Railing on a stranger…

 

Have you ever noticed how those who have let their relationship with God flounder or who have never really taken the time to get to know Him, are most often the ones who also rail against Him for His lack of love and mercy?

 

I was thinking about this today. How often we begin to blame God when we feel that He has failed in some way. We blame Him, or some of His people when things go wrong and we feel abandoned. Yet how often do we step back and ask, with honesty, who really left?

Let me put it this way. If I met you and then never saw you again, we would be strangers. Now imagine something goes wrong in my life and I come to you and start blowing up on you for not being there for me, for not fighting for me, or taking up for me. Your door was always open, I could have come around, but I did not.

Yet I still look to blame you for what went wrong. The funny thing is that many, many times God is there when something goes wrong, even though we have been ignoring Him. Do we thank Him for this great mercy? Yet when something does eventually bring our world crashing to the ground, like anything not built on Jesus, we run to a God we barely even know and try to lay the blame at His feet.

 

I think it makes His mercy even more impressive. I have to remind myself that relationships take an investment. If I have never invested in my relationship with God, how can I hope to lean upon it when troubles come? I pray that one day when I finally get to go home I will meet Jesus as an old friend rather than for the first time.

 

Anyway… New Years/Christmas went really well. It was a massive blessing to see my brother and get to spend some concerted time with him. I am also extremely blessed that I have an awesome wife who understands my desire to spend time with my family. It was amazing having all of the kids and grandkids in one house again.

 

I have been dealing with a good deal of drama in the family as of late, so the pictures this time remind me of peace. A peace that amazingly is more prevalent now than in some time. I pray that all of your Christmas and New Years hopes came true and will continue to.

 

Finally...

Ok, so I finally got the Christmas pictures ready. In all fairness Christmas is not really over for us, my brother and his wife are heading into Houston tonight. As a family we will have Christmas this weekend... so maybe there will be two sets of Christmas pictures!

I got to spend $20 on Jenny this year. It was really cool how much and what I was able to get for her. With the year we've had a good Christmas would be a huge blessing. The chance to see my brother is a very good start.

These pictures come from last weekend. The snow was a blessing, one I wanted to share.

Well I have more of the snow to share later, don't want to over load one post ;) I'll be back to more regular and detailed posting after the weekend. I have a lot on my mind right now, and things are always busy around the end of the year. So enjoy the pictures and I'll be back with more!

White Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We apparently made it to Tennessee just in time to have a white Christmas. We woke up this morning to about two inches of snow and it still falling. While it is quite the blessing to be able to share my wife's very first white Christmas, we also have to travel today. I'm still thankful for the snow.

I did get to take a lot of nice Christmas pictures on this trip, but as I am away from my computer I am unable to any of it yet. No worries though, it will be along soon. I did have a few things I wanted to share.

First is a tradition I have made mine since I can remember. I would always, late on Christmas eve, turn out the lights and set a few candles about and with just the candles and Christmas tree I would read through the accounts of the Nativity. It has always meant a great deal to me. So I wanted to share with you my favorite account.

From the book of Luke chapter 2

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.


I posted the KJV of this section because it is what my Grandpa always read the story from when I was a child and so it still holds meaning for me. I truly hope you have all had a very blessed and merry Christmas. I am going to put up a picture of the only fall colors I had this year, I know it is a tad out of season, but let the warm colors keep you warm on this cold and snowy day just as the light of our savior keeps you warm in your heart!

Merry Christmas Eve...

Its Christmas Eve! We finally arrived at my wife's parents late last night. So we will be in Chattanooga TN for Christmas. It is interesting taking such a long trip with a VERY pregnant wife. There was one point I thought we were going to have to look for a hospital around Birmingham. Thank the Lord that it was only Braxton hicks.

I wanted to take the time to say a very merry Christmas to everyone. This and Thanksgiving have always been my two favorite times of the year. I love the cold crisp air, the family get togethers and warm fires, and the food and giving. Most of all I love the intimate focus on the peace and poetry of a God of love stepping out of glory to be born among men. Humble and low. To remember the nativity is to remember a God so full of love that nothing would stop Him from reconciling His lost children. The nativity would mean nothing without the Resurrection. We have a living Lord to thank for the gifts He gives us, a living hope. Let that be the source and proof of our joy and warmth this Christmas season.

Speaking of family. I have posted the pictures of Trey and Aurlie here. Well they went on a hike with us through Mammoth Cave National Park. This is where Trey and I used to go running. There is a certain overlook that I wanted to take Jenny to. I used to love running this path. The view was always amazing, and at the very bottom of the valley was a lightly wooded area with lush undergrowth where the deer would graze. From time to time I had the pleasure of running with the deer. Man and deer not 10 yards apart running through sun and trees. The memory means a good bit to me so I thought I would share those pictures.

"Such an oath did the gods make of the imperishable, primevil water of Styx; and it jets down through jagged country."

- Hesiod, Theogony 775 ff

I have a love of Greek mythology. It always seemed to add to the aura of this place, running near caves, waterfalls, and dark green waters.

This is the look out. There is something beautiful about the bone white trees stretching to the brilliant blue sky; patched with ever green and rimmed by still Waters. I hope you enjoy it as much as I! Merry Christmas!

Mid day update....

Ok so just wanted to throw up a quick mid day update. Jenny and I are preparing to leave tomorrow for TN, with a stop over in Bama. She is seven months pregnant and we are embarking on a sixteen plus hour trip... sound smart? Well her parents are paying for it and really want us to come up, so that's the plan. We still have packing (which i should be doing now) and preparing for my brother and his wife to visit yet to do. Oh the joys of chaos. Oh well.

I also wanted to comment on the lunar eclipse last night. It was cloudy in Houston so I didn't really get to see much of anything. I did look up the time elapse footage of the eclipse, so I guess I got to see some of it.

And last but not least was the Philly/ Giants game this past weekend. I didn't get to see the game here in Houston, but oh my word what a game. I have been a long time Vick fan. I know there are people who will never forgive him for the dog fighting, but he is the only 'celebrity' I have ever seen offer no excuses, apologize sincerely, and go above what is required of him to make amends. I think that is worthy of respect. I also like listening to his interviews. When asked a question he always gives credit to the team and the coaches and always takes blame for himself. This stands in stark contrast to the arrogance and pride of New England players. They were almost beaten by Green Bay, and were still cocky about it.

In all honesty I think there is something a good many of us could learn from Vick. Humility and hard work combined with a sense of responsibility can cover over a multitude of sins. Vick's past is becoming less and less of an issue for many people, why? Because he lives out what he professes.

Not that the winning hurts...

Now lets throw away any of the details but that last part.... how many people do you know are very good at living out what they talk about? Unless they are jerks that is. Not many. In fact it has become so rare a quality that an entire generation of young people are convinced it is better to be rude and a jerk so as not to be a 'hypocrite'. As wrong as that thought process is because it ignores the fact that reality is made by our actions and feelings are fleeting and often follow what we do, it still shows the state of our cultures self control.

Maturity was once defined as ones ability to practice self denial. If this, very fitting, definition was to be our standard I am afraid very few would be mature. We lack the self control, self denial, or maturity to live by what we say we believe. How often this has hurt the Church, how often now it characterizes people in general.

I hope Vick's personal success continues and that he is able to live a legacy worthy of passing on. I hope I can do the same.

Faces....

Ok so there is a story behind this post. I lived at my grandparents house for about a year. During this time I noticed the haunting image of a significantly elderly elven man in the linoleum floor of the bathroom. From the moment I first saw the character I could see nothing else. Now before you start wondering about my sanity. I have always searched things with a pattern or grain for any kind of image, much like searching clouds for animals.

SO with my sanity established... My grandparents suffer from Alzheimer's and have been moved to a nursing home. The family is now talking about selling their home. That is really difficult for me to think about, for many different reasons. However what is important is that the idea that I may never be in their house again inspired me to photograph my little elven friend and share him. The above picture is slightly edited by removing some distractions and darkening existing lines so they would show. However, beyond the darkening, no further drawing of any type took place. Therefore the portrait is somewhat artistically rendered to offer everyone a chance to meet my little elven friend.

The process also served another bit of inspiration. The following picture was taken at an art museum here in Houston called the Menil. The original picture was one straight line trench with one curl, which makes up the right eye. I then added the rest.

I realized that the black and white was, perhaps, not the best way to display the image for detail's sake, however I felt the black and white fit the atmosphere better. While I doubt a high class establishment like The Menil would agree, I think this fellow would make a wonderful addition to their grounds!

I know these pictures are quite different from my normal work, but I had such fun and such inspiration that I had to share. I hope you enjoy them!

P.S. Through the holiday season I will be traveling some, therefore the post frequency may go down slightly. Please check back often as I will post whenever I am able. Soon to come: fall colors (yes we did see some), Belly shots (if I can get my wife to do them), and more. 

Christmas shopping...

Jenny and I went Christmas shopping today. It is crazy out there, but it has always been fun to me to go Christmas shopping. This year Jenny picked out most of the gifts online and we simply went on a hunt to find them and move on... which did take out a good bit of the fun. It was still Christmas shopping though and it was  fun.

I keep thinking about Samuel Elijah showing up. I cant wait! It will be to late for this Christmas, but I'm still thinking about him a good bit. I suppose not having a job yet that it is a good thing he wont be here for Christmas. I would want to buy him a lot of stuff.

I figured I would put up the last picture we have of him so far. If you look really close you can see his eye lens and it is really cool.

I know it isn't the best picture of him, but it will probably be the last one until he meets the world. He is certainly giving Jenny a fun ride. She says it feels like he is trying to bust out of her side. That would be an awkward moment.

Anyway... onto other topics... I wanted to share a book I read recently. The Church of Irresistible Influence.


 This book is fantastic. The idea is that the Church should be well known in its community. We are called to build bridges of influence into our community. We cannot call them over to our side, we must build a safe and consistent bridge of influence into their worlds by which we may cross the cultural divide and walk with them back across.

Of course Lewis and Wilkins do a much better job of explaining the book than I. Again, if your in ministry leadership I believe this book is a must have.

Anyway, that's about all for today, let me know if you have read the book, I'd love to chat about it.