no eye has seen ...

On my way home from work yesterday, I noticed that the sun was beginning to set as I approached Rehoboth. Fortunately, sunset was at 7 PM and I would have time to get home, eat quickly and rush out to see the painting that my heavenly Father was creating. Remembering that the sun sets in the West, I drove to an open field that faced toward Providence. The photograph of that golden sunset was my reward. I am now starting to understand why landscape photographers are so excited about the "golden hour."

As I worked on the image, cropping away the unnecessary details this amazing verse of Scripture came into my mind. It's from the Apostle Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth in the 2nd chapter, the 9th and 10th verses ... However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” -- but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

As I was driving home, looking at the sun in the sky I knew that the sunset would be beautiful -- I didn't know just how lovely it would be. I think that the Father gave me a taste of how much greater His plan for eternity is than my idea of heaven.

If the sunset taught me anything, it is this -- I can't even begin to imagine the beauty that awaits those who are in Christ. The really neat part is that we won't have to rush through supper to see it! And like the sunset, salvation is a free gift of God.

Keep the faith.

Best Face Forward ...

Today we visited Castle Hill in Newport, RI just because the weather was so nice. There is an old granite lighthouse, built in 1890, that now has a flashing red beacon to signal the shore. This little lighthouse is only 34 feet tall. When you approach the lighthouse from Castle Hill, you actually stand at eye level with the beacon. What strikes you is that this is a petite lighthouse. It isn't impressive because of its size, but what does impress you is that it has faithfully signaled since 1890 and keeps on doing just that.

The first picture shows you the view from the coastline. This petite lighthouse stands proud on its promontory and faces the sea with its best face forward. When you approach the lighthouse from the trail side, the lighthouse shows its weary side. The metal work is rusting, the paint is chipping, and the mortar needs to be re-pointed. But this petite lighthouse keeps its best face forward and signals, rust and all. It wears its rust and its age like a badge of honor.

There's a great truth in this little lighthouse. When you are fulfilling your purpose, it doesn't matter if a little rust stains your paint. There is a beauty in doing what you were created for that exceeds what Hollywood can deliver. We call that beauty character , and to paraphrase an old commercial ... we get it the old fashioned way, we earn it!

Keep the faith

spring is coming to God's bonsai tree ...

Today was a taste of spring -- blue skies, temps in the 50's, sunshine and melting snow. We visited the state park at Fort Phoenix (Fairhaven) and this persistent tree caught my eye. It stands on a small patch of ground caught between boulders left by the last glacier and the river, and it is bent by the force of the prevailing winds. It can't stand straight and tall like the oaks and maples, but it stands. Pretty soon, it will bud and leaf out. I'm looking forward to coming back later to see what this sturdy little tree will do with sunshine, rain, and soil.

As I have thought about this tree which was crafted by the Hand of our Heavenly Father, I am reminded of the Japanese art form of bonsai trees. They are exquisite miniature trees, crafted over years, that express an inner vision for that tree. This tree has been crafted with His inner vision in mind and it has a beauty that comes from the Father's tender care. It is bent to His will and His vision. We are called to become the Father's walking bonsai trees -- fulfilling the vision that He has for us. The hard part of being His bonsai is that pruning is required! Jesus told us that I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. (John 15:1-4) This tree tells us to trust the Father's hand while He is pruning us. He has a vision for the tree that we can become, and He wants our lives to be fruitful.

When you look at the nation and all of what's going on with Detroit, Wall Street, and Main Street, it's important to remember that Spring will come. We will not continue in the current winter forever, and that all of this is about restoring us to His vision. Psalm 30 verse 5 says weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. We all can get focused on today's troubles and forget that troubles pass. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6: 34), Jesus told us Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This persistent little tree has not given in to worry -- it just keeps growing and bending. It keeps on letting the Father craft it into that final work of art. Spring will come, and I can't wait to see what the Father's bonsai looks like with its coat of green leaves.

Keep the faith!

the orignal lighthouse ...

A lighthouse has only one purpose -- to shine a light that will guide a ship safely into harbor. It is there to rescue those who are lost and need to know the way home. We're living at a time with rescue plans for banks, auto makers, insurance companies, Freddie Mac, brokerage firms, people with impossible home mortgages, and people who are out of work. It's easy to look to Washington for a lighthouse, but where does Washington look for a light that will bring this nation safely home?

There's a great gospel song, The Lighthouse, that reminds us that Jesus is the lighthouse. He told us that He is the truth, the life and the way. He also promised that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. He is that lighthouse that never goes dark and always leads us home.

Sometimes we forget that compassion wasn't invented in the New Testament -- Psalm 72 tells us that He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence ... The prophet Zephaniah wrote ... At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time, I will bring you home ...

There's a family style between Jesus and the Father -- they are both filled with compassion, they both seek after the lost and the oppressed and they are both in the lighthouse business.

Keep looking at the original lighthouse ... He will bring you home.

sit or soar ...

So much of life is about the choices that we make -- we can sit on a rock and talk about the weather, the temperature of the water, the wind, the sun, and how we just don't feel like flying anymore. Or we can spread our wings and fulfill the purpose that we were born for. Until we climb off the rock we cannot know the joy of soaring.


Each one of us is a unique creation of our heavenly Father -- He made each of us with gifts, talents and abilities. When we sit on the safety of that rock, we forgo the joy He prepared for us. There is a marvelous scene in the movie Chariots of Fire in which Eric tells his sister that " ... God made me fast, and when I run I feel His pleasure." What a marvelous way to live our lives, looking forward to knowing that we are exercising the gifts He planted in each of us and feeling His pleasure as we soar on eagle's wings.

We need a new perspective -- are we living our lives sitting on the rock or are we soaring? When was the last time you chose to soar and felt His pleasure?


Keep the faith