--that only slowly yields to the sure onslaught to come.  DC was well decorated with these hardy soldiers last weekend as we enjoyed our tour of the Mall.

Pray for our Leaders

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (I Tim. 2:1-2)

Justice and Mercy

Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
(Job. 8:3)

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. (Psalm 86:15)

One can stand outside the Supreme Court building in Washington and ponder the difference between man's and God's judgment.  One flawed, one absolutely just.  And the Just One is "plenteous in mercy".  How blessed we truly are.

Time

Something about time fascinates me.  I remember as a kid watching the second hand sweep to midnight on New Years Eve and being struck both by the significance of the start of a new year as well as the incessant sweep of the hand.  Not stopping at the milestone. Marching on.  As time should...

Until that day.  That day...when Jesus comes back. Someday.  Soon?  Maybe today? Maybe today!

Then the hands will freeze as in this image.  Where will you spend eternity?