This is an extremely talented, upcoming photographer. I highly suggest you take a look at his
website: digitaldesertphotography.com
12
Jun
09
A New Website For You
11
Oct
08
A Child Learns
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty. If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate. If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice. If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance, and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
18
Sep
08
A Tandem Ride With God
I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know Him.
But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn’t know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!” I was worried and anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared”, He’d lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord’s and mine. And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus.
And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says… “Pedal.”
15
Sep
08
The Lord Said Go
And the Lord said GO!
And I said who me?
And He said Yes You.
And I said
But I’m not ready yet
And there is studying to be done.
I’ve got this part-time job.
You know how tight my schedule is.
And He said You’re Stalling.
Again the Lord said GO!
And I said I didn’t want to.
And He said I Didn’t Ask If You Wanted To.
And I said
Listen I’m not the kind of person
To get involved in controversy.
Besides my friends won’t like it
And what will my roommate think?
And He said Baloney.
And yet a third time the Lord said GO!
And I said do I have to?
And He said Do You Love Me?
And I said
Look I’m scared.
People are going to hate me
And cut me into little pieces.
I can’t take it all by myself.
And He said Where Do You Think I’ll Be?
And the Lord said GO!
And I sighed
Here I am…send me.
-anonymous
11
Sep
08
God’s Wings
An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God’s wings…
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.
When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings.
The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.
When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you and then, be different because of it.
06
Sep
08
God’s Perspective
A young man once asked God how long a million years was to him. God replied, “A million years to me is just like a single second to you.”
The young man asked God what a million dollars was to him. God replied, “A million dollars to me is just like a single penny to you.”
Then the young man got his courage up and asked, “God, could I have one of your pennies?”
God smiled and replies, “Certainly, just a second.”
05
Sep
08
What Obama Is Really Doing!
Normally I don’t make this blog political, but I firmly believe this needs to be exposed. If you are even remotely thinking about voting for Obama, this is a must read:
05
Sep
08
Gardening God’s Way
Plant three rows of peas:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another
No garden without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another
Water freely with patience and cultivate love. There is much fruit for your garden Because you reap what you sow.
To conclude our garden
We must have thyme:
Thyme for God
Thyme for study
Thyme for prayer
Thyme for each other
Thyme for friends
Author Unknown
04
Sep
08
Would You Like to Meet the King?
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet the king. He set off, walking across the beautiful countryside towards the king’s castle. He walked and walked, thinking of all the wonderful things that he and the king would talk about, and he imagined how beautiful the castle was. He was just a little boy, and wanted so much just to talk to the king and be in his presence.
Finally, after many long days of walking, the king’s castle came into view. It was even more majestic than the boy had imagined! He couldn’t wait to tell the king how beautiful everything was and how much he had enjoyed his walk across the countryside. The boy began to run towards the castle!
However, as the boy drew closer to the outside of the castle, he noticed guards. Watchtowers were bristling with firepower, and the guards had mean looks on their faces. The boy slowed down…then stopped. The guards noticed him, and drew their weapons, striking menacing postures. They looked right at him!
“I just want to see the king….” the little boy began in a halting voice.
“Get out of here!” growled the guards.
Well, the little boy didn’t have to be told twice. After all that walking, after all that thinking, after all that wishing and hoping, he turned…and ran, scared beyond measure.
He began to cry. All he wanted to do was tell the king wonderful things, and see all the beautiful things in the king’s house. But he couldn’t even get near the castle! The boy finally stopped running and sat down and cried.
A young man happened to be coming down the path at that very moment. He was carrying a sack of groceries and whistling a pretty tune. He saw the little boy and stopped.
“What’s wrong, young man? Why so sad?” he asked.
“Sir, I walked and walked and walked just to see the king and there were these guards and I was scared and I wanted to tell the king how lovely everything is and see all the neat things in his castle and play and just tell the king that I just wanted to see him!!” wailed the little boy.
“Whoa! Slow down a little. Sounds like you’ve had a rough time today.” With that, the man set down his grocery sack and began to rummage through it. “Would you like some apple juice?” asked the man.
“Yes, thanks. I don’t think I’ll ever go back there!”
The man looked at the little boy thoughtfully. “Look, why don’t you try again. I’ll come with you this time.”
“Hey look mister, you haven’t seen these guards. They’re big! And mean! They yelled at me!”
The man smiled at the little boy, who was obviously concerned for his (the man’s) safety. He stood up and dusted himself off.
“C’mon with me. Maybe we can find something to eat along the way.” the man said, holding out his hand.
The little boy looked up at the man, and looked in the direction of the castle. He was so close! Well, he reasoned, even if I can’t see the king, maybe I can get something to eat before I begin my walk home.
With that, the little boy got up and took the man’s hand. He gripped the man’s hand tighter and tighter as they got closer to the king’s castle. Finally, the king’s guards spotted them: one very frightened boy holding the hand of a man with a sack of groceries. As they drew close, the little boy could stand it no more.
“Look, mister, we don’t have to do this…I don’t want you to get hurt. I’ll just be on my way. It was nice of you to stop…thanks for the juice…we can just turn around now…” the boy began to babble again.
The man held the little boy’s hand firmly and said, “Child, you’ve come this far…how about trusting me a little longer? Let’s just see what happens.”
“OK….”
The pair came closer to the castle and the guards watched them approach. The man looked down and winked at the boy. The boy really thought the man might be crazy…until he looked back up at the guards. They were smiling now!! The two that looked the toughest and meanest grinned fit to split! They even lowered the drawbridge to the castle. The little boy was amazed!
“Who are you?” asked the little boy in astonishment.
“Why, I’m the King’s Son. By placing your trust and faith in Me, you can enter the Castle and be with the King,” said the man.
The little boy broke into a huge smile.
“Can I go home and tell my parents about You?” asked the little boy. “Then they can come to visit, too!”
Jesus threw His head back and laughed. He thought that was the best thing that anyone could do.
Would you like to see the King? Let me introduce you to His Son….
- Unknown
A while back I posted a thread from the Phoenix Preacher site regarding a friend and his problems with Toyota. This is the results and was posted this morning.
Toyota settled with me on all accounts. They gave me my money back for the car, and they have agreed to a satisfactory settlement for the burned foot.
Thanks to all who took time to email on my behalf. I am certain that I would still be in a quagmire of policy and procedures if not for your effort.
The Lord is good! Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe Labor Day!!
31
Aug
08
The Golden Gift
Some time ago, a friend of mine punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.” He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty.
He yelled at her, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside of it?”
The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy.”
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her forgiveness. My friend told me that he kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
Author Unknown
30
Aug
08
Brothers
Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One was married and had a large family. The other was single. At the day’s end, the brothers shared everything equally, produce and profit.
Then one day the single brother said to himself, “It’s not right that we should share equally the produce and the profit. I’m alone and my needs are simple.” So each night he took a sack of grain from his bin and crept across the field between their houses, dumping it into his brother’s bin.
Meanwhile, the married brother said to himself, “Its not right that we should share the produce and the profit equally. After all, I’m married and I have my wife and my children to look after me in years to come. My brother has no one, and no one to take care of his future.” So each night, he took a sack of grain and dumped it into his single brother’s bin.
Both men were puzzled for years because their supply of grain never dwindled. Then one dark night the two brothers bumped into each other.
Slowly it dawned on them what was happening. They dropped their sacks and embraced one another.
-Unknown
28
Aug
08
Marble Trader
During the waning years of the Depression in a small southeastern Idaho community, I used to stop by Brother Miller’s roadside stand for farm-fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively.
One particular day Brother Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.
I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Brother Miller and the ragged boy next to me.
“Hello Barry, how are you today?”
“H’lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ the peas… sure look good.”
“They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?”
“Fine. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time.”
“Good. Anything I can help you with?”
“No, Sir. Jus’ admirin’ them peas.”
“Would you like to take some home?”
“No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ‘em with.”
“Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?”
“All I got’s my prize marble here.”
“Is that right? Let me see it.”
“Here ’tis. She’s a dandy.”
“I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?”
“Not ‘zackley… but, almost.”
“Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble.”
“Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller.”
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said: “There are two other boys like him in our community. All three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps.”
I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Utah but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys and their bartering.
Several years went by each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Brother Miller had died.
They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon our arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts… very professional looking.
They approached Mrs. Miller, standing smiling and composed, by her husband’s casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary, awkwardly wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. Eyes glistening she took my hand and led me to the casket.
“Those three young men that just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim “traded” them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size… they came to pay their debt.
“We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,” she confided, “but, right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.”
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three, magnificently shiny, red marbles.
–Author Unknown
27
Aug
08
The Gift of Insults
There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.
One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.
Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior’s challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. “How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?”
“If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it,” the master replied, “to whom does the gift belong?”
25
Aug
08
The Lesson of the Homeless Man
It was a cold winter’s day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked in the church.
As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes stuck out.
I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.
We all fellowshipped for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.
A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened.
In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down.
People gasped and whispered and made faces.
He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit where he took off his hat and coat. My heart sank.
There stood our preacher…he was the “homeless man.”
No one said a word.
The preacher took his Bible and laid it on his stand.
“Folks, I don’t think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today. If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
Author Unknown
23
Aug
08
Being Grateful
Gracious God, in the busyness of my day, I sometimes forget to stop to thank You for all that is good in my life. My blessings are many and my heart is filled with gratefulness for the gift of living, for the ability to love and be loved, for the opportunity to see the everyday wonders of creation, for sleep and water, for a mind that thinks and a body that feels. I thank you, too, for those things in my life that are less than I would hope them to be. Things that seem challenging, unfair, or difficult. When my heart feels stretched and empty and pools of tears form in my weary eyes, still I rejoice that you are as near to me as my next breath and that in the midst of turbulence, I am growing and learning. In the silence of my soul, I thank you most of all for your unconditional and eternal love. Amen.
22
Aug
08
Letter From A Friend
I am writing to say how much I care for you
and to say how much I want you to know me better.
When you awoke this morning,
I exploded a brilliant sunrise through your window,
hoping to get your attention,
but you rushed off without even noticing.
Later, I noticed you were walking with some friends,
so I bathed you in warm sunshine
and perfumed the air with nature’s sweet scent,
and still you didn’t notice me.
As you passed by,
I shouted to you in a thunderstorm
and painted a beautiful rainbow in the sky,
and you didn’t even look.
In the evening,
I spilled moonlight onto your face
and sent a cool breeze to rest you.
As you slept,
I watched over you and shared your thoughts,
but you were unaware that I was so near.
I have chosen you and hope you will talk to me soon.
Until then, I remain near.
I am your friend and love you very much.
~Your Friend, Jesus~
21
Aug
08
Slow Me Down Lord
Slow me down,Lord!
Ease the pounding of my heart
By the quieting of my mind.
Steady my harried pace
With a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, admidst the confusions of my day,
The calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves
With the soothing music of the sighing streams
That live in my memory.
Help me to know
The magical restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art
Of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower;
To chat with an old friend or to make a new one;
To pat a stray dog,
To watch a spider build a web;
To smile at a child;
Or to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day
That the race is not always to the swift;
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward
Into the branches of the towering oak
And know that it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord,
And inspire me to send my roots deep
Into the soil of life’s enduring values
That I may grow toward the stars
Of my great destiny.
Wilferd A. Peterson
20
Aug
08
The Bible Lives
Generation follows generation
– yet it lives.
Nations rise and fall
– yet it lives.
Kings, dictators, rulers come and go
– yet it lives.
Torn, condemned, burned
– yet it lives.
Hated, despised, cursed
– yet it lives.
Doubted, suspected, criticized
– yet it lives.
Damned by atheists
– yet it lives.
Scoffed at by scorners
– yet it lives.
Exaggerated by fanatics
– yet it lives.
Misconstrued and misstated
– yet it lives.
Ranted and raved about
– yet it lives.
Its inspiration denied
– yet it lives.
Yet it lives
– as a lamp to our feet.
Yet it lives
– as a light to our paths.
Yet it lives
– as the gate to Heaven.
Yet it lives
– as a standard for childhood.
Yet it lives
– as a guide for youth.
Yet it lives
– as an inspiration for the matured.
Yet it lives
– as a comfort for the aged.
Yet it lives
– as food for the hungry.
Yet it lives
– as water for the thirsty.
Yet it lives
– as rest for the weary.
Yet it lives
– as light for the heathen.
Yet it lives
– as salvation for the sinner.
Yet it lives
– as grace for the believer.
To know it is to love it.
To love it is to accept it.
To accept it means life eternal.
19
Aug
08
The Bible In Fifty Words
God made
Adam bit
Noah arked
Abraham split
Joseph ruled
Jacob fooled
Bush talked
Moses balked
Pharaoh plagued
People walked
Sea divided
Tablets guided
Promise landed
Saul freaked
David peeked
Prophets warned
Jesus born
God walked
Love talked
Anger crucified
Hope died
Love rose
Spirit flamed
Word spread
God remained.
Author Unknown
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