Wordless Wednesday

Occasionally the local fire department will use an abandon property as a training exercise. The debris left behind makes for an interesting photo opportunity. The chimney is kind of an iconic remnant of a farm house, but a closer look reveals a few interesting details. Of course, some things were just meant to be photographed in Black & White. Have a blessed day.

Ruby Tuesday Too/Wordless Wednesday

Every year my wife purchases several baskets of plants to place on the front porch and patio. The variety of color brings new life to the space and makes sitting outside in the evening just that much more enjoyable. On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I grabbed my camera and tripod, and had a portrait shoot of some of the blooms.

Skywatch Friday

Thank You for Your Service

Inspiration Thursday

 This week-end is Memorial Day week-end. For many Americans it is the official beginning of the summer vacation season. It is Indy 500 week-end. But Memorial Day had a much more somber beginning. It began, after the Civil War, in 1868 as Decoration Day when an organization of Union veterans called the Grand Army of the Republic established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions merged into a single celebration to honor all Americans who died while in service to our country. Today most people use the day to honor all of their friends and family members that have passed away, regardless of the circumstances.
It may sound a little macabre, but it you want to be inspired, visit a national cemetery or at least spend a little time in the military section of any cemetery. I visited the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, about 20 miles from our house. It doesn't take long to realize how many tens of thousands of Americans have given their lives to make this nation great. Some of the markers indicate that the veteran lived a full life after their service. Other dates give witness to those who died in combat. Markers give testimony to those who were Christian, Jewish, and other faiths. One can find America's combat history on these hallowed grounds. The dates on the headstones tell us of those who served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan.

One is reminded that a soldier does not select the battle nor decide if the cause is worthwhile, but goes where they is called and gives themselves in service to this great nation. So, this week-end, when you are enjoying the holiday with friends and family please remember that a price has been paid for your freedom. Have a blessed week-end.

Wordless Wednesday/Ruby Tuesday Too

Awe Mondays

I never ceased to be amazed and stand in awe at the variety and colors of flowers that God has created for us to enjoy. There is simply no end to their beauty.

Inspiration Thursday

We live in a society that tells us there are multiple ways to get into heaven. It reminds me of the current trend in children's activities...everyone gets a trophy. If you are a participant in this life, and you haven't committed some horrible act, then you go to that place that you consider to be heaven.
Others believe that religion is absolutely essential to gain access to eternal life and that religion must be filled with a variety of rituals, ceremonies, rules, etc. Failure to follow the rules will place your eternal destiny in danger. Finally there are those who don't believe in anything, or so they say. According to them, there is no God. When you live, you live and when you die, you die. The only thing that matters is how you live this life.
The Bible teaches us that all three of these viewpoints are false. Humans have a soul and that soul will live beyond the grave. Where that soul spends eternity depends on one single decision. What do you do about the person of Jesus Christ? Christ himself has told us that everyone is not going to heaven. Christ said, in John 3:16,18, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life...He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Furthermore, the Bible teaches us that no amount of good deeds or religious ceremony will get us into heaven. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are all descendants of Adam and Eve. The same sin nature that was present in them is alive and well in us.
Finally, there is only one way. Again, Christ Himself tells us, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Personally, I don't see any loopholes or escape clauses in that statement. Have a blessed day.