only on the green light ...

In the town of Dighton there is a old bridge that crosses the Taunton River and leads you into the town of Berkley. Its a very old and very narrow bridge and can support only one lane of traffic. When you cross the Berkley Bridge you have to wait until your traffic light is green. The spot is is pretty, but when you're in a hurry it's easy to forget to look at what's there.

Our lives can be so much like the Berkley Bridge -- there are times when we have the green light and can get on with the next thing. Then there a moments when we're facing that red light and simply have to wait. So much of the quality of our lives is tied up in what we do when we're waiting. Do we grumble about waiting? Do we ignore the red light and take foolish risks? Or do we savor the moment -- enjoy the scenery and take that little mental holiday? Are we too caught up in getting somewhere that we can't deal with a red light on a one lane bridge?

The next time that life sends you to a one lane bridge and the light is red, don't look at your watch -- look out your window and see the river! You'll be glad you did.

Keep the faith!

once there was a spider ...

Over the last few days I've had several conversations about bailouts, stimulus packages, problems with the Congress, questions about where all of this is going and are we confident that real progress will be made. Clearly no one really knows what's contained in all 1800+ pages of the stimulus bill. It leaves me, and many others, I'm sure, puzzled.

Then I remembered this photo of a little spider (click on the image to see it full screen -- it's a wee spider!) that was spinning a web in the heart of this flower. That spider had no certainty that its next meal would show up, that the flower wouldn't be picked, that the rain wouldn't wash its efforts away or that a bigger spider wouldn't move in. It simply went about its business of spinning its web in a place where lunch happens. I trust that the little guy made it.

There is a lesson for all of us here -- get on with the business of life in spite of all of its uncertainties. If we wait until we know how it will turn out or until everything is perfectly safe, life will pass us by. The flower will be gone; the day will pass and we will miss all of what is right. We need to be in the moment just as that little spider was in its moment -- just as purposeful and just as confident that there was nowhere else to be.

The Apostle Paul told us to do all things as unto the Lord. I wonder if we really apprehend that statement -- that all of our lives are to be lived for His glory and to bring praise to His name. It means that we don't work for the people who sign the paycheck, but we work to honor the One who was a carpenter and redeemed us. We do all things for the One who told us that we were not to worry about tomorrow and to let each days troubles be sufficient for that day. He told us that we were not to worry about what we would eat or what we would wear because our Father already knows what we need; He also promised us that He would never leave us nor forsake us.

There is a great gift in knowing that we are to live life one moment and one day at a time. There's a great song that tells us to "keep doin' our best, pray that it's blessed, and Jesus takes care of the rest!"

Keep the Faith!

It really is amazing ...

I've had the opportunity to visit the Great Wall of China on two occasions. This was taken on my second visit in October of 2007. When you see it there are two things that simply amaze you -- its immense size and how rugged the landscape is. As far as you can see, the Wall is there winding its way up and down the mountains and valleys. Then it hits you. The Chinese who built the Wall did so with hand tools, wheelbarrows and backbreaking labor. You cannot help be be in awe of the achievement.

When I think about the financial troubles that the nation is facing, they do seem smaller when you consider accomplishments like the Great Wall. I am also mindful, that the present situation will be resolved one job at a time just as the Wall was built one brick at a time. This is a time that we all need to be patient about the time and the process of recovery.

We also need to remember that the Lord is the One who raises up nations and provides for His children. We can get so caught up in what we will do, what Washington will do that we forget that without His favor we are not able to fix things. Remember to pray for our President, our Congress, our Governors and State Legislators. They need wisdom and discernment.

Ducks in A Row ...

I wish I could tell you how many times that I've been told to "get my ducks in a row" or that "all of my ducks are in a row." I've always wondered if the ducks would care about rows. This morning I found the answer to that puzzlement. Apparently these ducks decided that getting into a row was warmer.

This was taken at the settling pond next to the Swansea junior high. I've driven by it more times than I can count, but today I brought my camera along. Because the camera was there, I stopped long enough to see what I've failed to see so often. We all need to practice seeing. There are so many other things that we need make the effort to see. Pray that the One who created all with just a word will open the eyes of our hearts to see the marvels of His creation and to see the wonders of His grace.

It's great to use the camera as a tool to see, but prayer is the tool that lets us see Him.

Emma, Papa & a Kite

It's still January, but we've already started to plan a summer vacation -- once again, we will be blessed with the opportunity to spend two weeks with the kids and grandkids on Cape Cod in July and August. There is nothing better than short pants, grandkids and kites on a July day on the beach!

When I consider how many people are without work and are losing hope, I know how precious it is to be held in my Father's hand. We can be sure that He does not slumber or sleep, that no sparrow falls without His notice, and that He has plans to prosper us, and not to harm us. Keeping our eyes on Him, on His love, and His faithfulness is our real peace.

Keep the faith!

Richard

Spring Will Come ...

These flowers were in a Botanical Garden at the University of Munster, Germany.
The picture was taken in September of 2008 while attending a conference. It's now the end of January, and we've had more than 30 inches of snow so far this winter. I haven't seen my driveway without ice and snow for weeks. While there have been days with dazzling sunshine, it has been hard to remember flowers. Remember the look and smell of flowers, remember the extravagance of God in His creation, then smile.

Sakonnet Point, Little Compton, RI Dec. 30, 2008

These are three views of the beach and lighthouse at Sakonnet Point taken on a clear, sunny, and windy day in December of 2008. It is so easy to forget the amazing scenes all around us -- remembering to look ensures that we will capture the moments that take our breath away.